BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ron Boerger]

Hope you're right, 108; interestingly both TLU and TU are 10-8 in road games this season (though this will be a neutral-site game). 

[bzzboyz]

Not sure what last "two" weeks you're referring to with TLU. Yes, they got spanked last week but they were off the week before and swept SW the week before that. It's a waste of time to try and predict this tournament. Any of them can take it.

[Ron Boerger]

Centenary answered the "can they maintain their recent hot play" in the affirmative with a 10-0 run-rule win over Southwestern.

[bzzboyz]

While it is a run rule, it was not a test. I've been watching them play and SW gave up about 4 weeks ago. They backed into the 4th spot. Wish Austin had been a little better because they would have loved to been there.

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity gets to TLU ace Aaron Aleman late, scoring three runs (two earned) in the last two innings to take a 3-1 win.   The Bulldogs got a couple of hits off of Ryan Gray in the bottom of the ninth, and had the winning run at the plate with one out, but could not scratch out a hit against reliever Teddy Turner. 

[Ron Boerger]

Southwestern cared enough to knock TLU out of the tourney, holding the Bulldogs to 4 hits in a 3-2 win.  They await the Centenary-Trinity loser in another elimination game tomorrow.

[108 Stitches]

TLU was eliminated on Friday with, first with a loss to Trinity, which they led 1-0 through 7, game was tied in the 8th and then Wolf hit a monster HR at a place where very few balls go out. Aleman (TLU) pitched a great game but tired at bit at the end when Trinity was finally able to score some runs, Gray from Trinity was also impressive, a bit shaky in the first two innings and then settled down and was dominant. I am sure having to go straight into the next game after a loss like this was not easy as SW had the time to regroup after their run ruled loss. TLU lost to SW 3-2 in the second game.

Centenary and Trinity play in the first game with SW waiting in the loser bracket. I would expect more low scoring competitive games today, as Cent field is really big which requires good OF defense and GB and line drives to score.

[SoCalSoxFan]

Congrats to Trinity and Centenary for making it to Championship Sunday.

Good luck to the player(s) that I know

[108 Stitches]

For those wanting updates the SCAC does an outstanding job in their media department, other conferences should take note:

http://www.scacsports.com/tournament/spring/baseball/index

Cent and Trinity are in the final game with Trinity having to win two for the SCAC crown.

My take so far.

It shows how important, it is to develop your team during the season and what really matters is how you are playing going into the playoffs. TLU was swept the previous week and dug themselves into a hole having to face Trinity in the first game instead of hosting the tournament facing the 4th seed. They played well most of the season but tapered off at the end and this really hurt them as they are a very good team. Cent on the other hand struggled a bit early but developed some promising freshmen and they are are much better team at the end than when they started the season. They came in with some momentum and it has paid off for them, pounding SW early and sneaking out a 10 inning game vs Trinity. SW continues to impress me, they seem to compete on energy and grit as they just don't have the talent of some of the other teams, but that does not seem to matter as they have shown they can beat anyone. A great building season for that program. What I like the most is that the conference is getting much more competitive.

The games are playing out as expected with a hit here or there or a crucial mistake makes all of the difference in a game.

Trinity's strength continues to be its pitching and they have plenty of arms left even though they have played one more game than Centenary. Centenary needs to win game one, or the advantage shifts to Trinity in game 2. Trinity's nemesis continues to be being able to score, or more importantly take advantage of runners in scoring position, they had many opportunities the past couple of days and just can't seem to get a key hit and break a game open, some base running blunders contributed to this.

Should be a great day for baseball, sunny low 80's and sheehe stadium is an excellent venue.

http://www.gocentenary.com/baseball/facility/

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity takes one from Centenary, 6-4, dealing Taylor Henry (6.0 IP, 2 ER) his second loss of the season.    Teddy Turner picked up the win with 4 2/3 innings without a hit allowed, relieving Matt Tindall who only allowed three hits but gave up three earned runs in his 4 1/3rd inning.    On to game two, where everyone will be scrambling from the bullpen. 

[Ron Boerger]

Centenary will send Jake McFarland (5-2, 2.77) to the mound.   Trinity will counter with Mike Walker (5-3, 4.01).   

Expected McFarland in the previous game, to be honest.    Not having Henry available for relief this time around could be a key for the Gents; then again, both of Trinity's best relievers (Turner and Tindall) won't be available, either.   Nick Griffith pitched three-plus yesterday. 

[Ron Boerger]

I was half right, anyway.

Mike Walker went seven strong innings, allowing four hits, but Centenary went through seven different pitchers as the Tigers run ruled them, 10-0 in seven.    Brody Fehmel and Nick Jewett were a combined 6-for-8 with 4 RBI (3 by Fehmel) from the bottom two spots in the order as Trinity wins two on the final day to be the first team since 1995 to do that in the SCAC tourney. 

Centenary starter McFarland didn't make it out of the second inning, allowing three hits, two walks, and four runs in an inning and a third.

[Whatagame]

Wow, taking three straight elimination games is quite an accomplishment.  Trinity could be considered a favorite in the West regional?

[Ron Boerger]

Don't know if that's enough to make them a favorite, but with the way the region is shaking out so far (with Whitworth, another #3 seed in their conference, and La Verne, a #4), it certainly looks wide open.   The ASC champion, most likely UT-Tyler or Concordia (TX), might be considered the favorite at this point.

PLU and Linfield getting thrown into the Pool C mix could have an impact on Pool C chances for the ASC runner-up, too.   UTT and CTX really need to make it to the championship; an early exit could cost a bid. 

[SoCalSoxFan]

Don't know if that's enough to make them a favorite, but with the way the region is shaking out so far (with Whitworth, another #3 seed in their conference, and La Verne, a #4), it certainly looks wide open.   The ASC champion, most likely UT-Tyler or Concordia (TX), might be considered the favorite at this point.

PLU and Linfield getting thrown into the Pool C mix could have an impact on Pool C chances for the ASC runner-up, too.   UTT and CTX really need to make it to the championship; an early exit could cost a bid.

Ron, I agree with your assessment... which, based on my history, means the opposite will happen.