BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Jack Parkman]

Well now the SCAC just got a little more interestnglyer...

Trinity beats Centenary 2-0 in opening game of the series sending a message that it is not how you play in the first half that matters, its how you play in the second half.

First time I have seen the new Trinity network webcast. Very nice. Why more college programs don't see that this is a Uuugh recruiting advantage is beyond me.

Nicely done TU announcers!

I caught the top of the 9th and you are absolutely right about the broadcast.  Massive improvement from their old system and one of the announcers even had an accent!  Big win for Trinity.

[108 Stitches]

Kaboom...


Here is a picture of Centenary's plans for a Regional appearance after this weekend...

Trinity took 2 of 3 over the weekend - and even worse - run ruled Centenary in the final game today. It was likely a long trip on the bus back to Shreveport for the Gents tonight.

Big series next weekend for Centenary/TLU as the top two teams in the SCAC face each other in Shreveport. It is really a must win series for each program as Trinity will likely be the three seed and neither program wants to face Trinity in their opening game of the conference tournament.

Trinity certainly sent a message this week to both programs that the path to a Regional from the SCAC still runs through San Antonio until someone changes it.

[Ron Boerger]

Kaboom...


Here is a picture of Centenary's plans for a Regional appearance after this weekend...

Trinity took 2 of 3 over the weekend - and even worse - run ruled Centenary in the final game today. It was likely a long trip on the bus back to Shreveport for the Gents tonight.

Big series next weekend for Centenary/TLU as the top two teams in the SCAC face each other in Shreveport. It is really a must win series for each program as Trinity will likely be the three seed and neither program wants to face Trinity in their opening game of the conference tournament.

Trinity certainly sent a message this week to both programs that the path to a Regional from the SCAC still runs through San Antonio until someone changes it.

Not saying it's likely, but remember what happened after TLU run ruled Trinity in SA last season 

The last week was encouraging for TU - hope the trend continues.

[108 Stitches]

Mr Boerger, I drank beer with with Trinity 2016. I knew Trinity 2016. Trinity 2016 was a friend of mine. Mr Centenary 2017, you're no Trinity 2016.
(or 2015 for that matter)

...but I get the point.

The real issue for TLU and Centenary is to not have to face Trinity in their first game in the SCAC championship. TU may not out hit a lot of teams but they have more than a couple arms who, and maybe some more with additional experience, who will be able to shut a team down. Both TLU and Centenary are fine teams and well coached, but I don't think either has the pitching depth to come through the looser bracket loosing the first game of the SCAC.

I  still think Centenary is the favorite for the SCAC conf representative, but this will be a lot clearer after next weekend.

[Ron Boerger]

+1, 108.   And I'm no Mr. 

[Jim Dixon]

Mr Boerger, I drank beer with with Trinity 2016. I knew Trinity 2016. Trinity 2016 was a friend of mine. Mr Centenary 2017, you're no Trinity 2016.
(or 2015 for that matter)

...but I get the point.

The real issue for TLU and Centenary is to not have to face Trinity in their first game in the SCAC championship. TU may not out hit a lot of teams but they have more than a couple arms who, and maybe some more with additional experience, who will be able to shut a team down. Both TLU and Centenary are fine teams and well coached, but I don't think either has the pitching depth to come through the looser bracket loosing the first game of the SCAC.

I  still think Centenary is the favorite for the SCAC conf representative, but this will be a lot clearer after next weekend.

The early part of the Gent's season has been suspect (this is why a late entry into the Top 25) and good pitching is exposing what might not be a truly great hitting team.

[108 Stitches]

... who is that behind me.

           Centenary and TLU

[108 Stitches]

After losing the first game of the TLU series 11-0 Centenary holds serve twice and on Saturday to solidify their spot atop the SCAC. Both TLU and Centenary face SWern so if TLU goes 2-1 all Centenary has to do is finish up 1-2 against them and they will hold top seed in the SCAC tournament. There still are two critical series to be played but it looks like the SCAC will end up looking like:

1. Centenary
2. TLU
3. Trinity
4. SWern

A top 10 team should not lose a game 11-0 so I expect Centenary to drop in the national standings, however the only thing that matters is for them to come up in Regional rankings when they come out and of course to win the SCAC tournament, which will be a tough battle.  Both TLU and Trinity have shown they can beat Centenary so it is shaping up to be a tough tournament for whoever comes out of the SCAC.

[Ralph Turner]

TLU's Malinkowsky was "ON" for Centenary. He gave up only 5 hits.
Kaleb Kirk gave up only 4 runs until the Bulldogs chased him in the 7th.

I think that the critical factor about the SCAC is its balance.  This will be a fun tourney to watch.

[108 Stitches]

The SCAC tournament is almost set with Centenary locking in the top seed. League standings are:

Centenary 15-3
TLU           11-4
Trinity         9-6
SW             7-8
Austin Col. 6-9

Next weekend TLU is home against SWern, and Trinity is home against Austin College.

Technically it is possible for the bottom three seeds to get juggled, but I expect TLU to go 2-1 vs SW, but it is possible for it to flop to 1-2. (not likely) and Trinity should go 2-1 vs Austin and could easily sweep. It is technically feasible for Trinity to sweep and TLU to get swept and lose the second seed and it is also technically possible for Austin to sweep Trinity and if TLU sweeps SWern they could lose the fourth seed. None of this is going to happen so we will likely end up with the top four seeds being the way they are. Once the field is set I will have some commentary.

[108 Stitches]

OK the SCAC conf is set with seeding below and some relevant statistics for the teams.

Team	Team ERA	Best  PL ERA	# PL ERA under 3.0	Team Bat Ave	# PL hit over .300	Top Hitter	Fielding	Conf Record
Centenary	3.17	2.39	3	0.348	8	0.418	0.979	15-3
TLU	4.39	2.73	2	0.300	7	0.359	0.956	12-6
Trinity	3.58	1.01	6	0.296	5	0.397	0.951	12-6
Swern	4.97	2.63	1	0.292	4	0.371	0.948	9-9

Overall you can see that Centenary should win the tournament for the first time, as they have the best ERA, hitting and defense and they should have enough pitching to get through the tournament; however they need to stay in the winners side otherwise Trinity has the pitching depth to give them some problems. TLU faded at the end and I don't think they have the depth for a deep tournament run. Trinity has the pitching to give anyone problems, but overall they don't have the balance offensively/defensively to get through the tournament IMO.

...but this is playoff baseball and anything can happen.


My predictions for first round games.
1. Centenary over SW
2. Trinity over TLU

[Jack Parkman]

OK the SCAC conf is set with seeding below and some relevant statistics for the teams.

Team	Team ERA	Best  PL ERA	# PL ERA under 3.0	Team Bat Ave	# PL hit over .300	Top Hitter	Fielding	Conf Record
Centenary	3.17	2.39	3	0.348	8	0.418	0.979	15-3
TLU	4.39	2.73	2	0.300	7	0.359	0.956	12-6
Trinity	3.58	1.01	6	0.296	5	0.397	0.951	12-6
Swern	4.97	2.63	1	0.292	4	0.371	0.948	9-9

Overall you can see that Centenary should win the tournament for the first time, as they have the best ERA, hitting and defense and they should have enough pitching to get through the tournament; however they need to stay in the winners side otherwise Trinity has the pitching depth to give them some problems. TLU faded at the end and I don't think they have the depth for a deep tournament run. Trinity has the pitching to give anyone problems, but overall they don't have the balance offensively/defensively to get through the tournament IMO.

...but this is playoff baseball and anything can happen.


My predictions for first round games.
1. Centenary over SW
2. Trinity over TLU

I saw they moved the Tourney to Grand Prairie, TX this year and will play at Air Hogs stadium.  Great ballpark with plenty of hotels and restaurants in the area.  I am curious as to why they decided to move it there instead of playing on campus.  Anyone know why?

[108 Stitches]

Someone posted that earlier in the season. I am not sure why other than they wanted a neutral place for the tournament and maybe give the players a more exciting experience. The one thing that looks concerning is that I don't see a video feed. Sometimes they don't put it up until they have worked out the details but this would be a huge bummer for all of the teams if they don't have a video feed.

[Ron Boerger]

The one thing that looks concerning is that I don't see a video feed. Sometimes they don't put it up until they have worked out the details but this would be a huge bummer for all of the teams if they don't have a video feed.

I pinged Commissioner Hanberry this morning, who said "[t]he SCAC Baseball Tournament will be live streamed free of charge through SportsGram. www.sportsgram.net"

[108 Stitches]

Centenary beat SWern 6-4 in a very well played game, with some really good defensive plays from both teams. The webcast is quite good with two announcers and three camera's. Field is all turf.

Trinity vs TLU up at 4:30CT.