BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

Spence · March 30, 2014, 08:09:17 PM

I think the strike zone was pretty tight for both teams. Sounded like it from the broadcast.

Brewer was none too impressed with the product of either team.

motorman · March 30, 2014, 08:43:42 PM

I was really surprised looking at BW stats, they have won 10 games and 9 different pitchers have those wins. Guess that would make it difficult to decide who your top 4 pitchers are.

Spence · March 30, 2014, 09:34:16 PM

Nothing cheap about B-W's Game 2 win, even though it was 2-1. Marietta had just four hits, and they got 8 off Herstine. Cory Waite pitched really well to start and then Cichocki was just too much late.

B-W now 2-0 in the back end of the conference doubleheader. They may not have a true blue ace, but they seem to have enough to keep them in games, and they swing the bats and make contact. And if you're behind after 7, you've got an uphill battle dealing with Cichocki.

Dr. Acula · March 30, 2014, 10:49:07 PM

Navigate Berg and Etta at 2-2. BW can't be mad about that. I'd take it for sure. Just keep holding serve. Honestly, even par through those 2 is a leg up in my opinion. You have to figure at worst you're even with the rest of the conference.

Spence · March 31, 2014, 12:24:39 AM

They probably feel like they let one get away against Heidelberg -- almost all the runs they gave up were in one inning. Fielding .950 is something you'd like to see change if you're going to tip them to do big things.

But they're probably better than most of their numbers. They've played 4 games against scholarship programs, including two D-Is.

motorman · March 31, 2014, 01:23:48 AM

Quote from: motorman on March 23, 2014, 09:25:35 PM

One week later, through games of 3/23:
OP WP OOWP NCAA SOS
20 John Carroll 5-6 .6378 .5560 .611
27 Marietta 11-4 .6017 .5898 .598
52 Heidelberg 14-3 .5756 .5761 .576
81 BW 10-3 .5548 .5773 .562
118 Otterbein 9-5 .5580 .5291 .548
176 Muskingum 4-7 .5179 .5164 .517
242 Wilmington 0-13 .5071 .4397 .485
255 Capital 9-5 .4519 .5340 .479
273 ONU 10-3 .4274 .5535 .469
313 Mount Union 7-0 .3836 .5472 .438

21 Wooster 8-4 .6327 .5648 .610
49 Adrian 7-5 .5906 .5504 .577
85 W & J 6-7 .5647 .5512 .560
97 Case 13-3 .5347 .5970 .555

There have been some minor changes since I posted this last night but nothing of significance, i.e. Berg is actually #50 instead of #52. I didn't post it but Manchester fell to #207 this week after 5 games vs DePauw and Hanover, games that they went 1-4 in.

Strength of schedule through games of 3/30

OP WP OOWP NCAA SOS
5 John Carroll 8-6 .6491 .5520 .617
10 Marietta 12-6 .6245 .5724 .607
12 Heidelberg 15-4 .6290 .5504 .603
32 BW 11-4 .5818 .5796 .581
180 Otterbein 10-5 .5000 .5333 .511
221 Mount Union 7-3 .4758 .5349 .496
230 Muskingum 4-9 .4933 .4877 .491
261 Wilmington 0-13 .4914 .4508 .478
283 ONU 12-3 .4309 .5281 .463
292 Capital 9-6 .4286 .5180 .458

8 Wooster 8-4 .6278 .5690 .608
15 W & J 7-7 .6219 .5579 .601
67 Case 14-4 .5404 .5943 .558
99 Rose Hulman 11-4 .5581 .5103 .542
100 Adrian 12-5 .5316 .5629 .542

EttaFan1 · March 31, 2014, 09:30:55 AM

Quote from: Spence on March 30, 2014, 08:09:17 PM
I think the strike zone was pretty tight for both teams. Sounded like it from the broadcast.

Brewer was none too impressed with the product of either team.

Don't know that I would say it was tight. Looked pretty good in both games from the guys behind the plate. The first Umpire didn't care for the inside part of the plate against lefties, but was fairly generous wth the outside corner.

It wasn't the prettiest baseball you'll ever see, that's for certain.

Marietta's offense isn't on par with what you would expect from a traditional Pioneer squad. Hat's off to Waite of BW, guy had our number all night long, and even the ones we hit hard, we hit at people. Marietta is pitching well, and is pretty solid defensively. The biggest weakness right now is hitting the baseball, and that has to improve if they are going to compete for the top spot in the OAC this year.

Spence · March 31, 2014, 12:38:05 PM

Well I get my info in-game from Johnny and gang, so take that as you like haha. They're entertainers and good at that, no complaints I love listening to them and am thankful they put up the web stream which I'm sure makes them next to no money.

Most of the guys in the lineup have hit in their careers...just not right now. Was hoping the first game helped the mental aspect but Game 2 suggests otherwise. But MC has lost games like that before, and B-W usually seems to play Marietta well.

Waite has only given up 1 earned run against D-III though and only Webster has really hit him much. Might just be unfortunate that after he was effective against Heidelberg that they gave him the shot to start.

BW has home and home with Case this week in non-conference...should be interesting.

Dr. Acula · March 31, 2014, 02:09:12 PM

Nice day outside and we've got some good ball games so far. Ott up 3-0 over Cap in the 4th. It's Ellis not Collier on the hill. Hope Collier is just nursing a sore knee and nothing serious. Musky and Berg tied 2-2 through 4. ONU leads Mount 3-1 through 4 in a game still awaiting its first earned run. Eltzroth is pitching well for ONU.

Dr. Acula · March 31, 2014, 03:13:39 PM

Sheesh...Mount cannot get the offense going at all. Down 6-2 in the 8th they load the bases with nobody out desperately needing to score at least 2 in that scenario. They get 1...RBI groundout then a 6-4-3 DP.

Bishopleftiesdad · March 31, 2014, 05:45:34 PM

Quote from: Dr. Acula on March 31, 2014, 02:09:12 PM
Nice day outside and we've got some good ball games so far. Ott up 3-0 over Cap in the 4th. It's Ellis not Collier on the hill. Hope Collier is just nursing a sore knee and nothing serious. Musky and Berg tied 2-2 through 4. ONU leads Mount 3-1 through 4 in a game still awaiting its first earned run. Eltzroth is pitching well for ONU.

I know Nick well. I am glad to see him having sucess this year so far. Sorry it is against your MU squad doctor. OWU scheduled to play them Weds, Clearly we will not be seeing Eltzroth, pitching anyway.

Dr. Acula · March 31, 2014, 06:22:08 PM

No need to apologize. It's kind of expected right now. Mount isn't going to be scoring much if any off of competent pitching the last couple weeks. They're down 3-2 late in game 2 and have had 6 straight donuts hung on them by 3 different pitchers. They play small ball and when you're having trouble executing your situational hitting and not getting 2 out hits you don't score for long stretches like this. It's too bad because Carlino pitched pretty well (6.2 IP, 2 ER).

Dr. Acula · March 31, 2014, 06:42:13 PM

Wow! With 2 down Mount balks a guy to 2nd then gives up a single to score the insurance run for the Bears. 4-2. Mount's bats have been lifeless for 6 innings. It's over. Nope. They get back to back singles to start the bottom of the 9th and then the wheels fall off for ONU. Bunt attempt is thrown away scoring one and putting guys on 2nd and 3rd. Wild pitch scores the tying run. RBI single chases home the game winner. That went from a disasterous day to salvaging a split in less than 10 minutes. Great job by Olasz and Morino to get things going and put the pressure on right away.

Spence · March 31, 2014, 06:55:19 PM

OAC standings (a bit different way)
Team OAC +- Rd. left   OAC teams played
John Carroll   4-0     +2    8   MTU, WILM
Marietta   3-1     +1     8   OTT, BW
Ohio Northern   3-1     +1     6   WILM, MTU
Heidelberg    3-1     +1    6   BW, MUSK
BaldwinWallace   2-2     0     6   HEID, MAR
Otterbein    2-2     0     6   MAR, CAP
Capital    1-3     -1    8   MUSK, OTT
Muskingum    1-3     -1     8   CAP, HEID
Mount Union    1-3     -1    8   JCU, ONU
Wilmington    0-4     -2    6   ONU, JCU

Obviously when everyone's played the same number of home-road games, the plus-minus doesn't matter much.

Spence · April 01, 2014, 12:46:41 AM

Quote from: motorman on March 31, 2014, 01:23:48 AM
Quote from: motorman on March 23, 2014, 09:25:35 PM

One week later, through games of 3/23:
OP WP OOWP NCAA SOS
20 John Carroll 5-6 .6378 .5560 .611
27 Marietta 11-4 .6017 .5898 .598
52 Heidelberg 14-3 .5756 .5761 .576
81 BW 10-3 .5548 .5773 .562
118 Otterbein 9-5 .5580 .5291 .548
176 Muskingum 4-7 .5179 .5164 .517
242 Wilmington 0-13 .5071 .4397 .485
255 Capital 9-5 .4519 .5340 .479
273 ONU 10-3 .4274 .5535 .469
313 Mount Union 7-0 .3836 .5472 .438

21 Wooster 8-4 .6327 .5648 .610
49 Adrian 7-5 .5906 .5504 .577
85 W & J 6-7 .5647 .5512 .560
97 Case 13-3 .5347 .5970 .555

There have been some minor changes since I posted this last night but nothing of significance, i.e. Berg is actually #50 instead of #52. I didn't post it but Manchester fell to #207 this week after 5 games vs DePauw and Hanover, games that they went 1-4 in.

Strength of schedule through games of 3/30

OP WP OOWP NCAA SOS
5 John Carroll 8-6 .6491 .5520 .617
10 Marietta 12-6 .6245 .5724 .607
12 Heidelberg 15-4 .6290 .5504 .603
32 BW 11-4 .5818 .5796 .581
180 Otterbein 10-5 .5000 .5333 .511
221 Mount Union 7-3 .4758 .5349 .496
230 Muskingum 4-9 .4933 .4877 .491
261 Wilmington 0-13 .4914 .4508 .478
283 ONU 12-3 .4309 .5281 .463
292 Capital 9-6 .4286 .5180 .458

8 Wooster 8-4 .6278 .5690 .608
15 W & J 7-7 .6219 .5579 .601
67 Case 14-4 .5404 .5943 .558
99 Rose Hulman 11-4 .5581 .5103 .542
100 Adrian 12-5 .5316 .5629 .542

Funny how much this changed in just one day.

Marietta is now 4, Allegheny 7, Woo 10, Denison 14, BW 17, W&J 26, Berg 28. JCU 54, Case 58. Case's SOS should skyrocket in the next couple of weeks, and Marietta's will likely fall a good bit playing Mount Aloysius and Muskingum, but then they play Case again. JCU's SOS is also solid considering they're done with Wilmington. They should end up looking very solid as well. Of course all the specifics of this are subject to change at any moment due to weather!

More broadly, I think Brewer's prophecy on the OAC this year is proving out. Here's hoping for some out of conference wins and a boatload of OAC teams in the regional rankings in a few weeks.