BB: SCIAC: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Jack Parkman]

"Good point, but I think everyone automatically takes those three wins off SCIAC overall records."

  Is this true? 

I don't think this is said how it is meant.  I believe that SCIAC schools always count those games just like they would any other game.  The problem with Cal Tech is the same as it is in every sport.  It is nearly impossible to get kids that are not only the smartest in the world, but great athletes too.  Every year there is one, maybe two guys that can play a little and a bunch of guys who never even played in high school.  I give their kids a lot of credit for getting back up after getting whipped up on every weekend.  It is too bad that another school (and no, I do not mean Chapman) couldn't join the SCIAC and replace Cal Tech but for now they just have to make due with what is in place. 

[ECSUalum]

Jack,

Thanks,  We will leave it at that.

[Browneagle64]

Looks to me like the SCIAC is better all around this year, but some teams have played some weak teams.  Oxy's 8-1 start is fine, but they have played 2 terrible schools and 1 below average school.  I think they will be knocked back into reality this weekend when they play Redlands.  Cal Lu is kind of in the same boat.  They won a couple of 1 run games against 2 average teams and the4n blasted a terrible team.  They have La Verne this weekend.  What a great way to start the SCIAC schedule.

Lol. I knew one of these days a comment like this would lurk in here. And for that I must quickly add support to my Tigers. As I once posted (see prior post) as meaningless as these wins may seem to a lot of you guys, Wins only builds up a young ball players 1) psychie (sp??), 2) confidence and 3) their skills. Yes I said it. These Tigers seem to be picking up on Coach Hawk's ideas/ coaching and are striving to prove themselves in being a top contender in SCIAC baseball. With the help of Coach H and Co's strategies, I can assure you that these guys are buying into a system of how busting your butt in practice, flying all out during practice and actually learning from a vet SCIAC coach on what it takes to win against good ball clubs, I am sure these guys are doing anything possible to erase their past and start a new chapter of Oxy baseball.
In saying that, I am sure coach H, will be using all his knowledge about Pup baseball this week in order to help his young men find ways to exploit and of course take more than one game away from the Pups (yes, oxy did take one game away from the Pups last year and was very close in taking another one before eventually collapsing). It should be a great week to be a tiger baseball player.

And yes, IMHO, the game of the Week should definately be the Leo v.s. Who series. I honest believe that with this new found confidence and energy both teams will be duking it out until the very end. However, the Leo's will be more likely to prevail in this series.

wow, the hens have two weeks off. This indeed will cool them off a lot and probably will not recover until mid spring break. What a bad schedule blunder.

[Jack Parkman]

Looks to me like the SCIAC is better all around this year, but some teams have played some weak teams.  Oxy's 8-1 start is fine, but they have played 2 terrible schools and 1 below average school.  I think they will be knocked back into reality this weekend when they play Redlands.  Cal Lu is kind of in the same boat.  They won a couple of 1 run games against 2 average teams and the4n blasted a terrible team.  They have La Verne this weekend.  What a great way to start the SCIAC schedule.

Lol. I knew one of these days a comment like this would lurk in here. And for that I must quickly add support to my Tigers. As I once posted (see prior post) as meaningless as these wins may seem to a lot of you guys, Wins only builds up a young ball players 1) psychie (sp??), 2) confidence and 3) their skills. Yes I said it. These Tigers seem to be picking up on Coach Hawk's ideas/ coaching and are striving to prove themselves in being a top contender in SCIAC baseball. With the help of Coach H and Co's strategies, I can assure you that these guys are buying into a system of how busting your butt in practice, flying all out during practice and actually learning from a vet SCIAC coach on what it takes to win against good ball clubs, I am sure these guys are doing anything possible to erase their past and start a new chapter of Oxy baseball.
In saying that, I am sure coach H, will be using all his knowledge about Pup baseball this week in order to help his young men find ways to exploit and of course take more than one game away from the Pups (yes, oxy did take one game away from the Pups last year and was very close in taking another one before eventually collapsing). It should be a great week to be a tiger baseball player.

And yes, IMHO, the game of the Week should definately be the Leo v.s. Who series. I honest believe that with this new found confidence and energy both teams will be duking it out until the very end. However, the Leo's will be more likely to prevail in this series.

wow, the hens have two weeks off. This indeed will cool them off a lot and probably will not recover until mid spring break. What a bad schedule blunder.

Not trying to ruffle any feathers here, but Oxy is going to struggle.  They have struggled for a long time and I don't see them getting any better.  BE-  I know you are a big Oxy supporter and thats great, but I just don't see the Tigers doing anything this year.  The 3 schools they have played have 1 win between them. 

[Browneagle64]

No worries JP. I'll be sure to send you some hater-ade ( , all kidding) at the end of the season as we toast to a good Oxy season. The Tigers take two big ones (poss. all 3) from the Pups this weekend. I'll be at the early Saturday for sure and maybe even the later afternoon game as well. Go Tigers.

[P-P Fan]

browneagle, i hope your right- it would be great to see a competitive oxy baseball team this year. Unfortunately i'm gonna side with jp's skepticism. what youre saying would be an incredible turnaround, especially with all the key loses from last year's team (Anderson, Miyahira, Goss, falck, etc). also, is glenn gray hurt? he hasn't been showing up in box scores... which is even more troubling to that program.
obviously i could be wrong, but lets see how they fare this weekend and the rest of the year against good baseball teams. best of luck to them (except against the hens of course!)

[OxyBob]

Article about Redlands from the Redlands Daily Facts:

Bulldog baseball looks to build on 2008 success

One day was all it took for the University of Redlands baseball team to have its improbable dream of a conference championship ripped away.

After reeling off 11 straight conference wins to overtake Pomona-Pitzer and La Verne in the conference standings, the Bulldogs dropped both games of a doubleheader to Claremont College on the final day of the regular season. Not only did that mean Redlands missed a chance to capture its second Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crown in three seasons, but it also meant the Bulldogs missed the postseason.

"Claremont has always bit us," said senior outfielder and first baseman Matthew Goldstein. "We need to take care of them this year."

Goldstein's comment was not so much a reflection of a grudge against Claremont (although there is no love lost between the schools) as a reflection of the bigger picture for Redlands baseball in 2009.

To win the SCIAC and avoid the disappointment of last season, the team has outlined a specific set of goals.

"We need to sweep the teams that we are better than and try to take two out of three from the other top teams in the league," said infielder Evan Dunn. "That will put us in great shape."

How does Redlands plan on following through? Hard work during the offseason.

"It's been awesome," head coach Scott Laverty said of his team's offseason workouts and preseason practices. "We're as strong as we've ever been."

A big reason for Redlands' motivation and work ethic heading into the 2009 campaign is the experience of 11 seniors who have never won less than 26 games during their three years in the program.

"The seniors have set a great example of working hard," Laverty said. "It's a blessing to have all those guys with experience."

It also helps that within that experience lies potent talent. The Bulldogs return a large core of last season's team, with six of the nine starters back in the lineup. Among those are two first team All-SCIAC selections - senior left fielder Kyle Rizzo and junior catcher Jefre Johnson. Rizzo batted .411 with 53 hits and 34 RBI's last year, while Johnson contributed 51 hits and 34 RBI's while providing solid defensive play and leadership behind the plate. Redlands returns its two other starting outfielders, Cory Vane and Goldstein, who combined for 101 hits and 61 RBI's a year ago.
...

That offensive firepower was on display Feb. 4 against California Baptist University, an NAIA power that qualified for the NAIA regional tournament in 2008. The Bulldogs peppered the solid Cal Baptist pitching staff for 16 hits en route to eight runs.
...

But if Redlands is to win a SCIAC title this year, the issue will not be on offense, but rather on the mound. As good as the Bulldog offense was versus Cal Baptist, the Redlands pitchers surrendered nine runs as the Bulldogs lost a battle of who got to hit last.
...

Redlands does return ace Nolan Nicholson, who was solid all year en route to a first team All-SCIAC selection after posting a school record 12 wins and a 3.93 ERA. Also returning is starter Michael Lessig, who went 3-1 after assuming a starting role halfway through last season.

Otherwise, there is little experience among the pitchers. Closer Ryan Seifert graduated and first team All-SCIAC starting pitcher Mike McCarty opted to transfer, leaving a large void within the Bulldog staff.
...

There is plenty of talent, as Laverty said. Redlands hopes sophomore Derek Johnson can continue to build on last season's success. Johnson finished the year with a 3.45 ERA and looked sharp during the last month of the season. Senior Kevin Bissell, who has seen innings as the Bulldog closer over the years, will also be counted on. Freshman Mike Masari and Brock Jacobo are two young players who will have an opportunity to earn innings.
...

Despite the question marks on the pitching staff, Laverty has a talented, veteran lineup and remains confident about his team's chances for an elusive SCIAC championship.

"We will pitch better than we did against (Cal Baptist). We've got the talent and now we have to go out and perform," he said.

After a brief pause, he added, "We believe we should win the conference."

OxyBob

[Browneagle64]

Ahhh, Finally a newspaper added some insight to into a local D3 baseball team. However, J.P. had done this exact same thing not so long ago and pointed out the exact same thing. Even more, I could have told you myself (as i did on a post not to long ago) that yes the Pups would be returning a lot of starters, some offense of power but no pitching at all. As predicted as well, I do expect the Pups to ride high again this year but will be smacked back to reality once their pitching staff starts to cool down/ give up costly numbers. Best of luck to them as they take on my Tigers.

[Browneagle64]

Quick update on two local SCIAC teams:
Both Whitter and the Stags lost their games against Masters College and A.P.U.

C.M.S. definately got blasted on by Masters, But, I was more surprised/impressed by Whitter's close game against (an always solid) APU 's baseball team. Geeze, first they beat the Panthers and now they are taking on the Big boys like the Cougars of A.P.U. Looks like our surprise team pick during pre-season talk should have gone to the Poets. Oh wait, I think several of us picked them to be the surprise team. Lol.
Can't wait to hear about the 1st Leo v.s Who result and definately my Tigers v.s. Pups score.

[Jack Parkman]

Ding ding ding.........lets get ready to rummmmmbbbbblllllllleeeeeeeeee.

SCIAC season starts off tomorrow and all the teams are in action minus Whittier.

Cal Lu vs. La Verne
CMS vs. Cal Tech
Oxy vs. Redlands

What are the predictions from everyone? Here are mine...

Redlands 3-0 (sorry BrownEagle)
CMS 3-0 (obviously)
Cal Lu 2-1

Let me know what you guys think.

[Browneagle64]

I like your style J.P., However, my Tigers take Two away from the Pups.

La Verne takes two away as well.
CMS finally gets some W's after getting destroyed by football like scores of 20 and 21+ (No bueno) to something

And yes Both Whitter and the Hens actually have some time off. To bad for them. It should be a fun afternoon tomorrow. I hope to drop by the Rock tomorrow after work, but, may not make it at all. Absolutely will be there with a bowl of Coca Crisp early saturday morning for the Tiger v.s. Pup game.

[oldcat]

I'll agree with you there Jack.

The SCIAC-Co champs record so far against the SCIAC is a horrible 1-4.
They take on two NAIA teams in the next two games Westmont and Azusa Pacific are next on their list. Hopefully they can get two w's against these teams; even though they don't count as in region games, but affect the overall record. 

Good luck to all SCIAC teams this weekend!

[Browneagle64]

Yes, I got bored during work today and decided to post this....

Here's an outlook/ preview on former Cal Lu starter Jason Hirsh, who will likely make the Rockies Roster this year. I am sure he will have an up-hill battle to win that spot, but, ultimately will take it based on his knowledge and experince on the mound (whether its from His Coast league or SCIAC performances, he'll do fine)

from ESPN
Player News (last updated: February 16, 2009)
News: Hirsh will compete with Franklin Morales, Greg Smith, Greg Reynolds, Glendon Rusch, and Josh Fogg for the final spot in the rotation while Jeff Francis nurses a shoulder injury, the Rockies' Team Site reports.
Spin: Hirsh struggled mightily in his 2008 rehab stint in the minors last season, and has been battling injury since his acquisition from the Astros in 2006. He feels healthy entering the 2009 season, but he has a long way to go before proving to the Rockies that he is ready for a starting role with the team.

[Browneagle64]

After sending in Senior Ace Nolan Nicholson, the Pups of UoR used their bats this afternoon in order to take game one away from my Tigers. Congrats to the Pup on this one, but, good luck to them mana.

From UoR athletic website:
The No. 19 University of Redlands baseball team used an outsatnding outing by senior pitcher/first baseman Nolan Nicholson (Fullerton, CA) on the mound as the Bulldogs steamrolled Occidental College, 9-1, in the first of a three-game weekend series Friday.

Nicholson (2-0) allowed just six hits and one earned run and fanned seven batters in 8.1 innings of work. Freshman pitcher Brock Jacobo (Yuma, AZ) got the ball for the final two outs of the game and kept the Tigers in check.

Patrolling the right side of the outfield, senior outfielder Corey Vane (Simi Valley, CA) had a spectacular day both offensively and defensively. Vane went 2-for-5 on the afternoon while scoring a run and batting one in. The game's final out came as a result of Vane's cannon as he launched a fielded ball from right field to throw out the runner from second at home.

In addition, sophomore first baseman Manny Cardeiro (San Diego, CA) posted a solid 2-for-3 showing as the designated hitter with a walk, a stolen base, a run and an RBI.

Speed enabled the Bulldogs score nine runs on just 10 hits. Junior catcher Jefre Johnson (Canby, OR) and junior shortstop Zack Braband (Alameda, CA) each legged out triples while graduate student second baseman Tom Ledda (Daly City, CA) and Vane notched a double apiece.

Redlands (2-2, 1-0 SCIAC) faces Occidental in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader tomorrow in Eagle Rock at 11 a.m. Fans unable to attend the game tomorrow can follow the Bulldogs online via radio broadcast at www.oxybroadcast.com.

[Browneagle64]

Speaking of, Word from Thousand Oaks is that The Who took the Leos down to the Wire (through 11 innings) and walked with a tough 8 to 7 win. Congrats to the Who. This series is sure to be billed as the best one of the weekend.