BB: SCIAC: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[CrashDavisD3]

Only 1 game in the loss column separates 2 through 6 in the SCIAC for those TOP 4 spots for the SCIAC tourney. 

http://www.thesciac.org/sports/bsb/2012-13/standings

Chapman trails by 2.   

Claremont and Cal Tech seasons will end soon and will not be playing in MAY... 

[Richard Hamstocks]

Only 1 game in the loss column separates 2 through 6 in the SCIAC for those TOP 4 spots for the SCIAC tourney. 

http://www.thesciac.org/sports/bsb/2012-13/standings

Chapman trails by 2.   

Claremont and Cal Tech seasons will end soon and will not be playing in MAY... 

That's one way to look at it.  Redlands and PP only have 2 more SCIAC series to play, vs 3 for the other 3 teams.  PP has Cal Tech left, Redlands has CMS left.  More realistically, I think it's the other 3 teams (plus a Chapman team that has Cal Tech as one of their 2 remaining SCIAC series) playing for the 4th spot.   Actually, I think Chapman has the easiest road to the 4th spot, see below.

Assuming the Cal Tech and CMS games go according to plan (CLU and Redlands sweep CMS, P-P and Chapman sweep CIT), here's the standings, plus remaining series:

CLU 15-3 WC ULV
PP 15-6 OXY
UR 14-7 OXY
OXY 9-6 UR ULV P-P
ULV 9-6 WC OXY CLU
CU 12-9 WC
WC 8-7 ULV CLU CU

If Chapman sweeps Whittier, that probably figures to be enough.  Always nice to be in 7th place late in the season and virtually control your destiny regarding a regional bid. 

[CrashDavisD3]

Only 1 game in the loss column separates 2 through 6 in the SCIAC for those TOP 4 spots for the SCIAC tourney. 

http://www.thesciac.org/sports/bsb/2012-13/standings

Chapman trails by 2.   

Claremont and Cal Tech seasons will end soon and will not be playing in MAY... 

That's one way to look at it.  Redlands and PP only have 2 more SCIAC series to play, vs 3 for the other 3 teams.  PP has Cal Tech left, Redlands has CMS left.  More realistically, I think it's the other 3 teams (plus a Chapman team that has Cal Tech as one of their 2 remaining SCIAC series) playing for the 4th spot.   Actually, I think Chapman has the easiest road to the 4th spot, see below.

Assuming the Cal Tech and CMS games go according to plan (CLU and Redlands sweep CMS, P-P and Chapman sweep CIT), here's the standings, plus remaining series:

CLU 15-3 WC ULV
PP 15-6 OXY
UR 14-7 OXY
OXY 9-6 UR ULV P-P
ULV 9-6 WC OXY CLU
CU 12-9 WC
WC 8-7 ULV CLU CU

If Chapman sweeps Whittier, that probably figures to be enough.  Always nice to be in 7th place late in the season and virtually control your destiny regarding a regional bid. 

In 2010 Illinois Wesleyan were NCAA DIII Baseball Champions. After their last game before their confernce tourney they were 19-19 over all and 12-9 in conference and the last seed in their Conference Tournament. Strange things can happen.

[Jack Parkman]

SCIAC is getting down to the end.  CLU and Pomona are safe but anyone can fill the last 2 spots.  Those teams in the 3-4-5-6 range will either sink or swim during the 4 round-robin games.

[108 Stitches]

What great concept! This will be fun to watch. Should be fun for the players, coaches and fans! I am going to see if I can see one of the games.

[108 Stitches]

[Teddy_Ballgame]

For those that haven't seen these very interesting articles, I'd like to point out D3baseball.com's "Where are they now" for the first and second all-decade teams.

The First Team http://d3baseball.com/columns/around-the-nation/2012/ATN_April4 features P-P standout Jose Cortez, who still lives in Claremont after playing professionally, and continues to put on a hitting clinic at alumni games (just don't ask him to steal any bases).

The Second Team http://d3baseball.com/columns/around-the-nation/2013/where-are-they-now features recent P-P D3 Player of the year Drew Hedman. I had the privilege to play alongside Drew, and his 2009 season was unlike anything I've ever seen. I can't imagine anyone putting up those numbers again. He was also a phenomenal leader, a lead-by-example type who is going to do great things when his baseball career comes to a close.

And while they weren't technically in the SCIAC at the time, Chapman's teams of the 2000's were a sore spot on every SCIAC team's final record. It's no surprise that the Panthers have two players on the first team:
Devin Drag- who is an Outside Processing Specialist
Kurt Yacko- who is still in the Rockies organization, I believe with their High A affiliate in Modesto
And one on the second team:
Buddy Klovstad who is the CEO of his own company, as well as a pitching coach at El Modena HS

[Teddy_Ballgame]

Back to the season at hand- can anybody clarify how the scheduling is determined for the four-team round robin at the end of the year? I believe I read somewhere that seeding is a factor, I'm just having trouble figuring out what it would look like.

As it stands, CLU would need to drop 4 of 6 against Whittier and La Verne with a P-P sweep of Oxy to lose the 1 seed heading into the round-robin. And there would have to be some major upsets for P-P to lose the two seed.
My predictions, heading into round robin:

1. CLU          20-4    (3-0 vs Whittier, 2-1 vs ULV)
2. PP             17-7   (2-1 vs Oxy, recent uncertainties make it tough to predict a sweep but I also wouldn't be surprised if they pull it off)
3. ULV          15-9   (2-1 vs Oxy, 1-2 vs CLU, advantage over Redlands in tiebreaker)
4. Redlands   15-9   (3-0 vs CMS)
5. Chapman  14-10 (3-0 vs CT, 2-1 vs Whittier)
6. Oxy          13-11 (1-2 vs ULV, 1-2 vs PP)
7. Whittier    9-15   (0-3 vs CLU, 1-2 vs Chapman)
8. CMS          5-19   (0-3 vs Redlands, 3-0 vs Cal Tech and no, even as a former Sagehen, I don't see them losing to the Beavers)
9. Cal Tech    0-24  I really hope the Beavers can snap their SCIAC losing streak, and they're getting closer, but probably not this year.

[Ralph Turner]

Welcome Teddy Ballgame!

[Teddy_Ballgame]

Welcome Teddy Ballgame!

Thanks! I've been following for a long time... and had an account or two when I was playing (probably not my best idea).

Excited about the SCIAC this year and prospects for the regionals. This is a big weekend with Linfield coming down and I think the outcome of the series against Linfield- as well as ULV's solo game against the Wildcats- will be significant for each conference.

Linfield has a chance to really cement their place at the top of the national rankings (and regional rankings due out in a few weeks) with a strong showing in Southern California. Their strong SOS will go up, and they would show their ability to win games against tough opponents on the road. However, they are 1-1 against the SCIAC right now, and appear to be the cream of the crop in their conference. Struggling versus SCIAC teams would be a knock on the conference as a whole- George Fox is only 3-3 against SCIAC teams, including a loss to Whittier- when considering Pool C bids.

Pomona-Pitzer gets to prove they are for real against some quality competition. While their win against Whitworth seemed impressive at the time, it doesn't hold much weight now as the Pirates are sitting in 8th place in the NWC. The Ithaca win is a good one, but happened at different parts of each teams' seasons and doesn't matter for regional rankings. And the Hens dropped 2 of 3 to Cal Lu. This weekend could be the difference if they slip up in the conference tournament and need a Pool C bid.

La Verne can really make a statement with a win against Linfield. They beat them their first game this season, and doing so again validates that win, gives them momentum heading into the CLU series, and could ultimately push them into Pool C consideration if they finish strong in SCIAC.

Oh and props to Linfield for making it out to Southern California and Arizona this year. I believe George Fox did as well. I know it's not easy with small D3 athletic budgets... Pomona only gets to make one regular season out-of-state trip every two years (Arizona), and I don't think there are any SCIAC teams that do it more than once.

[Jack Parkman]

Back to the season at hand- can anybody clarify how the scheduling is determined for the four-team round robin at the end of the year? I believe I read somewhere that seeding is a factor, I'm just having trouble figuring out what it would look like.

As it stands, CLU would need to drop 4 of 6 against Whittier and La Verne with a P-P sweep of Oxy to lose the 1 seed heading into the round-robin. And there would have to be some major upsets for P-P to lose the two seed.
My predictions, heading into round robin:

1. CLU          20-4    (3-0 vs Whittier, 2-1 vs ULV)
2. PP             17-7   (2-1 vs Oxy, recent uncertainties make it tough to predict a sweep but I also wouldn't be surprised if they pull it off)
3. ULV          15-9   (2-1 vs Oxy, 1-2 vs CLU, advantage over Redlands in tiebreaker)
4. Redlands   15-9   (3-0 vs CMS)
5. Chapman  14-10 (3-0 vs CT, 2-1 vs Whittier)
6. Oxy          13-11 (1-2 vs ULV, 1-2 vs PP)
7. Whittier    9-15   (0-3 vs CLU, 1-2 vs Chapman)
8. CMS          5-19   (0-3 vs Redlands, 3-0 vs Cal Tech and no, even as a former Sagehen, I don't see them losing to the Beavers)
9. Cal Tech    0-24  I really hope the Beavers can snap their SCIAC losing streak, and they're getting closer, but probably not this year.

I agree with this 100%.  I think it would take a miracle for CLU and Pomona to drop out of the top 2 and the race for 3-4 is going to be a good one.  The team with the toughest road is Oxy but they have played well.  The team that can play spoiler the most is Whittier.  They have the ability to be good and take a series from anyone but can they do it?  I am really pulling for the Beavers to win one.

As far as a Pool C bid, this weekend will be huge for Pomona, unless they are able to get the Pool A.  Unless CLU completely falls apart, I think they are as close to a lock as you can get (at this point) but multiple losses for Pomona this weekend could really hurt them.  I really believe the SCIAC is a 2-bid league this year.

[Whatagame]

Back to the season at hand- can anybody clarify how the scheduling is determined for the four-team round robin at the end of the year? I believe I read somewhere that seeding is a factor, I'm just having trouble figuring out what it would look like.

As it stands, CLU would need to drop 4 of 6 against Whittier and La Verne with a P-P sweep of Oxy to lose the 1 seed heading into the round-robin. And there would have to be some major upsets for P-P to lose the two seed.
My predictions, heading into round robin:

1. CLU          20-4    (3-0 vs Whittier, 2-1 vs ULV)
2. PP             17-7   (2-1 vs Oxy, recent uncertainties make it tough to predict a sweep but I also wouldn't be surprised if they pull it off)
3. ULV          15-9   (2-1 vs Oxy, 1-2 vs CLU, advantage over Redlands in tiebreaker)
4. Redlands   15-9   (3-0 vs CMS)
5. Chapman  14-10 (3-0 vs CT, 2-1 vs Whittier)
6. Oxy          13-11 (1-2 vs ULV, 1-2 vs PP)
7. Whittier    9-15   (0-3 vs CLU, 1-2 vs Chapman)
8. CMS          5-19   (0-3 vs Redlands, 3-0 vs Cal Tech and no, even as a former Sagehen, I don't see them losing to the Beavers)
9. Cal Tech    0-24  I really hope the Beavers can snap their SCIAC losing streak, and they're getting closer, but probably not this year.

I agree with this 100%.  I think it would take a miracle for CLU and Pomona to drop out of the top 2 and the race for 3-4 is going to be a good one.  The team with the toughest road is Oxy but they have played well.  The team that can play spoiler the most is Whittier.  They have the ability to be good and take a series from anyone but can they do it?  I am really pulling for the Beavers to win one.

As far as a Pool C bid, this weekend will be huge for Pomona, unless they are able to get the Pool A.  Unless CLU completely falls apart, I think they are as close to a lock as you can get (at this point) but multiple losses for Pomona this weekend could really hurt them.  I really believe the SCIAC is a 2-bid league this year.

Yes, both the SCIAC and NWC are very well-positioned to send two teams to the regional.  I give Linfield an edge over over Pomona this weekend, as I think their starting pitchers are very solid, and have a touch more experience than P-P.  Both offenses are probably closely matched?

I would not necessarily categorize Linfield as the "cream of the crop" in the NWC, as they are tied with George Fox in the conference standings.

Yes, both G. Fox and Linfield traveled to the Arizone Classic, and Fox and Linfield have/will play SCIAC series in So Cal.  Also, Whitman College plays in the Arizona Classic every year, including this year, plus they played a DH at CMS this season and will be traveling back down to So Cal to play 4 games versus Redlands in two weeks.  They also traveled down to play Chapman last year.

And, I would add that Lewis and Clark College flew twice this season to play in Arizona.

Why don't SCIAC schools, and particularly the well-endowed Pomona, loosen the purse-strings a bit and do more weekend travel?

[Teddy_Ballgame]

I agree with this 100%.  I think it would take a miracle for CLU and Pomona to drop out of the top 2 and the race for 3-4 is going to be a good one.  The team with the toughest road is Oxy but they have played well.  The team that can play spoiler the most is Whittier.  They have the ability to be good and take a series from anyone but can they do it?  I am really pulling for the Beavers to win one.

As far as a Pool C bid, this weekend will be huge for Pomona, unless they are able to get the Pool A.  Unless CLU completely falls apart, I think they are as close to a lock as you can get (at this point) but multiple losses for Pomona this weekend could really hurt them.  I really believe the SCIAC is a 2-bid league this year.

Oxy taking two of three from Redlands surprised me. Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to write them off. Even when they were having their worst years, they always had the talent to take a good team by surprise and steal (literally- they have 72 bags this year) a game or even a series. I don't see the math getting them into the top 4, but they definitely could be a spoiler. Taking a series from ULV probably takes the Leos out of Pool C contention, and taking a couple from the Hens would really hurt PP's resume.

And maybe Redlands is more vulnerable than we think going into CMS. CMS has surprised the Bulldogs in the past.

Its tough for me to be too sure about anything though, since I'm not even sure how the heck the round robin works! It's certainly shaping up to be another interesting year in the SCIAC, and that's even considering Chapman's first year has turned out to be a flop! Although I know better than to completely count the Panthers out and dead...

[Teddy_Ballgame]

Yes, both the SCIAC and NWC are very well-positioned to send two teams to the regional.  I give Linfield an edge over over Pomona this weekend, as I think their starting pitchers are very solid, and have a touch more experience than P-P.  Both offenses are probably closely matched?

I would not necessarily categorize Linfield as the "cream of the crop" in the NWC, as they are tied with George Fox in the conference standings.

Yes, both G. Fox and Linfield traveled to the Arizone Classic, and Fox and Linfield have/will play SCIAC series in So Cal.  Also, Whitman College plays in the Arizona Classic every year, including this year, plus they played a DH at CMS and will be travelling back down to So Call to play 4 games versus Redlands in two weeks.  They also traveled down to play Chapman last year.

Why don't SCIAC schools, and particularly the well-endowed Pomona, loosen the purse-strings a bit and do more weekend travel?

I agree mostly with your assessment of Linfield-Pomona, particularly if Rosenbaum is sidelined again. The Hens can definitely swing it though, and are 14-2 at home. Can't imagine a sweep either way.

I see Linfield ahead of GFU because they don't have some of the bad losses that George Fox does, plus Fox still has to play PLU. But obviously I haven't seen either in person...

As for your last question, Pomona's student paper recently looked into the issue of athletic budgets.
http://tsl.pomona.edu/articles/2013/4/8/sports/3850-special-report-breaking-down-the-athletics-budget and
http://tsl.pomona.edu/articles/2013/4/8/sports/3851-special-report-athletic-atmosphere-on-campus

Pretty interesting stuff... there were also some graphs that didn't make it into the online version. It seems to me that the overall attitude at Pomona (note that Pitzer doesn't contribute any money to the athletic programs) is that all of its athletics have what they need. They don't want to pony up for the extras at the possible expense of academics or some other extra-curricular program. The people making the big decisions on budgets appreciate sports as a nice element of a well-rounded student, and not much more than that. Trying to explain why we need extra money to send a team to Oregon to help increase its in-region winning percentage, OWP, OOWP, and ultimate Pool C viability gets completely lost in translation in the conversation from baseball coach to AD, AD to administration. Particularly when schools from across the country continue to travel to sunny Southern California on their own dime. I imagine the same is largely true at other SCIAC schools, although Pomona only has the 6th largest athletic budget in the conference.

[Whatagame]

Thanks for those links, Teddy, I'll definitely read those articles.  When you refer to G. Fox's "bad losses" in D3 competition, I'm assuming you mean dropping a game to Whittier and losing two to Whitman?

Whittier as you know has the capability to rise up and take a very good team down, and Whitman is an interesting team, as they can also look like world-beaters on any given day this season (which hasn't been the case for about 3 decades maybe?)  They have wins against Hardin Simmons, and UT-Dallas out of conference (not a great team, but...)