BB: NACC: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Just Bill]

Wow, I'm surprised by CUC. Not so much losing 3 of 4 this weekend, but I didn't think anyone in the NAC would hold them to just 2 runs in 18 innings in a doubleheader.  They have way too much offense for that.  Well done by the CUW pitching staff.

[Chew3]

Aurora seems to be off to a good start this year... with a 14-5 record right now (excluding 2 losses to NAIA ONU).

DH this weekend against CUW will be a good conference test.

Is the NAC Aurora's for the taking?

[baseman201]

After the Wheaton win I see that CUC is finally in the "Others Receiving Votes" category on D3baseball.com

[Just Bill]

Standings and Remaining games (4/27)

RC  - 11-3 (MSOE, @DU, CUC, @BU)
CUW -  9-3 (LC, @EC, WLC, @MBBC, @MU)
EC  - 10-4 (@WLC, @MBBC, CUW, LC)
CUC - 11-5 (BU, @RC, @MSOE)
BU  - 10-5 (DOM/1, @CUC, AU, RC)
AU  - 10-6 (MSOE, @BU, DU)
LC  -  6-6 (@CUW, MBBC, @MU, @EC)

I like CUW and EC's position at the moment. They both have MBBC and WLC coming up. Their toughest games left are against each other on May 1, so that will be a big day. BU appears to have the toughest remaining schedule. I think six losses will be good enough to get you in the tournament, but seven will probably leave you waiting on a tiebreaker.

[BigPoppa]

After the Wheaton win I see that CUC is finally in the "Others Receiving Votes" category on D3baseball.com

They are a solid team, but they are still currently in 4th place in their own conference.

[Just Bill]

A favorable schedule only helps if you win the games you're supposed to win. Edgewood loses to Wis. Lutheran 2-0 in the opener today.  Eagles win the second game 17-9, but that's still a bad, bad loss.

[Just Bill]

RC  - 11-3 (MSOE, @DU, CUC, @BU)
CUW - 11-3 (@EC, WLC, @MBBC, @MU)
EC  - 11-5 (@MBBC, CUW, LC)
CUC - 11-5 (BU, @RC, @MSOE)
BU  - 10-5 (DOM/1, @CUC, AU, RC)
AU  - 10-6 (MSOE, @BU, DU)
LC  -  6-8 (MBBC, @MU, @EC)

LC is likely eliminated after losing twice to CUW. EC shot themselves in the foot against WLC but still has time to recover, but their safety net just got smaller.

[Just Bill]

Two NAC teams in the first regional rankings:

Midwest Region  (In-Region Record)   Overall Record
1. Wisconsin-Whitewater 22-3   27-4
2. St. Thomas (Minnesota) 20-4   21-5
3. St. Scholastica 22-2   29-3
4. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 18-7   22-9
5. Concordia Chicago 21-5   25-8
6. Edgewood 16-10   19-11

[Just Bill]

RC  - 15-3 (CUC, @BU)
EC  - 14-5 (@MBBC/1, LC)
CUC - 13-5 (@RC, @MSOE)
CUW - 11-5 (WLC, @MBBC, @MU)
AU  - 12-6 (@BU, DU)
BU  - 11-7 (AU, RC)

Big day tomorrow with CUC at RC and AU at BU.

[pickleshiner]

What does Concordia-Chicago have for pitching?

[Just Bill]

RC  - 16-4 (@BU)
EC  - 14-5 (@MBBC/1, LC)
CUW - 13-5 (@MBBC, @MU)
CUC - 14-6 (@MSOE)
AU  - 14-6 (DU)
LC  - 10-8 (@ MU, @EC)
BU  - 11-9 (RC)

AU effectively eliminates BU with a sweep. CUC slips into a tie for fourth with a split at Rockford.

RC has clinched at worst a tie for fourth place and needs one more win or losses by CUC and AU to clinch a tournament berth.  EC and CUW control their own destiny and can clinch by winning out. Assuming Rockford stays in first place, CUC will hold the tiebreaker in a two-way tie with AU, as CUC went 1-1 vs. RC while AU was swept by RC.

[Just Bill]

Second regional rankings are out.  No changes in the Midwest Region:

Midwest Region
1. UW-Whitewater 28-3 33-4
2. St. Thomas 24-5 25-6
3. St. Scholastica 25-4 32-5
4. UW-Stevens Point 20-9 24-11
5. Concordia (Ill.) 25-6 29-9
6. Edgewood 20-11 24-12

[baseman201]

Is there any chance for an at large bid if CUC doesn't make the NAC Tourney?

I mean, I hope they take care of business and win out, but still just wondering.

Can a 30 win team not make the playoffs?

[BigPoppa]

Is there any chance for an at large bid if CUC doesn't make the NAC Tourney?

I mean, I hope they take care of business and win out, but still just wondering.

Can a 30 win team not make the playoffs?

30 win teams are left out every year.

[Just Bill]

It will be really interesting if it ends up being Edgewood and CUC as the final two in the NAC Tournament.  Two teams that might have a shot at a Pool C, but can't afford to not win.

Realistically, I don't think Edgewood has a shot for Pool C. The loss to Platteville hasn't been figured in, plus two more losses in the NAC Tournament would take them out, IMO.