BB: SLIAC: St Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[wustlfan37]

***Correction on the last line - non-conference schedule***

[BigPoppa]

wustl- great points. If Fontbonne can prove they belong in the non-conf schedule, then I will tip my cap to them. My gut feeling is that they will stuggle aganst those top opponents.

[theoneandonly]

Finally some response!
I agree that Fontbonne has made some major strides. I can see where you dont believe that they will get off to that quick of a start... and how webster had four guys hitting .400 and were 3-11.. the deal with that though is Webster played a very tough schedule to start.. i would definatly say harder than Fontbonne's non-conference this season. There is also two parts to the game (Offense and defense) so I think where they flawed was out in the field.  I will try to justify why I think they will beat the teams you mentioned... as much as i can haha!
Now I do understand that Fontbonne lost a few players two and may take some major hits but:

Augustana lost 9 players after last season including John Wagle, Don Hansen, Eric Izzo, and Mark Ramos. Now I understand that Hansen had kind of a slow season last year but these four guys were huge impacts for augustana. Espically Ramos who led the team in 6 Batting categories last season.

Luther to me was a toss up. I just gave it to fontbonne because I am a SLIAC guy no matter how rough the past seasons have been.

St. Norbert doeshave two All Central  Region Players returning...Jared Yost and junior infielder Tony Jandron but I just feel like Fontbonne has enough returning players to do some damage to St. Norbert. I feel like a lot of times the SLIAC gets over looked  when they do post solid records. Like in 2004 when Blackburn posted a final 28-14 record and were no where to  be found in national rankings. They beat a ranked Simpson College that year non conference , Illinois Weslyan twice, and at least one more ranked school that I cant think of. And most recently Webster last season, which I know their 3-11 non-conference KILLED THEM! I think Fontbonne's pitching staff will be a little more expirenced this season and be able to hold down the other 7 batters for St Norbert... that is leaving room for Yost and Jandron to do a little bit of damage..

And Finally WashU is over rated every season. Sorry its just my opinion. They recieve instant glorification before they even play games because of the conference they play in and any SLIAC team gets instant crap thrown on them. Last year Fontbonne was 1-1 against WashU upsetting them in their first game of the season and didnt only beat them in the first game they worked them over pretty well.. winning 9-3.Also in this game Juergensmeyer, Horn and Tolan only accounted for 2 hits. The second game was a 6-4 game.. Which was close the whole game. FOntbonne lead through 6  until giving up 1 in the 7th and two in the 8th. Also for some added info Tolan and Horn both went hitless in this game. Some Solid pitching held Fontbonne in games last year and I think it will again be the case. Hopefulyl they brought in some guys to fill the voids but I ahave a lot of confidence in Coach Good and newly assigned former Webster standout Adam York..

I know they lost two  games in the NCAA tourney but they were both close hard fought games.. Dont look for that to fizzel out..


AND thanks to you guys for finally helping me get some talk on this board. And I once again am open for any sort of discussion.. good or bad. I would love to see some response!

[theoneandonly]

wustl- great points. If Fontbonne can prove they belong in the non-conf schedule, then I will tip my cap to them. My gut feeling is that they will stuggle aganst those top opponents.

Big Poppa, you know I always respect your thoughts.. BUT come on! I am trying to get my hopes up for the SLIAC finally. I know they have been critisized so much in previous seasons.. and rightfully so. Give Fontbonne a chance to do some damage in the non-conference... They may not go 11-4 but I dont see losing more games than they win! that is for sure!

[BigPoppa]

Big Poppa, you know I always respect your thoughts.. BUT come on! I am trying to get my hopes up for the SLIAC finally. I know they have been critisized so much in previous seasons.. and rightfully so. Give Fontbonne a chance to do some damage in the non-conference... They may not go 11-4 but I dont see losing more games than they win! that is for sure!

A strong SLIAC would really help the Central Region which has been down for the past few seasons. I see Fontbonne and Webster battling for the crown in 2010. I think Augustana will be third or fourth in the CCIW, so a strong showing in that game may or may not be a true test of their team. I think the CCIW will be top-heavy with IWU/Carthage on top. I hope Fontbonne does some damage. They have a pretty strong non-conf schedule that could put them in a position to do some post-season damage.

[#1PantherFan]

*Greenville has 11 non-conference games against some very good teams.  Next to Webster and Westmin, they may have one of the hardest non-conference schedules. Their non-conference has them playing McKendree, Wash U for 3 games, UW-Plattville, Cornell for two, William Patterson, Knox, FDU, and St. Norbert. I look for them to go 1-10 in non conference only beating Cornell for one game of the double header. They will be severly overmatched by WashU, McKendree, and UW-Plattville.

Once again feel free to give your opinion on my predictions. I am up for any type of response!

The four dates in Florida will more than likely be doubleheaders, so we will actually have 15 non-conference games. Cornell was 10-23 last year and Knox was 8-19. I can see us taking 3 out of 4 in those games and sneaking 1 or 2 from the others. At the end of our terrible Florida trip last year we played St. Norbert (23-15) pretty well, losing in 10 innings. Our defense in Florida has to be better than it was last year (36 errors)! Baseball can't begin soon enough for me!

[theoneandonly]

Pantherfan.. thanks for the info. I was not aware that they would be double headers.. Trust me I would love to see you guys win all those games. And like I said I am up for any discussion on these topics. Would you mind giving us some info on returners who you think will impact, transfers, freshmen, and some guys who might shine this year that didnt in the past? we are up for any info you can provide! Also i think as far as errors go, a lot of sliac team's first games are on springbreak so they do commit a lot of errors because they have been stuck in a gym for the first two months... I would love to see that trend broken this year. so go get em.

[BearBaseball]

WashU's record vs. the SLIAC the past 4 years...

2009   8-1
2008   3-2
2007  13-1
2006  15-0
Total  39-3

Not saying this success will continue against the SLIAC (I don't really know anything about any team besides WashU), but can you really call them overrated based on their past performance? (They are scheduled to play Webster (3), Westminster (2), Fontbonne, and Greenville in 2010).

[theoneandonly]

WashU's record vs. the SLIAC the past 4 years...

2009   8-1
2008   3-2
2007  13-1
2006  15-0
Total  39-3

Not saying this success will continue against the SLIAC (I don't really know anything about any team besides WashU), but can you really call them overrated based on their past performance? (They are scheduled to play Webster (3), Westminster (2), Fontbonne, and Greenville in 2010).

Over rated in general not just against the SLIAC. It has been common knowledge for sometime that the SLIAC has been down in the past seasons.. so the stats you are posting dont mean much. I dont mean any disrespect, I was just saying, I expect this season to be a little different in the SLIAC.  As you see the trend in your own stats, the sliac has started winning games against WashU... even though its just a little at a time

[theoneandonly]

Here are my predictions on some impact players this season:

Blackburn:
Sr. Pitcher Ben Eilerman - Was an honerable mention last year in the All conference voting. Posted a 5-3 record on the mound with a 5.44 era and 39 k's although that doesnt stand out too much look for this senior to shine on a very young unexpirenced team. He may be the only bright spot in Blackburn's lineup this season.

Eureka:
Sr. Pitcher Clay McConkey - Like Eilerman and Blackburn, McConkey could be the only player to stand out for Eureka this season. Last year he posted a 3-5 record with a 5.64 era. However with his 59 k's he ranked second in the league only behind Maryville stand out Alex Kollack. With a strong defense behind him, McConkey can control a game from the rubber. Hopefully Eureka has done some recruiting this summer to get McConkey some defense to work with as Eureka had 60 errors last year.

Fontbonne:
Sr. Outfielder Josh Burlison - was a second team all conference player last season. His strong point is definatly at the plate. He batted.347 with 52 hits. He was tied for the team lead in HR's (4) and RBI's (35) and was 15-17 in stolen bases. However he must clean up his fielding this season. Last year in the OF his fielding percentasge was .875 and he had 10 errors. With that said look for him to step it up in the outfield and do some damage.

Sr. 1st Baseman Josh Kraemer - played a very solid 1st base last year and was an honorable mention at his position. He only had one error in 310 chances and was a part of 24 double plats. He also was the team leader in batting average at .373 had 60 hits 15 doubles, 1 hr, and 32 RBI's. I look for Kramer to lead the team once again both in the field and and the plate.

Greenville:
Jr. 2nd Basemen Josh Hobar - really had some struggles at 2nd base last year leading the team with 20 errors. However I believe that his work in the off season and hcoach carlson will help him get turned around this season. Last year he batted .320 with 49 hits 11 of which were doubles and was 9-11 in stolen bases. Although his hitting stats were overpowered by his struggles in the field, i think that will all turn around this season and he will move from an honorable mention all conference player to  a second teamer. Like Blackburn and Eureka, Greenville may not have very many bright spots this season

MacMurray:
Jr. Outfielder Jamison Lowe - Will look to hold down MacMurray this season. Last season he batted  a team leading .311 with 37 hit 3 hr's and 27 RBI's.

Principia:
Jr. 1st Baseman Matt Bowman - Last season Bowman was a 2nd team 1st basemen posting some pretty impressive numbers. Bowman was in the top of almost every hitting catagory. He was the leader in OB% (.507), Doubles (10), and RBI's (36). He also was 2nd in Batting Average (.402), Hits (49), and HR's (7). Look for Bowman to shine and again as he tries to reel in a 1st team all conference award this season.

Webster:
In this case there are a few to choose from. There is room for discussion on this team but here is who I think will shine on the team this year.
sr. Outfielder Dakota Huey - The past two seasons Huey has been overlooked as one of the elite outfielders in the SLIAC. Last season though he definatly proved himself. I would also like to say I chose Huey last season as a "dark horse".  Last season Huey led the team with a .398 batting average. While batting .398 he had 64 hits 18 doubles, two homers 29 RBIs was 17-24 on the base paths and posted a .946 fielding percentage. Last season he was finally recognized for his great season  with a 1st team all conference award.

So. DH/1st base Joe Biagini - Had a stellar freshman season. He was a 1st team DH performer with a .368 batting average with 56 hits, 9 doubles, 2nd in home runs with 14, and a team leading 63 rbis. He was the newcomer of the year in the SLIAC and was high in the voting for player of the year and was also nationally recognized.

Sr. Pitcher Will Savage - the Ace of the staff had a great JR. season and looks to build on that. Last year in his 1st team all conference effort he was 6-3 with 49 k's while only walking 10 batters.

Westminster:
So. 3rd Baseman Evan White - posted a .385 batting average in 22 games last season. I look for him to get in every game this season and be a major contributer. in his .385 effort he had 30 hits 5 doubles 2 triples1 home run  and 28 rbis. That is 1.3 rbis per game.

FINALLY last but not least the new comer:
Spalding:
Although we dont know too much about them, dont count them out just yet.

Jr. Greg Glasscock last year he led the team with a .343 batting average with 3 home runs and 25 rbis. Although the SLIAC always has solid 1st basemen look for this kid to make a legit run at the all conference awards.

Sr. Outfielder Brandon Fenwick - Fenwick has a pretty good Jr. Season batting a solid .333 with 21 BB 11 HBPP and a .463 OB%. He was also 17-21. However this kid is not only going out there looking for walks. He raked in 44 hits last season including 7 doubles 1 triple and 1 home run. He is a speedy lead off man and looks to swipe some more bags in the SLIAC>

Thanks for reading. Please post some comments on your thoughts.

[BigPoppa]

Thanks for your insight into the SLIAC.

FYI: I will be in Los Angeles next weekend for a conference and will catch the season openier for La Sierra on January 24th! Hard to believe teams are starting next week when we still have 2-3 feet of snow on the ground.

[#1PantherFan]

Greenville:
Jr. 2nd Basemen Josh Hobar - really had some struggles at 2nd base last year leading the team with 20 errors. However I believe that his work in the off season and hcoach carlson will help him get turned around this season. Last year he batted .320 with 49 hits 11 of which were doubles and was 9-11 in stolen bases. Although his hitting stats were overpowered by his struggles in the field, i think that will all turn around this season and he will move from an honorable mention all conference player to  a second teamer. Like Blackburn and Eureka, Greenville may not have very many bright spots this season.

KYLE Hobar's struggles in the field last year were early in the season when he played shortstop for the first 17 (2-15) games and committed 16 errors in 88 chances (.818) including two games in Florida with 3 & 4 errors each. After the first conference series against Webster he was moved to second base for the final 24 games (14-10) and fielded .961 with just 4 errors in 103 chances. At only 5'7" and 140 lbs. he does have good power in the gaps occasionally. Having Stefan Neece back this year will improve Greenville as it would any team. There are some good young recruits that will help plug a few gaps left by the departure of seven seniors. Some of the names that could have an impact this year include Kenny Trager, David Massengill, Cole Lawson and Kye Winter.

[BigToughGuy]

Some of the 2010 schedules are out. Fontbonne, Blackburn, Eurkea, and Greenville are yet to post.

After looking at the schedules for the teams posted it seems that the SLIAC will have some tough non-conference competition once again this season.

*Webster has 8 non-conference games scheduled at this point against the following teams: Franklin, North Park, Dominican, Concordia, WashU(3), and UMSL.
--- Hopefully they can post a little better than last years 4-13 non conference record to prove that these guys are legit. They played very close with WashU and lost a heart breaker to UMSL last year 7-6.. They did get smacked around a but by Concordia as well.... Look for them to go 4-4 in non conference play beating Franklin, North Park, Dominican and taking down WashU once.

*Spalding has 10 non-conference games in their first season as part of the SLIAC. They will play the following teams: Franklin (2), Centre, Mississippi College (2), Wheaton, Elmhurst, Hanover (2), and Bellarmine. Although we dont know much about them yet, we do know that they now have coach Mike Stawski formly from Webster, and he doesnt know much about losing.  They also beat Eureka twice last year. Although they have a new coach I still see it being hard for them to make the transition into a new conference/Division. They play tough opponents and I see them going 2-8 in their 10 non conference games beating Bellarmine and centre.

*Macmurray has 16 non conference games schueduled for the 2010 season. Their non-conference opponents are as follows: Rust(2), Union, Lane, Lambuth, Debugue (2), Robert Morris (2), Hannibal Lagrange, Lincoln Christian College, St. Louis Christian College, Buena Vista, and Monmoth. Look for the highlanders to go 4-12 splitting with Lincoln Christian and robbert morris, and sweeping St. Louis Christian COllege.

*Principia continues to grow and get better every year. They also have a 16 game non-conference schedule against the following: Ozark Christian College (3), Hendrix (3), St. Louis Christian(2) , Illinois College, Whittier, La Sierra (2), Caltech,Robert morris, and lincoln Christian College (2). I look for principia to play well in non-conference games going 7-9. I believe they will go 2-1 with Ozark, beat St. Louis Christian twice beat lincoln christian twice and split with La Sierra.

* Westminster is coming off a disappointing end to their season last year. hey currently have 16 non-conference games scheduled as well. WashU (4), Grinnell (2) Central (2) Buena Vista (3), Carroll (3), William Penn (2). I believe that Westmin will have a rough non-conference record as well.. I think they will end up going 5-11 Splitting with central, Grinell and William Penn, and going 2-1 against carroll. They just dont quite measure up with WashU and I think they will get swept in the 4 game series.

Anyway up for comments.. Feel free to agree/disagree, rip me  apart, and congratulate me on my predictions. its up to you! I am definatly up for hearing someinside scoop on any teams! Perhaps that will change some of these predictions.

You think Spalding is going to beat Bellarmine?  You realize that Bellarmine is a solid Division II team out of the GLVC, right?

[theoneandonly]

[/quote]
KYLE Hobar's struggles in the field last year were early in the season when he played shortstop for the first 17 (2-15) games and committed 16 errors in 88 chances (.818) including two games in Florida with 3 & 4 errors each. After the first conference series against Webster he was moved to second base for the final 24 games (14-10) and fielded .961 with just 4 errors in 103 chances. At only 5'7" and 140 lbs. he does have good power in the gaps occasionally. Having Stefan Neece back this year will improve Greenville as it would any team. There are some good young recruits that will help plug a few gaps left by the departure of seven seniors. Some of the names that could have an impact this year include Kenny Trager, David Massengill, Cole Lawson and Kye Winter.
[/quote]

Well thanks for the updates. I still feel like Hobar will be a solid player this season. And I did forget Neece coming back. That should really make an impact on the team. He has been a feared hitter every year in the SLIAC and I dont think this season will be any different.

[theoneandonly]

Some of the 2010 schedules are out. Fontbonne, Blackburn, Eurkea, and Greenville are yet to post.

After looking at the schedules for the teams posted it seems that the SLIAC will have some tough non-conference competition once again this season.

*Webster has 8 non-conference games scheduled at this point against the following teams: Franklin, North Park, Dominican, Concordia, WashU(3), and UMSL.
--- Hopefully they can post a little better than last years 4-13 non conference record to prove that these guys are legit. They played very close with WashU and lost a heart breaker to UMSL last year 7-6.. They did get smacked around a but by Concordia as well.... Look for them to go 4-4 in non conference play beating Franklin, North Park, Dominican and taking down WashU once.

*Spalding has 10 non-conference games in their first season as part of the SLIAC. They will play the following teams: Franklin (2), Centre, Mississippi College (2), Wheaton, Elmhurst, Hanover (2), and Bellarmine. Although we dont know much about them yet, we do know that they now have coach Mike Stawski formly from Webster, and he doesnt know much about losing.  They also beat Eureka twice last year. Although they have a new coach I still see it being hard for them to make the transition into a new conference/Division. They play tough opponents and I see them going 2-8 in their 10 non conference games beating Bellarmine and centre.

*Macmurray has 16 non conference games schueduled for the 2010 season. Their non-conference opponents are as follows: Rust(2), Union, Lane, Lambuth, Debugue (2), Robert Morris (2), Hannibal Lagrange, Lincoln Christian College, St. Louis Christian College, Buena Vista, and Monmoth. Look for the highlanders to go 4-12 splitting with Lincoln Christian and robbert morris, and sweeping St. Louis Christian COllege.

*Principia continues to grow and get better every year. They also have a 16 game non-conference schedule against the following: Ozark Christian College (3), Hendrix (3), St. Louis Christian(2) , Illinois College, Whittier, La Sierra (2), Caltech,Robert morris, and lincoln Christian College (2). I look for principia to play well in non-conference games going 7-9. I believe they will go 2-1 with Ozark, beat St. Louis Christian twice beat lincoln christian twice and split with La Sierra.

* Westminster is coming off a disappointing end to their season last year. hey currently have 16 non-conference games scheduled as well. WashU (4), Grinnell (2) Central (2) Buena Vista (3), Carroll (3), William Penn (2). I believe that Westmin will have a rough non-conference record as well.. I think they will end up going 5-11 Splitting with central, Grinell and William Penn, and going 2-1 against carroll. They just dont quite measure up with WashU and I think they will get swept in the 4 game series.

Anyway up for comments.. Feel free to agree/disagree, rip me  apart, and congratulate me on my predictions. its up to you! I am definatly up for hearing someinside scoop on any teams! Perhaps that will change some of these predictions.

You think Spalding is going to beat Bellarmine?  You realize that Bellarmine is a solid Division II team out of the GLVC, right?

Well like I said I am up for any discussion. I do realize who Bellarmine is actually. They posted a 33-24 record last year. However they have lost their two top pitchers in Mattingley who appeared in 15 games. starting 14 of those and most noteably Michael Thompson who was an a Region Pitcher of the year, 1st team all region 2nd team all american. He had 13 starts going 8-2 with 112 K's which led the GLVC in innings pitched and strikeouts. Losing your one two punch from the mound is not always the easiest to overcome. They do however still have two parts of their all region trio. They still have Patrick Bailey who will be a senior this year holding down second base. He performed very well in the off season and was asked to play on the NECBL all star team. and then you have Graven who lead the team in hitting last year with a .376 batting average which was second in the GLVC. I believe the the OF/P will be somewhat of an impact of the mound again this year but no where near the Thompson/ Mattingley duo. Although they still have a decent core, they lost some significant IMPACT players from last season and will not be as strong this season, thus leaving openings to be beaten. I hope that justifys my decision. If not, well then I dont know what will. But like i said I am always up for some discussion. And it doesnt matter what division they are... this is baseball... any team can beat ANY other team on any given day, thats why baseball is such a great game!