BB: MWC: Midwest Conference

[Maverick]

big series between Ripon and St Norberts this weekend. Predictions?

Ripon going away...

Not sure on this series.  I could see either team taking 3 of 4 from the other or maybe a 2-2 split, but I don't think either team sweeps all 4 games from the other one.

Good luck to Monmouth this weekend...wrap up another South Division title!

[Spence]

I'm going to say St. Norbert gives them a hard time and wins at least one game, if not the series.

[Gustie13]

St. Norbert took game 1 (1-0 in 11 innings) and Ripon took games 2 (7-5).

[cubs]

big series between Ripon and St Norberts this weekend. Predictions?

Ripon going away...

SNC takes 3 out of 4 and will host the MWC tournament this weekend.  Games were close for the most part as 3 out of 4 were decided in the 8th inning or later.

[cubs]

From all accounts, Ripon looked absolutely TERRIBLE on their Spring Trip, finishing with a record of 2-7, against what wouldn't exactly be considered stellar competition.  I'm sure they will get better as the season moves along, but this has to be a pretty disappointing start for a team with pretty high pre-season expectations.

At the same time, St. Norbert opened the season with a DH split against UW Oshkosh.  Maybe this is the year someone takes over the top spot from the Redhawks?

For as many times as I have been wrong on here, it's nice to actually be right for a change....

[OshDude]

I ran some QOWi numbers, and most Midwest Region teams need to do more than they think. These results should be very close, though I have four more St. Scholastica in-region games than the previous rankings had.

Though there are many criteria, on the national board many posters think 9.7 is a reasonable cutoff for at-large bids using the QOWi criterion.

Let me know if I made any errors or if another team should be considered.

Numbers through Sunday's games:
1. Oshkosh 10.32
2. St. Olaf 10.04
3. Ripon 9.7
4. St. Thomas 9.66
5. Stevens Point 9.61
6. St. Scholastica 9.33
7. St. Norbert 9.2

[titan2000]

If I was hitting against Ripon, every pitch I would be looking "better dead than red"

[Maverick]

After a number of rainouts, postponed games, and finally a tie-breaker 1-game South Division playoff for the final spot just 2 days prior to the conference tourney, the MWC tournament field is set.  St. Norbert won the North by taking 3 out of 4 from Ripon on the final regular season weekend (Ripon finished second in the North to qualify) and Monmouth won the South for the 7th consecutive year with IC gaining the final spot in the tournament by beating Knox 7-1 on Wednesday night in the tie-breaking South playoff. 

Here are links to the Midwest Conference baseball page and the MWC Tournament page:

http://www.midwestconference.org/baseball/

http://www.snc.edu/athletics/baseball/mwc07.htm

[WLCALUM83]

Heard about a Milwaukee area prep baseball player headed the MWC's direction:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=603775

[fightintitan2006]

Ripon opens the regional with a no-hitter and closes it by blowing a lead in the bottom of the ninth against the eventual regional champ and not a word on either here? what gives?

[titan2000]

Ripon sucks.

Better dead than Red.

There, its done.

[RR_Dad]

 

[BigPoppa]

How does the MWC look this spring? Who is going to be the team to beat? One thing that is always predictable about the MWC is that it is unpredictable.

Anyone want to give it a shot?

[cubs]

I would think that 2007 regular season MWC champion St. Norbert would be the safe choice, considering they return nearly their entire pitching staff, and about half of their everyday players. 

Ripon on the other hand needs to replace six First Team All MWC selections, which includes the entire middle of the infield at C, SS, and 2B.  They also need to replace 2007 MWC Player of the Year Jordan Baitinger along with one of their other top pitchers Greg Basthemer.

[beyondthearc]

1. St. Norbert
2. Ripon
3. Beloit
4. Lawrence
5. Carroll

Repeat from last season.  I think the race should be a little closer this year instead of a ripon norbert beatdown.  with ripon graduating so many players, they may get off to a slow start to figure out what pieces they need to win.  Norbert will run away with the title again this year.  with frost at pre-season all-american at the lead, they may just be entering their prime.  Beloit is the interesting team this year.  they lost some seniors, but nothing major.  they have some talent lurking there in their young team, but they have to improve a lot.  their hitting was sub-par last year and they don't have any power.  lawrence will have to pick up some throwers with 65% of their innings gone including kangas. they lost two of their top sticks.  carroll loses 3 sticks and a pitcher.  thery aren't going anywhere unless they move their fences in from 200 ft. to about 150.