BB: MIAC: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

MIACLUV · April 19, 2011, 12:14:42 AM

Two more big in region W's for the Tommies over Bethany Lutheran out of the UMAC. The Tommies took care of business walk off style in game 1 with some sloppy defense in the 7th by Bethany, 4-3. Very nice outing by the freshman Dehmer only giving up 3. Coach Olean was really looking to get this win, Edwards even got loose but wasn't needed. Game 2 was never really in doubt, Bethany was obviously tapped on the pitching side and the Tommies had no problem dispensing of their starter early in the second game. Two in the first including a homerun by the freshman Dorgan was more than enough for Franz who went complete and picked up his first collegiate win.
Can't say I was overly impressed by Bethany Lutheran. Siefken threw in game one was far from as dominant as I expected considering what he had done to St. Scholastica in his last start. He wiggled out of some jams but is an average MIAC 2 or 3. What really shocks me is that Hallahan never touched the mound. I had to come home to find out that he pitched against Northland on Sunday. That is a questionable decision to say the least. I have yet to see him this season, but as dominant as he was last season, and if he is the teams #1, how does he not throw in one of these games instead of against a remarkably bad Northland team? Maybe needed a little stat builder, because Northland is an exceptionally bad offense. The Tommies are not a great offensive team, but it would have been nice to see how they do against Hallahan.
Things are starting to come together nicely, and to get through these two games by throwing two freshman for 12 of 14 innings leaves the cupboard well stocked for Wed's matchup with the Augies.

BaseballFan · April 19, 2011, 06:57:13 PM

Not surprised to see Tommies sweep. As I posted on the UMAC board a few days ago I would be surprised to see Hallahan pitch against the Tommies due the dates of the game. Hallahan pitched on 4/9 against CSS, 9 days would be a long wait to pitch against the Tommies. Granted he pitched the day before on 4/17, but sure he was scheduled to pitch on 4/15 or 4/16 but games were delayed. Then he can come back to pitch again against Northwestern. You want to get your best pitchers on the mound as much as possible so no point of having your best pitcher sit on the bench when he is ready to pitch. Everytime you delay him to pitch 1-2 days may mean him missing out on starts throughout the year.

good wins for tommies none the less.

MIACLUV · April 22, 2011, 02:48:13 PM

Big weekend for the MIAC play off race
Conc. @ Olaf
St.J @ Augs
Bethel @ Gusties
St. Mary's @ Ham
MAC @ Carleton
Tommies off until Monday @ St. Scholastica (1 - 9 inn)

Alot of jockeying for position in this conference for the tournament. The top four now could easily not be the 4 left standing at the end. The one team that seemed to be a lock (Oles) all of a sudden cant put runs on the board. The Tommies got a HUGE sweep of Augs with a walk off in game 1 and carried that momentum to a game 2 victory. I don't put to much stock in the front of the pack right now since MAC has a lot of tough conference series yet to go. I do like St. John's chances since the schedule plays in their favor having already played the Oles and Tommies. We'll see how this all plays out, but this late in the season I don't ever remember this many teams having a shot at the MIAC tourny.

MIACLUV · April 26, 2011, 10:58:06 AM

Can't say i agree using likely your best starter as of late against St. Scholastica in a non-conference matchup, especially with Conc. Moor today. This team has played very well of late and is poised to get back in the MIAC race as a likely 2 or 3 seed. Chances of a Pool C bid are basiclly gone so getting that MIAC position seems to me being the highest priority. I hope that decision does not come back to bite them.
From listening to the broadcast there were some questionable calls in both teams direction, but it came down to not hitting with guys in scoring position same as early in the season. Now's the time of year to be playing well and the Tommies are. They won't be in any regional rankings, but I see them making a deep MIAC tourney run and could easily see them winning it.

biggio34 · April 26, 2011, 11:18:51 AM

Quote from: MIACLUV on April 26, 2011, 10:58:06 AM
Can't say i agree using likely your best starter as of late against St. Scholastica in a non-conference matchup, especially with Conc. Moor today. This team has played very well of late and is poised to get back in the MIAC race as a likely 2 or 3 seed. Chances of a Pool C bid are basiclly gone so getting that MIAC position seems to me being the highest priority. I hope that decision does not come back to bite them.
From listening to the broadcast there were some questionable calls in both teams direction, but it came down to not hitting with guys in scoring position same as early in the season. Now's the time of year to be playing well and the Tommies are. They won't be in any regional rankings, but I see them making a deep MIAC tourney run and could easily see them winning it.

Seems like the upper tier MIAC teams all have 3-4 good arms but all struggle to be consistent offensively.

I saw the game yesterday and liked a few of the Tommies hitters, but there isn't much there to make anyone think they are going to be able to outscore teams. That combined with their inability to completely shut teams down (without a Schuld) and Edwards being used mostly out of the bullpen leads me to have a hard time believing they can get it done this year.

Side note: CSS can give teams fits on the bases, especially if Link is on base. It seemed to me like Licht was very uncomfortable every time CSS got a runner on. It was a well played game defensively by both teams. Matt Lewis was very good for CSS.

whoyathrowin · April 30, 2011, 11:26:04 AM

Love the posts makes for some great reading. Don't post much but found some of the analysis here worth chatting about. The season began with Dome collapsing which affected every team in the MIAC. It showed everywhere the MIAC played over spring break. It now looks like the top 4 will stay there unless something crazy happens. ST is on a roll, MAC keeps winning despite playing without Glasser. SJ and HU are taking care of business while STO & BU are pretty much out only leaving CC with a chance by running the table. I believe it's between ST & MAC. The Tommies are rolling & MAC, well it's hard to knock a staff that leads the MIAC in era along with 5 guys hitting over .350.

MIACLUV · May 02, 2011, 11:29:06 AM

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Olaf is eliminated from the MIAC tourney following the sweep by the Tommies. Although Hughes pitched pretty well his defense was terrible, I know they have 7 errors in the scoring, but there were a couple that could've made it nine. It is sad to see the Oles perform like this after seeing them be dominant in the early part of the season on the mound and very sound defensively. But the way the NCAA looks at things, they still have a chance at the tournment if they can turn this around quickly, starting tues with Bethany Lutheran and Wed with LAX.
There are a ton of MIAC playoff scenarios for seedings so it's really hard to predict how this thing is going to play out and who will get the 4th seed. I think the top 3 (MAC, HAM, UST) are safely in, but where they finish is tough to predict depending on who decides to pitch where.

Current standings - current conf record (Conf games left)
1. MAC - 13-1 (5/4-UST (2) 5/7-SJU (2) 5/8-CONC (2))
2. HAM - 12-4 (5/4-GAC (2) 5/7-BETH (2))
3. UST - 12-4 (5/4-MAC (2) 5/8-STMA (2))
4. STJ - 10-4 (5/3-GAC (2) 5/4-CONC (2) 5/7-MAC (2)
5. CONC - 6-6 (5/3-BETH (2) 5/4-STJ (2) 5/7-GAC (2) 5/8-MAC

Mac still has some work to do before laying claim to that number 1 seed, the Tommies appear to have the edge in schedule and an oppurtunity to put themselves in the drivers seat with a sweep of Mac and some help from SJU or Conc. Should be an interesting week!

whoyathrowin · May 03, 2011, 10:51:34 AM

Obvious UST will be throwing their top 2 against MAC tomorrow but will MAC throw theirs? If CC loses a game today I don't think UST will see MACs top 2 until playoff time.

scrapper · May 03, 2011, 11:59:22 AM

Disagree. MAC is still fighting to win the conference. Why would you let one of the teams on your heels sweep and get closer ? If you have the chance to knock out one of the teams behind you you have to go for the knockout. You still want to win the conference and get the #1 seed. They still have work to do to win conference, No time now to sit back and give St Thomas more momentum. St Thomas is one of the hottest teams in the country right now. MAC needs to go after these games if only to break the St Thomas mystique that they have over the rest of the conference.

MIACLUV · May 04, 2011, 10:29:19 AM

The muddy picture that is the MIAC tournament gets a little clearer after today. Some big matchups that will determine seeding. Three teams have a shot at that #1 seed still.

Path to the #1
Tommies:
Win 2 vs Mac (5/4)
Win 2 vs St. Mary's (5/8)
Hamline needs to lose 1 of 4 remaining
MAC would need to lose 1 of 4 if Tommies can sweep

MAC:
Win 4 of next 6 to be Conference Champions alone
If they go 3-3 it must include splitting with the Tommies
UST - 5/4
StJ - 5/7
Conc - 5/8

Hamline:
Win 2 vs GAC (5/4)
Win 2 vs Beth (5/7)
Need Mac to be in a 3 way tie and Mac to Split with UST
Hold tie breaker in 3 way tie 1-1 vs MAC and 2-0 vs Tommies

MIACLUV · May 05, 2011, 09:45:52 AM

Tuesday results:

MAC vs UST
Game 1
Tommies - 7
MAC - 5

Game 2
Tommies - 16
MAC - 6

Note: MAC played well after some sloppy defense early, had numerous chances to score and take the lead back, but was never able to cash in. Game 2 they looked deflated, UST took advantage and scored early and often. Probably the best back to back offensive efforts of the season for the Tommies. They appear to be peaking at the right time.

Hamline vs GAC
Game 1
Hamline - 0
GAC - 3

Game 2
Hamline - 9
GAC - 8
11 innings

Playoff Notes:
MAC still holds their own destiny but will need to win 4 of 4 to get the #1 seed, no easy task against St. Johns & Concordia on back to back days.

UST need to win two vs St. Mary's and have Mac lose one this weekend

Hamline needs to take care of business at Bethel and get help, UST would have to split and MAC would need to go 2-2.

Conc & StJ have a huge series today, StJ can all but wrap up the 4th spot with a sweep today. In all reality the Jonnies have a shot at the 1 or 2 seed, but there are too many things that need to happen to even comprehend that as a possibility.

MIACLUV · May 08, 2011, 08:00:51 PM

Tommies secure #1 seed with sweep of St. Mary's. Conc & MAC are pushed to tuesday due to rain. MAC must sweep to get a piece of the MIAC regular season crown, but a split could knock them to the #3 seed.

MIACLUV · May 10, 2011, 03:31:02 PM

6-6 in the 12th inning in Moorhead between MAC & Conc. Not sure the MIAC regualr season crown is this important, because Robinson started and Ingram has been pitching since the 7th. That is the #1 & #2 in ONE game, that doesn't affect your seeding in the conference tournament. Hamline has got to be loving this since they are likely to get one of these 2 on real short rest.

SUMMIT!!!!! · May 10, 2011, 08:51:56 PM

MAC grabs a share of its first MIAC title since 1950 with the sweep of Cord. With it, they get the #2 seed and "host" Hamline, while UST "hosts USJ. Should be a most interesting tourney...can anyone cool off UST?

Ralph Turner · May 10, 2011, 08:57:37 PM

Quote from: miacmaniac on May 10, 2011, 08:51:56 PM
MAC grabs a share of its first MIAC title since 1950 with the sweep of Cord. With it, they get the #2 seed and "host" Hamline, while UST "hosts USJ. Should be a most interesting tourney...can anyone cool off UST?

"MAC grabs a share of its first MIAC title since 1950"

Worst flooding on the Mississippi since 1937...

Signs of the end times!