BB: LEC: Little East Conference

[Stump]

Just back from watching the Professional Bull-Riding in 'Worster' Best bull ride of the night came from a bull named Buckeye...can't make it up

Eye did not realize the LEC had Football Playoffs this weekend, er, oh, those were baseball score

Yikes what are we in store for next week in Gommorrah?
UMass Dartmouth  5        Keene State  16     
Plymouth State  3           Southern Maine  19   
Rhode Island College  5   UMass Boston  10     
Western Connecticut  2   Eastern Connecticut  10     
UMass Dartmouth  6        Keene State  22     
Plymouth State  1            Southern Maine  8 
Rhode Island College  5   UMass Boston  7       
Western Connecticut  1   Eastern Connecticut  20   


Word  

PS Is the topless doughnut shop still in business off Exit 8 on the Maine Turdpike? Across the street from HoJos (can't make that up either)  

Word:
You're right you can make this stuff up. It's still there except now it's Exit 48(Maine changed exit numbers to mileage)

[Paul Heering]

Wondering what people think of the new conference tournament format in the LEC.  Personally I like it better than the 6 team double elimination.  I think it should be flipped around though, instead of 3 game series to play into the 4 team double elimination tournament I would like two 4 team double elimination to play into one three game series for the title.  what are other people's thoughts?

[ECSUalum]

I wouldnt worry about the Beacons there guy. They are playing very well and with alot of confidence and if my memory serves me correct UMB shutout USM a few weeks ago. I would focus on KSC if I was you. And I dont need any other fellow posters on here because i know more about the game of baseball then all of you eastern fans combined.   8)

You all told me they wouldnt even get by RIC and they swept them and still none of you show any respect watsoever.

THROW ME A DOUBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE..........

Jconn,

Thought you may want to read this again :

BASEBALL ROCKS UMASS BOSTON
By Bob Molta on April 25, 2009 9:40 PM
Southern Maine matches Warriors' sweep to nail down top  seed


WALTHAM, Mass. - The Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team tied a 27-year-old record with 29 hits in a 32-4 win over the University of Massachusetts Boston in the first game en route to a Little East Conference doubleheader sweep at Yetten Field.

At right: Robert Perry



Eastern (27-6, 11-3 little east) completed conference regular-season play with its eighth straight LEC win in the nightcap, racing out to a 7-1 lead and holding on for an 8-6 victory. The University of Southern Maine clinched its first outright LEC regular-season championship since 2001 by sweeping Rhode Island College, 3-0, 14-11 Saturday.

The top four seeds in the final standings will host first-round best-of-three series this weekend. The four series winners will advance to a four-team double-elimination LEC tournament May 7-9, hosted by the top remaining seed. Eastern will host No. 7 seed Western Connecticut State University Saturday in a doubleheader. If the teams split, a final game is scheduled for Sunday.No times have yet been announced. The teams split a pair of single games this year at the Eastern Baseball Stadium. Western won, 5-3, April 10 and Eastern, 14-5, Friday.

In the first game, Eastern tied a 27-year-old record by collecting  29 hits against six UMass Boston pitchers(14-20, 6-6 little east). The Warriors' run total fell one shy of the program record. Fourteen players had at least one hit in the first game, with sophomore Robert Perry (Manchester) tying the program record by recording three of the team's program-record 11 doubles. Senior Tristan Hobbes (Utica, NY) hit his second career grand slam in the eighth inning and junior Melvin Castillo (Danbury) unloaded a bases-clearing triple in an eight-run sixth. Batting 1-2 in the lineup, juniors John Parke (Middlefield) and Travis Bass (West Hartford) each had four hits and combined to score seven runs and drive in five. Perry had five hits, scored four runs and drove in three.

Sophomore lefty Bill Roveto (South Windsor) earned a three-inning save (his first career decision) in relief of senior lefty Shawn Gilblair (Windham). Roveto is the son of former Eastern pitcher Rob Roveto, who was credited with a three-inning save in the 1982 national champion game win over Cal State Stanislaus. 

In the second game, Parke hit a leadoff home run and the Warriors carried a 7-1 lead into the eighth inning. Sophomore Jim Schult (Wappingers Falls, NY) doubled home two runs and added an RBI single in the game. Junior Will Musson (Wethersfield) remained unbeaten in six starts this year, pitching into the eighth . He fanned nine and walked two. Senior James Kukucka (Vernon) allowed a sacrifice fly but stranded the tying run on first to record his first save.

In the doubleheader, Perry totaled eight hits (four doubles), scored six runs and drove in four. Bass and Parke (two doubles, a triple and home run) each had seven hits and four RBI and combined to score 11 runs. Hobbes drove in five runs, Castillo and Schult four each.

Eastern hosts Tufts University Monday at 7 p.m.

[Jcon8958]

Hahahahahahha I love it you eastern fans are always looking at the past..... You also lost to UMD and WCSU somthing that UMB didnt do.... I can post those articles to if you like. That first game yes UMB DID NOT PLAY GOOD AT ALL that was by far there worst game of the season it happens. I can also post the slacking you guys took at the hands of WNEC if you like.

http://nutmeg.easternct.edu/athletics/men_baseball/ecbb0409.htm


EVERY TEAM HAS A BAD DAY. Dont worry about the beacons They arent going to run and hide they will be there in Maine next week and stand toe to toe with every team there and there going to make ALOT OF NOISEEEEEE.

CAN AH CORRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

[ECSUalum]

 JCONN's new motto:

"Don't confuse me with the facts"

I'll dispatch my parish priest to USM to say the last rights for the BEEEECONS

[Jcon8958]

HAHAHAHAHA the facts are simple UMB had an off game just like EVERY TEAM THAT PLAYS BASEBALL DOES. Oh wait I forgot the boys up in mansfield must never have a bad day........

We will let the teams do the talking up in Gorham this week and I can tell you the much they are chomping at the bit for another shot at ECSU and this time they will be ready.

[wordsmith]

Wondering what people think of the new conference tournament format in the LEC.  Personally I like it better than the 6 team double elimination.  I think it should be flipped around though, instead of 3 game series to play into the 4 team double elimination tournament I would like two 4 team double elimination to play into one three game series for the title.  what are other people's thoughts?

Paul,

Here is what KSC Coach Ken Howe had to say on the subject.

Word

http://www.sentinelsource.com/articles/2009/05/03/sports/college/free/id_353973.txt


LEC tweaks tourney format

Best-of-three is new wrinkle
By Ken Murphy
Sentinel Staff
Published: Sunday, May 03, 2009
Welcome to the new format of the Little East baseball tournament.

The Owls, the No. 3 seed, host No. 6 UMass-Dartmouth for a best-of-three series beginning today at noon at Owl Athletic Complex. The winner advances to the double-elimination semifinals, which begin Thursday.

Last year was a straight six-team double-elimination format. With the best-of-three format, the field expanded to include all eight teams.

For Keene State, the differences with the new format are noticeable right off the bat.

Had the Owls been the No. 3 seed last year, they would have been on the road to open the tournament, against the No. 4 seed.

Home vs. road. Lower seed vs. high seed. What's not to like?

"There was nothing wrong with the old format," said KSC Coach Ken Howe, whose Owls will be looking to avenge a double-header sweep at the hands of the Corsairs earlier this season.

Howe said that his primary objection is that, like last year, the winner receives the automatic berth for the NCAA Division III tournament, which is a double-elimination format from the start.

"The best way to get ready for a short (double-elimination) tournament is to play in one just like it right before," Howe said.

Even overlooking the fact that No. 8 Plymouth State — which won one conference game — now has a chance to become tournament champions, Howe said that one of the stated objectives for the new format has not been met.

Part of the rationale for changing to the new format was to keep the student-athletes in the classroom.

Last year's tournament started one week later, and this time last season the Owls played a conference double-header on the Saturday after the end of classes.

With the tournament moved up a week this year, the Owls and other LEC teams had to re-schedule their final league double-headers. For the Owls, that meant moving a Saturday double-header to a Friday, as well as moving a non-conference game to a school day. Teams essentially had to cram the same number of games into a shorter regular season.

"The kids missed more classes this year than they did in the past, or we went short-handed more," Howe said. "I understand the rationale, but we (LEC coaches) all raised issues about it."

Howe's players said they saw advantages and disadvantages to the new format.

"It makes you feel a little like a big-leaguer," pitcher Corey Vogt said of playing a series rather than a straight-up double-elimination tournament.

Also, players said, the top four seeds open at home rather than every team congregating at the home of the No. 1 seed.

Freshman pitcher Jeff Pelkey said that the new format might prevent teams from having to burn out their rotations. A team that sweeps today will have four days off before the semifinals, allowing every starter at least four days' rest.

In winning last year's tournament, the Owls played six games in four days. In the clinching double-header against Southern Maine, the Owls and Huskies combined to use 19 pitchers.

The risk to over-working a staff will come into play in the semifinals, where a team may have to play five games in three days.

One aspect of the tournament has not changed, though. Whether a single-elimination or double-elimination tournament, a six-team or eight-team field, the team that wins the final game will be crowned LEC champions.

Beginning today at noon, the Owls will find out if they have what it takes to repeat.




   

[dgilblair]

Wondering what people think of the new conference tournament format in the LEC.  Personally I like it better than the 6 team double elimination.  I think it should be flipped around though, instead of 3 game series to play into the 4 team double elimination tournament I would like two 4 team double elimination to play into one three game series for the title.  what are other people's thoughts?

I heard talk of the LEC going back to the old format next year for the tourney.  I guess most coaches don't like it.  I think the six team format calls for much more pitching than the four teamer this year.  Key as always is to stay out of the losers bracket.  Winning the first game next week will be key for all teams.

If they are going back to the old format next year I think they should keep the 3 conference games a week in place and play the tourney a week earlier.  That would give the teams a week to recover from the LEC tourney before the regional. They can schedule a game or two for the next week to stay sharp.  The way the old format is set up with the regional starting the following mid-week and the the Appleton trip the following mid-week is tough.  With the LEC being so tough most years its' like having to win a six team regional, get three days off and having to win a eight team regional and then getting a few more days off
and start the Championship with another 8 teams......oh only the best in the country to boot.  Tall order to have to do that in three consecutive weeks I don't care how good you are.

[ecfaninri]

Jcon.....
I am sorry that I couldn't be put of the debate earlier ...... but I was busy muching the yard, followed by going to a confirmation, and then meeting up with a fellow Eastern poster for dinner. So the order of the day was to be polite (like Ralph Turner posted) when laying down the Mulch (Manure), look for divine help from the Holy Spirit that may be needed for UMB to get by USM to play another game against Eastern, and finally to encourage all Eastern posters to continue the love fest because this team is flat out good. They are not #7 in the nation by accident. Don't forget they had been #1 for three weeks earlier in season. I know I'm living in the past, but they did avenge their earlier hiccups to UMD and WConn with good old fashioned a..whoopings. Snce that WNEC loss and hiccup to WConn, they are only 13-1 averaging 13 runs per game while only allowing 3 runs per game.

So let the love fest continue.... Jon its too bad that there just aren't more UMB posters out there to give a more balanced insight of that team. You've got passion for your team, it's too bad no one else wants to be part of your love fest. It could be worse, but it's only because other Eastern posters may be busy... Where are you TEEfan and EasternCtFan We could use some more love for the LEC tourney and at the NE Regional if they get there.

Word ... congrats on WNEC getting the job done and punching their ticket for the regionals....

[KSCfan]

To all my fellow posters couple of thoughts

1.  The final four is set with USM,KSC,UMB, and Eastern.  The four team tournament starts on thursday and i think goes to friday.  Obviously my first question is are the games going to be avaible on LEC tv, and or on the radio because it will be tough to get up there on thursday and maybe friday.
Here are my first round thursday predictions

Keene over Eastern- Rematch of Gilblair and Raymond.  Great game in the swamp earlier this year, and i am sure will be another great game.  Both starters have been pitching well of late, and both offenses have been firing on all clicks.  Bullpen might be the difference maker in this one. 
USM over UMB- USM will beat UMB.  It might be close as UMB did beat USM earlier in the year, but i think that i will go with USM, espically in USM.

2. Keene looked very good on sat against UMD avenging an earlier DH sweep.  Raymond and Pelky both looked strong against the corsairs.   I think its safe to say that the young unproven staff for Keene has been steadily improving as well as the emerge of Raymond as a Sat pitcher has been a big shot of confidence in the arm for the owls.  Hopefully the pitchers continue to pitch well enough for the offense to score some runs

3. Jcon-  We split on the weekend. I felt that RIC would beat UMB, and you felt that UMD would beat Keene.  I guess we shall call it a wash. Now we are down the final four with both our teams looking at some battles.  I still dont agree that the Beacons are that good and until they win some games this week i wont either.  Year in and year out the beacons are going to be trouble i am told, and year in and year out they struggle in the LEC tournament.  I just dont think that the Beacons are that good.  However  i agree with you on the eastern lovefest kinda makes a man want to puke with disgust but thats about all we will agree on.

4.  With all this talk on the board about the players of the year i felt i would hand out my own awards to the D3 posters i shall call them the Postess (kind of like the Dundies for you office people out there) and drumroll please......................


1.  Rookie poster of the year..... cody callahan, oh wait my bad i will go with santzeey with his insight of the anchorheads
2.  Jar Jar Binks comedic relief poster of the year........... Word, no surprise here as word is one of a kind with his often smart and intelligent posts in a way that makes me chuckle when i read it
3. The Peter Pan Neverland Poster most out of touch with reality.........Jcon, again no surprise here.  His often off the wall posts often anger you, then make you scratch the hair off your head being like is this guy serious, then finally you find yourself being it just jcon and he never makes any sense its almost like he is posting from never never land
4. Morgan Freeman Father poster of the year...... Gilblair, this name comes from me wanting Morgan Freeman to be father if my own father wasnt.  Gilblair is often in the know about the Evil Empire and provides us with updates on Eastern and his own son.  DChevy5 gets a runner up, i would of given it to him but Gilblair has been around for a long time, sorry Chev. 
5. The Swampthing poster of the year....... Dchevy, for his often times even keep great info on KSC.  Does not get rattled like i do from Jcons posts like i do and provides top notch information.

If anyone has got some more i would love to hear them, i am expecting some good stuff from this board!!!!!!!!

[KSCfan]

Sorry i mean the tournament goes from thursday to sat

[ecfaninri]

KSCfan... I think you're right about the bullpen coming into play for the Keene - Eastern game. Remember - Kukucka came in releief of Gilblair in game one and Tingley came in relief of Musson in game two. It will be interesting to see who Holowaty throws in which game. Of all the games this weekend - each team threw their 1 & 2 for the sweep. Eastern didn't have to use Fontaine. You are right about the offenses for both teams... they are both scary. I just hink the Eastern's pen is a little deeper and experienced for the LEC tourney with Kukucka, Tingley, Wojick and Dutton. And we shouldn't forget Shult.

[ECSUalum]

Well, All I can say is that the "love fest" everyone refers to is a direct result of the passion we have for ECSU,  its players, coaches and the fact that there is a close knit group of parents and followers.

Maybe think of your passion for the BoSox up there in North and Central New England and maybe you will understand.

I just get annoyed when I see other posters come on with nothing better to post than "we" make them sick to thier stomach.  Get a freecking life!!!!

I will apologize for getting into it with Jconn, but that is life, you defend what you feel passionate for.

Alright, my mea culpa is finished.

Good Luck to ALL LEC players and coaches this upcoming weekend!  As I have posted many times before, anything can happen in a Conference Tournament, as was seen when RIC surprised everyone a couple  3 or 4 years ago, and that is what makes college baseball so exciting and, at the same time frustrating for the losing team.

I will wait for the results of the games in Maine, before I make any more comments.  Let the teams do the talking!!!

[KSCfan]

Oh i think that everyone is passionate about their teams.  Jcon is a great example of that.  I think the sick to the stomach comments are exagerations that thier a lot of Eastern bloggers on the website i wouldnt say that i really get sick to my stomach. 

Anyway yeah i remember watching Tingley being pretty impressed with him, did he relieve all year or was he a mid week starter and relief on the weekend??

Looking forward to thursday game, anyone know the schedule and if they are on video and or internet radio

[ECSUalum]

KSCFan,

I think we love festers are all please Tngley is back from, shoulder surgery, (if I remember correctly), and has been very effective out of the bull pen all year.  No starts that I remember.

I think USM college radio should broadcast these games, I'll let Hockyfan or someone else confirm.  You can also check the Huskies BB website, as I m sure it there.

Check Little East TV icon off LEC web site, then click schedule to see if these games are televised.  LEC TV just televised RIC BB and womens SB this year.

NCAA NE Tourney should have full TV broadcasts.