BB: LEC: Little East Conference

[KSCfan]

D3spectator- welcome to the board as we LEC people like when new people come onto the board!  I like your analysis of the tournament.  I too agree that thier might be some serious runs put up on the scoreboard this year as you have 4 teams that can all swing the bats.  I think the key to the tournament is going to be the bullpens. I think that with such powerful offenses you might see bullpen use early and often, espically if one of the teams starters has an off day.  Thursday predictions

Keene over Eastern
USM over UMB

Jcon who will the beacons throw game 1 adriano or someone else? Im just curious.  Im assuming its going to be
Gilblair vs Raymond in the Eastern Keene game
Therrian vs in thje USM UMb game

[d3spectator]

Thanks guys and I appreciate the feedback. If I had an idea of who would beat who right now (which I don't, so don't pay attention to the following statement ) I would predict:

Eastern over Keene - .377 is .377, but good pitching beats good hitting (maybe not with aluminum bats) but thats my motto and I'm sticking to it   ECSU 8 Keene 4

USM over UMB - UMB shut USM out earlier this year, but I doubt that'll happen this time around.  Therrian performs well, USM mashes.  USM 12 UMB 3

Again, you know better than I do, have a good day.

Spec

[ECSUalum]

Hey guys,

New here at D3 and wanted to chime in to what is the most talked about conference in the region and maybe the nation! Awesome. I know you don't get acceptance into a prestigious board like this on your first post, but I wanted to chime my thoughts in on the conference tourney coming up.

Southern Maine - what can you say about that offense? Batting .349 as a team and outscoring teams to the tune of 454-221, they can swing it.  There hole definitely comes when you look at pitching. You got Therrian at 8-0 then it seems most of their wins come from out of the bullpen, with Therrian starting 8 games and the next guy starting 6. You got Hahn who is 6-1 but has started 0 games! Cause for concern, but I guess they've been dealing with that all year and seem to be doing fine

ECSU - has to be the tournament favorite here doing it with pitching and hitting.  Batting .355 as a team and an team ERA of 3.02 well usually get the job done.  When you have the likes of Musson, Gilblair, and Fontaine (who have legitimate shots of being all aces on other teams) to run out 3 games in a row, tough to beat. They're bullpen isn't doing to shabby either if one of 3 get in trouble, it seems. Not to mention when you have to pitch to Gilblair, Castillo, and Hobbes (and the rest of the line-up for that matter) it takes its toll on pitchers.  If I had to nit pick at a hole for them it would be their fielding at a clip of .949. But still, my pick for LEC champs lies with ECSU.

Umass-Boston - They don't quite have the offensive pop as USM or ECSU batting at .324, but any team can put together a little string of offensive to get things going, right?  They're biggest hole by far is their pitching with a team ERA of 7.48.  You give up almost 8 runs to ECSU, with their bullpen its pretty much over.  However, I do think if they can get 2 solid or above average starts by their starters they can make some noise.  Who am I to criticize their pitching they did shut out USM this year, didn't they? 

Keene State - my team here to make legitimate noise in this tourney.  They are batting .377 as a team!  I don't care who you are or who's pitching against you, that's going to make it tough for pitchers. Like Umass-Boston and USM, their hole lies within their pitching with a team ERA of 6.24.  .377 though!  Anyways, if Keene can get a quality start out of someone and put that .377 average together, watch out for the noise to be brought.

- ECSU wins the tourney, with Keene throwing a couple wrenches in along the way.

- I know this means nothing to all of you who live for the LEC because you know everything I just said to you   Just wanted to poke my head in and say good luck to the teams involved and give my two cents. Thanks guys.

Spec

d3spec,

Always welcome to this thread, Nice job with your analysis!!+1K

[ECSUalum]

d3spectator...
I -too- like your analysis of the LEC tourney. I think the key to this tourney is going to be the ability for pitching on each team to slow down the bats of the of USM, EConn, and the #1 rank offense in the country KSC, not to mention the speedy UMB team if they can get on base.

In a double elimination tourney it appears to give an edge to a team wear EConn has Musson, Gilblair, and Fontaine to pitch on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Shult, Tingley, and Kukucka ready just in case.

I just hope the weather can somewhat cooperate since there are no lights at USM.

Congrats to all the Warrior seniors last night, and especially to Shawn on a great 4 years.  Hopefully he, Matt, Will et al and the rest of the guys can bring back the Walnut and Bronze for unpresidented #5 National  Championship.

Pitcher of the Week
Matt Fontaine (Cranston, R.I.), Junior, Eastern Connecticut State University

Fontaine won his fifth decision in six starts by pitching the first seven innings in an 11-0 win over Wheaton College (Mass.). The Cranston, R.I. native fanned a season-high 13 with only one walk and gave up only two singles, lowering his ERA to 2.24.

Matt:  GREAT JOB, and well deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hockeyfan77]

Hey guys,

New here at D3 and wanted to chime in to what is the most talked about conference in the region and maybe the nation! Awesome. I know you don't get acceptance into a prestigious board like this on your first post, but I wanted to chime my thoughts in on the conference tourney coming up.

Southern Maine - what can you say about that offense? Batting .349 as a team and outscoring teams to the tune of 454-221, they can swing it.  There hole definitely comes when you look at pitching. You got Therrian at 8-0 then it seems most of their wins come from out of the bullpen, with Therrian starting 8 games and the next guy starting 6. You got Hahn who is 6-1 but has started 0 games! Cause for concern, but I guess they've been dealing with that all year and seem to be doing fine

ECSU - has to be the tournament favorite here doing it with pitching and hitting.  Batting .355 as a team and an team ERA of 3.02 well usually get the job done.  When you have the likes of Musson, Gilblair, and Fontaine (who have legitimate shots of being all aces on other teams) to run out 3 games in a row, tough to beat. They're bullpen isn't doing to shabby either if one of 3 get in trouble, it seems. Not to mention when you have to pitch to Gilblair, Castillo, and Hobbes (and the rest of the line-up for that matter) it takes its toll on pitchers.  If I had to nit pick at a hole for them it would be their fielding at a clip of .949. But still, my pick for LEC champs lies with ECSU.

Umass-Boston - They don't quite have the offensive pop as USM or ECSU batting at .324, but any team can put together a little string of offensive to get things going, right?  They're biggest hole by far is their pitching with a team ERA of 7.48.  You give up almost 8 runs to ECSU, with their bullpen its pretty much over.  However, I do think if they can get 2 solid or above average starts by their starters they can make some noise.  Who am I to criticize their pitching they did shut out USM this year, didn't they? 

Keene State - my team here to make legitimate noise in this tourney.  They are batting .377 as a team!  I don't care who you are or who's pitching against you, that's going to make it tough for pitchers. Like Umass-Boston and USM, their hole lies within their pitching with a team ERA of 6.24.  .377 though!  Anyways, if Keene can get a quality start out of someone and put that .377 average together, watch out for the noise to be brought.

- ECSU wins the tourney, with Keene throwing a couple wrenches in along the way.

- I know this means nothing to all of you who live for the LEC because you know everything I just said to you   Just wanted to poke my head in and say good luck to the teams involved and give my two cents. Thanks guys.

Spec

Just throwing this out there: USM does have a very soild #2 the Colin Herny: he was hurt to begin the year but has finally found his grove...


The weather dosen't look as horrible today: I think Thursday will be a wash out but the games should be able to be played Friday Sat and Sun  as the weekend forecast dosen't look too bad...

[d3spectator]

Thanks hockey,

If this kid keeps finding his groove and USM can say they have 2 legit starters coming into regionals.  With that offense and a little bit of pitching, the World Series won't be to far away.  Their bullpen seems like it holds the staff together as I've said before most guys have more wins then they do starts (with the exception of Therian).  Get a little 1/2 action, with the bullpen, and defense, look out gentlemen. Thanks again hockeyfan.  Have a good one.

Spec

[dchevy5]

I have been kind of busy lately and haven't posted much, but have enjoyed reading the board as always.  To me, USM and ECSU are pretty much equal.  I give the edge in that match-up to ECSU because of their pitching staff.  I love KSC and would not be shocked if they win the tournament.  KSC does not have a deep pitching staff, but if Raymond can win game 1, I like Pelkey in game 2.  Corey Vogt, who would probably pitch game 3, is capable of beating anyone when he is on.  I definitely see KSC as a threat.  I have seen UMB only twice and they did not play or pitch well.  I find it hard to put them in the same category as the other 3 teams, but, they have some very nice wins and could also surprise and win this thing.

Good luck to all the teams and I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Gorham.  Bring your umbrellas!!!

[ECSUalum]

I have been kind of busy lately and haven't posted much, but have enjoyed reading the board as always.  To me, USM and ECSU are pretty much equal.  I give the edge in that match-up to ECSU because of their pitching staff.  I love KSC and would not be shocked if they win the tournament.  KSC does not have a deep pitching staff, but if Raymond can win game 1, I like Pelkey in game 2.  Corey Vogt, who would probably pitch game 3, is capable of beating anyone when he is on.  I definitely see KSC as a threat.  I have seen UMB only twice and they did not play or pitch well.  I find it hard to put them in the same category as the other 3 teams, but, they have some very nice wins and could also surprise and win this thing.

Good luck to all the teams and I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Gorham.  Bring your umbrellas!!!

dchevy5,

Congrats to your son for a fantastic college baseball carreer!!  (I assume he graduates this year)  I am sure he, Callahan, and the rest of the Owls with  give ECSU pitchers nightmares 

[wordsmith]

I know, I know this is a baseball site, but please allow me to congratulate Keene State Softball Coach Dr. Charlie Beach for being named COY and local product --> Jenna Patnode for being named POY by the LEC. Both are high quality individuals and are great representitives for Keene State and the area.


http://www.littleeast.com/sports/sball/2009/news/20090505-sball-all-conference


Word 8)

[dchevy5]

ECSUALUM

Thank you very much.  It has been a great ride for Jamie,  He was very fortunate to play in such a great conference,  and yes, he does graduate this Saturday, though I am hoping he will be otherwise engaged in Gorham Maine.

[Jcon8958]

Well here we go round 2 of the LEC playoffs.

My Predictions for day 1

UMB beats USM- Could have beat them in the first game that played them losing 14-13 and shut them out in the 2nd game I like UMB chances versus the huskies.

ECSU beats KSC- Eastern has just to much for KSC. There pitching should contain KSC offense.

[KSCfan]

Todays forcast for Gorham Maine....... i looked on the hour by hour and here is what i see, the first game starting at noon, USM and UMB should be able to get in if the tarp has been on the field for USM.  Thier is only a 20% percent chance of rain from 10am to 2pm, that is from weather.com.  Then at 2pm it gets bumped up to 70% percent chance of rain and stays that way till dark which USM has no lights so maybe they can get in the first one at least... i hope

[dchevy5]

I just checked the weather forecast for Bangor and it is no better.  For anyone who doesn't know why in the world I would mention that, ask someone who was around in 2006.

[KSCfan]

Dchev i still have nightmares about Bangor on a night in and night out basis.  Stephen King's field of horrors

[Jcon8958]

The UMB USM game has had the start time pushed back til 130 suppose to stop raining about 11ish give them tyime to get the field ready to play.