BB: LEC: Little East Conference

[ECSUalum]

Score by Innings                              R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Bridgewater State...   100 000 300 -  4 12  1
Eastern Connecticut. 200 201 02X -  7 10  0
-------------------------------------------

Eastern Connecticut    ip   h  r  er bb  so
 
Mitch Furber W,2-0    6.0  9  3  3  0    3    
Michael Hepple           0.2  2  1  1  0    0  
Andrew Morrison S,1  2.1  1  0  0  0   3

Nice job by Furber today, gave up 9 hits but NO WALKS, (which has been a problem this year with ECSU pitching)

Dewing and Castillo both hit 2 run bombs today and Park had a cluch 2 out single with bases loaded.

Fielding % is slowly improving as well heading to 0.960   

[hockeyfan77]

USM/St Joe's can be seen here tomorrow:


http://usm.maine.edu/athletics/

[BobbyBeacon]

Still no room on board for any of you but the Beacon Bandwagon is back up and running after its annual tune up.

9-1 over Suffolk!!!  Then 20-7 over Babson!!!?!?!?!?

Despite our recent found success in the kicking game we're still missing simple PATs which means still room for improvement!!!

I noticed not too many thoughts/comments regarding the continuing spread of Beacon Fever.  Beaconville's most recent colonizations have been reported in Danbury, CT and Wellesley, MA.  Not to mention reports surfacing from the Suffolk campus and neighborhoods surrounding Adams Field in Quincy, MA.  Nervous yet??

Hobbesy, let's not forget to give credit where credit is due...and I'm not just talking about the Beacons.  Babson did not just hit a pothole, but ran into the LEC.  While teams like Babson and Suffolk, historically, are considered "regional favorites" they are still weekday games.  In my experience in the LEC, today's game against Babson will be treated the same as tomorrow's against Eastern Naz (maybe a little more motivation).  Like I've said before, the top five teams in the LEC would sit atop any conference in New England and meet every year in the Regionals (w/ exception for seasons like Trinity's).  We play the same schedule as Babson and Worcester State and Wheaton and WNEC but with LEC foes to worry about on Saturdays.  Today's win against Babson is, for the most part, just as good as a sweep over Western (like Jcon predicted!     ) or even Plymouth (both programs not nearly as highly regarded).

But back to business tomorrow as the Beacons continue their attempts to expand and colonize Quincy before a big weekend against the Corsairs in Beaconville.  The UMass schools battling for the top of the LEC     , who would've thought?!?!

The Beacons tend to heat up with the weather and there seems to be nothing but clear skies ahead.  Look out boys, seems the only cure for Beacon Fever is more cowbell!!!!

[BobbyBeacon]

By the way, the Beacons stand up to their flaws/critics and work through 'em.  No breaks needed, no excuses given.  We take our lumps on the chin and don't need anyone's sympathy or for games to be called early due to "unforeseen circumstances."  That is why you are ALL our rivals, we don't discriminate.  We hate all of you equally! 

[wordsmith]

Still no room on board for any of you but the Beacon Bandwagon is back up and running after its annual tune up.

9-1 over Suffolk!!!  Then 20-7 over Babson!!!?!?!?!?

Despite our recent found success in the kicking game we're still missing simple PATs which means still room for improvement!!!

I noticed not too many thoughts/comments regarding the continuing spread of Beacon Fever.  Beaconville's most recent colonizations have been reported in Danbury, CT and Wellesley, MA.  Not to mention reports surfacing from the Suffolk campus and neighborhoods surrounding Adams Field in Quincy, MA.  Nervous yet??

Hobbesy, let's not forget to give credit where credit is due...and I'm not just talking about the Beacons.  Babson did not just hit a pothole, but ran into the LEC.  While teams like Babson and Suffolk, historically, are considered "regional favorites" they are still weekday games.  In my experience in the LEC, today's game against Babson will be treated the same as tomorrow's against Eastern Naz (maybe a little more motivation).  Like I've said before, the top five teams in the LEC would sit atop any conference in New England and meet every year in the Regionals (w/ exception for seasons like Trinity's).  We play the same schedule as Babson and Worcester State and Wheaton and WNEC but with LEC foes to worry about on Saturdays.  Today's win against Babson is, for the most part, just as good as a sweep over Western (like Jcon predicted!     ) or even Plymouth (both programs not nearly as highly regarded).

But back to business tomorrow as the Beacons continue their attempts to expand and colonize Quincy before a big weekend against the Corsairs in Beaconville.  The UMass schools battling for the top of the LEC     , who would've thought?!?!

The Beacons tend to heat up with the weather and there seems to be nothing but clear skies ahead.  Look out boys, seems the only cure for Beacon Fever is more cowbell!!!!

BobbyBeacon,

Excellent rant, we need more of this from you..not sure though whether you rant better when the Drive-Bys are winning or losing. But "colonize Quincy" is a classic! Well done +1 for you.

Word

[wordsmith]

By the way, the Beacons stand up to their flaws/critics and work through 'em.  No breaks needed, no excuses given.  We take our lumps on the chin and don't need anyone's sympathy or for games to be called early due to "unforeseen circumstances."  That is why you are ALL our rivals, we don't discriminate.  We hate all of you equally! 

BobbyBeacon,

But then you go and send out a note telling you 'hate all of you equally' stop all these negative vibes man, (in the words of Oddball in Kelly's Heroes - played by Keifer Sutherland's dad, you know you have jumped the shark when you go from Donald Sutherland actor, to Keifer Sutherland's dad!) STOP with all the negative vibes. -1 for hating

Word

[KSCfan]

Word i am going to have to agree with you that was clearly BobbyBeacons best post of the year and i found myself laughing as it had some "word" like attributes.  The hating all the people equal eh i dont take to much offense to it.  Every team in the LEC has had negative vibes for another at some point so i just kind of let that go.  much like when a boxer says hes going to kill someone in the ring, hes not really trying to kill them just knock them out.  Im assuming and maybe i shouldn't thats what Bobby meant.

Keene loses to WNEC yesterday a team that beat down in Arizona.  It seems that the owls cant seem to streak together 5 or 6 games.  Its win 1 lose 1 win 2 lose 1.  They need their pitching and defense to come around yet and i personally thought it would of come around by now, but hopefully they can get around that corner.  They have a huge huge huge DH this weekend with 4-0 RIC.  Imagine what a KSC sweep would do to the already crazy standings of the LEC.  Can you say Log Jam??  If you are RIC you want to stay atop the LEC and a split or better will certainly do that.  The games are in Keene so that favors the owls as the swamp tends to be unfriendly to visitors.  I would love to see the left field line full of red cups and rowdy feather head fans of owls baseball for what should be a great DH this weekend.  I think the DH of the weekend though has to be the battle of the Corsairs or as i like to call them " A fancy name for a pirate"   and BeaconMania.  UMB 2 losses UMD 1.  That and the Keene 3-2 and RIC 4-0 DH are the games to watch this weekend.  Correct me if i am wrong but i sense that the rest of the LEC might be owl fans this weekend as it helps their team.  Jconn rooting for the owls?  Can you imagine???

[KSCfan]

Guys i asked the same question on the New England page but i will LEC-ify it here.  We are at the half way point of the season.  Who is the biggest surprise in the LEC, who is the biggest disapointment?  Who is the player of the year? Pitcher of the year?  Coach of the year?  And ultimately the hardest question who wins the LEC tournament hosted where? 

Here are my half way thoughts and ideas
Biggest Surprise goes to RIC for me.  Sitting atop the LEC 4-0 with a very good record.  I did not think that they where going to be as strong as they have been.  They have swept Plymouth, but they also rallied and swept USM which is never easy to do regardless if they are down this year or not

Biggest Disapointment goes to Plymouth.  In a year where the LEC is the most balanced it has ever been Plymouth remains god awful.  I know they almost beat Keene the other day but how  and in the manner they lost shows you everything you need to know about them.  Its to bad considering if they put together a decent year with the league the way it is they might of had their best finish in the LEC this year

Coach of the Year so far- either RIC or UMB.  Beacons having best year they have ever had and RIC is in first place and i think most will agree that it is a surprise. 

Player of the Year so far is John Parke from Eastern- kid flat out rakes.  I was at Eastern and Keene and the kid is a terror, Melvin is not far from behind with Doyon from Keene close as well

Pitcher- who knows the LEC pitching is getting blasted this year.  I watched Musson get whacked by keene pretty good, keenes pitching shouldnt be in the conversation right now, Amrstrong from Western maybe??? I have no idea on this one right now.  USM pitching has been off, maybe someone from RIC who knows???

Eastern hosts the tournament ( I just say this because i moved to CT and live 10 minutes from the death star now and i want to watch the LEC tournament in person instead of over the internet which is very good but not the same as in person)  and who wins the tournament i have no idea whoever is hot going into the tournament.  Im going with................... Keene (shocker i know, i can hear jaws banging off desks all around NE right now)

I know its only the half way point but something to think about

[RSSmith]

Guys i asked the same question on the New England page but i will LEC-ify it here.  We are at the half way point of the season.  Who is the biggest surprise in the LEC, who is the biggest disapointment?  Who is the player of the year? Pitcher of the year?  Coach of the year?  And ultimately the hardest question who wins the LEC tournament hosted where? 

Here are my half way thoughts and ideas
Biggest Surprise goes to RIC for me.  Sitting atop the LEC 4-0 with a very good record.  I did not think that they where going to be as strong as they have been.  They have swept Plymouth, but they also rallied and swept USM which is never easy to do regardless if they are down this year or not

Biggest Disapointment goes to Plymouth.  In a year where the LEC is the most balanced it has ever been Plymouth remains god awful.  I know they almost beat Keene the other day but how  and in the manner they lost shows you everything you need to know about them.  Its to bad considering if they put together a decent year with the league the way it is they might of had their best finish in the LEC this year

Coach of the Year so far- either RIC or UMB.  Beacons having best year they have ever had and RIC is in first place and i think most will agree that it is a surprise. 

Player of the Year so far is John Parke from Eastern- kid flat out rakes.  I was at Eastern and Keene and the kid is a terror, Melvin is not far from behind with Doyon from Keene close as well

Pitcher- who knows the LEC pitching is getting blasted this year.  I watched Musson get whacked by keene pretty good, keenes pitching shouldnt be in the conversation right now, Amrstrong from Western maybe??? I have no idea on this one right now.  USM pitching has been off, maybe someone from RIC who knows???

Eastern hosts the tournament ( I just say this because i moved to CT and live 10 minutes from the death star now and i want to watch the LEC tournament in person instead of over the internet which is very good but not the same as in person)  and who wins the tournament i have no idea whoever is hot going into the tournament.  Im going with................... Keene (shocker i know, i can hear jaws banging off desks all around NE right now)

I know its only the half way point but something to think about

Paul Vatter, 2-0, ERA 1.93, 28K/9BB in 32.2 innings, WHIP 0.88, OBA .183

[ECSUalum]

Pitcher- who knows the LEC pitching is getting blasted this year.  I watched Musson get whacked by keene pretty good, keenes pitching shouldnt be in the conversation right now, Amrstrong from Western maybe??? I have no idea on this one right now.  USM pitching has been off, maybe someone from RIC who knows???

KSCFAN,Note that Will Musson pulled his hamstring in Chandler AZ vs JHU and has not fully recovered, so aformentioned  is logical reason for his sub par performance.  A healthy Musson might have been Pitcher of the Year in LEC

LEC Pitching leaders as of 4/15/2010:

INDIVIDUAL PITCHING
Min 1.0 IP/Team game        App   ERA  W-L  Sv    IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Vatter-RIC...........       7    1.93  2-0   0      32.2  20   7   7   9  28
Collin Henry-USM..........      6    2.92  3-2   0     40.0  34  21  13  11  41
Billy Armstrong-WCSU......  6    3.31  3-1   0     35.1  26  14  13  19  38
Jim Schult-ECSU...........      5    3.34  2-1   0     29.2  23  15  11   9  34

[Hobbesy]

Biggest Surprise

RIC- They always have a good spring trip but are finally turning that into a full season.  Two come from behind wins over USM show they have some fight but they are going to be tested this weekend and next weekend against Keene and ECSU.

Biggest Dissapointment

Tie Between ECSU-Keene-Southern Maine- Let's face it, the Big Three are anything but that this year to this point.  Eastern and Keene have not found the pitching needed to win games, and thats even when they score eight or more runs a game!  Southern Maine lost alot but are losing games Southern Maine teams dont lose under Flaherty, games they have late game leads in.  At 1-3 in the conference, they have alot of work to do. 

Coach of the Year- RIC-UMD Co-Coach

RIC coach takes over the head job and has his kids playing inspired baseball and undefeated in the conference.  UMD coach has his team back on track after winning just five games two years ago. 

Player of the Year- Melvin Castillo

He hasnt put up the power numbers yet but I am sure they will come.  No hitter is more feared in the conference than Melvin IMO.  Doyon of keene is a close second in fear factor.  Can change the game with one swing.

Pitcher of the Year- Billy Armstrong

Armstrong has been around the block and has taken his bumps and bruises.  Is one of the bright spots on Western and if you drop the tough outing against UMass Boston, he his having a terrific year.

Tournament- Host Eastern

Its scary to think that ECSU-USM-Keene are the only three teams to host the conference tourney...ever!  RIC will make a run at it this year but fall just short.  If held at RIC, balls would fly out faster than they did at Eastern in 2007 when everyone became a home run hitter that week...even me 

LEC Winner- Eastern

And you guessed it, once again over the Owls.  Keene and ECSU play for their fourth crown in five years with Eastern taking it in a close, high scoring game. 

Those predictions can all be thrown out the window this weekend because there is still alot of baseball to be played.

[ECSUalum]

Hobbesy,

I have watched quite a few ECSU games so far this year, and it looks like Melvin has cut down on his swing, the result, so far, being he is hitting more for average vs hitting for the seats.  In fact I have noticed a decent number of his hit are to right field, yesterday his HR to right center.  I bet he has his best year ever for average, perhaps with fewer that 10 home runs, ( vs 11-14 over the last 3 years), and equivalent rbi production.

His strike out/at bat ratio in 2010, (year to date) is 0.143 vs 2007/8/9 combined of 0.198.

He has 30 rbi 2010 ytd (24 games) vs 60 total (47 games) in 2009, so his rbi production is roughly on track vs last year

Castillo
Year        avg gp-gs ab     r  h  2b 3b hr rbi  tb  slg% bb hbp so  
2007....  .355 50-49 186 55 66 16 6 14 58 136 .731 19   4   34  
2008....  .354 48-48 189 60 67 14 4 11 56 122 .646 26   7   35
2009....  .388 47-47 188 60 73 13 5 14 60 138 .734 26   6   43  
TTL...    .366 145-  563 175 206 43 15 39 174 396 .703 71 17 112  
                  144

[hockeyfan77]

St. Joseph's (ME) Nips Southern Maine 7-6...USM  falls  to 12-10 (1-3 in the LEC)...Next up


Huskies Host Western Connecticut on #SUNDAY (12:00 p.m)

[Hobbesy]

ECSUalum-

I just love looking at Melvin's numbers.  Its remarkable and how consistent his years have been.  Almost identical numbers of at-bats, hits, runs, RBI, home runs, doubles...

Its kinda weird that it has been that consistent.

And as for going the opposite field, Mel has always worked on that.  Hitting with him for the past three years was a great learning experience and he has such a quick swing and good strength that he can really drive pitches that way.

Pitchers are learning to throw him away and he is adapting.  Miss inside and it could be awhile before it lands.

I think more teams need to take the Keene State approach...curveball, curveball, curveball, curveball, high fastball, curveball, curveball, high fastball

[ECSUalum]

Hobbesy,

Yeah, We will certainly miss Mel next year.  Its specially fun to be at WCSU when his family members are there egging him on  .

Some of the homers he has hit at ECSU BB Stadium .... off the scoreboard, over the scoreboard, off the LF light stanchion, onto the old LAX field!!!!

Speaking of monster HRs, Chris Thompson hit a monster bomb to left field when Montclair St was at the stadium. It passed over the LF fence half way up the LF Light stanchion.   I think it ended up in the corn field Must have gone 450+ft