BB: LEC: Little East Conference

hockeyfan77 · May 05, 2008, 09:43:06 PM

Quote from: ecfaninri on May 05, 2008, 06:08:31 PM
hockeyfan....
As you know, never look beyond 1st round opponents. Sometimes saving pitching can end up being embarassing when what looks like a "W" - and somehow you end up in the loser's bracket going through bullpens. But EConn's pitching rotation lately has been getting deep into games. RIC did save some pitching to get through to the tourney. They weren't going to host. So why kill themselves and their chances to help out Eastern. Keene still has depth, but using Morin and Mabey could prove costly in the 2nd round as well. UMB - Conway, Michael, and Adriano could give fits as well.

I wasn't looking past the first round opponent: I was just saying for the AT LARGE BID, I am pretty sure the winner of that game will get it...If they lose in the first round IMO theywon't get in: unless they win it all from the losers bracket...I think pretty much every team saved pitching for the tourney...

TheGNAC · May 05, 2008, 11:31:08 PM

I think you have a point hockeyfan77, but I also think Eastern and Keene both have a better resume and case for the at-large. The fact they play in such a difficult conference both helps and hurts them, and I really don't see the committee giving two at-large bids to one conference, especially if there are only two Pool C bids going to New England.

hockeyfan77 · May 06, 2008, 02:17:12 AM

Quote from: TheGNAC on May 05, 2008, 11:31:08 PM
I think you have a point hockeyfan77, but I also think Eastern and Keene both have a better resume and case for the at-large. The fact they play in such a difficult conference both helps and hurts them, and I really don't see the committee giving two at-large bids to one conference, especially if there are only two Pool C bids going to New England.

Well it dosen't matter really: what they have to focus on is winning the Tourney...Then there would be no debate..

KSCfan · May 06, 2008, 10:04:14 AM

Anyone got any inside info on day 1 starters for the tourny? Jcon will we see Conway on Wed? and Adriano possibly on thursday. For the same matter, ECSU crew will we see the Gilblair at all in this tourny? and whos the inside track for wed? Esposito? or Jimmy i cant pronounce your last name? I still dont know about Keene, my guess would be Somberg, or Laplante for wed. Great series of games coming up, im starting to feel a little under the weather for thursday or friday, and i hear the best mediciine is some fresh air!

Jcon8958 · May 06, 2008, 10:19:40 AM

Yes conway will be throwing vs ECONN on day one of the tourney and Andriano will be throwing on the second day i believe i really like this team right now they got both there aces on over a weeks rest they can very easily jump right out of the gate and win the first two. That was there problem the last 2 yers they needed to rest conway in the first game because he was on 3 or 4 days rest and they tried to steal the 1st game which they were unsuccesful doing. I really like them with Conway in game 1 then andriano in game 2. WHOLE NEW SEASON BOYS ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

DAY 1 PREDICTIONS

KSC OVER WCONN (Lot closer then ppl think i bet)
UMB OVER ECONN (There aces possible final start in college if you dnt get a win thats gotta get you jaked up)
USM OVER RIC (RIC has been scuffling no reason to think its going to stop with a hot USM team comin in)

If the becons hit they are going to be scary cause they got Conway Andriano and Michaels who pitched very well vs USM. There pitching is going to carry them but they need a few runs for that to happen.

TEEFAN · May 06, 2008, 11:58:35 AM

Quote from: Jcon8958 on May 06, 2008, 10:19:40 AM
Yes conway will be throwing vs ECONN on day one of the tourney and Andriano will be throwing on the second day i believe i really like this team right now they got both there aces on over a weeks rest they can very easily jump right out of the gate and win the first two. That was there problem the last 2 yers they needed to rest conway in the first game because he was on 3 or 4 days rest and they tried to steal the 1st game which they were unsuccesful doing. I really like them with Conway in game 1 then andriano in game 2. WHOLE NEW SEASON BOYS ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

DAY 1 PREDICTIONS

KSC OVER WCONN (Lot closer then ppl think i bet)
UMB OVER ECONN (There aces possible final start in college if you dnt get a win thats gotta get you jaked up)
USM OVER RIC (RIC has been scuffling no reason to think its going to stop with a hot USM team comin in)

If the becons hit they are going to be scary cause they got Conway Andriano and Michaels who pitched very well vs USM. There pitching is going to carry them but they need a few runs for that to happen.

Jcon, I respect you're prediction, but i disagree. I feel that Eastern will come out on top. ECSU will be throwing Fontaine, who has been one of their best pitchers down the stretch (including 17 K's vs WCONN, a gem vs Wheaton, and was awarded LEC pitcher of the week twice). Also, the last time Conway faced ECSU, Dewing, Gilblair, or Bass were not in the lineup. Bass became a full-time starter a few games after the UMB game and is batting 370 with 5 homeruns and 23 RBI. Gilblair and Dewing have been ECSU's most consistant hitters throughout the season and should give Conway trouble hitting in the 4 and 5 spot behind Castillo.

Jcon8958 · May 06, 2008, 12:26:40 PM

Conway hs always pitched very well vs ECONN i dont see why it will be any diffrent come tommorow no mater who is in the lineup Im saying that i think that if UMB can put up about 4 runs they win this ballgame with conway on the mound. I mean lets look Gilbliar is still a little bit banged up and The other two problly have never seen a pitcher with the stuff that Conway has. But thats why they play the games boys going to be a great tourney this year.

hockeyfan77 · May 06, 2008, 12:57:57 PM

Quote from: KSCfan on May 06, 2008, 10:04:14 AM
Anyone got any inside info on day 1 starters for the tourny? Jcon will we see Conway on Wed? and Adriano possibly on thursday. For the same matter, ECSU crew will we see the Gilblair at all in this tourny? and whos the inside track for wed? Esposito? or Jimmy i cant pronounce your last name? I still dont know about Keene, my guess would be Somberg, or Laplante for wed. Great series of games coming up, im starting to feel a little under the weather for thursday or friday, and i hear the best mediciine is some fresh air!

USM will probably go with Schmidt, Herny, Ross and if anyone struggles Bureleson....

santeezy06 · May 06, 2008, 02:36:52 PM

RIC will be throwing Thibeau and Grogan or Levesque if need be, should be a great tourny. Goodluck too all.

ecfaninri · May 06, 2008, 03:51:52 PM

Jcon,
If Econn does go with Fontaine vs Conway, it probably will be a classic pitchers duel. Coach H will hope Fontaine can continue to throw like he has against Wheaton, RIC, Roger Williams, and Montclair. His ERA is below 4 and with the defensive changes Econn has made UMB is going to be hard pressed to score runs. Econn's pitchers have been good with probably fewest walks in the league. But if they go with Espo or Jags it will be more of the same - long outings and plenty of K's. I don't know why all of a sudden people have forgotten Jags ( 8-2) second in the conference in K's and 1st in innings pitched. Espo has pitched well all year except for the one outing vs. Trinity. He has rebounded well. Kukucka is well rested and Montinari and Wojick have held up the back end.

Don't forget Parke and his ability to get on base. Dalton has moved into the #2 spot in the lineup and has performed exceptionally. Yes, Gilblair may be banged up, but he still hammered a bomb off Jones (Plymouth) on Saturday. Hobbes has been on a tear. Castillo continues to hit the ball hard makes things happen on the bases. Defense has improved since Parke has moved to SS and Castillo to 3B. Bass and Shult - 2 freshman have moved into the starting lineup and have been steady. Magliola, the catcher, has come in behind Cooney, and handled the pitchers well. Bolorin and Dewing gives Coach H more stability to work with. Offensively, this team wears down pitching. They get on base, they hit and run, they steal, they cause havoc, and most importantly have won 7 straight and 15 of 17 and 18 of 20 since their 3-2 loss at the hands of UMB.

Their three losses in LEC play were by scores of 3-2 to UMB, 4-2 to USM, and 4-3 to KSC. In each of those losses they held those teams to only 2 total runs after the 6th inning. In the last 20 games the offense has only failed score more than 4 runs four times.

Good luck to all teams it should be a fun few days.

wordsmith · May 06, 2008, 04:31:23 PM

Welcome to the LEC Tourney in wonderful Keene New Hampsha.

Word is predicting the following for Wednesday's Games

Colonels of Worst Conn get demoted to the losers bracket but they give Francis Marion and the Swampies a game; in the end Swampies prevail 8-7 in 10 innings

On this day Word prefers TEE over Chowda; TEE prevails 7-2

Word casts his final vote for the Muskies as they grind-up the Quahogs of RI --> 13-6

A little history lesson in the predictions, anyone catch them? $:-\$

Word

ecfaninri · May 06, 2008, 06:15:57 PM

Hey TEEFAN...
Good to see someone else who has seen a lot of the warriors this year give them some credit. But I guess many people just get tired of the being good year after year. Welcome aboard.

kscer · May 06, 2008, 06:39:50 PM

Quote from: KSCfan on May 06, 2008, 10:04:14 AM
Anyone got any inside info on day 1 starters for the tourny? Jcon will we see Conway on Wed? and Adriano possibly on thursday. For the same matter, ECSU crew will we see the Gilblair at all in this tourny? and whos the inside track for wed? Esposito? or Jimmy i cant pronounce your last name? I still dont know about Keene, my guess would be Somberg, or Laplante for wed. Great series of games coming up, im starting to feel a little under the weather for thursday or friday, and i hear the best mediciine is some fresh air!

My guess is Somberg will pitch Wednesday because he has tourney experience, and then unless there is an upset, LaPlante on Thursday.

TheGNAC · May 06, 2008, 09:39:23 PM

I'm going to go with the front-runners here, crazy I know. I'm predicting a KSC-ECSU final, with Keene prevailing in the championship, 4-3. Southern Maine can hit with anyone, but I've seen them play a few times this year, and I'm not impressed at all with their pitching. I think Keene's combination of offense and pitching should allow them to win the LEC. ECSU is always there in the end, and this year is no different, however I just don't think they have the pitching to beat Keene (unless Gilblair pitches, then all bets are off). I don't think it will matter much once those teams reach the championship though, as I think whoever loses is a lock for the first Pool C bid given to New England.

Should be an excellent tournament, and I'm going to rely on you guys to keep us updated here. This is the best thread on the boards, so I'm sure you guys won't disappoint.

ecfaninri · May 06, 2008, 11:24:29 PM

GNAC - everyone at EConn would agree their chances would be better if Gilblair was able to throw in the tourney. Fact is their pitching has filled the void throughout the season. Shawn's only win came in March against Stevens. But his experience has helped out the young pitchers and in particular - Fontaine. His record is 5-1 and leads the conference in strikeouts. Gilblair has been a positive influence on Esposito who leads the conference in ERA and Jagodzinski with wins. A healthy Gilblair somewhere throughout the tourney or maybe in the regionals would be a plus.