BB: GNAC: Great Northeast Athletic Conference

[Stump]

TheGNAC,

Saturday's game was definitely a one of a kind and the oddest part is it was the best defensive contest all weekend. 

As you said Suffolk probably should have won the 1st game Sunday, the biggest errors they made were the mental errors after the physical errors that gave St. Joe's extra bases and runs. Heads down after a bobble compounded their problems several times.

St. Joe's infield defense has been a problem all year, particularly 3rd base.  They had finally had settled into a fairly solid middle infield after much searching for a good combination then the freshman shortstop who had earned the job was lost for the year.  They were forced to make adjustments up the middle but nothing seemed to click. They could hit but couldn't field which put a lot more pressure on the pitching staff.

Again Congrats to Suffolk and good luck at the regionals!

[GNACfan]

Who are going to be the key players in the GNAC this upcoming season?

[fotoguy]

If you take a look at last years all-conference players, subtract the seniors then add the transfers (who  we dont know yet), thats a good place to start for who to look for guys.

The  guess is St. Joes should be ranked 1, Suffolk 2, JWU 3, A Magnus 4 for now until we see if Suffolk was able reload their pitching.  If not, JWU might challenge SJU, they had a very young team last year and split with both SJU and Suffolk last year.

[Hobbesy]

Guys,

Finally launched my blog that is everything New England D3 Baseball!

Check it out!

http://ned3baseball.wordpress.com/

[Stump]

St. Joes opens with DH sweep of Clark 6-4, 18-6 at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven,Fl. 

http://www.gomonks.com/sports/bsb/2009-10/releases/20100307yyte68

[Hobbesy]

St. Joes and WPI combine for 17 runs in the third inning of their first game...WPI hung on to win...second game in progress

[Stump]

Odd day for St. Joe's. Score 20 runs in 2 games and lose both. 13-12, 9-8 to WPI.

[Hobbesy]

Checked out St. Joes-Suffolk game today in Quincy.  Only was able to stay for the first but was able to get some interviews afterwards.

Pat Moran hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie and the Monks won 6-1.  Pretty good game I thought.  Both Moran and Suffolk starter Babb threw well.  Babb hurt by an infield error that extended the inning and allowed Moran to bat in the sixth.

Check out the interviews here!

http://ned3baseball.wordpress.com/

[GNACfan]

Shaping up to be a fight to the end. Any Idea of a all-Conf team yet?

Should be a great fight until the end for the playoffs, every team involved.

[GNACfan]

Last week of play. Any good season wrap up or post season projections?

Looks like The Monks and The Suffolk Rams are at the top as expect

[Stump]

1) Suffolk 13-1
2) St. Joe's 9-3 (with Sat DH w/ Norwich)
3) Johnson & Wales 8-6
4) Emerson 7-7
5) Norwich 5-7 (with Sat DH @ St. Joe's)
6) Lasell 5-9
7) Albertus Magnus 4-10
8) Rivier 3-11

Top 6 make playoffs. Suffolk and St. Joe's are locked in w/ prelim round byes.
Preliminary round: Tues. 4/27
#3 JWU hosts #6. #4 hosts #5.  Norwich could end up: a) 7-7 to tie Emerson for #4(they split season DH)(not sure what tiebreaker is for GNAC seedings) b) 6-8 which would lock them at #5 or c) 5-9 to tie Lasell (Lasell swept season DH so I would guess that Lasell would go #5 and Norwich #6 in that scenario.)
QUARTERFINALS: Thurs. 4/29
Winner of #6 @ #3 plays @ St. Joe's (Game D)
Winner of #5 @ #4 plays @ Suffolk  (Game C)
SEMIFINALS: Sat. 5/1 @ Johnson & Wales in East Providence, R.I.
Game E: Loser Game C v. Loser Game D
Game F: Winner Game C v. Winner Game D
Game G: Winner Game E v. Loser Game F
FINALS: Sun 5/2 @ Johnson & Wales
Game H: Winner Game F v. Winner Game G
Game I: If needed

[fotoguy]

assuming Norwich loses 2 to st Joes, they would finish 5-9 like LaSalle but Lasalle holds the tiebreaker meaning Norwich vs JWU and Emerson vs LaSalle next Tuesday.....assuming Norwich loses both.

this year is the year a Butler could make it to the regionals.  all teams match up pretty good....of course, Suffolk has to be the favorite.

should be a fun week.

[Stump]

GNAC Tourney

1st Round
#3 Johnson & Wales 11  #6 Norwich 1 (7 innnings)
#4 Emerson 11  #5 Lasell 10

Quarterfinals
Game A: #1 Suffolk 5  #4 Emerson 2
Game B: #2 St. Joe's 11  #3 Johnson & Wales 1  (7 inninngs)

Semifinals  Sat. May 1  Pierce Memorial Field  East Providence, RI
Game C: 10 AM  Emerson vs. Johnson & Wales (Elimination game)
Game D:  1 PM  Suffolk vs. St. Joe's
Game E:  4 PM  Winner Game C vs Loser Game D (Elimination game)

Finals  Sun. May 2 Pierce Memorial Field
Game F: Noon  Winner Game D vs. Winner Game E
Game G: (If needed)

So far no surprises. Everyone holds serve thru quarters.

[Hobbesy]

Stump-

You are right.  The matchup everyone has predicted on Saturday.  Whichever team wins has the big advantage...obviously 


http://ned3baseball.wordpress.com/

[Stump]

GNAC All-Conference Teams announced

http://www.norwichathletics.com/sports/bsb/2009-10/2010_All-GNAC_Team.pdf