BB: SKY: Skyline Conference

[Cardinal Sin]

Just want to send out some congratulations towards Coach John Lonardo. Have known John personally for a few years now and think he is doing a tremndous job down there at OW. I know they got in alittle bit of trouble a few years back, but I'm glad to see he has righted the ship and is turning the program back around. Keep up the good work John.

[MMTPdthree]

Wild start to what seems to be a very unpredictable tournament.  MSV beat MSMC in extras on a walk off grand slam. 

Any ideas for the championship round matchup

[AlleyCat]

Congrats to Farmingdale for consecutive years in the NCAA. They should be a tough game for anyone who has to run up against them. The second year always makes the athletes and coaches more at ease and being at home never hurts.

[d3fann]

anyone with info from teams thru the fall seasons?

[Jim Dixon]

can we assume farmingdale will br ranked at the beginning of next season?  There might be a very differnet look to them next year, in regards to pitching and a big hole at the SS position.  Going to be hard to replace a player like Benvonutto

I am not sure you will see Farmingdale in the preseason polls.  They certainly will get a look but Benvenuto and Heeman were seniors and they will be hard to replace.  Give Osik a few years and they might rise to the same level as RPI, Ithaca and Cortland.

[John McGraw]

I agree with Jim on this one. Farmingdale had a heck of a run last year but Benventuo, Heenan, Gili and Gionesi are big losses - namely the first two on the list. While preseason pollsters often look back to the previous season's results when compiling their poll, they also take into account who's back and who's not. Given the losses, I'd be hard pressed to put this team into the top 25. Maybe if we had a top 40 then yes, but not yet until they show they can win w/o Benvenuto and Heenan.

Not to take anything away from Farmingdale either, but if they're not playing the NCAA regional at home last season, do they go on their miracle run? I think they would've made noise but I'm not sure about winning the whole shebang. On a side note, when's the last time Cortland, Ithaca and RPI all completely imploded in the regionals against a fellow New York team? (Answer - 2004, Brockport)

[tycobbb]

farmingdale has big time players that are coming in...

[ECSUalum]

Looks like Farmingdale has another strong March schedule this year!!!

March   
     
Sat 6       Western New England  2:00 PM       
Sun 7      Cortland State  12:00 PM       
Sat 13     Eastern Connecticut  TBA       
Sun 14    Southern Maine  TBA         [/b]
Sat 20    at NYU-Poly * (DH)  12:00 PM       
Sun 21    Old Westbury * Double-Header  12:00 PM       
Wed 24   Kean  3:30 PM      

[Yanksfan]

No doubt Benvenuto is a loss for Farmingdale's lineup but they are returning every other one of their everyday starters from last year. Gili at second and an assortment of people at third were never set in stone. The centerfield Year hit .415 and won the regional gold glove. Curtis in his 2nd season hit .407 with 44 rbi and was named skyline player of the year as well as being named to the ECAC all metro team. Moscatelli had 52 hits and drove in 38 with 10 doubles. Ennis had 11 doubles while hitting .336. The Labrozzi kid lead the team in homeruns (5) and second in doubles (12) while having a .463 OBP. He hit .393 and was second team all region the year before. That's my protection for Curtis right there. Both of their catchers hit over .333 with Nersesian winning the gold glove as a catcher the year before. That goes without saying they have some good kids coming in and a few pretty good arms and let's not forget they have a guy who spent 10 years in the big leagues as their coach. Maybe they won't make it back to the world series this year but I don't think the skyline is even a question for them.

[downstateD3]

Not a lot of chatter for Skyline this year but playoff seeds are set: 

1.  Farmingdale 15-1
2.  St. Joe's 14-2
3.  Mt St Mary 10-6  (wins tiebreaker by regular season sweep of Old West.)
4.  Old Westbury 10-6 
5.  Mt St Vincent 8-8
6.  Maritime 7-9

Farmingdale and St Joe's have byes to weekend double-elimination tournament, while the following is Wednesday's matchups in the single elimination portion to advance to the weekend:

Maritime @ Mt St Mary
Mt St Vincent @ Old Westbury

Not a strong showing this year for the Skyline group and looks like Farmingdale and St Joe's will fight it out.  They split with each other this year.
Any thoughts?

[downstateD3]

Mt St Mary 9   Maritime 0
Old Westbury 2  Mt St Vincent 1  (10 innings)



Friday
Old Westbury vs Farmingdale
Mt St Mary vs St Joe's
begins double elimination format

[John McGraw]

Strange set-up for the tournament. Farmingdale plays pretty well at home as referenced by last year's NCAA regional on Long Island. I wouldn't be surprised to see them come out of this. But, I think Westbury is still a sleeper pick to move on.

[downstateD3]

I agree that Farmingdale is the obvious favorite, tough to beat them at home.  Funny thing is they've only played 6 games since splitting with St Joe's April 10, and two of those were against Yeshiva.  So they'll either be well rested and ready to go or really rusty.  Although not much of a sleeper, St. Joe's might be in a better position having to play Mt St Mary today, while although Old Westbury might be the hottest team, drawing Farm. this afternoon after a tight game with Mt St Vincent might hinder them.   

[John McGraw]

Westbury would have had a better year if Whitenack hadn't been drafted though Fordyce has filled in as the number one arm admirably.

It'll be a tough road for whichever team advances. Downstate teams haven't had a lot of success in Auburn.

[downstateD3]

Farmingdale to championship round

St Joe's vs Old Westbury elimination game

Mt St Mary vs winner of elimination game later to move on and face Farmingdale tomorrow