BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

NPU completed the sweep in Decatur yesterday by walloping Millikin, 18-2, in a game shortened by the seven-inning slaughter rule. Pete Sparacino picked up his fifth victory without a defeat in the win for the Vikings.

Elmhurst, which has been consistently coming close only to fall short in CCIW play, finally broke through with a 16-15 win over Augustana yesterday to prevent Augie from getting the sweep.

[CCIWFAN6]

In what seems to have become an annual tradition, IWU loses to a mediocre Benedictine team during a midweek meeting.  The Titans ran out 7 different pitchers in this game as Coach Martel tries to see what unproven guys can possibly step up and pitch in bigger conference games.

Tonight is a much more importantant game, as the Titans host Augie for the 3rd and final meeting of the year.

[BigPoppa]

In what seems to have become an annual tradition, IWU loses to a mediocre Benedictine team during a midweek meeting.  The Titans ran out 7 different pitchers in this game as Coach Martel tries to see what unproven guys can possibly step up and pitch in bigger conference games.

Tonight is a much more importantant game, as the Titans host Augie for the 3rd and final meeting of the year.

Still, that is a BAD in-region loss for the Green-Weenies.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage gives up three first inning walks and one hit (a grand slam) to go down 4-0 to Wheaton in the first and has stromed back to take a 15-4 lead after 5.

Wheaton has committed 5 errors so far. It appear the wind is howling oout today as Carthage is piling up the HRs today with four HRs through five innings.

[Gregory Sager]

NPU completed the series sweep with a 9-4 victory over Elmhurst out in the western suburbs today. Mike Coduto won his first career game as a Viking, throwing 4 2/3rds innings of scoreless relief, while Mike Domenick drove in four runs to lead the North Park offense.

In other CCIW games, North Central topped Millikin, 8-2, and Carthage swept Wheaton, 20-10 and 10-2.

[CCIWFAN6]

Jason Pankau pitched like the All American he is tonight.  He went the distance scattering 7 hits over his 9 innings while striking out 10 and walking none. 

IWU gets a big 2-1 win over Augustana at home. 

[CCIWFAN6]

I have followed the CCIW for 8 years now, and this season has by far the most parity since I have been following the league. Through 9 games there are 5 teams that have a legitimate chance to take home the crown.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm just too confused to know what to root for.  In 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008, IWU won the conference title, and collectively went 2-8 in the regionals (in 2007 they went 20-1(!!) in conference, then 0-2 in regionals).  Last year, they barely snuck into the conference tourney, then won the CWS!  Aside from making the conference tourney (without which there is NO hope), does the regular season mean anything at all?  Someone throw me a lifeline here - should I be rooting for the Titans to win as much as possible, or to go 14-17 (worked pretty well last year )?

[I will of course root for the Titans to win every single game, but it really is mystifying.  In case anyone couldn't tell, I am STILL giddy over that out-of-the-blue title on June 1, 2010!  I dare say we were universally considered the 7th or 8th place team of the 8 present in Grand Chute.]

[BBFan62]

IWU picked up a great transfer in AJ Nathan from Lawrence. He was a teammate of Kevin Sullivan (HP '08)and Anthony Kopp (HP '09) at Highland Park HS. AJ set the season hit record at HP (66 hits in 33 games) and the BA season record, with .546 during his senior year at HP ('09). His primary position is catcher (1.80 pop time) but can be used as a closer, or play the infield. A great pickup of a great athlete for IWU.
My son played with them during HS, but attends college out East.

We'll see the true numbers once the season begins.

So far AJ Nathan has thrown out 4 of 21 (19%)...not exactly Pudge or Johnny Bench-like numbers.  Argue all you want about stealing bases off the pitcher, it goes down in the stat book against the catcher.  Either someone's number was timed wrong, or someone is allowing runner's to get jumps that are entirely too big for anyone's 1.80 pop time to overcome.

mwunder,
I didn't see your update for AJ Nathan, catcher at IWU. AJ has now thrown out 30.5% of the runners. If you look at his offsive stats, he is in the top 5 of almost every category, certainly all the good ones. 5th in BA, 2nd in RBI's, 3rd in OB%, T3 in hits, etc.

As I stated, he makes a great team even greater.

Patience, sir, he's just getting warmed up. Buy a ticket to get on board his train!

[BigPoppa]

The majority of bases at the college level are stolen off the pitcher, not the catcher. Could it be that IWU's pitchers are quick to the plate?

[norfrank]

Looks like Wheaton's run has officially come to an end. Three consecutive 20+ win years to be followed by a year where they will be lucky to win 15. Don't see it getting any better next year. What has caused this downfall?  It is has to be more than just Kolb moving on.

[mwunder]

mwunder,
I didn't see your update for AJ Nathan, catcher at IWU. AJ has now thrown out 30.5% of the runners. If you look at his offsive stats, he is in the top 5 of almost every category, certainly all the good ones. 5th in BA, 2nd in RBI's, 3rd in OB%, T3 in hits, etc.

As I stated, he makes a great team even greater.

Patience, sir, he's just getting warmed up. Buy a ticket to get on board his train!

Guilty as charged of not putting up an update on the young catcher's % of runner's thrown out.  I also stated that something was amiss, whether it be the mechanics of the catcher or the fact that IWU pitchers weren't holding runners.  As is the case in most team sports, it looks as those there was an adjustment made (probably in both areas) and the catcher's numbers look better because of that.  It's good to see his number going up.

I don't remember saying anything negative regarding his offensive skill set and don't see where those numbers are relevant to what I mentioned in your previous quote.  I'm sure he'll be one of the better players in the CCIW, but as a fan of the only CCIW school to never win a DIII title, I won't be getting on any greenie weenie's train!!  

[BigPoppa]

Looks like Wheaton's run has officially come to an end. Three consecutive 20+ win years to be followed by a year where they will be lucky to win 15. Don't see it getting any better next year. What has caused this downfall?  It is has to be more than just Kolb moving on.

"It's not the X's and O's... it's the Jimmys and Joes." My guess is recruiting...

[Gregory Sager]

"It's not the X's and O's... it's the Jimmys and Joes." My guess is recruiting...

That's a great line, BP. Is that an Augie Schmidt bon mot? I want to know to whom I should attribute it, since I plan to quote it whenever the need arises.

mwunder,
I didn't see your update for AJ Nathan, catcher at IWU. AJ has now thrown out 30.5% of the runners. If you look at his offsive stats, he is in the top 5 of almost every category, certainly all the good ones. 5th in BA, 2nd in RBI's, 3rd in OB%, T3 in hits, etc.

As I stated, he makes a great team even greater.

Patience, sir, he's just getting warmed up. Buy a ticket to get on board his train!

Guilty as charged of not putting up an update on the young catcher's % of runner's thrown out.  I also stated that something was amiss, whether it be the mechanics of the catcher or the fact that IWU pitchers weren't holding runners.  As is the case in most team sports, it looks as those there was an adjustment made (probably in both areas) and the catcher's numbers look better because of that.  It's good to see his number going up.

I don't remember saying anything negative regarding his offensive skill set and don't see where those numbers are relevant to what I mentioned in your previous quote.  I'm sure he'll be one of the better players in the CCIW, but as a fan of the only CCIW school to never win a DIII title, I won't be getting on any greenie weenie's train!!   

Is it my imagination, or is the CCIW loaded with top-notch catchers this year? Zach Deutscher of NPU and Michael Corrigan of NCC are two of the league's best hitters, and Nathan of IWU also has to contend with two other solid backstops, T.J. O'Donnell of Augie and Matt Soderlund of Carthage, for a spot on the All-CCIW team. (Corrigan was first team All-CCIW last season, Deutscher was second team).

Looks like Wheaton's run has officially come to an end. Three consecutive 20+ win years to be followed by a year where they will be lucky to win 15. Don't see it getting any better next year. What has caused this downfall?  It is has to be more than just Kolb moving on.

Looks to me like Wheaton doesn't have the pitching staff of a competitive CCIW team this year. An overall team ERA of 5.78 and a CCIW team ERA of 8.44 isn't going to cut the mustard.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg, I've heard the 'Jimmys and Joes' line before - not sure but I seem to recall it was a prominent d1 basketball coach who coined it (or at least who I first heard it from) - sorry I can't be more helpful.

(HALF-recalled memories are even more frustrating than not-at-all-recalled 'memories'!  Especially since I'm probably wrong. )