BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CCIWFAN6]

Just got back from the North Park/Carthage game. I was surprised to see Carthage go with Rohe, but it makes sense the more you think about it. They really needed that win. The downside is they go into their weekend series against Wesleyan without their ace being able to throw. Every game for Carthage here on out is a must win. 

North Park got outplayed in almost every aspect of the game. Carthage threw strikes, played better defense, and got guys on base. It looked as if the Vikings came out playing "Not To Lose" and let Carthage dictate the pace of the game. The Vikings are still in the driver's seat thanks to Augustana, whom they play this weekend.
**It was also unfortunate to see/hear the Carthage fans acting so classless. As a former player, I had gotten used to it and drowned it out. Being in the stands, I finally was able to hear just exactly how much class they lacked.

Driver's seat might be slightly optimistic seeing as though they have their next 6 conference games all on the road against Augie and IWU, while finishing the season with 3 against NCC.

As of right now, any of the top 3 teams has a very good chance of hosting the conference tournament, although with NCC holding a tie-breaker over IWU, I might give them a slight edge.

Rohe throwing last night significantly improves IWU's chances in my estimation.  Going up to Carthage this weekend and potentially missing their ace (although I think he probably ends up throwing Sunday, if only in relief), and playing NP at home for all three games, they are in a position where they potentially control their own destiny.

[BigPoppa]

Just got back from the North Park/Carthage game. I was surprised to see Carthage go with Rohe, but it makes sense the more you think about it. They really needed that win. The downside is they go into their weekend series against Wesleyan without their ace being able to throw.

I would not be surprised to see Carthage find a way to bring him back in some role this weekend. Maybe a Sunday start or out of the bullpen in a tight game. Augie Schmidt has always been a bit unconventional in his pitching approach.

Secondly, I fully expect the Redmen to rally their way back into the CCIW tourney. At this point, they are not going to be a Pool C contender so that means they will empty thier gun of bullets every CCIW series and not worry about saving arms for in-region non-conference games to keep their Pool C chances alive. After the IWU series this weekend, they finish with Elmhurst, Millikin and Wheaton (the three teams near the bottom with Carthage right now).

[D3Vike11]

Just got back from the North Park/Carthage game. I was surprised to see Carthage go with Rohe, but it makes sense the more you think about it. They really needed that win. The downside is they go into their weekend series against Wesleyan without their ace being able to throw. 

I would not be surprised to see Carthage find a way to bring him back in some role this weekend. Maybe a Sunday start or out of the bullpen in a tight game. Augie Schmidt has always been a bit unconventional in his pitching approach.

Secondly, I fully expect the Redmen to rally their way back into the CCIW tourney. At this point, they are not going to be a Pool C contender so that means they will empty thier gun of bullets every CCIW series and not worry about saving arms for in-region non-conference games to keep their Pool C chances alive. After the IWU series this weekend, they finish with Elmhurst, Millikin and Wheaton (the three teams near the bottom with Carthage right now).

I agree, they have the easiest schedule of any CCIW team going into the final series. The only problem is assuming they lose 2 of 3 from IWU, that would put them at 4-8. They would have to sweep Elmhurst, Millikin, AND Wheaton. If they lose 1 of those the best they could finish would be 12-9. Remember last year standings finished 15-6, 15-6, 14-7, 13-8. If they can somehow find a way to take 2 of 3 from IWU then they have a chance, but if they lose this series I don't see them climbing back up.

[Gregory Sager]

Driver's seat might be slightly optimistic seeing as though they have their next 6 conference games all on the road against Augie and IWU, while finishing the season with 3 against NCC.

NPU is still in first place until further notice, so "driver's seat" is not an inaccurate description of where the Vikings sit.

As of right now, any of the top 3 teams has a very good chance of hosting the conference tournament, although with NCC holding a tie-breaker over IWU, I might give them a slight edge.

NCC does have a comparatively easy schedule remaining, what with lowly Elmhurst and Millikin lurking the next two weekends, but I wouldn't sell Wheaton short as NCC's third upcoming CCIW opponent -- it's completely conceivable that the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance could take two, or even three, against the Cards. And the final weekend series between NPU and NCC could be an all-bets-are-off situation.

Rohe throwing last night significantly improves IWU's chances in my estimation.  Going up to Carthage this weekend and potentially missing their ace (although I think he probably ends up throwing Sunday, if only in relief), and playing NP at home for all three games, they are in a position where they potentially control their own destiny.

I agree that Rohe's limited ability to pitch this weekend helps Wesleyan, but it's still more of a do-or-die series for the Red Men than it is for the Titans, and all three games are in Kenosha. I still like Carthage's chances of taking two out of three, which would then put IWU on the hot seat when NPU comes to Bloomington the following weekend.

Just got back from the North Park/Carthage game. I was surprised to see Carthage go with Rohe, but it makes sense the more you think about it. They really needed that win. The downside is they go into their weekend series against Wesleyan without their ace being able to throw.

I would not be surprised to see Carthage find a way to bring him back in some role this weekend. Maybe a Sunday start or out of the bullpen in a tight game. Augie Schmidt has always been a bit unconventional in his pitching approach.

The convention he may be using for Rohe is the Dennis Martel "use Pankau every day until his arm falls off" pitching approach.

Secondly, I fully expect the Redmen to rally their way back into the CCIW tourney. At this point, they are not going to be a Pool C contender so that means they will empty thier gun of bullets every CCIW series and not worry about saving arms for in-region non-conference games to keep their Pool C chances alive. After the IWU series this weekend, they finish with Elmhurst, Millikin and Wheaton (the three teams near the bottom with Carthage right now).

Good point, BP.

I agree, they have the easiest schedule of any CCIW team going into the final series. The only problem is assuming they lose 2 of 3 from IWU, that would put them at 4-8. They would have to sweep Elmhurst, Millikin, AND Wheaton. If they lose 1 of those the best they could finish would be 12-9. Remember last year standings finished 15-6, 15-6, 14-7, 13-8. If they can somehow find a way to take 2 of 3 from IWU then they have a chance, but if they lose this series I don't see them climbing back up.

I wouldn't put too much stock in last season's standings, though. The fourth-place CCIW team has finished with a record of 13-8 only three times in the last dozen seasons, and it's never been better than 13-8. In the other nine seasons, the fourth-place team finished with a record worse than 13-8, often considerably worse.

Of course, the dynamic of the CCIW has changed over the past three or four years -- it's no longer Carthage, Wesleyan, Augie, and the five dwarfs -- but I still wouldn't bank on the proposition that the fourth-place team will finish 13-8 or better. Given what appears to be more balance in the league, I could see 12-9 or 11-10 winning that final tourney slot. And in that case, head-to-head series advantages could loom very large, since the chances of a fourth-place tie would likely be increased.

[D3Vike11]

My predictions for this weekend:

North Park sweeps Augustana:
The matchup of Trotta and Kuligowski will be a good one, but I think NP's starting pitchers will be too much for Augustana.

Wesleyan takes 2 of 3 from Carthage:
Carthage has their back up against the wall and I think they are able to take 1 from Wesleyan, but not having Rohe to start one of these games will come back to haunt them.

North Central sweeps Elmhurst:
I think that North Central's pitching will be too much for Elmhurst to handle. Elmhurst has started to fall off the table and this is the week they get knocked back to reality.

Wheaton sweeps Millikin:
Wheaton has the tools to be a playoff team, and should be able to take care of business against Millikin.

Predicted standings after this weekend:
North Park     10-2
North Central  9-3
Il Wesleyan    8-4
Wheaton        6-6
Augustana      4-8
Elmhurst        4-8
Carthage        4-8
Millikin          3-9

[CCIWFAN6]

My predictions for this weekend:

North Park sweeps Augustana:The matchup of Trotta and Kuligowski will be a good one, but I think NP's starting pitchers will be too much for Augustana.

Wesleyan takes 2 of 3 from Carthage:
Carthage has their back up against the wall and I think they are able to take 1 from Wesleyan, but not having Rohe to start one of these games will come back to haunt them.

North Central sweeps Elmhurst:
I think that North Central's pitching will be too much for Elmhurst to handle. Elmhurst has started to fall off the table and this is the week they get knocked back to reality.

Wheaton sweeps Millikin:
Wheaton has the tools to be a playoff team, and should be able to take care of business against Millikin.

Predicted standings after this weekend:
North Park     10-2
North Central  9-3
Il Wesleyan    8-4
Wheaton        6-6
Augustana      4-8
Elmhurst        4-8
Carthage        4-8
Millikin          3-9

I would be pretty surprised if NPU sweeps 3 games on the road against a decent Augie team.  That would be quite the accomplishment.

[warrior35]

My predictions for this weekend:

North Park sweeps Augustana:
The matchup of Trotta and Kuligowski will be a good one, but I think NP's starting pitchers will be too much for Augustana.

Wesleyan takes 2 of 3 from Carthage:
Carthage has their back up against the wall and I think they are able to take 1 from Wesleyan, but not having Rohe to start one of these games will come back to haunt them.

North Central sweeps Elmhurst:
I think that North Central's pitching will be too much for Elmhurst to handle. Elmhurst has started to fall off the table and this is the week they get knocked back to reality.

Wheaton sweeps Millikin:
Wheaton has the tools to be a playoff team, and should be able to take care of business against Millikin.

I think on paper it seems North Park should sweep Augie, and I definitely think it is well within the possibilities of happening although I think Augie might squeak one out.  I also think Wesleyan should win the series against Carthage, but I think Carthage will be hungry and fully aware that this series is their season.  For that reason, and that reason only, I think Carthage might gut it out to get 2 of 3.  I also think that NCC and Wheaton should get sweeps, as long as Wheaton's bullpen holds it together.  Wheaton hasn't had many games where the starter blew it for them, it's typically been the pen.  They need to prove themselves to earn a sweep.

That would make the standings:
North Park     9-3
North Central  9-3
Il Wesleyan    7-5
Wheaton        6-6
Augustana      5-7
Carthage        5-7
Elmhurst        4-8
Millikin          3-9

[BigPoppa]

As of today, Carthage is only one game out of the final playoff spot... and they have the easiest remaining schedule of the CCIW teams.

Did I really just wonder if Carthage was going to miss the CCIW tourney (which they have not missed since 1988 in Augie Schmidt's first season)?

[D3Vike11]

As of today, Carthage is only one game out of the final playoff spot... and they have the easiest remaining schedule of the CCIW teams.

Did I really just wonder if Carthage was going to miss the CCIW tourney (which they have not missed since 1988 in Augie Schmidt's first season)?

That "easy" schedule is AFTER this weekend's series versus Wesleyan. They could very well get swept by IWU. Let's not forget why Carthage is only 3-6 in conference (.940 defense and .280 average)

[BigPoppa]

As of today, Carthage is only one game out of the final playoff spot... and they have the easiest remaining schedule of the CCIW teams.

Did I really just wonder if Carthage was going to miss the CCIW tourney (which they have not missed since 1988 in Augie Schmidt's first season)?

That "easy" schedule is AFTER this weekend's series versus Wesleyan. They could very well get swept by IWU. Let's not forget why Carthage is only 3-6 in conference (.940 defense and .280 average)

Even with the IWU series this weekend, I still think Carthage has the easiest road the rest of the way in CCIW play. I am not suggesting that they will get it done, but the CCIW schedule appears to help more than hurt them from this point forward.

[D3Vike11]

As of today, Carthage is only one game out of the final playoff spot... and they have the easiest remaining schedule of the CCIW teams.

Did I really just wonder if Carthage was going to miss the CCIW tourney (which they have not missed since 1988 in Augie Schmidt's first season)?

That "easy" schedule is AFTER this weekend's series versus Wesleyan. They could very well get swept by IWU. Let's not forget why Carthage is only 3-6 in conference (.940 defense and .280 average)

Even with the IWU series this weekend, I still think Carthage has the easiest road the rest of the way in CCIW play. I am not suggesting that they will get it done, but the CCIW schedule appears to help more than hurt them from this point forward.

Agreed. I can see the final season series against Wheaton as a "win and your in" series. Plays into Carthage's advantage as they play the final 2 at home.

[warrior35]

Agreed. I can see the final season series against Wheaton as a "win and your in" series. Plays into Carthage's advantage as they play the final 2 at home.

Wheaton's got a lot of ground to cover between now and then.  Wheaton still has NCC, Augie, and Carthage.  Wheaton has the ability to put themselves in the position to make the tourney, the question is can they put it all together to get themselves in that situation.  Seems like there's been something misfiring every game so far, be it relief pitching, offense, defense... or a combination.  If they just play sound baseball, they're fully capable of winning each of those series.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

[79jaybird]

Now I'm feeling old at 32 and 10 yrs out of college ('02) seeing my cousin's name (Trotta) being discussed on these boards. We annually play home run derby at G&G's house.  Anyway, those that have seen him pitch,  what are his chances of getting CCIW Pitcher of the Year?  And, does Augie have a shot at postseason?  With a 2 yr old and 1 on the way,  my time to get out and see CCIW action has been limited.

[warrior35]

Now I'm feeling old at 32 and 10 yrs out of college ('02) seeing my cousin's name (Trotta) being discussed on these boards. We annually play home run derby at G&G's house.  Anyway, those that have seen him pitch,  what are his chances of getting CCIW Pitcher of the Year?  And, does Augie have a shot at postseason?  With a 2 yr old and 1 on the way,  my time to get out and see CCIW action has been limited.

I haven't seen your cousin throw either.  But, from a statistics perspective he's got a chance.  I would like to see some more out of him though.  There are 3 other guys in the top 6 ERA's that have more innings than he does, all but one of which have a lower Batting Average against.  He also has the 2nd highest WHIP of that top 6. Only 2 of his wins are against teams with winning records, and those are Loras and Elmhurst who are in the bottom half of their conferences right now.  So, with all of that said... I can't downplay the job he's done, he's been an excellent pitcher by all measurements... but in order to win the CCIW Pitcher of the Year Award, he still has some work to do.

[Gregory Sager]

Now I'm feeling old at 32 and 10 yrs out of college ('02) seeing my cousin's name (Trotta) being discussed on these boards. We annually play home run derby at G&G's house.  Anyway, those that have seen him pitch,  what are his chances of getting CCIW Pitcher of the Year?  And, does Augie have a shot at postseason?  With a 2 yr old and 1 on the way,  my time to get out and see CCIW action has been limited.

He'll be in a head-to-head duel tomorrow against the current leading candidate for CCIW Pitcher of the Year, NPU's Steve Kuligowski, so we'll know by tomorrow evening whether your cuz has a legit shot at the award or not.