BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

Each individual sport doesn't get to pick they're conference unfortunately so playing 21 games in the UMAC does CSS no favors, hence they're #6 seed. And yes CSS has not advanced to the World Series, but I will argue that the Midwest Regional is consistently one of the toughest in the country year in and year out. Has a CCIW that got moved to the Midwest ever made it through? I do know that the two times a CCIW has had to play CSS in a regional (Carthage 09 & North Park 12) they've lost. Not bad with their geographic crutch.

Why are you so angry? No one is saying that CSS is not a great team... If you want to play the "CCIW vs UMAC" card, the CCIW has 10 World Series appearance (Carthage-7, IWU-2, and North Central-1) and one National Title (IWU in 2010... and that hurts me to say that)... and the UMAC, none.

[voiceofseason]

Each individual sport doesn't get to pick they're conference unfortunately so playing 21 games in the UMAC does CSS no favors, hence they're #6 seed. And yes CSS has not advanced to the World Series, but I will argue that the Midwest Regional is consistently one of the toughest in the country year in and year out. Has a CCIW that got moved to the Midwest ever made it through? I do know that the two times a CCIW has had to play CSS in a regional (Carthage 09 & North Park 12) they've lost. Not bad with their geographic crutch.

Why are you so angry? No one is saying that CSS is not a great team... If you want to play the "CCIW vs UMAC" card, the CCIW has 10 World Series appearance (Carthage-7, IWU-2, and North Central-1) and one National Title (IWU in 2010... and that hurts me to say that)... and the UMAC, none.

I truly wasn't trying to start any animosity with this either.  Congrats to CSS on what has already been a very good year, and could continue to get better.  From the very start, I just "wondered" if the fact that they don't play a good team every weekend during the conference season would be a hindrance during the playoffs.  Since they won yesterday, apparently not - good for them and their conference.  Best of luck going forward.

[AO]

Scholastica has only been playing in the NCAA since 2005.  They've only had the auto-bid for the last two years, yet they've made it to the regional every year and won a game in all but 2010.  Last year they advanced to the title game of the regional.   

The CCIW is definitely a great baseball conference compared to the UMAC, but CSS doesn't really fit the mold of the team from the poor conference that gets run over in the playoffs.

on geography, if you haven't ever been to duluth, know that it is usually 2-3 weeks and 10 degrees behind minneapolis.  Most years they'd consider themselves lucky to get a home game with a temp above 50.  These guys know how to work out in a fieldhouse.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Lopez and Scott both singled to open the bottom of the third, but the top of the order then went 1,2,3.  Titans and Bears both still scoreless after three.

[Bronko7]

Each individual sport doesn't get to pick they're conference unfortunately so playing 21 games in the UMAC does CSS no favors, hence they're #6 seed. And yes CSS has not advanced to the World Series, but I will argue that the Midwest Regional is consistently one of the toughest in the country year in and year out. Has a CCIW that got moved to the Midwest ever made it through? I do know that the two times a CCIW has had to play CSS in a regional (Carthage 09 & North Park 12) they've lost. Not bad with their geographic crutch.

Why are you so angry? No one is saying that CSS is not a great team... If you want to play the "CCIW vs UMAC" card, the CCIW has 10 World Series appearance (Carthage-7, IWU-2, and North Central-1) and one National Title (IWU in 2010... and that hurts me to say that)... and the UMAC, none.

Anger comes in the fact that people believe that CSS get a free pass into the tournament by playing in a bad conference.  As was stated before the auto bid has only been there for the past two seassons. Prior to that it was the Pool B route when you were essentially you were playing for one spot since Chapman was a guarantee to take the other. As a program CSS has to schedule and play any good team that will take them on the schedule to offset the poor UMAC and get game experience against quality opponents. The one benefit the UMAC provides is the ability to get plenty of guys work and game time. The CCIW top to bottom is FAR superior, will not argue that one bit and believe me St. Scholastica has tried to get into the MIAC on a couple different occasions to no avail. But being in the regional every season since 05 and in the Regional final in 09 & 11 it gets old defending the qualify of the program and how they go about getting it done.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Titans finally break through in the bottom of the 5th - at the end of 5, Titans 2, Bears 0.

[BigPoppa]

Bronk- no need to defend CSS. The truly educated D3 fan knows they are a great program stuck in a sub-par conference. Not much different than Webster who pounds the SLIAC every year and makes noise in the NCAA post-season yet still has to defend their program at times. I am sure there are many top teams in the same situation as this.

[voiceofseason]

Bronk- no need to defend CSS. The truly educated D3 fan knows they are a great program stuck in a sub-par conference. Not much different than Webster who pounds the SLIAC every year and makes noise in the NCAA post-season yet still has to defend their program at times. I am sure there are many top teams in the same situation as this.

Couldn't agree more.  All along my questions were about their competition, not their ability.

[AO]

looks like North Park should look at upgrading their conference, clearly, they were not battle-tested.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Titans increased the lead to 3-0 in the 6th, then barely held on in the 9th to win 3-2.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU beat DePauw, but dropped a heartbreaker to BSC, despite 6 shutout innings by SOPHOMORE Jeff Johnson.

Against DePauw, FRESHMAN Chris Bobo would have had a complete game shutout except for a ninth inning implosion by the defense.  After two base-reaching errors and an out, Coach Martel decided to bring in a fresh arm to close it out.  FRESHMAN John Munyon did just that, inducing the first batter into a game-ending DP.

Thus ends a very good, but not great, season.

Graduation losses are significant, but far from devastating, given the apparent replacements.  Joe Sweeney was often a Palkau/Aronson level ace for 5-6 innings, but he rarely was able to finish - nonetheless, a guy who can pretty consistently handcuff the opposition for two-thirds of a game WILL be missed.  Pat Hayn had moments of brilliance, but was rarely really in the rotation.  In the field, we WILL miss lead-off man Mark McDermott (the runs leader for 2012), and perhaps Kevin Sullivan (despite a very disappointing senior year, where he hit .228 - a 'red flag' for players [and fans] who expect that kids automatically do better with age).  Otherwise, and overall, I am MUCH more impressed with who will be back.  The future looks VERY bright if most young'uns grow up to their potential!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Now that the CCIW season is (prematurely ) ended, how about some (WAY too early) thoughts about 2013?!  Unlike in many sports, freshmen DO often star, so no one is held to their opinions at this point!

With the return of 2-time CCIW POY and 2012 Central Region POY Kevin Callahan anchoring 6 of 8 position players (7 of 9 hitters, since the usual DH lately is a FR), plus some REALLY good looking underclass pitchers, I would think IWU has to be A favorite (if not THE favorite) for next year, but I confess to being woefully under-informed about who other teams are bringing back.

What say ye?

[BigPoppa]

I think IWU will be solid but I find it hard to believe that Carthage won't be back in the mix after the season they had this year. I also like NPU...

[Mr. Ypsi]

I think IWU will be solid but I find it hard to believe that Carthage won't be back in the mix after the season they had this year. I also like NPU...

Agreed that the CCIW rarely (if ever) has a THE favorite.  Especially for the AQ, since in a short tourney anything can (and probably will) happen. 

[voiceofseason]

I think IWU will be solid but I find it hard to believe that Carthage won't be back in the mix after the season they had this year. I also like NPU...

Based on Carthage's history and the quality of their coaching, I would tend to agree, but aren't they hit hard by graduation?  Top two pitchers, top hitter, etc.?  I have no feel for their younger classes - maybe they are really really solid.  I just wondered how heavy they will be hit, and who will fill those spots?