BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I noticed Eric Sousanes didn't play in the game vs Transylvania. Is he hurt?

He suffered a concussion in practice this past week. No word on how long he'll be out. Mr. B might have that info.

[The General Public]

Trevor Popp is 5'6 and weighs maybe 140 pounds soaking wet. He looks like a tagalong kid brother right out of Hollywood central casting. I've seen more threatening-looking boys than Trevor knocking on doors trying to sell popcorn to earn a Boy Scout merit badge.

Tim Urbanowicz was 6'4, 190, and Ryan Miller was 6'0, 180. The only action that Trevor Popp should've been able to provoke in either one is gales of laughter. When it comes to mixing it up with Trev, it's all on them.

And if this is related to the WC @ NPU fiasco of two years ago, D3Vike11 is exactly right: Desmond Cato of Wheaton started it by coming in spikes up.

And then the following week Miller tried to start a fight against Elmhurst on a play at the plate...

Oh, but he can't possibly be guilty of any sort of misbehavior, because he plays for Wheaton, right?

I think anyone who played against Trevor Popp or Ryan Miller can agree that they were both mouthy.

And if I can remember correctly, the players at Wheaton did laugh about Popp running his mouth.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

North Park loses Game 1 to Translyvannia 5-1.
They are down 3-1 vs Birmingham-Southern in the bottom of the 5th.

My son could be pitching against Transy on Saturday. I saw that Transy also put a hurting on BSC 16-0 last weekend as well. Anyone see these games? Was Transy really that good or did they have help from the other teams?

[BigPoppa]

I still don't believe in Augustana's start... this is their deal every season and then they falter down the stretch. Can this be the year they finally put a full 40 games together?

[D3Vike11]

With their 3-0 loss to Wash U, North Park falls to 0-5 on the season. I can't remember the last time they started 0-5, at least not under Coach Johnson. Although this is a tough schedule, they need a win against one of these opponents to show they they are legitimate.

They are currently tied up with #11 Webster 1-1 in the 2nd. A win against them would definitely help get this team back on track. Their pitching has been solid, but they have committed costly errors and haven't been able to produce enough runs yet.

I still think they are the team to beat in the conference, and this tough schedule will definitely help prepare them for the CCIW.

North Park wins big 8-1 scoring 5 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th.

[mr_b]

With their 3-0 loss to Wash U, North Park falls to 0-5 on the season. I can't remember the last time they started 0-5, at least not under Coach Johnson. Although this is a tough schedule, they need a win against one of these opponents to show they they are legitimate.

Several of Luke Johnson's teams have started the season 1-5 or 2-5 (but never 0-5).  However, this year's team is not far removed from being 3-3.  The Vikings lost a pair of one-run contests to ranked Birmingham Southern (currently 10-3), a third consecutive one-run game to Buena Vista (2-1), and then came out on the short end against a strong pitching performance Wash U (4-2) pitcher Stephen Bonser (last week's D3 pitcher of the week.  I was happy to see them put together a solid win against yet another quality ranked opponent in Webster.  Let's hope this tough schedule really prepares them for the grind against CCIW opponents!

[D3Vike11]

North Park's tough schedule continues as they travel this weekend to California to take on La Verne twice and Whittier once. Whittier is 5-1 in conference and sits atop the SCIAC, while La Verne is 9-4 and is 3rd.

North Park is coming off a solid 8-1 victory over #11 Webster. 3 wins here could get North Park to 4-5 and back into the swing of things.

[matblake]

Wheaton's new coach talks about the season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXQXFH5TQ-A&list=UUc7gBoPNxd3EmNnzGNtKOYw&index=1.

Some coach speak, but I like when he talks about players he expects a lot from.  As usual, pitching seems to be the issue...........

[BigPoppa]

Carthage opened with a 8-6 win at Rose-Hilman in game 1 today. Sloppy pitching for the Redmen. Walked a few runs in after an error or two. Hopefully, it is due to early season jitters.

[Viking Blue]

North Park got back on the board with a second-straight win today, this time defeating The University of Laverne by a final of 6-5.

The Vikings jumped ahead early with 3 in the first, highlighted by a 2-run triple from freshman Dan Sabin.

LaVerne fought back to tie the game after 6, but North Park's 3 in the top of the 8th on the strength of Mike Codut's 3-run bomb were enough to hold off LaVerne's 2-run rally in the bottom of the 9th.

Nick Soldano started for North Park, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 7 in 6 2/3.

Nick Vidas earned the win in relief, with Kenny Blanchard picking up the save.

The Vikes take on Whittier College tomorrow at 3:00 pacific time.

[mr_b]

North Park got back on the board with a second-straight win today, this time defeating The University of Laverne by a final of 6-5.

The Vikings jumped ahead early with 3 in the first, highlighted by a 2-run triple from freshman Dan Sabin.

LaVerne fought back to tie the game after 6, but North Park's 3 in the top of the 8th on the strength of Mike Codut's 3-run bomb were enough to hold off LaVerne's 2-run rally in the bottom of the 9th.

Nick Soldano started for North Park, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 7 in 6 2/3.

Nick Vidas earned the win in relief, with Kenny Blanchard picking up the save.

The Vikes take on Whittier College tomorrow at 3:00 pacific time.

Nice win for the Vikings today.  I posted the game story along with several photos on my website.  Vidas and Blanchard both looked good in relief, and Sabin's first-inning triple nearly left the yard.  Coduto's was a no-doubter to right.

Tomorrow's game may get moved up half an hour (to 2.30 PST).  We had a great contingent of North Park fans, and we always appreciate their support!

[BigPoppa]

One thing that concerns me with Carthage right now is their pitching. Over the three game series at Rose-Hulman they walked 18 batters and hit three more. 21 free passes is NEVER a recipe for victory. Couple those with five errors and we are looking at 27 runners on base that did not deserve it.

Let's hope they get it figured out before arriving at the MetroDome this weekend.

[D3Vike11]

North Park is up 3-1 early on Whittier College. Nice to see the bats starting to come around 

NP wins 10-3.

[Gregory Sager]

Good to see Jeff Paulson finally playing again for NPU. He's had a rough go of it since he messed up his shoulder last season.

[Gregory Sager]

Along those same coming-back-from-injury lines, good to see Merrick McGrady make his season debut on the mound for NPU yesterday.