BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[markerickson]

North Park lost three to Augie over the weekend by a combined score of 31-10.

[mwunder]

Curious to see if Whitewater goes with a pitcher an inning against Carthage like the did against MSOE a week ago.  I assume the weekend four game series vs Oshkosh has used up an arm or two.

[Mr. Ypsi]

NCC lost at Elmhurst, 5-1, but retains a one half game lead over IWU and Augie, who split a DH in Rock Island.  The DH pretty much followed the Titan script for this season, as they lost the low scoring first game, 3-2, then out-muscled Augie in the nightcap, 8-6.

[Mr. Ypsi]

NCC swept Elmhurst in the DH today, putting them very much in the driver's seat for home field in the tourney.   Augie plays at IWU tomorrow - the winner will still be a game back, the loser will be two back, with only three to play.  Augie has the tie-break over NCC, but NCC has it over IWU.

Both the west Vikings and the Titans will be in the rather unusual position of rooting for Carthage next weekend!  Meanwhile, Carthage will be rooting for NPU tomorrow and (if necessary) IWU next weekend to whup Wheaton, the only realistic threat to Carthage making the conference tourney.

[BigPoppa]

Rooting for Carthage is NOT all that unusual... most sane people do it

Carthage is in a tough spot needing possibly two wins over NCC next weekend as one win would only assure them a tie for the final spot, but if I am correct, they lose the tie-breaker to Wheaton??? Some help?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Rooting for Carthage is NOT all that unusual... most sane people do it

Carthage is in a tough spot needing possibly two wins over NCC next weekend as one win would only assure them a tie for the final spot, but if I am correct, they lose the tie-breaker to Wheaton??? Some help?

We'll try to help you; now you try to help us!

I always root for Carthage IF and when they are they only CCIW representative.  Before then ... in your dreams (unless desperately needed)!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Augie 9, IWU 5.  And Wheaton swept NPU in the DH today.  Millikin, NPU, and Elmhurst are mathematically eliminated (Elmhurst is 3 back of Carthage for the 4th spot with 3 games to go, but Carthage has the tie-break).  Thus:

NCC    13-5  (plays Carthage)
Augie   12-6  (plays Millikin)
IWU     11-7  (plays Wheaton)
Carthage 10-8 (plays NCC)
Wheaton   9-9 (plays IWU)

The tourney will almost certainly be in Naperville or Rock Island (Augie has the tie-break if they finish tied, and Augie certainly has the easier final opponent).  For the final spot, Wheaton has the tie-break on Carthage; both have tough opponents.

NCC and Augie are the only two guaranteed a spot in the tourney (Augie is 3 up on Wheaton and has the tie-break).

[BigPoppa]

There will be a lot of scoreboard watching in BOTH Carthage and Wheaton dugouts this weekend. Those who know me understand that I have never been and IWU fan, but Go Titans (and I think I just threw up in the back of my mouth when I had to say that)!

Or even better... GO Wheaton and sweep the Titans and leave them out completely!

[Mr. Ypsi]

BP, be careful what you wish for!   Since IWU has the tie-break over Carthage, you would still have to win at least 2 or YOU are the ones left out!

[BigPoppa]

BP, be careful what you wish for!   Since IWU has the tie-break over Carthage, you would still have to win at least 2 or YOU are the ones left out!

Ouch! It is always better advice to just root against the Titans!

[Mr. Ypsi]

BP, be careful what you wish for!   Since IWU has the tie-break over Carthage, you would still have to win at least 2 or YOU are the ones left out!

Ouch! It is always better advice to just root against the Titans!

From your perspective, I understand the sentiment.  But with due respect, I think I will ignore your advice!

I hate that IWU is relying so totally on offense (their LOWEST total for a win is 8, and usually 11+ runs) - in their losses they have been above 2 exactly twice.  Offense is MUCH less dependable than defense and pitching.  BUT the upside is that I doubt any CCIW team can hold down their offense three times in a row, and just ONE win over Wheaton puts them in the tourney.

IF their pitching could just step up, their offense could take them to Appleton, but I'm not holding my breath.  I don't see a Pankau on the staff, but I didn't see a 'Pankau' in 2010 until he suddenly destroyed Cortland in the title game.

[Gregory Sager]

One day short of a month since he last mentioned 2010! Is this a new record for self-restraint on Chuck's part?

[Mr. Ypsi]

One day short of a month since he last mentioned 2010! Is this a new record for self-restraint on Chuck's part?

Aside from the off-season, it just might be!

My reason for the mention was more bemoaning this year's lack of pitching prowess than a plug for 2010.  Though it would be a shame if Pankau gets prematurely forgotten for his heroics in the title game.  Cortland had been beating the crap out of pitching throughout the series, but from the time IWU trailed 2-1 until they led 17-2, Pankau did not yield a single base runner! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU has STILL not won a single low scoring conference game, falling 4-2 at Wheaton in the first of two.

[Augie6]

Augie wins 8-2 against Millikin and NCC loses to Carthage 11-4 in the first game of the final series for both teams.  Augie and NCC now tied atop the CCIW standings.  With Augie holding the tiebreak over NCC, at this point, I would say the advantage goes to Augie in terms of hosting the conference tourney.