BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

NPU is slowly coming around from where they once were... only a few years ago they went 1-39 so .500 is a HUGE improvement. Still, I find it impossible to fathom the recruiting difficulties face by NPU's Baseball coaches after seeing their baseball field. I know that space is a big issue in the city, but facilties-wise, the rest fo the CCIW is light years ahead of them.

[Gregory Sager]

Big game today for NPU Vikings, tooling down to Millikin for the 3rd game of the series.
Vikings need this win if they are to move into the upper 4some.

I'd say a must win.

Agreed, but North Park's 4-1, 8-4 doubleheader sweep of Wheaton the other day gives me hope. Incidentally, in light of the earlier conversation in which a former Wheaton player expressed doubts about NPU sophomore hurler Mike Giovenco, I should note that in the doubleheader's opener Giovenco threw a complete-game two-hitter, giving up only one run and walking only three batters while striking out 13. He was named last week's CCIW Co-Pitcher of the Week for that performance, the second time this season he's won Pitcher or Co-Pitcher of the Week.

NPU is slowly coming around from where they once were... only a few years ago they went 1-39 so .500 is a HUGE improvement.

The Vikings are really young this season. Of the twelve position players who've started at least one game for the Park this season, only four are upperclassmen (three seniors and a junior). Six are sophomores, and two are freshmen. And the five starters on the pitching staff consist of a senior, a junior, two sophomores, and a freshman.

NPU's been shaky thus far this season, but based upon the depth and performances of the underclassmen I'd say that the future looks very bright for the Park.

Still, I find it impossible to fathom the recruiting difficulties face by NPU's Baseball coaches after seeing their baseball field. I know that space is a big issue in the city, but facilties-wise, the rest fo the CCIW is light years ahead of them.

The cramped field and short porch in right don't help recruiting, that's for sure. On the other hand, the FieldTurf does allow the Park to practice and play when other teams are unable to do so, and NPU's indoor practice space in the Helwig Rec Center (which is also FieldTurf) also gives the Vikings the opportunity to practice indoors in better conditions than their rivals. I don't think that the facilities gap of which you speak is really all that apparent anymore. Then again, I'm not the one who is out there on the road for NPU trying to compete for prospects.

[mr_b]

I know that space is a big issue in the city, but facilties-wise, the rest fo the CCIW is light years ahead of them.

That's quite an assertion, in my humble opinion.  There are several baseball fields in the CCIW that are outstanding, but there are a few others with less-than-optimal surfaces -- choppy infields and/or outfields, muddy spots in fair and foul territory, old, cramped dugouts...  I wouldn't exactly call them selling points or even advantages over North Park's field.  Greg also mentions the Helwig Rec Center with its indoor facilities -- an area of field turf, a couple of batting cages, great weight room...

[BigPoppa]

With facilities being what they are, the main selling point of a program is always the field. NPU does a great job with what they have.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage swept Marian today... now 19-5 on the season.

[Mr. Ypsi]

This weekend as I see it:

Elmhurst @ Wheaton - Elmhurst would have to sweep to stay alive; if Wheaton sweeps they have virtually clinched a playoff spot.

IWU @ North Park - IWU needs a sweep to maintain a chance at home field; an NPU sweep would give a good chance at the tourney.

Millikin @ North Central - a sweep by either gives them a chance at the tourney; anything less and ho-hum.

Carthage @ Augie - obviously the big series of the weekend.  A sweep by Augie and the regular season title (and home field) is wide open.  2 wins by Augie and the race is interesting.  Less by Augie and Carthage will almost certainly coast to the title.

[BigPoppa]

This weekend as I see it:

Elmhurst @ Wheaton - Elmhurst would have to sweep to stay alive; if Wheaton sweeps they have virtually clinched a playoff spot.

IWU @ North Park - IWU needs a sweep to maintain a chance at home field; an NPU sweep would give a good chance at the tourney.

Millikin @ North Central - a sweep by either gives them a chance at the tourney; anything less and ho-hum.

Carthage @ Augie - obviously the big series of the weekend.  A sweep by Augie and the regular season title (and home field) is wide open.  2 wins by Augie and the race is interesting.  Less by Augie and Carthage will almost certainly coast to the title.

Agreed... this is a interesting weekend in which teams can make or break their seasons in the next few days.

[REDMENFAN]

Redmenfan35- Schiessel is a Kenosha kid who was going to come to Carthage out of HS last year, but pitched great in Appleton winning Kenosha Bradford the state championship.  The Golden Gophers offered, and he couldn't refuse.  Had a great fall ball season there as he was named the number 2 starter for Minnesota, but transferred home for whatever personal reasons.  He's back at Carthage now actually, and should be in uniform next season. Just remember the name, will be very special if he plays.

[BigPoppa]

Redmenfan35- Schiessel is a Kenosha kid who was going to come to Carthage out of HS last year, but pitched great in Appleton winning Kenosha Bradford the state championship.  The Golden Gophers offered, and he couldn't refuse.  Had a great fall ball season there as he was named the number 2 starter for Minnesota, but transferred home for whatever personal reasons.  He's back at Carthage now actually, and should be in uniform next season. Just remember the name, will be very special if he plays.

THAT'S where I know that name from. Kid is a stud pitcher and I was shocked that he was going to MN for school. He will be a great add to Carthage for next season. Carthage will be LOADED with arms next year.

[letsplay2]

Incidentally, in light of the earlier conversation in which a former Wheaton player expressed doubts about NPU sophomore hurler Mike Giovenco, I should note that in the doubleheader's opener Giovenco threw a complete-game two-hitter, giving up only one run and walking only three batters while striking out 13. He was named last week's CCIW Co-Pitcher of the Week for that performance, the second time this season he's won Pitcher or Co-Pitcher of the Week.

He's proving me wrong, that's for sure.  Kudos to him.  I was at that game and he looked a ton better than last year.  His slider was very impressive. 

[RedmanFan35]

Thanks Redmenfan. I talked to someone who's seen him throw and they told me he's good, and that he will be attending Carthage. They say he'll be a nice addition, but remain Dubious as to wether or not he'll be the Ace of this staff.

[CCIWFAN6]

Does anyone know when the first regional rankings come out?  Interested to see how the top CCIW teams stack up against the rest of the region!!

[CCIWFAN6]

The cramped field and short porch in right don't help recruiting, that's for sure. On the other hand, the FieldTurf does allow the Park to practice and play when other teams are unable to do so, and NPU's indoor practice space in the Helwig Rec Center (which is also FieldTurf) also gives the Vikings the opportunity to practice indoors in better conditions than their rivals. I don't think that the facilities gap of which you speak is really all that apparent anymore. Then again, I'm not the one who is out there on the road for NPU trying to compete for prospects.



[/quote]

Having watched North Park a few times over the last few years, I really felt like the team struggled defensively when they went on the road.  Practicing and playing all their games on the FieldTurf, in my estimation at least, is a huge disadvantage for going on the road.  The players seem to take a much more relaxed style fielding balls and often get eaten up as a result of practicing on a faster surface in which  truer hops are almost guaranteed.  Aggressively fielding ground balls is imperative, especially playing on some of the rougher surfaces across the conference like at Millikin or Elmhurst.

[OshDude]

Does anyone know when the first regional rankings come out?  Interested to see how the top CCIW teams stack up against the rest of the region!!

Scheduled for 4/23.

Here are some in-region records (through 4/16). Corrections appreciated. I have not done OWPs yet.
Augustana 17-5
Beloit 13-2
Buena Vista 16-4
Carthage 15-2
Illinois Wesleyan 16-7
Luther 15-7
St. Norbert 11-6
Washington 17-8 (I think ... depends whether the UAA has an intraconference in-region waiver)
Webster 18-6

With some big games yet to be played before the rankings and having only eyeballed OWPs and signature wins/losses, here's my top six so far. Any other guesses?
1. Carthage
2. Illinois Wesleyan
3. Augustana
4. Webster
5. Beloit
6. Buena Vista 

[BigPoppa]

Does anyone know when the first regional rankings come out?  Interested to see how the top CCIW teams stack up against the rest of the region!!

Next week... expect Carthage to either #1 or #2 in the region unless they collapse this weekend.