BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[mr_b]

The NPU website shows that the Park took down Lawrence, 4-0, this morning. Although there is no score posted either on the NPU baseball page or Dr. B's page for the noon game against Bethel, the Bethel website shows that North Park won that game as well by an identical 4-0 score.

We are back in Chicago after posting a 6-0 mark in Ft. Myers. I've just uploaded the stories to both of today's games (click here) and will work on inserting some photos tomorrow.  The scores were 9-2 vs Lawrence and 4-0 over Bethel.

We were very fortunate to get a game with Lawrence today on such short notice.  Paul Garcia started and pitched a solid game, scattering six hits to pick up his first victory.

The game against Bethel was a real treat to watch, especially if you appreciate great defensive efforts. The Vikings reached lefty David Freed for a pair of runs in the first, but some great outfield throws by the Royals cut down two more potential runs -- one on a runner trying to score from second on a base hit, and the other trying to score on a sac fly.  The Vikings also flashed some leather, turning a 3-6-3 double play one inning, a line-drive 5-3 DP another, and three spectacular catches: two diving grabs by Matt Rice in center, and one by Kyle Williams in right -- running away from the play, diving near the warning track, a real web-gem.  The Vikings got some insurance runs in the ninth when the third Royals pitcher threw away an attempted pickoff to second, which set up a sac fly for one run and a single for the other.  Nick Soldano pitched a complete-game shutout for his second win.

[NCF]

North Central opened their spring break tour with a 4-3 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan.

...and then drop yesterday's game, 4-6

[BigPoppa]

North Park is on the cusp of moving from good to elite in the Central region. Carthage, though only one game in, looks to be very very good again. Mix in a good IWU and solid Augustana and the CCIW appears loaded.

[Gregory Sager]

The NPU website shows that the Park took down Lawrence, 4-0, this morning. Although there is no score posted either on the NPU baseball page or Dr. B's page for the noon game against Bethel, the Bethel website shows that North Park won that game as well by an identical 4-0 score.

We are back in Chicago after posting a 6-0 mark in Ft. Myers. I've just uploaded the stories to both of today's games (click here) and will work on inserting some photos tomorrow.  The scores were 9-2 vs Lawrence and 4-0 over Bethel.

We were very fortunate to get a game with Lawrence today on such short notice.  Paul Garcia started and pitched a solid game, scattering six hits to pick up his first victory.

The game against Bethel was a real treat to watch, especially if you appreciate great defensive efforts. The Vikings reached lefty David Freed for a pair of runs in the first, but some great outfield throws by the Royals cut down two more potential runs -- one on a runner trying to score from second on a base hit, and the other trying to score on a sac fly.  The Vikings also flashed some leather, turning a 3-6-3 double play one inning, a line-drive 5-3 DP another, and three spectacular catches: two diving grabs by Matt Rice in center, and one by Kyle Williams in right -- running away from the play, diving near the warning track, a real web-gem.  The Vikings got some insurance runs in the ninth when the third Royals pitcher threw away an attempted pickoff to second, which set up a sac fly for one run and a single for the other.  Nick Soldano pitched a complete-game shutout for his second win.

The improving defense for the Park is great to see, but I really take heart in reading about the performance of the starting pitching for NPU yesterday. Given Garcia's fine performance over eight innings in the win over Lawrence, and the fact that Travis Boyer relieved him, I wonder if Luke Johnson might be contemplating changing his rotation. What really encouraged me, though, was Soldano's complete-game shutout of a solid Bethel squad. That's just what the doctor ordered, considering his rough beginning to the season.

[Gregory Sager]

I think NPU comes back north with no more than three total losses, but I can see them not losing at all down south and rolling into town with something close to an 10-2, 11-2, 12-2 record? Not sure how many they are playing on the trip.

We have three more games on the spring break: Principia, Monmouth, and Bethel.

I think they cruise the first two and face a tougher than expected Bethel squad who has already knocked off Whitewater and swept CCIW opponent North Central.

Actually, BP, as it turned out, the North Central that Bethel beat was the other North Central in D3, North Central University up in the Twin Cities. Still, that win by Bethel over #11 UW-Whitewater was very impressive.

[D3Vike11]

I think NPU comes back north with no more than three total losses, but I can see them not losing at all down south and rolling into town with something close to an 10-2, 11-2, 12-2 record? Not sure how many they are playing on the trip.

We have three more games on the spring break: Principia, Monmouth, and Bethel.

I think they cruise the first two and face a tougher than expected Bethel squad who has already knocked off Whitewater and swept CCIW opponent North Central.

Actually, BP, as it turned out, the North Central that Bethel beat was the other North Central in D3, North Central University up in the Twin Cities. Still, that win by Bethel over #11 UW-Whitewater was very impressive.

Travis Boyer, when consistent, is extremely effective. Just look at his game he had against a very good Augustana offense last season (9 ip, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 13 K) in the CCIW Title clincher. Paul Garcia was very effective last year out of the pen, and I think that Boyer in the rotation and Garcia in the pen is the ideal situation, but if Garcia continues to pitch effectively and Boyer continues to struggle then it almost forces Luke Johnson's hand to have to start Garcia and have Boyer relieve. Soldano will continue to be a solid number 2 starter for the Vikings and I expect a big season out of him.

Their defense will pick up, as that is Luke Johnson's MO. He has the knack for turning mediocre defensive players into semi-decent ones. NPU will be the team to beat out of the CCIW.

[NCF]

North Central takes 2 of 3 from North Carolina Wesleyan with today's 4-1 win.

[NCF]

North Central takes 2 of 3 from North Carolina Wesleyan with today's 4-1 win.

The baseball team travels to Fayetteville, NC to take on Methodist tomorrow.

[BigPoppa]

Looks like Carthage is about to fall to Luther. Down 11-7 in the 8th.

[TheSportsFan]

It's a final.  Luther 13, Carthage 7.

[D3Vike11]

It's a final.  Luther 13, Carthage 7.

Not a good loss for Carthage. I expect they'll rebound against Hamline tomorrow though.

[BigPoppa]

Don't be so sure. Hamline is very very good this season.

[D3Vike11]

Don't be so sure. Hamline is very very good this season.

With losses to Dubuque, Oshkosh, and Stout, I think Carthage should have the upper hand in this game. But as we know, this is baseball...

[BigPoppa]

Don't be so sure. Hamline is very very good this season.

With losses to Dubuque, Oshkosh, and Stout, I think Carthage should have the upper hand in this game. But as we know, this is baseball...

Just like they should have had the upper hand against Luther today.

[D3Vike11]

Big Poppa, I'm looking forward to seeing your Top 25. Does Trinity (Texas) belong in the 1 spot? How does Carthage continue to move up in the polls? And what has happened to Heildelberg?