BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Saturday Games:

Wheaton completes the sweep 2-0, 5-0:
Trey Martin hits his 10th homerun of the year as the Thunder (6-6) complete the sweep of Millikin (3-9). Wheaton now looks ahead to next weekend when they face Augustana in a key series.

Elmhurst takes 2 from North Central 3-2, 5-3:
Elmhurst (6-5) comes out and surprises North Central (6-5) as they secure a much needed series win in just one day. Elmhurst scored 8 runs on the day and pitched well enough to hold the Cardinals in check. After getting swept by Millikin, the Blue Jays will look to use their own brooms as they wrap up the series with North Central tomorrow.

Carthage splits with Wesleyan 2-3, 10-0:
In Game 1, Carthage (4-7) had a couple late opportunities to score, but Wesleyan's (7-4) bullpen held the Red Men just enough to pick up the victory 3-2. Game 2 was a different story as Carthage comes out with 5 unearned runs in the bottom half of the 1st inning and won in convincing fashion 10-0 in 7 innings. Carthage looks to win the series tomorrow in a much needed series victory against IWU.

North Park splits with Augustana 5-12, 9-5:
Game 1 looked like a pitcher's duel as Trotta and Kuligowski faced off, but a 5-run 6th inning highlighted a 7 run lead over #20 North Park. Augustana (5-6) pounded out 17 hits while North Park (8-3) committed 4 errors in an ugly game for the Vikings. North Park came back in Game 2 pounding out 9 runs on 12 hits winning by a score of 9-5. North Park looks to get back to their winning ways and secure the series win in tomorrow's single game at noon.


Updated Standings:
North Park      8-3
Il. Wesleyan    7-4
North Central   6-5
Elmhurst         6-5
Wheaton         6-6
Augustana       5-6
Carthage         4-7
Millikin           3-9

Should be a great second-half of the conference race.   Anyone want to predict 1-4 at this point?

Hey, I'm just looking at the fact that one of the teams that is tied for third, two games out of the lead, was swept by Millikin, and I'm shaking my head in total disbelief.

[D3Vike11]

Should be a great second-half of the conference race.   Anyone want to predict 1-4 at this point?

Here's my predictions:

North Park     15-6 (2-1 @ Augie, 1-2 @ IWU, 3-0 @ Elmhurst, 2-1 vs NCC)
IWU              14-7 (1-2 @ Carthage, 2-1 vs NPU, 2-1 @ Augie, 3-0 @ Elmhurst)
Carthage        12-9 (2-1 vs IWU, 2-1 @ Elmhurst, 3-0 @ Millikin, 2-1 vs Wheaton)
North Central  11-10 (1-2 vs Elmhurst, 2-1 @ Millikin, 1-2 vs Wheaton, 1-2 @ NPU)
Augustana        11-10 (1-2 vs NPU, 2-1 @ Wheaton, 1-2 @ IWU, 3-0 vs Millikin)
Wheaton          10-11 (1-2 vs Augie, 2-1 @ North Central, 1-2 @ Carthage)
Elmhurst          7-14 (2-1 @ North Central, 1-2 vs Carthage, 0-3 vs NPU, 0-3 vs IWU)
Millikin             4-17 (1-2 vs North Central, 0-3 vs Carthage, 0-3 @ Augustana)


I think Carthage comes back and gets the 3 seed going into the tournament as the schedule plays into their favor. I think North Park holds on to the conference title despite losing 2 of 3 to Wesleyan. North Central barely gets into the tourney as the 4 seed based on their head-to-head versus Augustana. Wheaton plays tough to the end, but just doesn't have enough.

[BigPoppa]

Just got back from the North Park/Carthage game. I was surprised to see Carthage go with Rohe, but it makes sense the more you think about it. They really needed that win. The downside is they go into their weekend series against Wesleyan without their ace being able to throw.

I would not be surprised to see Carthage find a way to bring him back in some role this weekend. Maybe a Sunday start or out of the bullpen in a tight game. Augie Schmidt has always been a bit unconventional in his pitching approach.

Secondly, I fully expect the Redmen to rally their way back into the CCIW tourney. At this point, they are not going to be a Pool C contender so that means they will empty thier gun of bullets every CCIW series and not worry about saving arms for in-region non-conference games to keep their Pool C chances alive. After the IWU series this weekend, they finish with Elmhurst, Millikin and Wheaton (the three teams near the bottom with Carthage right now).

Augie Schmidt announces that Eric Rohe, who threw a CG on weds will start tomorrow's game.

[D3Vike11]

Just got back from the North Park/Carthage game. I was surprised to see Carthage go with Rohe, but it makes sense the more you think about it. They really needed that win. The downside is they go into their weekend series against Wesleyan without their ace being able to throw.

I would not be surprised to see Carthage find a way to bring him back in some role this weekend. Maybe a Sunday start or out of the bullpen in a tight game. Augie Schmidt has always been a bit unconventional in his pitching approach.

Secondly, I fully expect the Redmen to rally their way back into the CCIW tourney. At this point, they are not going to be a Pool C contender so that means they will empty thier gun of bullets every CCIW series and not worry about saving arms for in-region non-conference games to keep their Pool C chances alive. After the IWU series this weekend, they finish with Elmhurst, Millikin and Wheaton (the three teams near the bottom with Carthage right now).

Augie Schmidt announces that Eric Rohe, who threw a CG on weds will start tomorrow's game.

Which is why I have Carthage winning the series vs Wesleyan:

Carthage        12-9 (2-1 vs IWU, 2-1 @ Elmhurst, 3-0 @ Millikin, 2-1 vs Wheaton)

He has thrown 18 innings in just over a week. Wonder if that will effect him tomorrow. Carthage needs this win I think since they do not have any tiebreakers with Augustana, North Central, or North Park.

[NCF]

Tough day for the Cards. They need a win tomorrow.

[Pat Coleman]

Folllowing the NPU vs Augie online. What does it mean when someone singles to third base or singles to ss. Just wondering

This may have already been answered, but it does mean someone beats out an infield grounder, or knocks down a ball in the hole but can't throw them out.

[BigPoppa]

Is it me or does it feel like Carthage's entire season hinges on today's game with IWU. Logically I know that is not true, but emotionally it feels that way. I think if the Redmen win today then the rest of the CCIW pauses to see just how far ahead they are and tries to calculate if they will be caught or not... Especially NCC and Augustana.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage up 6-3 in 7th on IWU. Each team has 7 hits. Carthage has left a lot of runners on today. Eric Rohe still throwing for the Redmen. Sweeney was just chased in the 6th for IWU.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage ten runs IWU again today.  15-5... Redmen appear to have found their groove:)

[voiceofseason]

Is it me or does it feel like Carthage's entire season hinges on today's game with IWU. Logically I know that is not true, but emotionally it feels that way. I think if the Redmen win today then the rest of the CCIW pauses to see just how far ahead they are and tries to calculate if they will be caught or not... Especially NCC and Augustana.

If their season did hinge on today's game, they sure took a big step forward!

When the weekend started, I rationalized that one win for IWU would be a good performance in consideration of rivalry, Carthage's current position in standings, etc.  I guess today I'm just happy the beatdowns they took in the last two games only count as two losses!  IWU really really needs to get more consistency with their pitching - they were fortunate to escape Kenosha with one win.

Look forward to three home games against NP next weekend.

[D3Vike11]

Crazy weekend of baseball. North Park loses 2 of 3 to Augie; Carthage takes out their anger on Wesleyan; and Elmhurst upsets North Central 3 games in a row. Updated standings:

North Park     8-4
Il. Wesleyan   7-5
Elmhurst??     7-5
Augustana      6-6
North Central  6-6
Wheaton        6-6
Carthage        5-7
Millikin          3-9

3 Predictions:

1.) North Park versus Wesleyan this weekend is a crucial series. Winner will win the conference.

2.) Carthage will make the tourney. No doubt in my mind.

3.) Elmhurst has the toughest remaining schedule (Carthage, North Park, Wesleyan), but if they can avoid getting swept and maybe win one of those series, they make the conference tourney.

[jester13]

The Park needs someone to step up. Now is the time they are missing the senior leadership they had last year. Did i see that they made 14 errors? Unexcusable.

[warrior35]

The Park needs someone to step up. Now is the time they are missing the senior leadership they had last year. Did i see that they made 14 errors? Unexcusable.

Not to rub salt in a wound, but I believe it was 15... 4, 5, and 6 in the games.  I can only imagine what was going through Coach Johnson's head!  I know what would be going through mine if I were the coach...

3 Predictions:

1.) North Park versus Wesleyan this weekend is a crucial series. Winner will win the conference.

2.) Carthage will make the tourney. No doubt in my mind.

3.) Elmhurst has the toughest remaining schedule (Carthage, North Park, Wesleyan), but if they can avoid getting swept and maybe win one of those series, they make the conference tourney.

I agree with the first two but for #3 it's certainly been a crazy year, and I'm no mathematician to know the chances, but I don't see Elmhurst winning one of those series... but hey, look at my predictions from this week. Haha.

Should be a great second-half of the conference race.   Anyone want to predict 1-4 at this point? 

Nope, that way I don't look like a fool at the end when I probably would get it WAY wrong   It's such an unusual year in the CCIW!  Elmhurst tied for 2nd with IWU with 3 series to play, who called that one at the beginning of the year?  Even if they don't finish there, it's still crazy!

[Gregory Sager]

The Park needs someone to step up. Now is the time they are missing the senior leadership they had last year.

Amen and amen. NPU has more than hit a rough patch. The Vikings are faltering in every phase of the game. Their pitching has gone south in a big way over the past five games, even including the Saturday win; the hitting has collectively slumped; baserunners are more likely to get picked off now than to steal a base; and the fielding ...

Did i see that they made 14 errors? Unexcusable.

The Vikings started off the year performing poorly in the field, which I chalked up to the fact that the entire cast of starting position players were either newbies, former reserves newly promoted to starter status, or returning starters who had switched positions. When NPU went on its hot streak, the fielding solidified and became a strong point. Now it's become a weakness again. I'm not sure what to think.

IWU is also reeling at the moment, and I don't think that that's a good thing for the Park. I'd rather take on a team next weekend that's feeling its oats a bit at the moment (a la Carthage or Wheaton) than a team that has the same sense of panic and frustration as NPU. A desperate team is more likely to draw comfort and inspiration from the home crowd and familiar surroundings than it is from going into a hostile environment.

[BigPoppa]

It's Going to be a great finish in the CCIW. Almost the entire conference within striking distance as of this morning. Who will the pressure get to most?!