BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

Mr. Ypsi · May 12, 2012, 02:50:52 PM

Hayn greeted with a single, bunt, fly out, two-run single. After 4.5, Titans 5, Vikings 4.

NPU finally got some timely hits: 11 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings will usually produce more than 4 runs! IWU is not hitting well (5 hits), but have made them all count.

(In case anyone is pursuing that elusive record, NPU now has 12 LOB in 5 innings.)

Mr. Ypsi · May 12, 2012, 04:07:39 PM

LET'S PLAY TWO!!

Final: IWU 11, NPU 5. Titans got 6 runs on 8 hits off four pitchers in the bottom of the 8th.

Mr. Ypsi · May 12, 2012, 04:45:56 PM

BTW, the 8th was the ONLY inning where IWU pitching prevented the Vikings from leaving men on base; in EVERY other inning the Vikes stranded at least two men - final tally: 18 LOB!

I doubt that is the all-time record, but I can't ever recall more than that. If NPU could have managed timely hits (they had 19(!) but managed only 5 runs), they'd already have the AQ, probably in a 'laugher'. Again, from livestats alone, I have no way of knowing whether Titan pitchers performed the ultimate in 'bend, don't break' pitching, or the baseball gods just didn't like the Vikes in game one.

Mr. Ypsi · May 12, 2012, 04:47:51 PM

I'm off to a party soon; I'll expect commentary on game two when I get back!

Viking Blue · May 12, 2012, 05:39:42 PM

I'd really love to have someone truly explain to me how the #1 seed, who is hosting the tournament, is the visitor in both games today. I don't get that one.

tjcummingsfan · May 12, 2012, 05:48:09 PM

I'm with you, that seems absurd!

TitanPride · May 12, 2012, 06:04:50 PM

Two hits, two solo home runs for the Titans. Need some more baserunners soon. Down 5-2 in the 6th.

Viking Blue · May 12, 2012, 06:20:31 PM

Make that 8-2, as it appears IWU's pitching staff has finally hit a wall. 18 LOB not good for North Park in game 1, but certainly led to a lot of stressful pitches for that pitching staff.

Viking Blue · May 12, 2012, 06:22:48 PM

By the way, quite the lightning-in-a bottle situation for North Park at DH. Joe Belmonte, a freshman from Conant, has 4 RBI today and has been quite the force in this tournament. I feel bad for Brad Medina, the mainstay at that spot, but this frosh sure picked the right time to seize the day!

TitanPride · May 12, 2012, 06:47:02 PM

Czarnowski with a 2-run shot. 3rd homer of the game for the Titans. Brings them to within 8-4 after 8. Knocked Garcia, NPU's starter, out of the game. We'll see if they can do anything against NPU's bullpen in the 9th.

Viking Blue · May 12, 2012, 07:06:58 PM

YES!!!!

TitanPride · May 12, 2012, 07:12:27 PM

Congrats to North Park on a conference title! My take after following live stats, you have to credit Garcia and the North Park pitching staff in Game 2. IWU's #1 and #2 hole hitters combined to go 0-10. You would think that 3 home runs would produce more than 4 runs, but not today. NPU's pitching staff seemed to do a nice job limiting the damage, which is so important in a late round, tournament setting.

Interested to see the NCAA selections and pairings. Good luck to NPU (and hopufully IWU) in the Regional!

Gregory Sager · May 12, 2012, 09:04:24 PM

Man, does this feel good! Back in the '80s, it felt as though regular-season titles, tournament titles, and D3 tourney appearances were practically a matter of routine for North Park baseball. I took it for granted. Moral of the story: Never take success for granted. Ever.

Luke Johnson has done an amazing job of turning around the NPU baseball program. And today was a huge milestone. But, as I said to him during the celebration party afterwards, it's a milestone ... not a destination.

Congratulations to the 2012 CCIW tournament champion, and NCAA tourney-bound, North Park University Vikings!

D3Vike11 · May 12, 2012, 09:08:36 PM

Great day to be a Viking! Couldn't be at the game, but was getting fed live updates. I will DEFINITELY be at the regionals! Look for North Park to get a 3-seed or 2-seed in the Central Regional. Would be surprised if IWU doesn't get a Pool C bid. If they do, they are probably going to get shipped to Whitewater.

Question: Does winning the conference tourney automatically put you in the Central Region, or could North Park get shipped to Whitewater since it is closer than Rhodes???

Gregory Sager · May 12, 2012, 09:10:35 PM

Wish I knew. Everyone at the postgame party at NPU today seemed convinced that the Vikings will be hopping on a plane to Memphis this week, but I don't see that written in stone anywhere.