BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

On Javech's single in the fifth, right before the Sanchez granny, Matt Rice rounded third and was bumped by Wesleyan 3b Kevin Callahan. The ump at third called out, "Interference!", but decided not to award Rice home plate, because he claimed that Rice had not been aggressive in heading home (sort of the opposite of the Coduto play at first a couple of innings previous).

My guess is that the ump called, "Obstruction." Had he called interference, the runner would have been declared out.

You're right. I meant "obstruction". Thanks, and thanks for the follow-up explanation regarding the obstruction rule.

[Gregory Sager]

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.

In the first round's games, home and away are determined by seeding. After that, home and away rotate so that everyone either plays an even number of home and away games, or is never more than one game away from playing an even number of home and away games.

Going into today's final game, NPU had been home for two and away for one. IWU had been home for two and away for two. Since NPU needed another away game to balance out at two and two, the Vikings had to be the away team again.

[Gregory Sager]

The story line today was that Luke Johnson was able to go into the final game with a well-rested veteran starter available in Paul Garcia (3-3, 3.42), with talented sophomore Merrick McGrady in his back pocket, while on the other side of the field Dennis Martel was scraping the bottom of the barrel. There's a reason why IWU's Game Seven starter Nick Mehn had fallen out of favor with Martel; his 6.99 ERA coming into the game was not a typo. The Vikings had him squared up pretty consistently, and when they finally broke through they were able to seize a 5-1 lead off of him that they would not relinquish. After that, it was more or less Martel throwing anybody out there that he could in an effort to stave off the Vikings, but nothing really worked for him. Garcia, meanwhle, threw an awesome game. He made two bad pitches -- one to Kevin Sullivan and the other to Kevin Callahan -- both of which were knocked out of the park. After Callahan reached on an error with one out in the eighth, Bobby Czarnowski golfed a shin-high Garcia fastball into the right-field stands. Nothing wrong with the pitch; a very strong hitter simply went down outside the zone and lifted it into the seats. But that was it for Garcia. Can't take anything away from him for that, or for anything he did today. For a guy whose work load had been much reduced lately -- he didn't pitch at all against NCC last weekend, and hadn't started since getting knocked around by Augustana back on April 15 -- Garcia came up absolutely huge today. And, as I said, Luke Johnson had Merrick McGrady in his back pocket. He hadn't been used against NCC last weekend, either, nor had he been brought in out of the pen yet in the tourney. His fresh arm was exactly what the Vikings needed in the eighth and ninth innings to get them over the top.

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!

Belmonte really came up big today. Joel Bonnett and Kyle Williams had huge tournaments at the plate as well, and every Viking, really, got in on the action. If I remember correctly, the Vikings collected 33 hits total in today's two games, and 23 combined hits in the Thursday and Friday games. But Tony Sanchez was the man. Not only was his grand slam yesterday the biggest hit of the tournament, but he did a lot of damage today as well, going 5-10 with a pair of doubles, two runs, and three RBI. I think A.J. Nathan is a tremendous hitter and catcher, but he's only the second-best player at his position in this league. Tony Sanchez rocked this tournament the way that he's rocked the entire CCIW this season.

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.

I don't think it was Titans pitching, which was distinctly unimpressive all day today. I think it was more a matter of the Titans making a lot of key plays behind their pitchers -- their defense was outstanding throughout the tournament -- and overanxious Vikings losing some plate discipline and swinging at some bad pitches. But that first game today was a hair-pulling ordeal for Vikings fans. How do you get 19 hits and lose?

Fortunately, it didn't matter in the end. NPU couldn't match all the spectacular moonshots that the Titans hit today, but you can't live on homers alone. The Vikings were much more offensively consistent in terms of pecking away with singles and doubles, drawing walks, moving over runners, and (in game two, at least) getting timely hits -- and in the long run their better pitching prevailed.

[norfrank]

How is this prediction looking now?

I'm surprised historical doormat Wheaton is getting such respect so soon.  Coach Driggers must be viewed as superman!

I think a lot of IWU's season depends on whether or not Kulavic is back 100%.

I think you are giving Coach Driggers too much credit for the voting.  This Wheaton team lost two relief pitchers and a back up catcher.  Only one, Ed McCaskey, made a significant impact. Not to mention, they have a few players who transfered or coming off injury.

With a second place finish in the conference tournament, I think the Coach's voting has them right where they should be, maybe even a spot too low. 

Carthage is the clear cut favorite...regardless of who they lost.

Coach Driggers will turn the program around.

They will be a regional contender by his 5th season (2013).

[Mr. Ypsi]

How is this prediction looking now?

I'm surprised historical doormat Wheaton is getting such respect so soon.  Coach Driggers must be viewed as superman!

I think a lot of IWU's season depends on whether or not Kulavic is back 100%.

I think you are giving Coach Driggers too much credit for the voting.  This Wheaton team lost two relief pitchers and a back up catcher.  Only one, Ed McCaskey, made a significant impact. Not to mention, they have a few players who transfered or coming off injury.

With a second place finish in the conference tournament, I think the Coach's voting has them right where they should be, maybe even a spot too low. 

Carthage is the clear cut favorite...regardless of who they lost.

Coach Driggers will turn the program around.

They will be a regional contender by his 5th season (2013).

An interesting dredge-up from the archives!

1. We don't yet know of course whether or not Wheaton will be a contender in 2013.

2. Kulavic was definitely NOT back 100%.  Nonetheless, IWU merely won the national championship in 2010!

[D3Vike11]

So I take it North Park and North Central will NOT be playing tomorrow's matchup??

I was just told, to my surprise, that they ARE still playing their make-up game tomorrow. Not sure what benefit it gives them to play this, other than getting some guys a look who haven't played in a while.

[Gregory Sager]

No, they'll be playing it, at NCC's insistence. It's Senior Day for the Cardinals, and, let's be fair, the North Central seniors deserve their day as much as does any other group of seniors.

What we'll almost certainly see from the Vikings is a lot of reserves, particularly on the mound. I'll especially be shocked if Tony Sanchez, whom I think has caught every single inning that the Vikings have played this season (and has the aching knees and back to prove it), is even allowed to strap on the shinguards to catch in the bullpen tomorrow.

It's basically a meaningless game for both teams -- NCC's season is over, for all intents and purposes, and I doubt that a win or loss will affect NPU's seeding in any significant way -- but Senior Day decorum demands that it be played. I just hope nobody gets hurt.

[Mr. Ypsi]

There had been speculation that Joe Sweeney would be called upon today.  He wasn't.

I haven't studied his outings, but my impression from the last few is that he is an 'ace' (possibly even a POY-level ace) for 4-5 innings, then runs out of steam.  In Thursday's game, he was unscored upon for 5 innings, then yielded 2 runs in the 6th and 3 (without an out) in the 7th.  The last game before that was similar.  For someone closer to the scene, does he have a strength problem (arm-specific, or general conditioning); or am I over-reacting?  He seems to start games like Pankau, Kulavic (before the injury), or Aronson, then suddenly become Joe Schmo.

I sure hope I'll be proved an idiot and he pitches a no-hitter next game!

[Gregory Sager]

There had been speculation that Joe Sweeney would be called upon today.  He wasn't.

In light of this sort of thinking:

Thoughts on a potential pitching matchup for tomorrow?  Who does Martel have ready to go?

Wouldn't be surprised to see Sweeney come back. Only threw 6 innings on Thursday, and the Titans need a win.

No doubt about it.  If he's truly an ace, he's been lobbying for the ball tomorrow since the last out against North Park.

... either last night or this morning prior to the arrival of the two teams at Holmgren, Sweeney told a friend of his who's on the NPU team (whose name is being withheld for safety reasons ) that he (Sweeney) would not be pitching today. Speculation was rife among the Vikings that this was simply a strategic fib on Sweeney's part, but it turns out that it was true. He never went into the bullpen the entire afternoon, in spite of the fact that Martel ran through seven of his teammates (Kopp, Hayn, Frueh, Mehn, Conrad, Hart, and Johnson) on the day.

[jester13]

Sanchez had a good tournament but kind of faltered down the stretch for the Vikes. I don't think he threw a baserunner out at all during thru conference play . ALso had problems throwing the ball towards the end. I think Nathan still had a better year.

[Gregory Sager]

Nope. Sanchez beat Nathan in almost every non-counting-stat hitting category, and he beat him in most counting-stat categories as well -- in spite of the fact that the Titans have played three more games to date than the Vikings. And are you really serious about Sanchez and CCIW baserunners, or is the smiley indicating that you're not? 'cause only seven CCIW baserunners even tried to run on Sanchez (and, thus, NPU). That's less than half of what each other team in the league had to face in terms of attempted steals.

I realize that Sanchez and Nathan are different types of hitters; Nathan's a table-setter, while Sanchez is a run-producer. But Sanchez basically had to function as NPU's only legitimate power threat this year due to Brad Medina's struggles at the plate. For him to thrive in a situation in which he hardly ever got to see a serious fastball due to the lack of protection behind him in the lineup is a testament to his ability as a hitter.

[D3Vike11]

Nope. Sanchez beat Nathan in almost every non-counting-stat hitting category, and he beat him in most counting-stat categories as well -- in spite of the fact that the Titans have played three more games to date than the Vikings. And are you really serious about Sanchez and CCIW baserunners, or is the smiley indicating that you're not? 'cause only seven CCIW baserunners even tried to run on Sanchez (and, thus, NPU). That's less than half of what each other team in the league had to face in terms of attempted steals.

I realize that Sanchez and Nathan are different types of hitters; Nathan's a table-setter, while Sanchez is a run-producer. But Sanchez basically had to function as NPU's only legitimate power threat this year due to Brad Medina's struggles at the plate. For him to thrive in a situation in which he hardly ever got to see a serious fastball due to the lack of protection behind him in the lineup is a testament to his ability as a hitter.

Gregory Sager 1      Jester 0

[Randy Borow]

On Javech's single in the fifth, right before the Sanchez granny, Matt Rice rounded third and was bumped by Wesleyan 3b Kevin Callahan. The ump at third called out, "Interference!", but decided not to award Rice home plate, because he claimed that Rice had not been aggressive in heading home (sort of the opposite of the Coduto play at first a couple of innings previous).

My guess is that the ump called, "Obstruction." Had he called interference, the runner would have been declared out.

You're right. I meant "obstruction". Thanks, and thanks for the follow-up explanation regarding the obstruction rule.

You're quite welcome, and congratulations to North Park on its tourney title. I am sure it's great to be an alumnus now, too. You alumni have every right to be proud. Your head coach did a fantastic job. It has been more than just enjoyable seeing him progress from that 15-year-old Elmhurst Colt League player whom I used to umpire to the successful head coach he is today and has been for the last few years. Of course, it makes me feel a bit old, but when one has been an umpire for 35 years, I guess this is to be expected.

Best wishes to NPU in the Regionals, and may their contests be free from injuries and issues.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I've now gone through Joe Sweeney's stats game-by-game for the 2012 season.  (Lest anyone think I am picking on a player, I am one of his biggest fans; just worried about his seeming lack of stamina.)

Only twice has he been rocked early: in the first conference game of the season, Wheaton nailed him for 9 earned runs in 1.2 innings (his era never did recover); Carthage got him for 5 runs in 4.1 innings on 4-15.  Otherwise he has been lights out for 5-6 innings (I didn't attempt a calculation, but my eyeball estimate would be about a 1.50 era for innings 1-5 or 6 if those games are omitted).  On the other hand, only twice has he been effective past the sixth inning: he gave up only 2 runs in 8 innings (none past the 5th) against CUC on 3-18, and had a complete game win against Augie (1 run; 0 earned runs) on 4-27.  In his last two games (both against Elmhurst), he had 1 run in the first (combined) 5 innings, 3 in the 6th, and 6 in the 7th (and no outs in one of those games).  Barring the Wheaton and Carthage fiascos, he seems to be nearly Aronson or Palkau early on, but rarely seems able to finish.

Anyone closer to the scene who can elaborate?

[voiceofseason]

I've now gone through Joe Sweeney's stats game-by-game for the 2012 season.  (Lest anyone think I am picking on a player, I am one of his biggest fans; just worried about his seeming lack of stamina.)

Only twice has he been rocked early: in the first conference game of the season, Wheaton nailed him for 9 earned runs in 1.2 innings (his era never did recover); Carthage got him for 5 runs in 4.1 innings on 4-15.  Otherwise he has been lights out for 5-6 innings (I didn't attempt a calculation, but my eyeball estimate would be about a 1.50 era for innings 1-5 or 6 if those games are omitted).  On the other hand, only twice has he been effective past the sixth inning: he gave up only 2 runs in 8 innings (none past the 5th) against CUC on 3-18, and had a complete game win against Augie (1 run; 0 earned runs) on 4-27.  In his last two games (both against Elmhurst), he had 1 run in the first (combined) 5 innings, 3 in the 6th, and 6 in the 7th (and no outs in one of those games).  Barring the Wheaton and Carthage fiascos, he seems to be nearly Aronson or Palkau early on, but rarely seems able to finish.

Anyone closer to the scene who can elaborate?

I have watched Joe the last four years, including his no-hitter at home last year.  Recall that he had some arm issues in the summer/fall.  I don't know if there is any specific reason, but he obviously wasn't as strong late.  That being said, what pitcher is, as a rule? 

When you break down a season, Joe had some good wins, especially the veteran performance in beating Augie the first game of their series.  He will be missed in the IWU rotation.  But the Titans have a LOT of young arms that have big upsides - and lose only two starting position players.  I look for them to be a factor again next year.

Of course, I don't think this year is finished yet as well.