BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

                             CCIW   Overall
Illinois Wesleyan   12-0   22-5
Augustana             8-3     21-5
North Park             8-4     15-13
Carthage               5-7     12-14
Elmhurst                4-6     12-11
Wheaton               4-7     8-18
North Central        4-8     11-14
Millikin                   1-11    7-15


IWU appears to have control of this right now but they still have to play Carthage, Augustana and North Park... While I don't think they will run the table and go 21-0, or even 19-2, it is going to be tough to catch them without some help from Carthage (who I am not sure can provide much help at this point). I see the #4 seed coming down to Carthage and North Central, in which NCC already took two of three form Carthage. This should be a fun finish to the CCIW as Carthage appears to be starting to put it together a bit.

[CCIWFAN6]

Trying to weigh performance vs. competition, the most surprising development of the new season is the performance of the IWU pitching staff.  Not only do they lead the league in ERA (2.56 vs. next closest at 2.94), but they have an astounding strikeout to walk ratio of 91-16.

Limiting walks is a very large part of limiting runs, and they are currently only allowing a little over 1 walk per game.  This is by far the least in the league, even though in most instances they have played 1 or 2 more games than most teams in the league.  If this continues, I expect IWU to win the conference pretty easily.

All that being said, the next 9 games are against the next top 3 in the standings, so this seems to be when the conference season really begins for them.

[BigPoppa]

... And just like that the race in the CCIW changes. Augustana takes a pair from IWU on Saturday  while Carthage has won 7 of 8 to get back in the playoff picture. Carthage vs IWU next weekend is looming large as the Titans HAVE to be looking in the rearview to see who is gaining on them.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Titans avoided the sweep with 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th.  Kevin Callahan's third double of the game tied the score, Johnathon Erickson followed with his second double to drive in what proved to be the winning run, 7-6.  John Munyon got the win with 2.2 innings of 1 hit, scoreless relief.

The Titans go to 13-2, 2 games up on Augie with 6 games to go.  If the Vikings had completed the sweep, it would be a whole new race; if the Titans had taken 2 of 3, it would be essentially game over.

[Mr. Ypsi]

In last week's poll, IWU was 21, Augie was 22.  It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Augie was the only ranked team this week (say about 20, with IWU among the ORVs at 27 or 28).  The CCIW does not receive much national respect; but that's fine - they haven't yet earned it.  Conference teams have gone to Appleton (and previous locations) a number of times, but only once come home victorious - and that was probably the most unexpected winner ever - the 2010 Titans (we were the bottom seed in the conference tourney, probably either the bottom or next to bottom in the regional, and likewise the bottom or next to bottom in the WS).

I'll take a wild guess at the national poll and say Augie 19, IWU 24.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just checked Augie's remaining schedule: 3 v. Wheaton, 1 v. Elmhurst, 3 v. Millikin.  Now 10-4, they could definitely end 16-5 (or even 17-4).

IWU better not stumble against Carthage and North Park!   3-3 might do it, 4-2 should probably do it, but let's guarantee it with 5-1!

[Mr. Ypsi]

In last week's poll, IWU was 21, Augie was 22.  It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Augie was the only ranked team this week (say about 20, with IWU among the ORVs at 27 or 28).  The CCIW does not receive much national respect; but that's fine - they haven't yet earned it.  Conference teams have gone to Appleton (and previous locations) a number of times, but only once come home victorious - and that was probably the most unexpected winner ever - the 2010 Titans (we were the bottom seed in the conference tourney, probably either the bottom or next to bottom in the regional, and likewise the bottom or next to bottom in the WS).

I'll take a wild guess at the national poll and say Augie 19, IWU 24.

Considering I didn't check at all how other ranked teams had fared, not too shabby a guess!  Augie juped all the way to 16th, IWU was indeed 24th.  Wheaton, who had zero points the previous week, received 18 points, good enough for (31st).  (However, given that they are 10-19 overall, I strongly suspect a voter made an error, and the points really belong to Wheaton, MA. )

[Gregory Sager]

IWU better not stumble against Carthage and North Park!   3-3 might do it, 4-2 should probably do it, but let's guarantee it with 5-1!

Let's not.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage was destroyed by Concordia-Chicago today 17-1. Ouch. Knowing Concordia Coach Adam Smith is a Redmen alum, this game had to hurt him as much as it hurt Carthage coaches and players.

[BigPoppa]

I am shocked at how quiet this board is...

Can Carthage take a game or two from IWU this weekend?

[voiceofseason]

I am shocked at how quiet this board is...

Can Carthage take a game or two from IWU this weekend?

It is quiet.  I hope they don't take any games from the Titans, but I'm sure they are capable.  Looking forward to a first pitch at 7pm tonight.

I wonder if Wheaton can take a game from Augie.  Sure hope so.....

[voiceofseason]

Well contested game last night.  Carthage actually loaded the bases in the 9th with no outs in the 9th and trailing 4-1, but a double play and a foul out ended the game, 4-2.

Senior day today for IWU - noon first pitch for game 1 of the twin bill.

A few wins between these two coaches:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/voiceofseason/8686058166/in/photostream

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU gets the sweep over Carthage, moving to 16-2.  Nick Mehn pitched a strong 8 innings for the comeback win (Titans scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th); John Munyon pitched a scoreless 9th for the save in a 4-3 game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Augie and Wheaton split their DH today, so Augie falls to 12-5.  Unless Augie finishes 4-0 AND IWU finishes 0-3, the conference tourney will be at Horenberger Field (IF the unlikely does happen, Augie has the tie-break).

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU and Augie are assured of the conference tourney.  Millikin is out.  All the others are still in play.

NPU is obviously in the best shape of those five, at 10-7.  They play @Elmhurst tomorrow (they split @home today, 9-5, then 0-10).  An 0-4 finish is certainly not impossible, but 2-2 (and in the tourney) seems more likely.

NCC is at 8-9, with a home game tomorrow against Millikin, then 3 games against Elmhurst (1 home, 2 away).  4-0 and they are almost certainly in; 3-1 puts them in a likely 11-10 tie-breaker.

Carthage (8-10) and Wheaton (7-10); Wheaton has a make-up game @Millikin, then they play each other the final three games (1 in Kenosha, 2 in Wheaton).  Assuming Wheaton beats Millikin, a sweep by either team likely puts them in; whoever wins 2 of 3 is likely to be in a tie-breaker.

Elmhurst is at 6-10, with make-up games tomorrow (both at home) against NPU and Augie), then a season finale against NCC (2 at home).  Their only hope is to win all five games, then win a tie-breaker.