BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

Anyone out there have any ideas of how the CCIW will shake out? Unlike many years, Carthage has its schedule for CCIW play front-loaded with the traditional powers... most years they play them later in the year. The Redmne open CCIW play with the gauntlet of NPU(no idea what to think of them in 2016), Wheaton(who I think will be a sleeper this season), IWU and Augustana... If they can come out of that within striking distance of the leaders, I like their chances.

I think that Carthage has the edge.  This year will be decided on who is the better coach and hard to back Schmidt on this.

AHEM!!  With due respect to Coach Schmidt, perhaps he can get Coach Martel to show him what a national championship trophy looks like!

(BP, I thought I'd start the trash-talkin' real early this year! )

And then Schmidty can show him his Hall of Fame plaque:)

[BigPoppa]

The CCIW Preseason Coaches' Poll Was released yesterday.http://www.cciw.org/news/2016/2/10/BB_0210160209.aspx

Look to be a solid race again.
1. Carthage (4)
2. IWU (2)
3. NCC (1)
4. Wheaton (1)
5. Augustana
6. North Park
7. Millikin
8. Elmhurst


With four teams getting first-place votes,the CCIW is as wide open as ever. Can't wait to get this thing started.

[Gregory Sager]

BP, are you surprised that Wheaton's getting this much love in spite of the fact that Johnny Peltz isn't going to play baseball this season?

[BigPoppa]

I think Wheaton's love is well-deserved even without him. They are a program that has been on the verge of turning the corner for a few seasons now and i think this could be the year they get over the hump. On paper, they have some of the best talent back in the CCIW... but we all know games are not played on paper.

Still... I like them to be in the mix for the 3-4-5 slot and with a little luck and a well-timed hot streak, they could make a run at the top.

[BigPoppa]

My biggest question in 2016 is was Carthage's post-season run for real and have they returned to their former glory? Or was it simply a hot-streak by an above average team?

Time will tell, but I do have much more optimism regarding the Redmen heading into 2016 than I did last year.

[Gregory Sager]

Here's NPU's preseason preview video.

[Gregory Sager]

NPU won the season opener over UW-Oshkosh down in Sauget, 4-1, in 13 innings. It's a shame that Brent Kessinger didn't get a win out of this one; he started and pitched seven innings of four-hit, one-walk shutout ball for the Vikings before the bullpen coughed up the 1-0 lead in the eighth. Fortunately for the Vikes, they finally got the timely hits that they needed in the 13th with a pair of bases-loaded singles off of the bats of Alec Strachota and Mitch Jordan to forge the win.

[mr_b]

NPU won the season opener over UW-Oshkosh down in Sauget, 4-1, in 13 innings. It's a shame that Brent Kessinger didn't get a win out of this one; he started and pitched seven innings of four-hit, one-walk shutout ball for the Vikings before the bullpen coughed up the 1-0 lead in the eighth. Fortunately for the Vikes, they finally got the timely hits that they needed in the 13th with a pair of bases-loaded singles off of the bats of Alec Strachota and Mitch Jordan to forge the win.

Yes, it is too bad Kessinger didn't pick up the win, but the bullpen and the Viking defense came through in one clutch situation after another -- six innings of one-run ball against a quality Oshkosh squad, and three double plays.  In fact, the Vikings almost pulled off a triple play in the bottom of the 13th, but the batter beat the second relay by a step.

Lots of new faces this season -- I'm looking forward to seeing some exciting baseball.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage was swept by a middle of the road Hamline today in AZ. Redmen drop to 1-3. I had high hopes that the Redmen would be able to return to glory this season after their deep NCAA run that left them a game short of the World Series, but right now, I am beyond frustrated with this team. I know it's early, but they are 1-3 vs two mediocre programs. What is going to happen when they face IWU, Augustana and North Central. I am hoping it was first day jitters in AZ, but my gut tells me differently.

[Gregory Sager]

Join the club, BP. North Park is really struggling thus far this season.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage falls to 1-4 after another loss on Saturday. Today vs Luther is already a must-win game for the Redmen.

[Mr. Ypsi]

While they are not starting QUITE as badly as Carthage and NPU, at 6-6 IWU is not exactly living up to expectations either.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage falls to Luther and sits at 1-5 on the season... feels like I was just kicked in the gut.

[108 Stitches]

BigPoppa getting kicked in the gut...

[BigPoppa]

Redmen up 13-5 on Buena Vista in 9th right now... looks like the bats finally got going today.