BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

With their losses Carthage will probably lose the nine points they had as the CCIW's only representative in the Top 25 poll.  But at 8-0 (including a win over previously(?) ranked Wooster), NCC should get some votes, maybe even cracking the lower reaches of the Top 25.  NPU may already be out for the season (in terms of poll votes), and IWU and Carthage would both need a whole slew of wins to start getting votes (or in Carthage's case, resume getting votes).  Millikin has started 5-1, but against tomato cans (including their loss to a 3-11 Greenville team); Elmhurst is 7-3, but hasn't exactly faced 'Murderers Row'.

It's obviously way to early to wave any white flags, but the conference is running low on time to show anything (since conference games show nothing about conference strength).  Someone may yet get hot at the right time (like IWU did so fantastically in 2010), but this may be another down season for the CCIW.

[BigPoppa]

Redmen bats awoke yesterday sweeping a pait from Buena Vista 13-8 and Hastings (NAIA) 18-3.

Carthage moves to 3-5 with an off-day today followed by 6 games in the next five days highlighted by a Thursday tilt with Bethel (MN) who I feel will be a major player in the Midwest Region this year. Reeling off 5-6 wins to finish the trip could help right the ship.

[Mr. Ypsi]

As expected, Carthage lost all their votes.  As expected, NCC got a fair number (23?), but was not that close to breaking into the Top 25.  As further expected, no one else in the conference got any votes.  It is hard for any conference in the Northern and Midwestern areas to get much respect (baseball has become a mostly southern and western sport, due to weather considerations), though the CCIW has had some breakthrough TEAMS.  We need to do better in the non-con games if we are ever to be respected like the basketball and football teams.  It's tough, when the D3 season nationally is nearly half over before we can even practice outside!

[BigPoppa]

Redmen are rolling today as they are up 14-0 on Colby after 3 innings. Glad my pep-talk helped!

[BigPoppa]

Big day ahead for the Redmen today with a split DH vs Buena Vista and Bethel. I'd be crushed if they were swept, happy with a split and ecstatic with a sweep.

[BigPoppa]

This Carthage squad is a roller coaster of ups and downs. It appears they have bats rolling, but they blew a late lead to drop one vs Buena Vista and then got boat-raced by Bethel. They have scored double-digit runs in five of their last six games, winning four of those, but that still is not going to get it done.

I will be very interested to see how the CCIW plays out. Next week's matchup with North Park is already looming as a big series for the Redmen.

[Gregory Sager]

It's obviously looming as a big series for North Park as well. The Vikings are having trouble putting the pitching, hitting, and defense all together consistently in any given ballgame. They've also been without veteran starter Alex Vannucci thus far this season, although my understanding is that NPU hopes to have him back on the mound pretty soon.

[BigPoppa]

Is Elmhurst the real deal or not. While they have faced a relatively weak schedule, they do have a win vs perennial power Eastern Connecticut State. At 11-3, is Elmhurst a contender in the CCIW or will they be exposed in conference play?

Any CCIW predictions for this weekend?

I like Carthage to take 2/3 from NPU
Wheaton to sweep Millikin
IWU to take 2/3 from Elmhurst
NCC to take 2/3 Augustana

[Mr. Ypsi]

New poll is out.  Undefeated (11-0) NCC has entered the top 25 at #19.  Elmhurst picked up 5 points.  No one else received any votes (nor would I have expected them to, unless Carthage got some voter's #25 slot).

[BigPoppa]

New poll is out.  Undefeated (11-0) NCC has entered the top 25 at #19.  Elmhurst picked up 5 points.  No one else received any votes (nor would I have expected them to, unless Carthage got some voter's #25 slot).

Anyone voting for Carthage right now at 7-7 would be in danger of being ridiculed...

[BigPoppa]

Looking over the Carthage stats this morning, two thing stood out to me:
1. Are opponents really hitting .331 against them? If so, wow.
2. 6.19 ERA??

Carthage, a program historically built on front-line pitching, appears to be in trouble on the mound.I am hoping they can get it back together, but it doens't look good when you can't get hitters out consistently. No program can out-hit a 6.19 ERA.

[BigPoppa]

It is beginning to feel like I am all alone on this board. Does ANY one have a feeling the CCIW?

[Mr. Ypsi]

It is beginning to feel like I am all alone on this board. Does ANY one have a feeling the CCIW?

I follow as best I can, but baseball doesn't get the coverage (or broadcasts) of basketball and football.  It's hard keeping up from 400 miles away!  Greg sees a lot of games in person; maybe he'll chime in more often.

[Chantastic]

It is beginning to feel like I am all alone on this board. Does ANY one have a feeling the CCIW?

I do not have a good feel for the league as a whole. However, North Central has to be the clear favorite. Their team E.R.A. is 1.55 right now. I had a chance to see their ace Bryan Polowy last year and he is not a normal D3 talent.

I also like Wheaton College to be in the mix. They came on very strong at the end of last season before a post season flameout, and they will feature a strong pitching staff.

[Jim Dixon]

It looked like Carthage had all the tools needed to be back at the top of the CCIW at the beginning of the season.  maybe they will get it back together but a poor start has North Central getting confidence for a run.