BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

And just like that the high hopes the Redmen had are dashed as they continue to drop CCIW games.

[Mr. Ypsi]

NCC completed the sweep of the Titans with a 10-inning, 7-6 win.  The Cards took a 5-3 lead with 3 in the bottom of the 8th, the Titans responded with 3 in the top of the 9th to regain the lead at 6-5, but the Cards got one in the bottom of the ninth and one in the bottom of the tenth for the win (and the CCIW lead).

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU decisively salvaged the final game of the series, beating NCC 10-2.  They are now tied for the lead, both 8-4.  One game back are Augie and Wheaton, both 7-5.  Carthage is not as dead as Big Poppa seems to be making them out to be, beating Augie today to go to 6-6.  And Elmhurst can't be ruled out for the tourney at 5-7.  It's promising to be an exciting run to the tourney!

[BigPoppa]

At 6-6 in the CCIW, Carthage has been very inconsistent. The schedule DOES favor them from this point as they only face one team that is above them in the standings (NCC). I see them going 6-3 the rest of the way... 1-2 vs NCC, 2-1 vs Elmhurst and sweeping Millikin. That would put them at 12-9 and give them a chance to get a CCIW bid.

As for Pool C chances, NCC is the only CCIW with a shot at one... but right now, the CCIW is looking like a one bid league.

[matblake]

As for Pool C chances, NCC is the only CCIW with a shot at one... but right now, the CCIW is looking like a one bid league.

Parity is a double edged sword.  It makes the conference race more exciting, but you are often limited to one playoff team.  That's the system though, and I think more teams having a shot is definitely better than 2 juggernauts and a bunch of also rans.

[matblake]

As for Pool C chances, NCC is the only CCIW with a shot at one... but right now, the CCIW is looking like a one bid league.

Parity is a double edged sword.  It makes the conference race more exciting, but you are often limited to one playoff team.  That's the system though, and I think more teams having a shot is definitely better than 2 juggernauts and a bunch of also rans.

Unless you are a juggernaut..........

[BigPoppa]

CCIW's only shot at two is for NCC to stay hot enough to grab a Pool C bid and then not win the Pool A bid.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sunday's win over NCC got me thinking how bright the future looks for the Titans.  I had already noticed that there are only two seniors on the roster.  Sunday's winning pitcher was Nick Brune, throwing a complete game and yielding just two runs (one earned) - he's a freshman.  John Bosco went 3 for 6 - he too is a freshman.  Tim Smyk went 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs - he's a sophomore.  I predict he will win the conference batting title if he can get past teammate Gino Cavalieri, who is also a sophomore.  I'm hoping for a title this year, and a playoff run, but I'm REALLY looking forward to the next couple of years!

[Mr. Ypsi]

NCC rose from 23 to 21 (hey, beating IWU 2 out of 3 IS impressive! ), but Augie lost their 5 points.  Tough crowd in that there poll.

I think BP is absolutely correct that the CCIW gets two bids ONLY if NCC stays 'C worthy' but loses in the tourney.

(I volunteer the Titans to win the tourney, just so we can get two bids! )

[Gregory Sager]

Congrats to NPU freshman shortstop Cullen Gilbertson upon being selected CCIW Hitter of the Week.

[AndOne]

CCIW's only shot at two is for NCC to stay hot enough to grab a Pool C bid and then not win the Pool A bid.

NCC stayed hot enough this afternoon to defeat #19'Concordia-Chicago 13-6.
The Cardinals record now stands at 20-5.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU beats Millikin in game one of a DH, 9-7.  The Titans jumped out to a 6-1 lead after two, but it got a little hairy late in the game.

I'm headed out to a movie and dinner with Mrs. Y and her sister, so any report on game two will not be until late evening.

[BigPoppa]

Carthage split today makes tomorrow a must-win for the Redmen. 

Never thought I say this, but just hoping the Redmen MAKE the CCIW tourney.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Second game would have been much easier on the nerves if I'd been around to follow it - IWU in a 9-0 laugher.  Millikin never mustered a threat of a comeback this time, getting only 5 hits.

I had assumed that the single game of the weekend would be tomorrow in B'town, but just discovered they already played that game yesterday - a 3-0 home loss against probably the worst team in the conference.   That's the problem of over-reliance on outscoring teams: pitching and fielding are much more reliable than hitting (they had only three hits).

Anyone know what happened to Tim Smyk?  Last weekend he was rapidly rising toward a conference batting crown; this weekend he never played - I assume injury, but anyone know the situation?

[Mr. Ypsi]

I wish the Titans would play more competitive games (if they wish to play in the post-season).  By and large they are either stomping teams or getting shut down.  In their 10 conference wins, they are averaging over eleven runs a game; in their five losses, they have gone over two runs only once.

Giving perhaps unwarranted accuracy to fielding statistics, they are not as bad as I thought - in second place, only .001 behind Augie.  In ERA, they are fourth, but by no means disgraceful.  But still - they seem to rely on STOMP ON THEM or nothing.

They will almost certainly win the team "Triple Crown" - they have comfortable leads in BA, HRs, and RBIs (as well as runs, hits, OB%, slugging%, etc.), but that don't mean squat if you can't win games!