BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[PNeal7]

CNU lost their first game of the year yesterday, falling 11-8 to Randolph Macon. The Captains take on Maryville in Newport News this weekend.

[PNeal7]

CNU defeats Maryville in the 1st game of the double header, 15-3. Austin Chrismon has another strong outing on the mound, going 6 innings, striking out 12 and only allowing 2 ER's. Chris McDougal hits his first home run of the year.

[PNeal7]

CNU sweeps Maryville. As expected, CNU's pitching has been amazing thus far. In game 1 today, FR Brandon Taylor went 7 IP, 0 ER's, and 6 K's. In game 2, Bryan Bierlein goes 8 IP, 0 ER's, and 11 K's. Billy Steel goes 5 for 9 on the day, including his 1st HR of the year, while Chris McDougal went 4 for 9.

[Boysofsummer21]

Ok so after a few weeks so far this season trying to determine if we can really tell anything yet. It seems that several teams are really trying to get their feet under them and struggling a little bit during the start of the season. I really don't think Peidmont's record reflects their team but need to see them play more conference games. The conference schedule really seems to have teams beating on each other and making each weekend a tough chore. I think we are seeing a lot of teams having to go with a very young number 3 in a pressure situation and really not knowing what they are going to get. I was surprise to see CNU sweep Ferrum and then to have NCWC take 2 from Methodist. But hey it is early and I think teams will get stronger as the season continues. At the beginning of the season I did not know what to expect from CNU other than good pitching but they have gotten some runs and doing a good job so far, but with a young team and stating to travel know will all that change? I think CNU's biggest problem is their 4 and 5 pitching if they get that straight they could do some big things. So looking forward to seeing what Greensboro can do against CNU as they always play them tough, the LaGrange and NCWC series should be fun to watch as well as the Ferrum vs Methodist series. Hopefully the weather gets better and can enjoy some of this baseball.

[LTBB1971]

Boy was I wrong this weekend!!!  The Bishops surprised me by taking 2 of 3 from the Monarchs at their house.  I can't even count how many fielding errors Methodist made they seem to come every other inning.  I don't ever remember a Coach Austin team play this bad defensively.  Kudos to NCWC who had stellar starting pitching and timely hitting.

I think if pitching continues to show up, a starting rotation of JR Beasley, SR Swartout and SO Brooks will be extremely hard to beat.  Like to see one of the younger guys step up and be a leader in the bullpen as they will need a closer.

[rolln2]

CNU lost their first game of the year yesterday, falling 11-8 to Randolph Macon. The Captains take on Maryville in Newport News this weekend.

Looks like CNU got the ship sailing back in the right direction this weekend. Pitching and hitting were both very strong. I will say that I agree w/ BOS21. If they get the mid-week pitching going like last years. They will be very hard to beat. They do begin their first road swings this week. This like BOS21 said should show us if they are for real. So any predictions for this weekends USAS series? Also LTHSdad I was also a bit surprised w/ NCW taking two from MU.

[PNeal7]

CNU lost their first game of the year yesterday, falling 11-8 to Randolph Macon. The Captains take on Maryville in Newport News this weekend.

Looks like CNU got the ship sailing back in the right direction this weekend. Pitching and hitting were both very strong. I will say that I agree w/ BOS21. If they get the mid-week pitching going like last years. They will be very hard to beat. They do begin their first road swings this week. This like BOS21 said should show us if they are for real. So any predictions for this weekends USAS series? Also LTHSdad I was also a bit surprised w/ NCW taking two from MU.

I think CNU will get their mid week guys turned around. Santalucia was undefeated coming into this year in his career (8-0), and that includes winning key games in the conference tournament and regional tournament. I know it's only 2 conference weekends in, but Chrisman, Taylor, and Bierlein look awfully tough to beat. Look at their combined numbers below. Of note, Taylor's start during the 1st conference weekend was his 1st collegiate start ever. Add those starters, with by far the best bullpen in the conference (Fleischman, Verdillo, Lindsey) and you've got a tough team to beat if their young offense can continue to produce.

Chrisman (2-0, 1.38 ERA, 13 IP, 20 K's, 2 ER's)
Taylor (1-0, 4.09 ERA, 11 IP, 11 K's, 5 ER's)
Bierlein (2-0, 0.60 ERA, 15 IP, 21 K's, 1 ER)

[Boysofsummer21]

PNeal – agree that the weekend pitching is getting it done in a big way and with Taylor getting comfortable this weekend (think he threw 7 shutout innings) that will make it even better for them. I think that CNU will get their weekday starts straight as they really have only had one start and the weather really has not been great so not too worried about starters, but know that you cannot keep working your bullpen that hard during the week. Also of note I was at the CNU vs Ferrum games and will say that the biggest hole for Ferrum right now is their bullpen so really agree with you on the best pen in conference statement.

This weekend series predictions are;

CNU – Greensboro = CNU 2-1 first road test
Methodist – Ferrum = Ferrum 2-1 (maybe a sweep here by Ferrum as they need to get on track)
Maryville – Piedmont = Piedmont 3-0
LaGrange – NCWC = LaGrange 2-1 ( Sorry LTHS not a believer in the pitching just yet)

[narch]

...eh...tough weekend for my boys...gotta stop booting the ball around (9 errors in 3 games), and now they get to go to ferrum...they've gotta find a way to grind out a couple of wins on the road

[USASfan]

NCW played great against rival MU. MU made some errors early and NCW took advantage. NCW combined 26 hits Mu combined 23. Pitching by NCW was outstanding. I believe if there pitchers stay consistant they will be tough to beat. Bullpen is great with FR. Dillion Moore and FR Norzagaray. Hitting wise OF James Johnson is on a 9 game hitting streak batting .424. FR James Lovett was 4 for 4 with 4RBI's. Not to say he is a dominate threat but it seems that anybody in the Line-up can break through for a good day. NCW has most potential i think. Why is SS Jake Alexander hitting 5th? seems like you might want that bat in the top of the line-up like last year. Overall good weekend for my Boys at NCW. they earned those wins. Methodist did not give them those wins regardless of errors. MU couldnt hit Wesleyan Pitching this weekend. Bottom Line

[narch]

MU couldnt hit Wesleyan Pitching this weekend. Bottom Line

i'm not going to argue the rest of your analysis, because i agree...the monarchs got beat (although with 9 mu errors and 16 walks issued by mu pitching in three games, i think you'd have to agree that mu gave the bishops a good number of opportunities to beat them)

NCW played great against rival MU. MU made some errors early and NCW took advantage. NCW combined 26 hits Mu combined 23.

for the weekend ncw hit .245 and mu hit .232...i think both pitching staffs did a good job keeping the bat off the ball...the difference is that the bishops hit in key spots (mu didn't) AND the bishop pitching didn't issue free passes (7 walks issued by ncwc pitchers) and their defense didn't boot the ball around when the monarchs did make contact (4 errors in 3 games)...these were significant factors that contributed to the bishops out-scoring mu 16-7, despite only having 3 more hits on the weekend - i never meant to imply that those wins were games that mu "gave" ncwc, because playing defense, hitting in the clutch and not walking guys is part of playing baseball...those are all things the monarchs will have to button up if they want to be competitive going forward

[rolln2]

CNU had their first road contest of the year. The offense played well, but once again their weekday starter could not get the job done. A 7-7 tie to a 2-5 Hampden-Sydney team should be considered a loss. They really need to pick it up in this area if they want to be a regional contender.

[PNeal7]

CNU had their first road contest of the year. The offense played well, but once again their weekday starter could not get the job done. A 7-7 tie to a 2-5 Hampden-Sydney team should be considered a loss. They really need to pick it up in this area if they want to be a regional contender.

Agreed rolln2. CNU's weekday starters continue to struggle, and it's a good thing their offense and bullpen have come through for them. Despite his number of walks, Emerson is emerging as a strong arm out of the bullpen for CNU. I bet SU wishes they could have kept him. 

Even in my 4 years of playing, I feel like H-SC never starts their games at the right time. Before daylight savings come, why would you start a game at 3pm? That's almost asking for draw/tie at some point. 2pm is a much better start time before the time changes, as it allows for the chance to play a little free baseball before it gets dark.

[Boysofsummer21]

I am in agreement with CNU's current weekday starters the season is not going to be a good one for CNU. They need to do something quick. Emerson has done a great job for them and if he can work on his walks really be good. With Emerson being their go to guy they should start either Verdillo or FLeishman during the week. This would enable them to see if they can do the job and still have Emerson there to call on. It seems to me, and only really seeing from the sats that Fleishman makes the most sense because he is only used in save situation. Just a thought.

[PNeal7]

CNU down 2-1 heading into the 9th. Austin Chrismon has gone 8 IP, only allowing 4 hits and striking out 18 (yes, 18). The 2 Greensboro runs came unearned after a 2 out error by CNU SS Billy Steel allowed the bottom of the 1st to continue, with Michael Parker capitalizing with a single to score 2.