BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[PNeal7]

CNU tops Methodist 4-2 in Game 1. Of note, Ryan Fleischman for CNU ties the USAS record for career saves, with his 22nd save of his career. Austin Chrismon improves to 3-1, going 7 IP, allowing 7 hits, 2 ER's, and striking out 7.

Currently game 2 is in the bottom of the 6th, with CNU up 3-2. Another strong start for LHP Brandon Taylor, who so far has 6 IP, 2 ER's, and 7 K's.

[PNeal7]

CNU completes the sweep of MU with a 10-2 victory this afternoon. Bryan Bierlein goes 8 IP, allowing 2 ER's and striking out 8, while walking none. I hate to keep 'singing the same song,' but the numbers of CNU's weekend starters (listed below) is unbelievable. When you add in the bullpen with Fleischman, Verdillo, Lindsey, and Emerson (the highest ERA of the 4 is Verdillo at 1.86) they have had spectatular pitching in conference. Team in-conference ERA is currently at 1.70.

Chrismon: 3-1, 1.29 ERA, 28 IP, 23 Hits, 4 ER's, 45 K's, 4 BB's, .213 BAA
Taylor: 3-0, 2.52 ERA, 25 IP, 19 Hits, 7 ERs, 28 K's, 8 BB's, .216 BAA
Bierlein: 4-0, 1.80 ERA, 30 IP, 19 Hits, 6 ER's, 35 K's, 4 BB's, .171 BAA

On another note, it looks like Averett kept pace with a sweep of Ferrum this weekend. Averett's team ERA moves to 1.94 on the year (in-conference and out of conference).

[narch]

tough weekend....

[LTBB1971]

Wheeling,
from what I have heard Clark has Mono and will redshirt.

[WHEELIN WES]

LTHS,  how is your son doing now?

[LTBB1971]

Wheelin,
He's doing good.  Put up the cleats and gloves, although I thought it was too soon...he didn't even tap into his potential at NCWC due to lack of coaching.  Currently using his degree in Exercise Science to work in physical therapy. 

On the other hand, his teammate, RF Pat Laffin is now going to Sweden to play in the Elite league, so I keep in touch with his dad.  Good to see it worked out for him.

[narch]

rmc defeated mu 5-2 on tuesday...it was the first time in the history of mu baseball that they've lost to rmc - i'm sure goldglove (long-time readers/posters will remember that handle) thought about coming out of retirement to post after that historic win

mu has now lost to hsc for the second time in history and rmc for the first time in history...unless things get turned around quickly for the monarchs, this could become a historically bad season

i'm hoping that they can get things turned around against a bunch of former monarchs vs piedmont this weekend

[PNeal7]

CNU loses game 1 to LaGrange, falling 3-1. Austin Chrismon goes the distance, allowing 3 ER's and striking out 8, but the offense couldn't get anything going as they only had 5 hits.

LaGrange has a live video stream, which is very nice to watch; however, it would be even better if they had an announcer. I turned the game on late and spent most of the game trying to figure out the score.

[PNeal7]

CNU rebounds to take game two over LaGrange, winning 10-4. FR LHP Taylor improves to 4-0, going 6 IP, striking out 8 while allowing 1 ER. CNU's 2-5 hitters combine to go 10 for 18 with 6 RBI's. Justin Weaver improves his league leading RBI total to 22, while Preston Grissom steals his 13 base of the season (13/14 on the year).

In other action, it looks like NCWC has won two big games so far this weekend, taking two from Averitt so far.

Any early season favorites for Player and Pitcher of the Year? After today we wil be 15 games into the conference season. I would assume Pitcher of the Year would be a 'CNU' battle as Chrismon, Bierlein, and Taylor could all have solid arguments. It also looks like Swartout (NCWC), Kirks (AU), and Scherer (LaGrange) have all thrown it extremely well as well. For player of the year, I would think the following all are in the mix: Justin Weaver (CNU), Logan Pethel (Piedmont), and Nick Dean (Maryville). If Ferrum wasn't 3-11 in conference, I would throw Wes Walker into the mix as well. Most of my thoughts are strictly based on overall and in-conference stats, and as unfortunately I don't get much of a chance to see if any of these guys pass 'the eye test.' Anyone who has seen a lot of these teams play want to weigh in?

[LTBB1971]

Pneal,
Swartout is a BEAST!  I had him gunned at 91 MPH in one of his innings last year during our Myrtle Beach trip on Spring break.  He usually sits 87-88 though.  He has actually pitched much better this year but Bishops are having issues scoring with an inconsistent offense.  Another one that looks like had a chance was NCWC's Hatteras Brooks.  He was the USAS POW a few weeks back when he threw a complete game vs Methodist.  After that game, he's had nothing left in the tank which I think is tied up to pitching 9 innings 2 weeks into the season (poor judgement).  I seen that happen to one of our pitchers a few years back when kid threw 144 pitches vs CNU and was much less effective thereafter.

My prediction for the Bishops was 12 wins this year, and I do not want to speak too soon but at 9-14 I think they may break that.

[USASfan]

Would you throw NCW SS Jake Alexander in the Mix for POY. If Swartout keeps throwing like he has I see him winning Pitcher Of The year. As for POY. Many possibilities right now. Anyone care to weigh in?

[PNeal7]

Would you throw NCW SS Jake Alexander in the Mix for POY. If Swartout keeps throwing like he has I see him winning Pitcher Of The year. As for POY. Many possibilities right now. Anyone care to weigh in?

Swartout may be a beast, but I wouldn't see him getting it over one of the CNU aces, particularly Chrismon, if both teams maintain a similar record as they do now. In about the same number of innings pitcher, Chrismon and Swartout both are 3-2 (which clearly shows neither of their offenses have helped them, because both ERA's are microscopic), but Chrismon has a slightly lower BAA and 28 more strikeouts (53 K's in 36 IP's vs 25 K's in 35 IP). Quite frankly, I think Bryan Bielein from CNU may be ahead of both of them. His BAA is .169 (Chrismon and Swartout are both around .225), he has a better record (4-1), and he has K'd 42 in 37 IP. I would guess the 4 frontrunners are Chrismon, Bierlien, Swartout, and Scherer. Below are their overall numbers: (I'll also add FR LHP Taylor from CNU, as he is putting up numbers that are 'worthy of consideration').

Chrismon (CNU):       3-2, 1.75 ERA, 36 IP, 6 BB's, 53 K's, .225 BAA
Bierlien (CNU):          4-1, 1.95 ERA, 37 IP, 6 BB's, 42 K's, .169 BAA
Swartout (NCWC):     3-2, 1.53 ERA, 35.1 IP, 9 BB's, 25 K's, .230 BAA
Scherer (LaGrange):  4-1, 1.50 ERA, 36 IP, 5 BB's, 38 K's, .266 BAA
Taylor (CNU):            4-0, 2.32 ERA, 31 IP, 11 BB's, 36 K's, .232 BAA

Kirks (Averett) has also put up very good numbers, but unfortunately his offense hasn't helped him either, as he is only 1-1.

[USASfan]

Scherer is definitely a good candidate. He is tough to beat. And I can see Chrissmon or Bierlien winning it as CNU is nationally ranked and they do have much better record that others in the Conference. Pitchers may have good starts but if there offense can't win ball games then they are not recording wins. What about Player of the year. Any thought? And Any word on Shendenah after making switch to ODAC

[LTBB1971]

Only CNU game I've seen this year was the CNU-VWC 10 inning game but I wasn't impressed by any of their pitchers that game (SO A. Emerson started).  I think Chrismon or Bierlein will get it as CNU is nationally ranked and they both have pitched excellent.

For POY, my candidates would be N. Dean (Maryville), J. Weaver (CNU), or J. Bailey (Piedmont).

[PNeal7]

I agree with you both, as I see a CNU pitcher getting it due to their record and ranking (besides for the fact Chrismon or Bierlien are both very deserving).

As far as Player of the Year, I also agree with you. I would say it's between Weaver (CNU), Dean (Maryville), Pethel (Piedmont), Bailey (Piedmont), and maybe Walker (Ferrum); although I see Ferrum's record hurting Walker's chances. If CNU and Piedmont continue to stay at the top of the pack, I would guess it comes down to Weaver, Pethel, or Bailey.

I will say, though, it is weird looking at these numbers and see how pitching dominates the game now. I remember the days when Brett Thomas (Ferrum) and Jess Maloney (Greensboro) would absolutely destroy baseball, and hit 10+ HR's a year. I remember seeing first hand both of them hit a ball about 400 + off of Kenny Moreland (sorry KMO if you read this still). I do know the bat change has a lot to do with it, but I have a hard time believing Thomas/Maloney wouldn't still destroy balls with the new bats.