BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[Spence]

Christopher Newport stays alive as well with a run in the 9th to win 5-4 over Greensboro.

Ferrum smashed Averett, 10-2. Averett continues to search for a #2 pitcher.

5 one-run games out of 7 contests so far! NCWC and CNU have each had two and both are 1-1 in them. Now they play each other!

[NCWC]

 think the final score to the ncwc/shen. game was 3-2, two real close ball games today, this next one will probably be real good as well

[narch]

To piggyback on my own post, and perhaps support yours...

Marietta has stats archived on its site since 1997. In that team MC is 57-31 in one-run games, including this year. Brewer is 17-11 (8-6 last year alone!), Schaly was 37-20 (16-4 in 2001 and 2002).

Every year but 03 we've been above .500 in one-run games.

I'd be interested to see similar data from other teams. I could see talent gap being a part of the reason for MC's record (especially Schaly's, since we were playing ahem, a different type schedule, even though in 2001 we were 4-1 in the regionals and in Appleton in one-run games).

great minds think alike - i went back to '04 for the monarchs, and they're 32-16 (.667) in one-run games vs. 110-57 (.659) overall...not a huge differential, but clearly the monarchs are at least as comfortable in close games as they are in games that aren't close...i'll try to go back further tonight

[Spence]

think the final score to the ncwc/shen. game was 3-2, two real close ball games today, this next one will probably be real good as well

Or perhaps not...8-0 Wesleyan in the 3rd. CNU doesn't appear to have any pitching left without Baumann.

[Spence]

To piggyback on my own post, and perhaps support yours...

Marietta has stats archived on its site since 1997. In that team MC is 57-31 in one-run games, including this year. Brewer is 17-11 (8-6 last year alone!), Schaly was 37-20 (16-4 in 2001 and 2002).

Every year but 03 we've been above .500 in one-run games.

I'd be interested to see similar data from other teams. I could see talent gap being a part of the reason for MC's record (especially Schaly's, since we were playing ahem, a different type schedule, even though in 2001 we were 4-1 in the regionals and in Appleton in one-run games).

great minds think alike - i went back to '04 for the monarchs, and they're 32-16 (.667) in one-run games vs. 110-57 (.659) overall...not a huge differential, but clearly the monarchs are at least as comfortable in close games as they are in games that aren't close...i'll try to go back further tonight

9-7 in 2002 and 2003. Anything further back than that, you're on your own because they're not on their site.

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I rest my case about WHY?!?! Burlington.  I believe the highlight of the area has to be the Hooter's no wonder they want the conference tournament there haha. (Ok thats a joke.)  The truth is Hooter's isn't the only attraction in Burlington they do have a K&W Cafeteria, Burlington Coat Factory, and the JR Outlets.  (Ok I had to joke around, not a great day for pride athletics.)

[narch]

i was kind of surprised to see ncwc let lucas go a full 9, especially with a 10-1 lead after 3 innings - i think i might have went 3 with lucas, and then given the ball to 3 other end of the rotation guys for 2 innings each so that you can pitch lucas for a couple of innings later in the weekend, if necessary...but i guess that's why i'm just a fan, not a coach

psbbg - when will you get it in your head...the usasac did not pick burlington because it's a great fan-friendly place with lots going on...they figure that usasac fans have PLENTY of entertainment with multiple sporting events happening throughout the day/weekend, so all they need is a location with solid facilities (check), ample hotel space (check), enough eateries to keep everyone happy (check...there is much more in the burlington area than just a hooters and k&w...in fact, there's a great little tex-mex place just across from the elon campus) and that fits within the budget (i imagine that's a check, as well)

[narch]

Saturday's Games
MU vs. FC, 9:00 am
AU vs. NCW, 12:30 pm   
MU/FC winner vs. AU/NCW winner, 4:00 pm 
Sunday's Games
TBD

is this correct?  for some reason, i thought the LOSER of the mu/fc game should play the WINNER of the au/ncwc game and the winner of the mu/fc game would advance to sunday...

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I was joking then and I am joking now. I think it is a fine idea. (I only thought the stadiums would have been much closer.)  It is great based on what you said othe sport teams are supporting other sports teams.  I didn't understand though that coaches let their players not entire teams head over to the games.  I saw a couple of MU baseball players at a MU softball game.  I guess they saved money on not taking a team bus up or the hotel was within walking distance of the softball field.

[Falcon2720]

Narch,

I believe the website is wrong.  The complete bracket with the tournament seedings is the official one.  The MU/FC winner goes to the championship game while the loser goes the the losers backet final game to play AU or NCWC.

At least this makes the most sense.

[NCWC]

quote author=narch link=topic=4569.msg707440#msg707440 date=1176510515]
i was kind of surprised to see ncwc let lucas go a full 9, especially with a 10-1 lead after 3 innings - i think i might have went 3 with lucas, and then given the ball to 3 other end of the rotation guys for 2 innings each so that you can pitch lucas for a couple of innings later in the weekend, if necessary...but i guess that's why i'm just a fan, not a coach

psbbg - when will you get it in your head...the usasac did not pick burlington because it's a great fan-friendly place with lots going on...they figure that usasac fans have PLENTY of entertainment with multiple sporting events happening throughout the day/weekend, so all they need is a location with solid facilities (check), ample hotel space (check), enough eateries to keep everyone happy (check...there is much more in the burlington area than just a hooters and k&w...in fact, there's a great little tex-mex place just across from the elon campus) and that fits within the budget (i imagine that's a check, as well)
[/quote]



I was suprised as well...john usually throws about 5 and he is out...i guess he is feeling stronger...alot of the guys in the pen can start as well...i think thats what coach was thinking...b. moore can go the distance-he hasnt proved himself this year though, robertson can go the distance ex. last years championship game-depends on how his elbow feels, bridgers can start, roenker has started, campbell/s.moore/batts/shearon are the true relief. You can bet rice will be ready also

[Spence]

i was kind of surprised to see ncwc let lucas go a full 9, especially with a 10-1 lead after 3 innings - i think i might have went 3 with lucas, and then given the ball to 3 other end of the rotation guys for 2 innings each so that you can pitch lucas for a couple of innings later in the weekend, if necessary...but i guess that's why i'm just a fan, not a coach

I thought this as well. It's hard to pull him after 3 because you just don't know what's going to happen with that much ballgame left. But when it was 13-1 going to bottom 6 I thought they would go with someone else.

I guess there are two schools of thought on it...you save the innings on the other guys when you have two long days to go (4 games) if he goes 9. Or you keep him available for Sunday at the cost of having a few guys throw a few pitches Friday.

Wesleyan has 7 players who haven't throw that have at least 10 innings this season (that includes Robertson). However too many of them have exactly pitched consistently well in those innings. I probably would have pulled him after 5 with him throwing around 60 pitches, and gone with either my last guy for 4 innings, or 4 guys for 1 inning each.

Any guesses on who goes tomorrow? Heck, for both teams.

The prospects for baseball on Sunday do not look good, which would have been another reason to not let Lucas go.

[narch]

I was suprised as well...john usually throws about 5 and he is out...i guess he is feeling stronger...alot of the guys in the pen can start as well...i think thats what coach was thinking...b. moore can go the distance-he hasnt proved himself this year though, robertson can go the distance ex. last years championship game-depends on how his elbow feels, bridgers can start, roenker has started, campbell/s.moore/batts/shearon are the true relief.

that pitching depth (b. moore and robertson, especially) is why i picked ncwc to win the tournament in the poll above...if there is any team that can survive a day one loss and win the tournament, i think it's the bishops...but still, seems like lucas was VERY effective this season and you'd want to have him available on sunday if you can...let him go 3, and then throw b. moore and robertson for 3 today, and ALL three of them are available, if needed on sunday

You can bet rice will be ready also

not sure how many pitches he threw today, but he did go 9...that seems to be asking a lot of a kid to turn around and pitch much with just one day rest...

i hope toth is the bulldog he's been all year on saturday...he went 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, 0 er and getting 9 k's vs. ferrum in the first meeting this season...more of the same would be nice

[Spence]

Estimated pitch count for Rice: 124.

Quite a few, but I wouldn't rule out Sunday at least for a relief appearance.

The problem with going 3-3-3 is yes all those guys are available for Sunday, but you've got two to win tomorrow. Someone could throw 50 pitches in 3 innings and then they're weaker tomorrow. Plus I think after 3 is just too early.

[NCWC]

Averett vs NCWC

I think it will be Jacob Waller on the hill for Averett and Ben Moore for NCWC.  It looks like AC tried to get fancy yesterday and slip and no 3 or no 4 in there and took an L.  They still have their number two (stats wise), Waller, who got roughed up by ferrum the last week on reg. season.  They also have Crowl, sidearmer, I think.

Ben Moore has struggled this year, he didnt play much of the fall b/c of knee surgery in the summer.  Robertson is still a big ? right now due to the fact we have been playing phone tag for the last week and i cant get a read on how he is doing.  I wouldnt be suprised to see batts come from behind the plate and start down the road.