BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[D-BAT]

Must be true, do not see the Rabung kid listed on their roster.

Also just learned above where Methodist lost two guys as it'll be interesting to see how they roll w/o Mahaffey and Fasano.  I am not sure if Methodist will be my favorite now or not?

Really, the USA-South, it'll be wide open with the top 4 spots after learning this about Methodist and SU.

Methodist, SU, NCW and CNU ... as I believe it could be a toss-up with the top-4 spots.  If you don't play consistent baseball, then don't expect to win in the USA-South, that is a given.

[Southern BB fan]

Looking at the roster the freshman will have to really step it up on the mound. The catcher spot will also be interesting, I understand they are trying to convert a player to that position. This site list stats for many of the north carolina players last year: http://ncpreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=959669

[LTBB1971]

I no longer like Methodist's chances without a proven catcher and without Mahaffey and Fasano.  They were going to be big for them this year.  Landon Jordan is very good but he'll need help.  Their roster is packed with Freshman pitchers, who will need to contribute right away.

With all these injuries, I like the top 4 spots to be:

1. Shenandoah
2. NC Wesleyan
3. CNU
4. Ferrum

[Falcon2720]

Looking at the Methodist roster RHP Kurt Kelly is back for his fifth year.  He was their ace in 2007 and started a regional game. Is a very solid pitcher. Trey Such is listed as a C, he can hit though.

With Rabung hurt for SU (according to Jim Dixon).  That puts alot of pressure of Van Sickler. 

Wesleyan will have to find a way to replace Ben Moore.  He was huge for them in the Conference Tourney last year.

CNU has to replace their lead-off hitter and 2 time POTY Trae Bailey.  Will be tough to do, but they return Brinkman and Lenda on the mound.

Should be another interesting year in the USA-South.

[narch]

mahaffey and fasano were inning eaters who finished the season combined 6-6 with a 4.66 era and neither pitched really well late...don't get me wrong, i'd rather have at least one of them than not, but i don't think the loss is a killer from a production standpoint...and falcon, thanks for reminding me about kelly - he has had some serious arm problems the last few years, but he's a bulldog if he's healthy...at worst he could be a great mid-week guy if he's on his game - if trey such can catch anything, the monarchs will be just fine at that position, as well...if he can't catch, yusckat played 23 games last year (some behind the plate, some in the of, some as a dh/ph/pr) as a frosh and is a bright kid (a pre-requisite for a good catcher, in my book) - still not willing to call the monarchs the favorite, but i think this could be a special season if the stars align right

[D-BAT]

Looking at the Methodist roster RHP Kurt Kelly is back for his fifth year.  He was their ace in 2007 and started a regional game. Is a very solid pitcher. Trey Such is listed as a C, he can hit though.

With Rabung hurt for SU (according to Jim Dixon).  That puts alot of pressure of Van Sickler.  

Wesleyan will have to find a way to replace Ben Moore.  He was huge for them in the Conference Tourney last year.

CNU has to replace their lead-off hitter and 2 time POTY Trae Bailey.  Will be tough to do, but they return Brinkman and Lenda on the mound.

Should be another interesting year in the USA-South.

Methodist will be in the hunt, heck their Coach has over 900 wins, 929 to be exact (929-384-9)... so one must think he knows what he is doing.

Looking at weather forecast, if your in VA, sorry does not look very promising for baseball this month.  Boys in NC, there will be baseball very soon.

SU with that roster size, they'll be fine.  Anyone would bet someone will emerge from that large number of players on their squad.

It'll be another dogfight in the USA-South, that is money in the bank!

[LTBB1971]

I recently looked at Accuweather and we have snow Saturday as well as 2 more days of snow next week.  Starting to think that the USAS/ODAC Tourney may be in jeopardy if snow doesn't slow down.  We have already had 2+ days of no school down in Norfolk, VA this week.  Hoping for better weather come next week.

Falcon, looking at your post about Ben Moore...you are dead on.  Need someone to step up and take those innings and be the bulldog he was past 4 years.  From what I see looking at NCWC roster, I'm thinking Diener and Knowles (both lefties) will be the weekend starters.  Diener has pitched huge games the last 2 years in the Conference tournament.  Mid week guys for me will be by committe with coach going with the hot hand.

[Southern BB fan]

For MU they  open this week at LaGrange weather looks good, mid fifties and sunny.

[D-BAT]

What's the backup plan for no ODAC/USA-South challenge series?

[gr8day4bsbll]

Hey, does anybody have details on the supposed injury to Shenandoah's Rabung?  Since he's not on their roster at all, sounds like it may have been season-ending and they're "red-shirting" him?  Although I'm an ODAC fan, Rabung and my son played together in HS so we've been following him in his (so-far brief) college career...

[fanofusasouth]

Hey guys  im new to the board and love to talk baseball.  I actually played 4 years in the USA SOUTH. I Look foward to talking baseball with you guys throughout the year. ALSO IM NOT going to say what team or what years i played,  because i dont want people to stereotype me for who and whom i played with.  Just looking at some of your post i must say that my pick to win the USA SOUTH is METH with out a doubt with Shan a close 2nd. As someone posted on the board earlier,  the two pitchers that left METH were only 6-6 ALL TOGETHER. There were pitchers that were in the USA SOUTH last year that had more wins by thereselves and that just shows that they really arent losing that much so, To me METH is fine. Dont forget  SHAN got hot at the right time last year and they found a 2nd starter in Simmons late. DONT FORGET they finished 4th       4th in the USA SOUTH LAST YEAR.  Meth and NCWC were the two best teams last year because they played at or near the top of there games all year. In fact if im not mistaken METH AND NCWC were taking it down to the wire for the REg SEASON CHAMP the last weekend. If i had to pick my 7 team race this is what it would look like.

1. METH   They return to much to not pick them. The regionals are at their house, which should give them some more edge to want to play better.  Also they return good arms in the pen along with transfer pitchers, that could at the least be good weekday starters. And from my understanding they new arms are better then the freshy pitchers last year...just shows Meth is even better than last year.  Returns Rookie of the year.  a Pre season all american and he will be POTY this year.... and LETS NOT FORGET   the best coach in the USA SOUTH WITH OUT A DOUBT!!!

2. SHAN   OK they finished 4th in the usa south last year... but they went to the world serious and they showed that the so called week schedule doesnt mean crap....  they have the best motivator in the entire conf  in coach anderson  and they also have this kid they call van sickler   and also if you didnt know they can SMASH A BASEBALL...... Need to find some arms to step up but  dont be surprised if they past METH

3. CNU ........ CNU is the biggest school in the conf...  state funded and they hands down have the best campus in the conf. Which equals RECRUITS...  CNU from eXperience has always had good pitching... there ace this year to me will be pitcher of the year... and im sure with the campus and being a big state funded school.. they will put up a good team as they always have

4. NCWC     a team that always is in the middle of the pack... i had a hard time putting them 4th  but i think they get the edge over Gboro because of what they wear on there chest and that is NCWC.  everyone in the conf wants to beat them (turst me i speak from experience) just like their rival meth down the road.   I understand they return two arms that could help them out... but i believe one of them had surgery. LTHS   i agree with your comment about BEN MOORE   he was a bulldog  but a hated one at that.. speaking from  my experience playing against him  he was one of the most hated people in the conf.. i still cant see how he got POTY and friends of his on my team say that him and coach long were not the best of friends along with some of the players.. might have to do something with that attitude of his.... Also  THE LOST  of zolly woodleif , willaford and dustin batts is HUGE...  watching and playing against them you would know why...  TO ME ncwc has been slipping every year since my soph year in school when they went to the world serious... not to sure what they return but dont be surprised if they finish below 4th....

5. MY DARK HORSE THIS YEAR....  They have a new coach with a  new style....Aiker is a very personal coach with his players and i think his new style with a mix of the old can jump start this program..... he has a great town to bring kids to play baseball and recruit so look for Gboro to be in the mix every year in the next couple of years....   Dont forget they bring back alot of experience  and even though the kids fingers and mouth is to big for his body  they do have manfro back and if he can keep his head out of his butt and just pitch i see him up for pitcher of the year also.... just hes team has to put up some kind of offence... i want to pick them 4th  but i didnt feel like having NCWC prove me wrong again....

6.   FERRUM..... ferrum returns two good pitchers that if on there game can beat anyone...  the freshy 2nd baseman should have gotten fresh of the year last year... i believe that they could shake up some upsets this year and stir the conf some problems but... still think you see them at the bottom....

7. AVERETT..... lets face it averett is averett... with out there 50 years old ahmad shelton and 40 year old ben hildreth  they really arent that great.... Funny and crazy coach to go along with them that loves to win and hates to lose.... but ever since the rookie of the year and pitcher of the year  stage they had two years ago... they have just been a team to beat up on..... Yes they did travel down to NCWC and beat them twice at their place   but.... i dont expect them to do any damage....  also to add that could cause a little talk.... lyle may be on the mound this year and  word has it ahmad is coming back.....  sooo well see



LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS  THINK....

[D-BAT]

Hey guys  im new to the board and love to talk baseball.  I actually played 4 years in the USA SOUTH. I Look foward to talking baseball with you guys throughout the year. ALSO IM NOT going to say what team or what years i played,  because i dont want people to stereotype me for who and whom i played with.  Just looking at some of your post i must say that my pick to win the USA SOUTH is METH with out a doubt with Shan a close 2nd. As someone posted on the board earlier,  the two pitchers that left METH were only 6-6 ALL TOGETHER. There were pitchers that were in the USA SOUTH last year that had more wins by thereselves and that just shows that they really arent losing that much so, To me METH is fine. Dont forget  SHAN got hot at the right time last year and they found a 2nd starter in Simmons late. DONT FORGET they finished 4th       4th in the USA SOUTH LAST YEAR.  Meth and NCWC were the two best teams last year because they played at or near the top of there games all year. In fact if im not mistaken METH AND NCWC were taking it down to the wire for the REg SEASON CHAMP the last weekend. If i had to pick my 7 team race this is what it would look like.

1. METH   They return to much to not pick them. The regionals are at their house, which should give them some more edge to want to play better.  Also they return good arms in the pen along with transfer pitchers, that could at the least be good weekday starters. And from my understanding they new arms are better then the freshy pitchers last year...just shows Meth is even better than last year.  Returns Rookie of the year.  a Pre season all american and he will be POTY this year.... and LETS NOT FORGET   the best coach in the USA SOUTH WITH OUT A DOUBT!!!

2. SHAN   OK they finished 4th in the usa south last year... but they went to the world serious and they showed that the so called week schedule doesnt mean crap....  they have the best motivator in the entire conf  in coach anderson  and they also have this kid they call van sickler   and also if you didnt know they can SMASH A BASEBALL...... Need to find some arms to step up but  dont be surprised if they past METH

3. CNU ........ CNU is the biggest school in the conf...  state funded and they hands down have the best campus in the conf. Which equals RECRUITS...  CNU from eXperience has always had good pitching... there ace this year to me will be pitcher of the year... and im sure with the campus and being a big state funded school.. they will put up a good team as they always have

4. NCWC     a team that always is in the middle of the pack... i had a hard time putting them 4th  but i think they get the edge over Gboro because of what they wear on there chest and that is NCWC.  everyone in the conf wants to beat them (turst me i speak from experience) just like their rival meth down the road.   I understand they return two arms that could help them out... but i believe one of them had surgery. LTHS   i agree with your comment about BEN MOORE   he was a bulldog  but a hated one at that.. speaking from  my experience playing against him  he was one of the most hated people in the conf.. i still cant see how he got POTY and friends of his on my team say that him and coach long were not the best of friends along with some of the players.. might have to do something with that attitude of his.... Also  THE LOST  of zolly woodleif , willaford and dustin batts is HUGE...  watching and playing against them you would know why...  TO ME ncwc has been slipping every year since my soph year in school when they went to the world serious... not to sure what they return but dont be surprised if they finish below 4th....

5. MY DARK HORSE THIS YEAR....  They have a new coach with a  new style....Aiker is a very personal coach with his players and i think his new style with a mix of the old can jump start this program..... he has a great town to bring kids to play baseball and recruit so look for Gboro to be in the mix every year in the next couple of years....   Dont forget they bring back alot of experience  and even though the kids fingers and mouth is to big for his body  they do have manfro back and if he can keep his head out of his butt and just pitch i see him up for pitcher of the year also.... just hes team has to put up some kind of offence... i want to pick them 4th  but i didnt feel like having NCWC prove me wrong again....

6.   FERRUM..... ferrum returns two good pitchers that if on there game can beat anyone...  the freshy 2nd baseman should have gotten fresh of the year last year... i believe that they could shake up some upsets this year and stir the conf some problems but... still think you see them at the bottom....

7. AVERETT..... lets face it averett is averett... with out there 50 years old ahmad shelton and 40 year old ben hildreth  they really arent that great.... Funny and crazy coach to go along with them that loves to win and hates to lose.... but ever since the rookie of the year and pitcher of the year  stage they had two years ago... they have just been a team to beat up on..... Yes they did travel down to NCWC and beat them twice at their place   but.... i dont expect them to do any damage....  also to add that could cause a little talk.... lyle may be on the mound this year and  word has it ahmad is coming back.....  sooo well see



LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS  THINK....

Good gracious, HOW can anyone respond to that!  Nothing but Kudos to you!   

[LTBB1971]

fanofusasouth,
welcome to the board.  I always like to hear someone else's point of view, specially if they have had experience playing in the USA SOUTH. 

I disagree with your picks being a NCWC fan but that's why they play the game on the field on not on boards like this.

I see some USAS teams are starting their season this weekend (weather permitting) so we'll see what they put on the field.  Just hoping this season is as good as last season.

[vabaseball]

fanofusasouth: Thanks for the refreshingly honest assessment.

50 year old Ahmed Shelton -- is he literally out of retirement then?

[Falcon2720]

I won't be surprised if there are a ton of conference splits again. Just the way it goes with a 2-game series.  Every team on paper can beat each other.

Like I have said in earlier posts, the conference setup (good or bad) places significant importance on mid-week "south region" games.  These games are just as important as the conference game even if they don't "feel" that way.

Like always should be a fun and competitive baseball season. Lets hope the weather forecasts drastically change.    

Would love to see 3 USA-South teams in the regional again.