BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

usasouthisnumber1 · March 22, 2010, 01:25:03 PM

After reading the box score for the AU vs. CNU game it seemed as if Averett could have easily swept CNU, just like Ferrum could have, but costly errors hurt them in the end. Averett had a a total of 5 errors to CNU's 1 and 8 hits to CNU's 9. CNU and Averett both had 3 errors in the second game which hurt both teams respectively. So I am not sure if CNU needs to be worried about sweeping the Ferrum's or Averett's of the league or just be happy that they managed a split with both. Ferrum and Averett have both shown they can contend with any team in the conference and I still feel that the conference is up for grabs. Like everyone has stated in the pervious posts it is going to come down to the pitching depth, which seems to be a problem for most teams.

cnuball25 · March 22, 2010, 02:36:18 PM

Ooooorrrrrrr maybe they should be worried about sweeping those teams. I've never known a good team that is ever "happy" with a split...you always play for the sweep, no matter the opponent. Whenever the conference schedule is released we used to immediately find the weekends we played Averett & Ferrum and know that those are two teams we should sweep simply because our talent was superior. I understand talent alone doesn't win ballgames, but it sure as hell doesn't hurt. There are teams we knew would push us, and ones we knew we could dominate as well...the said schools fell under the later. That was the mindset of Christopher Newport athletics period, and I'm sure it still resides within the individuals that currently play there. That's one reason we've won the Presidents Cup for over a decade straight, and also probably the reason a lot of schools don't like us...

We can also take the number crunching a little further and look at a rather obvious statistic, runners left on base. During game 1 CNU left 11 runners on while Averett left 8, and during game 2 CNU left 13 runners on while Averett left 8 again. It sounds like CNU had runners on base all weekend but just couldn't find the big hit, which will undoubtedly come when the offense starts to click (I consider the fact that it isn't yet a good thing). Maybe Averett should be counting their many blessings the offense isn't clicking yet. But if "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts...

The beautiful (and annoying) thing about statistics is you can spin them any way you want to support whatever argument you want. The bottom line, regardless of my opinion, is that AU walked in to Captains park and walked out with a split, which they should be commended for.

I'll get to watch my Captains play for the first time this weekend. Take care of business boys...

Falcon2720 · March 22, 2010, 04:28:02 PM

cnuball25,

how long ago did you play?

Ferrum was in the regional in 2005 and 2007. In 2005 they lost in the regional championship to HSC. In 2007 they lost a heart breaker in the regional championship to Emory. They may have been down in 08 & 09 (adjusting to a new coach and his style) but they have historically been very good.

hokieone · March 22, 2010, 06:31:37 PM

True, they went to Regionals every year from 1988-1996, extremely impressive, then twice since then, 2005, and 2007. So if you play with numbers, they've either been there 2 0f past 5 years, 40%, certainly good, or 2 of past 13 , 15%, not so much. It all depends...just like how long a minute is depends upon which side of the bathroom door you're on... and one foot in a bucket of fire, and one foot in a bucket of ice, means on average, you're comfortable. Numbers can say whatever you want. Just ask Congress...okay, bad example.

Sharpen your calculators gentlemen.

D-BAT · March 22, 2010, 06:47:56 PM

Mt. Aloysius (3) Shenandoah (24)

(1) 4-2 10-12 ... NCW
(2) 5-3 13-06 ... CNU
(2) 5-3 15-07 ... MU
(4) 3-3 16-04 ... SU
(4) 3-3 11-06 ... FC
(4) 4-4 17-10 ... AU
(7) 0-6 07-16 ... GB

The USA-South is 89-61 overall.

cnuball25 · March 22, 2010, 08:01:17 PM

Falcon: I graduated a couple years ago, and played at CNU from 06'-08'...before that I played at a small D I (was D II when I was there) in South Carolina. I understand historically they have been very good, but I'm speaking from the standpoint during my tenure at CNU.

Regardless of abilities, it always seemed like Ferrum and NC Wesleyan had a good bunch of guys. From getting to know a couple, to talking with them before games, both teams seemed to have a number players we got along well with. Now Greensboro, Averett, and Shenandoah on other hand...

hokieone · March 22, 2010, 10:17:25 PM

Nice of SU to put in the subs once they got up 16-2 in the 7th inning today against 3-12 Mount Aloysius, on their way to a 25-3 win. Of course you can't tell the subs not to hit, and they put up 9 more. The Mounties did win 23 games last year, although the conference doesn't look too strong. In skimming the past records, I can't see where they've ever beaten Shenandoah, even when SU wasn't where they are now, but they usually kept the margin of loss to under 10 runs, a moral victory I guess.

SU gets a little better test with Washington and Lee tomorrow before facing 6-6 Messiah, who sounds like more BP material but who actually won 28 games two years ago. I'd be careful with a school named Messiah one week before Easter...

usasouthisnumber1 · March 22, 2010, 11:23:35 PM

Quote from: cnuball25 on March 22, 2010, 02:36:18 PM
Ooooorrrrrrr maybe they should be worried about sweeping those teams. I've never known a good team that is ever "happy" with a split...you always play for the sweep, no matter the opponent. Whenever the conference schedule is released we used to immediately find the weekends we played Averett & Ferrum and know that those are two teams we should sweep simply because our talent was superior. I understand talent alone doesn't win ballgames, but it sure as hell doesn't hurt. There are teams we knew would push us, and ones we knew we could dominate as well...the said schools fell under the later. That was the mindset of Christopher Newport athletics period, and I'm sure it still resides within the individuals that currently play there. That's one reason we've won the Presidents Cup for over a decade straight, and also probably the reason a lot of schools don't like us...

We can also take the number crunching a little further and look at a rather obvious statistic, runners left on base. During game 1 CNU left 11 runners on while Averett left 8, and during game 2 CNU left 13 runners on while Averett left 8 again. It sounds like CNU had runners on base all weekend but just couldn't find the big hit, which will undoubtedly come when the offense starts to click (I consider the fact that it isn't yet a good thing). Maybe Averett should be counting their many blessings the offense isn't clicking yet. But if "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts...

The beautiful (and annoying) thing about statistics is you can spin them any way you want to support whatever argument you want. The bottom line, regardless of my opinion, is that AU walked in to Captains park and walked out with a split, which they should be commended for.

I'll get to watch my Captains play for the first time this weekend. Take care of business boys...

Well the better team can get those runners on base in...it seems CNU's hitting couldn't do it. Averett also put on 6 runners with HBP and walks so if you want to really dig deep into the stats CNU only really left 7 runners on base and Averett put on the other 6. But CNU must have had their "1-legged short-stop" and used "ghost-runners" that game. Since Averett can only handle teams of that skill level.

vabaseball · March 23, 2010, 06:33:53 AM

RE: SU and Messiah. I don't know anything about Messiah's baseball program, but they are topnotch in alot of D3 sports -- continually in the national tournaments for soccer, basketball....

SU couldn't put the subs in till the 7th inning yesterday because they have stats that need to be padded.

LTBB1971 · March 23, 2010, 06:55:17 AM

Ha..ha...not to pick anymore on SU but their schedule the last 2 years has them playing a lot of one legged D3 schools with blind pitchers. It did not hurt them last year as they got an at large bid and went to the World Series.

cnuball25 · March 23, 2010, 08:31:42 AM

Usasouthisnumber1: No "digging deep" needed...runners left on base means exactly "runners left on base", it doesn't matter how they got there. I'm not exactly dealing with a Rhodes Scholar here am I?
Secondly, judging by AU's record versus opponents with a winning record, it does appear that they struggle when going against a team with a pulse. Once again, stating the obvious but I'm going to go that "extra" mile just for you!! And thirdly, CNU's one-legged shortstop went 4-for-10 on the weekend, moving his average up to .365 on year. Ironically enough, he also just so happens to be my brother.

Next time you type anything to me, I would chose your words very, very carefully. If you thought I used to "nit pick" and "make fun of" everything you said, you haven't seen anything yet.

To the rest of you, have a great rest of the week! I'm looking forward to seeing my CNU boys this weekend. Everybody travel safely, and I'll talk to you all this weekend...

usasouthisnumber1 · March 23, 2010, 09:01:51 AM

Quote from: cnuball25 on March 23, 2010, 08:31:42 AM
Usasouthisnumber1: No "digging deep" needed...runners left on base means exactly "runners left on base", it doesn't matter how they got there. I'm not exactly dealing with a Rhodes Scholar here am I?
Secondly, judging by AU's record versus opponents with a winning record, it does appear that they struggle when going against a team with a pulse. Once again, stating the obvious but I'm going to go that "extra" mile just for you!! And thirdly, CNU's one-legged shortstop went 4-for-10 on the weekend, moving his average up to .365 on year. Ironically enough, he also just so happens to be my brother.

Next time you type anything to me, I would chose your words very, very carefully. If you thought I used to "nit pick" and "make fun of" everything you said, you haven't seen anything yet.

To the rest of you, have a great rest of the week! I'm looking forward to seeing my CNU boys this weekend. Everybody travel safely, and I'll talk to you all this weekend...

Well I was by no means trying to rag your brother he is a great player that is easy to see. I was just trying to give you a hard time because of your previous posts on the board. You said yourself you would be eating your words if Averett beat CNU. But, if all you want to do is worry about what I am posting it sounds like you need to use you spare time a little more efficiently. Try to not take things so personal everything was said in good nature.

hokieone · March 23, 2010, 09:25:33 AM

boys boys boys..... Let's take care of those day jobs....

usasouthisnumber1 · March 23, 2010, 09:51:08 AM

Quote from: hokieone on March 23, 2010, 09:25:33 AM
boys boys boys..... Let's take care of those day jobs....

Hahaha agreed agreed I am done

BaseBallBoy_247 · March 23, 2010, 10:41:56 AM

I want to start a brief discussion. How is it that Everyone is soo high on Shenandoah and it seems to me that havent played anybody all year. look at there overall record in conference play (3-3) and then there 15 game non conference winning streak, might i add they usually win by football scores of 24-3 and 14-0 ect. This is because they never play anybody worth a crap. And of course because of there weak schedule they will still win 30 games again this year and get another at large bid that they simply do not deserve, i saw them play last year and they could swing the bats, but had no pitching and if you look at there stats from this year its obvious they have none this year either. They play CNU this weekend which im sure they will most likely get a split if there lucky, If CNU wins game 1 with Brinkman vs Van Sickler then its no doubt they will sweep the series because there #2 is garbage. If this is how you get at large bids by playing all Maryland, Pa, and NJ teams all year then i dont see why all the teams in the conference dont do the same thing! makes perfect sense to me