BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[narch]

Is anyone ready to start talking and predicting how the teams will finish in the USAS conference in 2012?

pencil the monarchs in for 25+ wins - of course, you could have said that for all but one season since 1980 and you would have been right ...to be a bit more precise, i think 27 to 30 wins is about right - i think they'll likely finish in the top 3 in the conference and be one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the south region

coach austin should get to victory #1,000 in early to mid march, and that should be a nice celebration

trey such is one hr away from tying the mu career mark set by hall of famer mike brewington - in addition to hitting 33 career hr's, brewington also stole 180 bases...such only needs 179 more sb's to tie brewington in that category, too

losing lancaster, lovette and inghram will hurt offensively, but i think that such, thigpen, quick, davis and brown can carry the load - it is also time for younger to start hitting, and i think he will...he has a solid stroke and hit for power in high school, i hope this is the year that his offense catches up to his defense - the replacement for lovette at 3b will likely be an upgrade defensively...lovette made 13 errors last year and really struggled throwing the ball, and while lovette was clutch (his 37 rbi tied for the team lead), he did only hit .261 - i've heard that there is a frosh who can absolutely fly...if he can get on base, he should be able to replace some of the speed the monarchs are losing in lancaster and lovette - i expect davis to run more this season, as well...he's got the speed...hopefully he's learned how to be a better baserunner - lastly, perry could be a wild card - he was killing the ball early, but struggled with injuries and fought his swing in the middle of the season...by the end of the year, he was the monarchs best pitcher - he could fill a big role both with the bat and on the hill this season

on the hill, losing britt is big, but the monarchs had a team era of 3.34 last year and lose only him...i've heard there are some live arms, but nothing like 3 guys throwing 90 ...it will be interesting to see how the young arms (womble, judge and bially in particular) mature - those guys all had some really good moments as frosh last year, and i think rhett lee's stuff is just as good as theirs - this could be a really strong staff this year if guys have progressed and stay healthy

as usual, the schedule is pretty tough...frostburg, lynchburg and birmingham southern come to the diamond classic at armstrong-shelly field early in the year, and all are capable of making a run to the regionals - later in the season the monarchs head down to piedmont to take on the lions, montclair and millsaps - vwc (twice), emory (twice), tufts and mary washington should all be difficult games, as well

[NoVa Baseball]

Thanks for the updates Narch and LTHS - I got a good chuckle over the Such base stealing comment.  I'm sure he'd say "if the ball goes over the fence, what's the sense in running?"  The SU contingent sure has gone dark on this board.  Maybe they are already chatting up the ODAC board?    I'd sure like to hear about that team or any of the other USA South teams.  It would even be fun to hear from the soon-to-be USA South teams.  They are just one year away from them being able to post "hope springs eternal" comments on this board like the rest of us. 

[Boysofsummer21]

Boysofsummer21 official predictions for 2012
1.   CNU – They lost the least of any team as it relates to the team on the field. The pitching staff, while losing their #1 from last year will probably be better than last year because of all the pieces they had in place from starters ( 1- 5) to closer. The team in the field is the same, except for Drew in RF so they have had a lot of time together. But that said they better win this year because their roster is full of seniors! Figure them for 1.
2.   Shenandoah – They lost VanSickler and Baishers but when you re-load with 3 90+ arms they should be my number 1 pick. They won the regular season last year but I think that they will be 2. I do believe that they should play all away games for conference as their farewell tour. No I think Shenandoah will make regionals and with their talent and ability to be prepared they are 1 – 3 but I figure 2.
3.   Methodist – I was pulling for Methodist last year because with a little luck and few breaks we could have had 3 teams in regionals. I think they will be close this year. Their pitching was good last year but while they did have the 2nd best ERA overall they had the 4th best ERA in conference so Methodist needs to do a better job of taking care of non-conference business and they will be there. As for conference I think they will be tough and could be anywhere 1 – 3 but I figure 3.
4.   Greensboro – Needs to replace a lot of seniors on the team but they should be ok. I figure them for middle of the pack and maybe a good tournament team.
5.   Ferrum – Young team, with Crump being their only senior, which is learning and will be better each year. They could make some noise this year but too early to know.
6.   NCWC – Just not really sure what is going on in Rocky Mount. They seem to have mass overturn every year and lately have not been able to bring a mature team to start each season. Hopefully someone with knowledge of what is going on there can let the rest of us know. They also loss quite a bit from last year.
7.   Averett – Ok this could be the worst pick I make but everything seems to be going against Averett. There current posted roster really shows the major issue with Averrett and that is the lack of ability to bring in players. They will really need to have their freshman class step up big. Their pitching should be ok as they are returning the bulk of their starters but just such a big task for them to carry the entire season. 

[D-BAT]

Word on the street in Winchester is that SU will have 3 starters who can touch 90 or a little better this spring.

Just to clarify, 3 starters who will be able to touch 90 or a little better.  So most likely in the upper 80's and not 90+ for all 3.

With the amount of starters that CNU has back, how can anyone not pick them #1.  CNU should prevail is all sports, if not, then the coaching staffs are not working hard enough IMHO.

[rolln2]

Great to hear you all talking USAS baseball.  Great predictions and insight.  It should be fun as usual for the fans, and super competitive on the field for the players.  As we all know the conference is one of the best in the nation year and year out.  So my conference finish goes like this.  CNU,SU,MU,AU,NCW,GC,FC. 

[NoVa Baseball]

It seems like most the esteemed posters on this board are pretty consistent with their 1-3 picks, which I think are pretty safe picks.  The real variability comes in with Averett and Greensboro.  Sure would be nice to get an update from one their fans so we could hear more about their falls and where their fans are projecting them.   How about it AU and GU? - give us something to react to. 

[PNeal7]

While I'll be the first to admit I do not know a thing about FC, AU, or GC, here are my early predictions: CNU, SU, MU, NCWC, AU, GC, FC. I also do not know much about what NCWC has, but I do know the history of their program and the level of their coach, so I assume they get somewhat back on track. Below are my early season favorites for the major conference awards, with the exception of rookie of the year (and yes, I am biased towards CNU; but who can argue against the players listed below):

Player of the Year: Connor Madden, CNU; Matt Showmaker, CNU; Trey Such, MU; Cory Nelson, SU.
Pitcher of the Year: Greg Goldsmith, CNU.
Coach of the Year: (As always) Between Harvell, Anderson, and Austin.

[Boysofsummer21]

Pneal, now why would you be bais to CNU?
Looking at your predictions I am in agreement with most but not all
Player of the Year: Connor Madden, CNU; Matt Showmaker, CNU; Trey Such, MU; Cory Nelson, SU. --- Think you can add Mark, CNU to the list from what I heard about fall ball.
Pitcher of the Year: think this will be a race between Berlien and Goldsmith both CNU but (since I was a reliever way back in college) how about the year of the closer? The USA South has some good ones and maybe they break through this year – Scallion, SU. Fleischman, CNU. And White, MU. Maybe not because if any of these move to the starting rotation they would be in the battle for pitcher of the year.
Coach of the Year: (As always) Between Harvell, Anderson, and Austin. Win the conference win the award!
Also hope to see the entire clan at the final SU – CNU conference battle! Maybe they will be 1 & 2 again because that was some of the best baseball I have ever seen last year.
Also say happy holidays to Mr. & Mrs. Hokie1!

[PNeal7]

I am assuming you mean SU v CNU due to the #1 & #2 comment, and if that is what you meant, you will definetly see the entire Neal clan at the game. Excited to see the season kick off!

[rolln2]

PNeal7 it looks like you have gone even further picking the players along w/ the teams and coaches.  There definitely are a lot of good players in the conference each capable of putting up a good year and earning MVP honors.  Should be interesting to see if those that had great 2011 seasons can repeat their performances or will someone new step up and take the awards in 2012.

[Boysofsummer21]

PNeal - Yes meant the SU - CNU tilt. Sorry for the mis-type.

[hokieone]

It's on the calendar-Mr. and Mrs. Hokieone will indeed be there...and we hope to get to a couple home games in Newport News. We miss seeing everyone...and Cheddars too.  

[NoVa Baseball]

CNU starts the season with a #4 ranking by Collegiate Baseball.   They follow Marietta and Chapman (last year's finalists) and Kean (perennial power).  The rest of the USA South is conspicuously absent from the top 30.  Soon-to-be USA South member, Peidmont checks in at #24.  No sneaking up on anyone this year for the Captains - that ranking and the slight to the rest of the conference will ensure that everyone will be gunning for them.  Hope they come out of the chute hot.

[PNeal7]

Yes, CNU will certainly have the target on their back from the 1st game this season. Last year's numbers, along with the returning players and this preseason ranking, puts a lot of pressure on the Captains. It's unbelievable the amount of experience they have back in the field. Madden, Lindenmuth, Saunders, Mark, Lenda, and Keener are all three year starters (some have about 3 1/2 to 4 years of starting experience really), while Shoemaker and Steel are also returning starters. Shoemaker would have been a three year starter if not for getting injured two years ago. Insert Chris McDougal (73 AB's last season at CNU; transferred from Liberty) into Drue Vernon's place, and there are your starters. If Goldsmith, Bierlien, and the rest of the CNU starters can throw 6 or 7 IP's solid, CNU has one of the best bullpens in the country in Verdillo and Fleischman.

I know some will just believe I am bias towards CNU, which in fact, you are correct. I am 100% biased towards CNU. Nonetheless, no one can argue have a boatload of talent (not potential; talent) coming back and have high expectations. It's nice to see this level of talent coming out of the USA South in recent years. With what SU has done the past few years, couple with CNU, MU's, and NCWC's (untill last year) consistently turning out highly talented teams, the USAS proves why it is one of the top conferences in dIII. CNU's and SU's teams of the past few years could have easily beaten a lot of dI teams!

[LTBB1971]

I'm absolutely surprise to not see Shenandoah in the top 30...They seem to reload real well every year and develop their JV team to compete at a high level.  I'm a NCWC fan but actually think CNU may be a bit low at #4.