BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[narch]

mu sweeps Wesley today to improve to 24-20...what started as a season that might be the worst in the Tom Austin era has ended well...

[baseballfever]

nice MU

[D-BAT]

Randolph Macon College wins ODAC tourney and puts CNU in serious jeopardy for an at-large bid with Bridgewater in the hunt now at 31-11.

I don't see Shenandoah having a shot.

[PNeal7]

You are correct. R-MC's winning the ODAC automatic bid puts CNU on the hot seat (more so than the were already). I also agree that I believe that about knocks Shenandoah out of contention for a regional birth, unless they are shipped somewhere.

[USASfan]

CNU does not deserve a bid. I dont care that they are ranked 24th. They shouldnt be. Look at some of there losses. and a tie to HSU. Although i would say they get a bid over SU. SU has always played a weak schedule.

[PNeal7]

USASfan - Which losses of theirs do you consider to be so bad? I agree they are on the borderline for regionals, but I find hard to say they completely do not deserve a bid. The tie with H-SC is probably the worst, along with the 1 loss to Greensboro; but the rest are all against very solid clubs (Bridgewater, R-MC, Salisbury, LaGrange, Piedmont, Averett) The NCWC losses are tough as well, but it's not like they lost to the Deaf and the Blind.

R-MC winning the ODAC without a doubt hurts, but I still believe CNU will get in by some team in the South shipping out to another regional. Plus, if Bridgewater were to lose to Wesley, that puts them neck and neck with CNU record wise. With CNU and BC splitting, and CNU likely potentially having a higher ranking (if BC loses to Wesley, you would add 3 losses to their record from the time the last rankings came out, which would drop them from the 19 spot...they will already drop some with the 2 losses to R-MC), you can make an argument for CNU getting in over them.

[forheavendial4999]

USASfan - Which losses of theirs do you consider to be so bad? I agree they are on the borderline for regionals, but I find hard to say they completely do not deserve a bid. The tie with H-SC is probably the worst, along with the 1 loss to Greensboro; but the rest are all against very solid clubs (Bridgewater, R-MC, Salisbury, LaGrange, Piedmont, Averett) The NCWC losses are tough as well, but it's not like they lost to the Deaf and the Blind.

R-MC winning the ODAC without a doubt hurts, but I still believe CNU will get in by some team in the South shipping out to another regional. Plus, if Bridgewater were to lose to Wesley, that puts them neck and neck with CNU record wise. With CNU and BC splitting, and CNU likely potentially having a higher ranking (if BC loses to Wesley, you would add 3 losses to their record from the time the last rankings came out, which would drop them from the 19 spot...they will already drop some with the 2 losses to R-MC), you can make an argument for CNU getting in over them.

Bridgewater's region record is nowhere close to being neck and neck with CNU. Bridgewater is 30-6, CNU is 27-12-1 with a weaker SOS. Shenandoah has a better region record and a higher SOS as well. I think only Bridgewater gets in.

CNU's record against regionally ranked teams is sparse and not very good. 0-1 vs. Salisbury, 1-1 vs. Bridgewater. If Randolph-Macon is in the next regional rankings, that won't be a help. Way too many low SOS non-conference games on their schedule.

[PNeal7]

I'm looking forward to next season when the criteria changes to all games against DIII opponents counts, either for you or against you. Bridgewater goes to CA, goes 1-4, and it doesn't negatively impact them at all.

Bridgewater's record against ranked teams is about the same, as they are 1-1 (split with CNU, Shenandoah is not ranked). Against common opponents (which were H-SC, EMU, R-MC, VWC, UMW, Ferrum, and the Apprentice School), CNU & BC have comprable numbers; however, CNU is slightly better. CNU is 10-2-1, while BC is 11-5. While it does not count against or for either team, let's not forget BC got blown out by the Apprentice School (who is good this year), while CNU beat them twice. CNU has always played a tough schedule; however, the reason for their SOS being lower than usual this year is because the switch from 2 to 3 conference games forced them to not be able to bring down the strong teams for the NE they typically did (Rowan, Cortland St, etc.).

CNU did lose to Salisbury, at Salisbury (which has one of the biggest home field advantages around), but CNU had to start Emerson, who is a backend bullpen guy. If CNU throws Chrismon, Taylor, or Bierlein, it could have been a different story. Let's also not forget Salisbury did not re-schedule the trip down to CNU to play.

All I am saying is that BC is not 'hands down' over CNU when it comes to selection for regionals. It is close as we speak/type today, and will only become even closer if they lose to Wesley.

Shenandoah shouldn't even be mentioned here. They hardly ever play anyone, and if you think SU gets in over CNU then you are really reaching here!

[forheavendial4999]

Shenandoah shouldn't even be mentioned here. They hardly ever play anyone, and if you think SU gets in over CNU then you are really reaching here!

They have a higher SOS and better region winning % than CNU. So they must have played someone.

I don't think either CNU or Shenandoah are getting in, though. Why didn't CNU play Shenandoah rather than Apprentice, which they knew wasn't going to count toward consideration? Why has CNU not played their 40th game? Call Marietta and see about going up there Monday, they still have games to play. Huntingdon had a game cancelled and is a game short...go down there.

If they don't play that last game, CNU has no one to blame but themselves for not getting in.

[PNeal7]

SU may have a higher SOS and regional winning %, but I can bet you they wouldn't make it in over CNU as an at-large bid.

The CNU v SU game(s) is a good question, as it developed into a great rivarly over the last few years. I hated to see it end. From what I understand, neither team is truly interested in the playing the other in a home and away. Both teams would have about a 4 hour drive, and despite the potential to increase regional winning % and SOS, why would CNU want to travel that distance to play on one of the worst fields around?

Marietta has played 33 games, and still has 5 games plus their tournament. It's also about a 7 hour drive, so I don't see that happening.

[forheavendial4999]

SU may have a higher SOS and regional winning %, but I can bet you they wouldn't make it in over CNU as an at-large bid.

The CNU v SU game(s) is a good question, as it developed into a great rivarly over the last few years. I hated to see it end. From what I understand, neither team is truly interested in the playing the other in a home and away. Both teams would have about a 4 hour drive, and despite the potential to increase regional winning % and SOS, why would CNU want to travel that distance to play on one of the worst fields around?

Marietta has played 33 games, and still has 5 games plus their tournament. It's also about a 7 hour drive, so I don't see that happening.

Maybe CNU/SU should play at a neutral site then if the field at Shenandoah is an issue. CNU played too many Eastern Mennonites and Gallaudets and Virginia Wesleyans, in addition to the two Apprentice games. The distance shouldn't be an excuse...CNU is always gonna have to travel to play quality opponents because there just aren't that many choices for them.

My guess is that Marietta will add at least one more game. They don't usually like to come up short if they can help it -- guys go there to play ball games. At a quick glance, it looks like Huntingdon, William Paterson and Ramapo are gonna be short regular season games. I'm guessing all of those are in region, though I'm honestly not certain.

[Boysofsummer21]

What I do not understand is that the 1 game CNU is missing is a rain out against Salisbury. Why not just play it?

[PNeal7]

If you review SU's schedule, they did not play a single USAS team. This shows me it is more of an SU issue than a CNU issue, as from what I hear CNU is willing to play SU still.

I do not know for certain, but my guess is Salisbury will not come down and play it. What good would traveling to CNU do for Salisbury? It's not worth it for them.

CNU has played the EMU's, VWC's, and Gallaudets for the past several years. That is not the issue. Their SOS is not the same because the change to a 3 game conference schedule forced them to be unable to schedule early season weekend games with Rowan, Cortland St, Tufts, etc, as they have done in the past. It's slightly  funny because the teams the make up CNU's "weak" schedule are the same teams that make up the majority of the ODAC, which is BC and SU's own conference (EMU, H-SC, VWC).

The Apprentice School is a great way to get two games in for both teams without traveling...And in case you haven't realize, the Apprentice School is a fine baseball program. They are 32-8 and beat the brakes off of BC. They also only lost to Salisbury by 1 (4-3 Final Score). It may not count towards regional rankings, but the Apprentice School gives CNU two games against a quality opponent without being forced to travel. 

Huntingdon is in the South region, but do you really see a team traveling to AL to play 1 game?

[forheavendial4999]

CNU has played the EMU's, VWC's, and Gallaudets for the past several years. That is not the issue.

It is the issue. Because if you know you're going to be playing more league games, you can't have your non-league games be against trash.

Their SOS is not the same because the change to a 3 game conference schedule forced them to be unable to schedule early season weekend games with Rowan, Cortland St, Tufts, etc, as they have done in the past. It's slightly  funny because the teams the make up CNU's "weak" schedule are the same teams that make up the majority of the ODAC, which is BC and SU's own conference (EMU, H-SC, VWC).

Yes, if you play the worst teams in the other league, that's going to hurt you.

The Apprentice School is a great way to get two games in for both teams without traveling...And in case you haven't realize, the Apprentice School is a fine baseball program. They are 32-8 and beat the brakes off of BC. They also only lost to Salisbury by 1 (4-3 Final Score). It may not count towards regional rankings, but the Apprentice School gives CNU two games against a quality opponent without being forced to travel. 

And none of that matters.

Huntingdon is in the South region, but do you really see a team traveling to AL to play 1 game?

Depends...do you want in the regional or not? May be your only hope. They're #1 in the region now. Or offer to meet them somewhere else, Piedmont maybe. They have a nice field.

[PNeal7]

CNU can potentially get into regionals without making a trip to AL to play Huntingdon. Also, Huntingdon would never in there right mind meet CNU at a neutral field. What do they have to gain by doing so? Nothing. Piedmont does have a very nice field though.

It's not like Bridgewater has a schedule loaded with tough out of conference opposition either (see Messiah, Juniata, Ferrum, etc.). BC's SOS comes in an 143, while CNU's comes in at 182.

BC's rankings in the new regional rankings, as well as national rankings, do not include their 10th and 11th loss of the season (double dipped by R-MC in ODAC Title Game).

I'm by no means trying to 'hate' on BC. They had a wonderful season. Heck, I live 20 minutes from their field. I simply wanted to point out that writing off CNU as an at large bid, and stating they are 'not deserving', is false.