BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[narch]

the monarch finish the sweep of piedmont, 3-2, to push their record to 14-6 on the season - bisplinghoff pitched 7 strong, giving up just 2 er

game stories and box scores

[narch]

Oh the latest poll has only one team listed from USASouth.

http://nfca.org/top25/index.php?cat_id=3&poll_id=141

right you are...i hadn't seen that one...i just assumed the monarchs were still ranked, even after a 4-2 week - it makes little sense that the monarchs fall from #23 after a 4-2 week with losses to the #1 and #7 team in the country...[scratches head]

enough softball talk...i'm really impressed with the way the monarch starters are keeping them in games - even the rhodes game...kelly pitched 8 strong against a very good offensive team giving up just 1 er - jordan, who has pitched well for a frosh, got lit up in the 9th giving up 5 er's in 2/3 of an inning - i've got to say they have exceeded my expectations at this point in the season...i hope it continues

the staff will be tested this week, with games tuesday, wednesday, thursday then cnu this weekend

[narch]

averett might be for real, eh...swept the bishops this weekend

and su beat ferrum with garner on the hill

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

averett might be for real, eh...swept the bishops this weekend

and su beat ferrum with garner on the hill

It looks like over the past few years that if you led the conference in ERA and BA you win the conference.  As Methodist did every year they won the conference since 2001.

Although based on idea that I came up with being that lead in one of those catergories and then being average in another you win.  Well then either AU or CNU will win the conference.  So Narch, AU may be for real.

I am trying to figure out why Greensboro is struggling.  Yeah they won't win the conference but still trying to figure it out why they aren't doing so well. The only thing I could come up with is the lack of HR's.  Every other stat is in line with last year if not better, pitching comes to mind.

Oh I forgot, taking out the 37-0 win this year the the runs per game has dropped by 1 run/game.  Although that shouldn't matter too much because Greensboro is giving up 2 less runs per game in terms of ERA.

[Jim Dixon]

jim - great article about averett...anything positive about the usasac is always good to see, especially on the front page...of course, i think you should have mentioned that au is currently 5th in the 7 team usasac

One thing that you will notice is that D3baseball will always focus on the more upbeat stories as win or lose all these young men are playing as best they can.  In life there are always times you end up on the wrong side of the score but are still not a "loser".

In my short conversation with the Averett coach, he sounded pretty positive about his kids chances and so far they are doing a great job  The sweep of NC Wesleyan will only boost their confidence in future big games.

[narch]

One thing that you will notice is that D3baseball will always focus on the more upbeat stories as win or lose all these young men are playing as best they can.  In life there are always times you end up on the wrong side of the score but are still not a "loser".

In my short conversation with the Averett coach, he sounded pretty positive about his kids chances and so far they are doing a great job  The sweep of NC Wesleyan will only boost their confidence in future big games.

jim - i understand...that's why i put the little smiley face in the post...besides, they are now in 2nd place

[narch]

I am trying to figure out why Greensboro is struggling. 

me too...they looked pretty solid when i saw them - they don't seem to be getting great production out of the top of the lineup this year...last year justice and gregory hit .369 and .370 and stole a ton of bases in front of the big boys...that speed factor is huge and gc just doesn't seem to have it this year...could that be the difference?

even though he beat the monarchs, mock isn't going to strike fear into anyone...when he's on he can be very effective, but his stuff just isn't that impressive - the other starters are not really getting the job done, and you've got to have quality starting pitching taking you deep into games to win in this conference/region (or really any level)

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I am trying to figure out why Greensboro is struggling. 

me too...they looked pretty solid when i saw them - they don't seem to be getting great production out of the top of the lineup this year...last year justice and gregory hit .369 and .370 and stole a ton of bases in front of the big boys...that speed factor is huge and gc just doesn't seem to have it this year...could that be the difference?

even though he beat the monarchs, mock isn't going to strike fear into anyone...when he's on he can be very effective, but his stuff just isn't that impressive - the other starters are not really getting the job done, and you've got to have quality starting pitching taking you deep into games to win in this conference/region (or really any level)

I thought so too with the SB's intially too. I remeber Justice having 36 last year. Last year we avg 1.51 SB per game this year 1.5.  It looks like stealing by committee this year. Although I hoping the struggles are figured out by the conference tournament, becuase its better to struggle now then late in the year(Only because winning conference tournament is the only sure thing for an NCAA bid.)  I am hoping the season turns out like a typical Oakland Atheltics stuggle the first half and seem to find a way to turn it on the second half.

I agree starting pitching at any level is the key to winning.  Also one other thing I think should be added is great fielding helps you win too.  Great fielding can be the difference in a couple of runs.  (Also helps the pitching staff.)

[h-sc bball]

I'm not an expert by no means but with games against Cortland, Averett, CNU, NCW and VWC I feel I could add 2 cents worth of thought....Cortland is the most athletic team top to bottom....They are that good....The best we have seen...Jimmy Dougher can pitch.....but the teams from our area are not far behind. From our region the boys from CNU have impressed me the most.... There pitching depth is good top to bottom and they have speed both offensivly and defensivly. Averett matches CNU in all categories but defense....I had VWC next in line but a recent slide may drop them from the rankings....Couldn't get a good read on NCW....We saw the # one and two from Cortland, Averett, CNU and VWC...NCW started one of the top pitchers againt us but I'm sure he was probably their # 3...we did get to the midddle & closing pen...we didn't do that against the other teams. With games against LaGrange, Piedmont, and Huntingdon I'd say the boys from Sydney have played against some of the best team in the region.

With conference games coming up against Bridgewater, Lynchburg, W & L and non-conference games agaisnt Methodist, Ferrum, and Mary Washington I think the boys from Sydney will be ready come conference time to handle anything. The youth is gaining experance.

Gosh their are going to be some good teams sitting home come regional time...not everybody can go to the show.





 

[narch]

I thought so too with the SB's intially too. I remeber Justice having 36 last year. Last year we avg 1.51 SB per game this year 1.5.  It looks like stealing by committee this year.

look who you're getting steals from, though...almost 1/3 (10 of 36) of gc's sb's on the season come from the 3 & 4 hitters, and only 8 from your 1 & 2 hitters...if anything, it should be the other way around - 7 of gc's steals come from 2 guys who have combined for something like 44 ab's (martin and lowe) and hit at the bottom of the lineup when they do hit - speed in front of guys like burgess and maloney means they see more distracted pitchers and better pitches - burgess can hit anything, but maloney KILLS mistakes...without that speed at the top of the lineup, he's not getting as many mistakes

just my take on the situation...could be wrong

[meatballs2]

narch, what affiliation do you have with methodist.

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

I thought so too with the SB's intially too. I remeber Justice having 36 last year. Last year we avg 1.51 SB per game this year 1.5.  It looks like stealing by committee this year.

look who you're getting steals from, though...almost 1/3 (10 of 36) of gc's sb's on the season come from the 3 & 4 hitters, and only 8 from your 1 & 2 hitters...if anything, it should be the other way around - 7 of gc's steals come from 2 guys who have combined for something like 44 ab's (martin and lowe) and hit at the bottom of the lineup when they do hit - speed in front of guys like burgess and maloney means they see more distracted pitchers and better pitches - burgess can hit anything, but maloney KILLS mistakes...without that speed at the top of the lineup, he's not getting as many mistakes

just my take on the situation...could be wrong

I agree with everything you said.  Although I am not sure if you went and looked at every box score and have seen GC has had several #2 hitters and they haven't hit as well as they did last year.

Anyway GC plays Tufts tonight at 6.  That's another game I can't make this time its not because its in the middle of the day.  I have made plans tonight already.

[Bostonian]

Greensboro's offense always seems to find it's groove versus Tufts...

[narch]

narch, what affiliation do you have with methodist.

my official title is guru, but i'll answer to pretty much anything

seriously, i am a big fan of all monarch sports, but have a particular affinitiy for football, baseball and basketball

did you happen to play for an odac school after leaving methodist?

[meatballs2]

narch, what affiliation do you have with methodist.

my official title is guru, but i'll answer to pretty much anything

seriously, i am a big fan of all monarch sports, but have a particular affinitiy for football, baseball and basketball

did you happen to play for an odac school after leaving methodist?

Yea, I was wondering if I knew you.