BB: SUNYAC

[Truthfinder]

Word out of Cortland today is that Plattsburgh is looking to play two more non-conference games to enhance their Pool C hopes. They played 38 games before SUNYACs and the allowable number is 40.

I applaud their boldness. It's not right, but bold.

Which brings up a serious question: Is that fair? Or ethical? Or does it all depend on who they schedule?

[John McGraw]

Word out of Cortland today is that Plattsburgh is looking to play two more non-conference games to enhance their Pool C hopes. They played 38 games before SUNYACs and the allowable number is 40.

I applaud their boldness. It's not right, but bold.

Which brings up a serious question: Is that fair? Or ethical? Or does it all depend on who they schedule?

A lot of teams do this. That's why there used to be an ECAC tournament - St. John Fisher played itself into a bid by winning the 07 tournament I believe. As long as they're not going over the 40-game limit, I have no issue with this. Why not play games and try to improve your tournament chances?

That said, I don't think Plattsburgh is tournament worthy after allowing 27 runs in two conference tournament games. Maybe they'd have had a better fate if Cortland had defeated Oneonta yesterday but I doubt it.

[Truthfinder]

John, since you seem to be among the few voices of reason, take a swing at this. Here's what is on the Plattsburgh web site after today's loss.

"The Cardinals (No. 26 ABCA, "RV" D3baseball.com) fall to 30-10 overall, and still hopeful of an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament with one of the nation's toughest schedules as its calling card."

Where's one tough non-conference game? Seriously. The best wins on their nonconference schedule are Old Westbury and St. Lawrence. Am I missing something?

[John McGraw]

John, since you seem to be among the few voices of reason, take a swing at this. Here's what is on the Plattsburgh web site after today's loss.

"The Cardinals (No. 26 ABCA, "RV" D3baseball.com) fall to 30-10 overall, and still hopeful of an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament with one of the nation's toughest schedules as its calling card."

Where's one tough non-conference game? Seriously. The best wins on their nonconference schedule are Old Westbury and St. Lawrence. Am I missing something?

I have no problem with that lead. What's the SID supposed to write in that situation? He's not going to say that the team has no chance of making it to the tournament after putting in a two-and-barbecue performance in Cortland. He's promoting the team in his best manner because right now, Plattsburgh is still ranked second in the region (that will change come next Thursday I think) and that's his job.

While we know the SOS numbers are extremely sketchy, it still ranked Plattsburgh 12th in the country at some point. If I'm the Plattsburgh SID, I would tout that fact greatly. Or if the team is ranked or receiving votes in a poll, I would do the same thing. Why? Because it promotes the team in a positive light and is something that the school isn't really used to with baseball.

If we were talking about hockey for example, an at-large bid with a strong SOS would be a given since Bob Emery's teams always play a very difficult non-conference schedule. It doesn't hurt that P'Burgh is traditionally among the best teams in the country either.

Looking at the final analysis, the team put together a great record and this will be a season I don't think will be forgotten by the players. That said, the schedule is what hurts their chances at the tournament. You're right in that there really aren't any quality wins. The only ones I see are against Old Westbury and Oneonta. That frankly just isn't enough when you're competing on a national playing field against say a team from the LEC like Eastern Connecticut/Keene State or the OAC like Heidelberg or Marietta. In the case of some Florida tournaments, your often handcuffed in who you play by what tournaments you sign up for and when you go down to Florida/Arizona. Oneonta is the best comparison for this Plattsburgh club as SUCO traditionally plays a pastry-filled schedule in Florida and often returns with a great record. And, not one of those teams - either ones that featured great talents with Schellinger and Salamida - made it to the NCAA tournament as an at large.

[theguru25]

Brockport headed to the championship after a 10-6 win over Oneonta. Oneonta tied it up in the top of the 9th at 6-6. Jake Coleman induced a 1-2-3 double play and the Eagles were out of it. Max Keado singles for Brockport, steals second, moves to 3rd on a Mike Weakley bunt (who was safe at first). Oneonta intentionally walked Max Zimmerman and Nate Parrino hit a walk off Grand Slam. Cortland-Oneonta losers bracket game was pushed back to tomorrow morning because the Brockport-Oneonta game finished at 530. Losers bracket will need to win 3 9-inning games tomorrow for a championship

[John McGraw]

Brockport headed to the championship after a 10-6 win over Oneonta. Oneonta tied it up in the top of the 9th at 6-6. Jake Coleman induced a 1-2-3 double play and the Eagles were out of it. Max Keado singles for Brockport, steals second, moves to 3rd on a Mike Weakley bunt (who was safe at first). Oneonta intentionally walked Max Zimmerman and Nate Parrino hit a walk off Grand Slam. Cortland-Oneonta losers bracket game was pushed back to tomorrow morning because the Brockport-Oneonta game finished at 530. Losers bracket will need to win 3 9-inning games tomorrow for a championship

I can't imagine they'd play three tomorrow. Probably two and then a winner-take-all game if necessary on Monday. Sure enough, it's already on the tournament page with a possible Monday game.

[theguru25]

I don't know for sure. Brockport lucked out making it to through the winners bracket because their quality pitchers were thin and they haven't used everyone. i think some of the guys they used yesterday will be ready to go again tomorrow when the adrenaline kicks in from the championship setting

[scuba16]

My take is Cortland spanks Oneonta tomorrow and then beats Brockport in a tight ball game in gm 2. Monday brings another one thats too close to call.
It comes down to depth unless Brockport can close it out tomorrow. I think Oneonta has no chance vs C-state tomorrow.
The real question is, if Cortland loses, do they get an very elusive Pool C bid??
Not many out there, I think only 4!!!!!
Lets win 3 boys!!!

TPK

[airball55]

Again, it comes down to the same two, Brockport and Cortland.  I know I may be bold stating this considering O-state still can knock out C-state, but the two teams who have challenged themselves the most out of conference Cortland and Brockport are in the mix again.  If they don't finish the double elim. I believe that it becomes a single elim. tournament and obviously Brockport would get the nod.... see Liberty League 2007.  I love all of the Plattsburgh banter, they had a nice season and getting the number of wins they have is truly an accomplishment especially considering their geography.  I too don't believe their resume has enough to get them in.  I would take Oneonta over them right now actually with two wins over Cortland. 

[cstate19]

I got Cortland winning it.  Still, what a break for O-State.  First, they get a day to recoup (dont think they will, but still) after a walk off.  Cortland are like sharks in the water, if they smell blood its over and O-State would have been deflated big time. 

I really think that the dynamic this year was weird.  I thought Cortland was far and away the best team, but when you combine the fact that Filak was going to beat them it was going to set up a Game 4 between two weak teams (Plattsburgh or Brockport versus Oneonta (Yes Oneonta is weak in the national field when Filak isnt throwing)) which would allow one of those weaker teams to walk into the final.

 

[John McGraw]

I got Cortland winning it.  Still, what a break for O-State.  First, they get a day to recoup (dont think they will, but still) after a walk off.  Cortland are like sharks in the water, if they smell blood its over and O-State would have been deflated big time.  

I really think that the dynamic this year was weird.  I thought Cortland was far and away the best team, but when you combine the fact that Filak was going to beat them it was going to set up a Game 4 between two weak teams (Plattsburgh or Brockport versus Oneonta (Yes Oneonta is weak in the national field when Filak isnt throwing)) which would allow one of those weaker teams to walk into the final.

Agreed in that Cortland is more than likely still the favorite. Hopefully the weather helps out. It was snowing here earlier.  

 

[DefenseWins]

if cortland somehow gets beat (i think theyll run the table to win it) then all of our pool C questions and discussion will have been answered. They would get a pool C bid.

[onesix3]

39-41 degrees, 24-29 degrees real feel ,20 mph winds, 3/4 of an inch or rain, aluminum bats, hopefully some common sense will prevail. We don't need Div. 3 athletes getting hurt in these conditions.

[John McGraw]

I've seen April doubleheaders played in worse conditions. It's supposed to stop snowing around 1pm. Most of the kids are from upstate New York and have played in the cold before. Cortland played a game down south a few years ago in the snow and Jimmy Dougher and Justin Mattes combined to throw a no-hitter.

[Truthfinder]

Doorey strikes again. Tells his team they're in if Cortland wins, and quoted in paper today talking about NCAA tourney chances, with no mention of fact he's on committee. Give it up Coach. You went .500 in the SUNYAC. He's making a sham of this process.