BB: General New England Discussion

[d3spectator]

Just came across an interesting stat.

Southern Maine is 29-2 vs. right handed pitching and 5-3 vs lefties!

Just a little stat for teams and coaches to look at before trying to get on through their lineup during regionals 

Spec

[PopFisher]

MOC 323, GBEAR210, D3spectator, rbgosfan, others...
     Just to weigh in on the Wheaton/Curry/WPI at-large bid matter, I feel, although I have the greatest respect for the Wheaton coach, players, program, tradition, history thing, I do feel that they have under-achieved. I feel that Curry deserves consideration for the 34 wins, albeit weaker schedule than either Wheaton or WPI. In my opinion, WPI has over-achieved, by winning signature games in and out of conference, albeit stubbing their toe in the NEWMAC tourney. It's an incredible feat to catch or take out Wheaton in any given year in the NEWMAC given the rich history of their accomplishments, especially considering the whole recruitment issue, although I know this has nothing to do w/at-large bids, rankings, etc.. It's just a factor for discussion sake when considering the WPI over-achievement given the tougher it is to recruit at that school. Great analysis of WPI stats regarding pitching and offense! which might play into decision if actual discussion is ever made (a point which you called the "human element"). Although you mentioned the over-use of Fahey (# of IP, starter, closer, etc.) which is hard to argue with, they did win 26 games. While you might say that there is no pitching depth, I did check to see that they had a very good #2 (Minor)& #3 (Murphy), I think in that order, that went 5, 6, or 7 wins w/ 2 losses apiece w/respectable ERAs. However, they both had tough outings in the NEWMAC tourney it appears, which sent WPI out early. If either of them can return to seasonal form, their pitching depth returns at least through 3 games. Now Fahey might only have to wait for 1 day's rain! I just think to say they have ONLY Fahey is unfair to the fine seasons that other pitchers had. Also, the "only guy to hit over .350" was last year's NEWMAC "POY" McNee, who along w/Fahey made the 1st Team NEWMAC again this year. But to say that they have ONLY McNee offensively would be unfair also, as there are a number of hitters between .300 - .350 (6 I think from what I looked at), just like you can't say that WPI's rise to respectability is due to any one or two players. Sure, Fahey (ace) and McNee (cleanup) have helped put them on the radar screen over the last 4 years, but other players have had very solid years, or more (Galligan, Bean, McGregor, Moreau, Dignum, McClune, Watkins, Hansen, Walsh, whose stats look like they all contributed). Granted, compared to ECSU, USM, Trinity, and some others, WPI may be softer in pitching and offensive depth, but they have put together a year of over-achievement. They match up well w/ Babson, who they beat twice this year, in both categories, with all due respect to what Babson did in the tourney - great job. Where's Curry in all this - a team that won a ton of games, though not as tough a schedule on road in region. So I like WPI in w/Curry getting greater consideration than Wheaton who, despite past achievement, did not finish well. Another thing to consider is that at least WPI is going in to the ECAC to try and improve their resume, instead fo just sitting around and waiting for a phone call. We don't even know if the committee even considers any of this (your "human element" factor) but, as you have said in multiple posts, it's fun to jump in and give our "2 cents", for however limited our thoughts might be. In the end, a mathematical formula is probably the best way to decide to keep it as objective as possible. It's a formula that, although complicated, maybe the brainiac WPI kids are trying to figure out themselves right now. Whatever happens, let's sit back and enjoy a great regional, and congratulations to all teams being considered for a great season that has us talking about all the possibilities. All of your opinions and research have been great fun! Play Ball!

[hockeyfan77]

Just came across an interesting stat.

Southern Maine is 29-2 vs. right handed pitching and 5-3 vs lefties!

Just a little stat for teams and coaches to look at before trying to get on through their lineup during regionals 

Spec

It's not the side the pitchers pitch from that give USM some troubles: it's a certain pitch...I think that all the teams in the LEC know this though...

[moc323]

This just in:   AS THEY SAY:)))

RE: THE ONGOING WHEATON, WPI, CURRY comparisons---which as one astute reader HAS said, waaaaay back 24 hours ago maybe---THIS may not matter at all, depending on whether Trinity wins tourney and/or if any upsets happen...
BUT---FOR ANY WHOM CARE TO KNOW---I just quickly compiled this short comparison between MANY OF those teams discussed at length...recently in posts...   IT MEANS NOTHING on its own---just more stuff to digest.....for what it's worth here goes---

Nationally, as of all games through May 3rd: from NCAA stat site today--

Team ERA'S----   TOTAL OF 354 TEAMS RANKED

# 4  Trinity, Ct -   2.90 team E.R.A.
# 6  ECSU  ------  3.02 TEAM era
#27 WPI --------- 3.90 tEAM era
# 30 WNEC------- 4.08 ------------( A..Q.)
# 32 SUFFOLK --- 4.14
# 61 CURRY-------4.60
# 73 Wheaton--- 4.77     
# 78  USM-------- 4.79
#108 BABSON --- 5.25 ------------(A.Q.)

[mainefan]

d3spectator

It may seem like all of the pitcher's for USM are spot pitchers but they're not. In fact the Yates kid had worked his way into the starting rotation as a freshman. Going into the Babson game his ERA was just over 3.

[moc323]

REGIONAL RANKINGS RELEASED TODAY----"3RD AND FINAL PUBLIC LISTING"  *(THO THERE WILL BE ONE MORE RANKING--"NOT MADE PUBLIC" THEY SAY)

One last note re: WPI, vs Curry, vs Wheaton possibilities for at large bid-----if Trinity wins their own tourney. 

As of today:

1) USM
2)ECSU
3)Trinity
4) CURRY 34-7 (30-6 REGION)
5) SUFFOLK
6) WPI (26-11, (25-8 REGION)
7) WHEATON (30-12, (27-10 REGION) 

[mans007]

This just in:   AS THEY SAY:)))

RE: THE ONGOING WHEATON, WPI, CURRY comparisons---which as one astute reader HAS said, waaaaay back 24 hours ago maybe---THIS may not matter at all, depending on whether Trinity wins tourney and/or if any upsets happen...
BUT---FOR ANY WHOM CARE TO KNOW---I just quickly compiled this short comparison between MANY OF those teams discussed at length...recently in posts...   IT MEANS NOTHING on its own---just more stuff to digest.....for what it's worth here goes---

Nationally, as of all games through May 3rd: from NCAA stat site today--

Team ERA'S----   TOTAL OF 354 TEAMS RANKED

# 4  Trinity, Ct -   2.90 team E.R.A.
# 6  ECSU  ------  3.02 TEAM era
#27 WPI --------- 3.90 tEAM era
# 30 WNEC------- 4.08 ------------( A..Q.)
# 32 SUFFOLK --- 4.14
# 61 CURRY-------4.60
# 73 Wheaton--- 4.77     
# 78  USM-------- 4.79
#108 BABSON --- 5.25 ------------(A.Q.)

These stats are a little sqewed because of all of those teams listed except for babson, trinity has played the weakest schedule. Trinity although they can't do anything about there conference schedule, has one of the weakest sos (strenght of schedules) in New England.

[moc323]

I hear ya, MANS007....no argument here, on that note----And, I am not "in the know" as far as each of these team's sos vs the others, overall.....    just tossing out info from NCAA site----everyone will digest and evaluate as you did, based on what other specific info we're privy to, and/or based on how closely we each follow the region, vs just following our own 1 team...    I do read what each fan says about others' sos, in general, and, although Trinity may have had almost as "weak" of an overall schedule last year----but, certainly gets some votes/props for mowing down the "stronger" teams, once regionals and NCAA finals confronted them, last year?   Their lack of sos last year (if it was similar to this year??) didn't stop them from showing their stuff, no matter whom they faced come tourney time?   I don't think Trinity should be ranked any lower than 3rd now in New Eng?    Of course, all of these posts are based on opinion and on how each fan interprets the stats made available to us all....so---again--no argument with what you're saying.   

[moc323]

This just in:   AS THEY SAY:)))

RE: THE ONGOING WHEATON, WPI, CURRY comparisons---which as one astute reader HAS said, waaaaay back 24 hours ago maybe---THIS may not matter at all, depending on whether Trinity wins tourney and/or if any upsets happen...
BUT---FOR ANY WHOM CARE TO KNOW---I just quickly compiled this short comparison between MANY OF those teams discussed at length...recently in posts...   IT MEANS NOTHING on its own---just more stuff to digest.....for what it's worth here goes---

Nationally, as of all games through May 3rd: from NCAA stat site today--

Team ERA'S----   TOTAL OF 354 TEAMS RANKED

# 4  Trinity, Ct -   2.90 team E.R.A.
# 6  ECSU  ------  3.02 TEAM era
#27 WPI --------- 3.90 tEAM era
# 30 WNEC------- 4.08 ------------( A..Q.)
# 32 SUFFOLK --- 4.14
# 61 CURRY-------4.60
# 73 Wheaton--- 4.77     
# 78  USM-------- 4.79
#108 BABSON --- 5.25 ------------(A.Q.)

These stats are a little sqewed because of all of those teams listed except for babson, trinity has played the weakest schedule. Trinity although they can't do anything about there conference schedule, has one of the weakest sos (strenght of schedules) in New England.

  MANS007-----After re-looking your comments above and checking rankings of opponents....I think you did overlook Babson's schedule a bit? -----I'm sure you neglected to consider some of their "in conference" and newmac tourney games....4 vs Wheaton *(Babson won 3) and WPI twice, along with M.I.T. twice...     outside conference GAMES INCLUDED-----Trinity, Suffolk, RIC, ECSU (rained out), USM, CURRY, WORCESTER STATE, .....SO, when Wheaton was # 3 in Nation THIS YEAR----Babson played them and beat them 3 in a row....tough games, but...wins! (WHEATON THEN DROPPED FROM 3RD, TO 6TH, TO 15TH, NOW 22ND)     BABSON basically played almost all of the top 10 in nation (AT ONE POINT THEY WERE)---so---not sure where you get THE Soft sos for Babson?   Maybe trinity's was soft, but?

[DIII Dad]

Hey moc323, when I first read mans007 post I took it as if he was saying except for playing Babson, Trinity plays a weak schedule. I guess you could take it either way. I will say it doesn't look like Babson is trying to duck anyone and the NEWMAC seems to be getting stronger as a conferance with the success of Babson as of late. WPI is strong and hopefully can stay that way after they lose Fahey. MIT seems to play teams tough. Wheaton (except for their latest free fall) is usually a strong team.
Good luck to Babson in the regoinals.

[moc323]

Hey moc323, when I first read mans007 post I took it as if he was saying except for playing Babson, Trinity plays a weak schedule. I guess you could take it either way. I will say it doesn't look like Babson is trying to duck anyone and the NEWMAC seems to be getting stronger as a conferance with the success of Babson as of late. WPI is strong and hopefully can stay that way after they lose Fahey. MIT seems to play teams tough. Wheaton (except for their latest free fall) is usually a strong team.
Good luck to Babson in the regoinals.

Thanks, D3 DAD----Maybe that's what he did mean---and, I can see that now.    I think I had read that quickly and went by my 1st take on it, the way it was worded....   No biggie either way----but, I think you are correct as he wasn't really talking about Babson there---Trinity was his focus.  I hadn't looked at Trinity's schedule, nor "sos", as he stated----but, I knew Babson's was a tough one overall...    Most prior posts on here which were suggesting "weak schedules" out of conf, had been directed at Curry, as you know...That was the 1st one I've seen, which was aimed at Trinity.  Good luck to whomever you follow also.   Busy week coming for many!!

[DIII Dad]

I follow Wheaton, and they are on serious life support right now. Like the players have said lately, "We didn't take care of buisness when we could have so it's on us". If they don't get in we'll have to give our support to the NEWMAC rep. in the regional.

[moc323]

to be honest, it probably won't be the same regionals w/out Wheaton, as they are always there at the end---period.   I guess USM HAS to be invited, though they faltered in last 2 of 3 games......can't imagine them being left out.   Not sure if Trinity won, or is in the finals etc....but--if they win their tourney--I guess that sets up the question of which 1,2 or 3 of the 3 (Curry, Wheaton, WPI) the committee reaches out to?    Lat I knew, WPI played into the finals maybe, of the ECAC, and they know they are also on life support.     Maybe all 3 get an invite?  good luck-----

[hockeyfan77]

to be honest, it probably won't be the same regionals w/out Wheaton, as they are always there at the end---period.   I guess USM HAS to be invited, though they faltered in last 2 of 3 games......can't imagine them being left out.   Not sure if Trinity won, or is in the finals etc....but--if they win their tourney--I guess that sets up the question of which 1,2 or 3 of the 3 (Curry, Wheaton, WPI) the committee reaches out to?    Lat I knew, WPI played into the finals maybe, of the ECAC, and they know they are also on life support.     Maybe all 3 get an invite?  good luck-----

USM had a 35-7 record and beat Wheaton 14-3 head to head: I think it's obvious which team they should take...

[moc323]

to be honest, it probably won't be the same regionals w/out Wheaton, as they are always there at the end---period.   I guess USM HAS to be invited, though they faltered in last 2 of 3 games......can't imagine them being left out.   Not sure if Trinity won, or is in the finals etc....but--if they win their tourney--I guess that sets up the question of which 1,2 or 3 of the 3 (Curry, Wheaton, WPI) the committee reaches out to?    Lat I knew, WPI played into the finals maybe, of the ECAC, and they know they are also on life support.     Maybe all 3 get an invite?  good luck-----

USM had a 35-7 record and beat Wheaton 14-3 head to head: I think it's obvious which team they should take...

OF COURSE USM GOES, WELL BEFORE WHEATON....as do WPI and Curry...WPI just won the ECAC tourney today, walking through all teams fairly easily.      No Wheaton this year......