BB: Midwest Region

[NOTSKINNY7]

UWO is going to use Reubens a lot a like they used Gerl last year. Bring him in at key times of the game to kill a rally or close. Today is his first start of the year. According to Lechnir, Kennenberg is his 2 in his mind. But I thought from watching yesterday that the lefty that started game one was dominant. Not velocity wise, but the way he located and mixed his breaking ball in. Worked both sides of the plate very well. Oshkosh was in a tough spot with the way the schedule worked out. Having to play St. Scholastica and St. Thomas on back to back days is a tough series for any team. Especially the Titans who only returned 3 players that had thrown a single inning last season...
As for the CSS game 2, It means way more for them than it does for Oshkosh. UWO has the luxury of an auto-berth by winning the WIAC tourney. CSS is in a position to scrape as an at-large Pool B. They dont get an auto bid until 2010 from what I hear.
As for what was said on the radio, there was no intent from the Scholastica coach to say that the Titans were slowing the game down, anyone that has played against or coached against Coach Lechnir knows that it has been that way for YEARS.... He had no intent of slowing that game down and at one point yelled at his players to get there feet moving and get on the field. The two coaches get along quite well and I believe that Coach Lechnir was more angry about the way the Titans played at the beginning of that game then how it finished.

[BaseballFan]

BaseballFan, were at the Dome for Oshkosh/St. Thomas today? You made it seem like you saw the CSS/UWO games. If you were there, anything stick out?

I was at the game yesterday but could not make it there today. From the boxscores it looks like UWO got another quality start and Lonnie Robinson is off to a hot start.

UWO has a great 1-2 punch in the rotation but not much after that. I think they hit the ball pretty well and are not bad on defense even tho Demmin did save a couple throws at 1st with some tough picks. UWO will be really good next with only one senior on their team.  
St thomas appears to have the most pitching depth and have 4 or 5 solid guys. Their hitting is not keeping up though with their pitching and if they do pick up they will be tough to beat.

CSS has a solid 1-2 punch as well but have a really young rotation after that. CSS appears to be hitting the ball the best out of these 3 teams. CSS hit some monster homeruns yesterday and even managed 9 hits off Demmin as well.

So I guess they are pretty even right now and they are 2-2 against each other

[OshDude]

UWO is going to use Reubens a lot a like they used Gerl last year. Bring him in at key times of the game to kill a rally or close. Today is his first start of the year. According to Lechnir, Kennenberg is his 2 in his mind. But I thought from watching yesterday that the lefty that started game one was dominant. Not velocity wise, but the way he located and mixed his breaking ball in. Worked both sides of the plate very well. Oshkosh was in a tough spot with the way the schedule worked out. Having to play St. Scholastica and St. Thomas on back to back days is a tough series for any team. Especially the Titans who only returned 3 players that had thrown a single inning last season...
As for the CSS game 2, It means way more for them than it does for Oshkosh. UWO has the luxury of an auto-berth by winning the WIAC tourney. CSS is in a position to scrape as an at-large Pool B. They dont get an auto bid until 2010 from what I hear.
As for what was said on the radio, there was no intent from the Scholastica coach to say that the Titans were slowing the game down, anyone that has played against or coached against Coach Lechnir knows that it has been that way for YEARS.... He had no intent of slowing that game down and at one point yelled at his players to get there feet moving and get on the field. The two coaches get along quite well and I believe that Coach Lechnir was more angry about the way the Titans played at the beginning of that game then how it finished.

Thanks for the insight +1. Welcome to the boards.

Gerl was so valuable in that role last year, but that was when Oshkosh had a more set rotation and Gerl could put out fires. I'd never claim to know more about baseball than Lechnir, but I assumed, incorrectly if you're right, that Rubens would slot into Roos's spot and Demmin/Hendricks would be the new Bretl/Bolton combo.

If there were a "new Gerl," I'd think Kannenberg would be that guy. I always thought Kanny had the stuff to get through a college lineup once. I never thought of him as a collegiate SP but more of a poor man's version of Kurt Yacko at Chapman. Then again, what do I know?

And I'm sure you're right about Lechnir being more displeased with his team's play than with the way CSS played the game. No doubts from me on that whatsoever.

[OshDude]

BaseballFan, were at the Dome for Oshkosh/St. Thomas today? You made it seem like you saw the CSS/UWO games. If you were there, anything stick out?

I was at the game yesterday but could not make it there today. From the boxscores it looks like UWO got another quality start and Lonnie Robinson is off to a hot start.

UWO has a great 1-2 punch in the rotation but not much after that. I think they hit the ball pretty well and are not bad on defense even tho Demmin did save a couple throws at 1st with some tough picks. UWO will be really good next with only one senior on their team.  
St thomas appears to have the most pitching depth and have 4 or 5 solid guys. Their hitting is not keeping up though with their pitching and if they do pick up they will be tough to beat.

CSS has a solid 1-2 punch as well but have a really young rotation after that. CSS appears to be hitting the ball the best out of these 3 teams. CSS hit some monster homeruns yesterday and even managed 9 hits off Demmin as well.

So I guess they are pretty even right now and they are 2-2 against each other

Curt Hendricks is a very good pitcher. I think Oshkosh is solid from 1-3. Now the Titans need one or two more guys to claim roles and they should be OK.

The quality of opposing pitchers has been high (going off of the past, when I saw those guys throw), but I thought UWO would have produced more with the bats. They're young and it's very early, but I had the idea that Brad Demmin, Derek Leighton and Jason Fosler would be monsters and that Kannenberg, Wetenkamp, Nolan Fadness and Waupoose/Berger/Jenson/R. Demmin would be mini monsters. They still could be.

[BaseballFan]

Curt Hendricks is a very good pitcher. I think Oshkosh is solid from 1-3. Now the Titans need one or two more guys to claim roles and they should be OK.

The quality of opposing pitchers has been high (going off of the past, when I saw those guys throw), but I thought UWO would have produced more with the bats. They're young and it's very early, but I had the idea that Brad Demmin, Derek Leighton and Jason Fosler would be monsters and that Kannenberg, Wetenkamp, Nolan Fadness and Waupoose/Berger/Jenson/R. Demmin would be mini monsters. They still could be.

Hendricks is there 3 but looks like he did not have a good outing against Thomas...Their lineup looked good, not great, but good.

[OshDude]

Curt Hendricks is a very good pitcher. I think Oshkosh is solid from 1-3. Now the Titans need one or two more guys to claim roles and they should be OK.

The quality of opposing pitchers has been high (going off of the past, when I saw those guys throw), but I thought UWO would have produced more with the bats. They're young and it's very early, but I had the idea that Brad Demmin, Derek Leighton and Jason Fosler would be monsters and that Kannenberg, Wetenkamp, Nolan Fadness and Waupoose/Berger/Jenson/R. Demmin would be mini monsters. They still could be.

Hendricks is there 3 but looks like he did not have a good outing against Thomas...Their lineup looked good, not great, but good.

That'll happen. You can substitute names for "he" and fill a notebook with quality pitchers who've had that happen.

[Bronko7]

In the WIAC this year there are going to be some huge numbers put up. I think the runs scored is going to be through the roof, because the top teams in the league don't have the depth on the mound that we have seen over the past few years. It is scary to think of what Oshkosh could put up Mickey Fadness weren't out for the season. It is a pretty good line up without him. As for Point, there trip south showed that they are going to put up a good number of runs. It will be interesting to see the numbers in Wisconsin Rapids during the WIAC tourney, because that place is a cracker jack box. Whitewater appears to be the team that wants to play tight and low scoring. Still see Point hitting there way to a WIAC crown..

[BaseballFan]

In the WIAC this year there are going to be some huge numbers put up. I think the runs scored is going to be through the roof, because the top teams in the league don't have the depth on the mound that we have seen over the past few years. It is scary to think of what Oshkosh could put up Mickey Fadness weren't out for the season. It is a pretty good line up without him. As for Point, there trip south showed that they are going to put up a good number of runs. It will be interesting to see the numbers in Wisconsin Rapids during the WIAC tourney, because that place is a cracker jack box. Whitewater appears to be the team that wants to play tight and low scoring. Still see Point hitting there way to a WIAC crown..

There definately is not a lot of pitching depth in the WIAC and with the small fields there will be a lot of runs due to routine fly balls turning into homers. Will be nice for the whole region not having the region playoffs at Wisconsin Rapids

[Bronko7]

Does anyone know when the first regional rankings are released? I would be interested to see how the midwest would look to this point. Doesn't seem like anyone is willing to run away as the clear cut #1 seed. Not that it will matter come tourney time, because Ripon some how will be the 1 or 2.

[BaseballFan]

Does anyone know when the first regional rankings are released? I would be interested to see how the midwest would look to this point. Doesn't seem like anyone is willing to run away as the clear cut #1 seed. Not that it will matter come tourney time, because Ripon some how will be the 1 or 2.

Probably not until the next abca poll in 2 weeks if not longer to allow more in region games. I have put my new rankings below

1-5 in no order

CSS: 12-3 got splits against St Thomas, Oshkosh, Alvernia doing what they need to do to get a bid. Need to at least go 3-1 against GA and STO or 2-2 with no conference losses
St thomas: 11-5 splits against CSS, UWO, STP--will win MIAC
UWO: 5-2 splits against CSS, STT
STP: 6-5 have played tough teams and 5 losses were close losses to good teams. Even roughed up one of the best pitchers in the country against Wooster
UWW: 7-2 havent come up with a big sweep yet but none the less still playing well

6-8
Ripon 8-1 only good team they played was RPI and were killed by them--so as Bronko7 said they will get a #1 seed cuz the NCAA loves them
St Olaf: 9-5
St Norbert: 6-3

Looks right now if it was a 6 team region (but can easily change with a month and half left and conference tourney):
CSS, STT, UWO, STP, UWW, Ripon--3 from WIAC, 1 from MIAC, UMAC, MWC

[twins12]

I agree with bronko...the regional tournament should be at a longer field.  Who ever hits the most fly balls usually will win.  It just doesnt feel like baseball when you watch it

[OshDude]

Make sure you use only in-region records when doing Midwest Region rankings because wins over Alvernia and good showings against Wooster are only moral victories, which mean next to nothing in terms of the postseason.

Here are the in-region records of contending MW teams (and then some, maybe). I included eight MIAC teams and all WIAC teams to start the year. I also have St. Norbert, Ripon and St. Scholastica. If anyone thinks I should add a team, let me know. I'll update this and subtract teams periodically. Let me know if I made a mistake.

Ranked by winning percentage (through 3/25), and I know this is not the order of Midwest teams. It's just easiest this way. Midwest series against Top 18 in parentheses.

1.  Whitewater 6-2 (Olaf 1-1, Beth 2-0, Augs 1-1)
     Stevens Point 3-1 (StT 1-1)
     Superior 3-1
     Moorhead 3-1 (LAX 2-0)
5.  Oshkosh 5-2 (CSS 1-1, StT 1-1, Beth 2-0)
6.  St. Scholastica 4-2 (StT 1-1, UWO 1-1)
     Gustavus 4-2 (Stout 1-1)
     St. Olaf 4-2 (WW 1-1)
9.  St. John's 5-3 (LAX 0-2, Stout 0-1)
10. La Crosse 6-4 (Augs 2-0, Ham 0-2, John's 2-0, Moor 0-2)
11. Hamline 8-6 (LAX 2-0)
12. Platteville 4-4
      St. Thomas 3-3 (CSS 1-1, Point 1-1, UWO 1-1)
      St. Norbert 3-3
15. Stout 4-5 (Ham 0-2, Gusty 1-1, Augs 1-1, John's 1-0)
16. Augsburg 4-6 (LAX 0-2, WW 1-1, Stout 1-1)
17. Bethel 3-5 (UWO 0-2, WW 0-2)
18. Ripon 0-0

[BaseballFan]

Make sure you use only in-region records when doing Midwest Region rankings because wins over Alvernia and good showings against Wooster are only moral victories, which mean next to nothing in terms of the postseason.

Here are the in-region records of contending MW teams (and then some, maybe). I included eight MIAC teams and all WIAC teams to start the year. I also have St. Norbert, Ripon and St. Scholastica. If anyone thinks I should add a team, let me know. I'll update this and subtract teams periodically. Let me know if I made a mistake.

Ranked by winning percentage (through 3/25), and I know this is not the order of Midwest teams. It's just easiest this way. Midwest series against Top 18 in parentheses.

1.  Whitewater 6-2 (Olaf 1-1, Beth 2-0, Augs 1-1)
     Stevens Point 3-1 (StT 1-1)
     Superior 3-1
     Moorhead 3-1 (LAX 2-0)
5.  Oshkosh 5-2 (CSS 1-1, StT 1-1, Beth 2-0)
6.  St. Scholastica 4-2 (StT 1-1, UWO 1-1)
     Gustavus 4-2 (Stout 1-1)
     St. Olaf 4-2 (WW 1-1)
9.  St. John's 5-3 (LAX 0-2, Stout 0-1)
10. La Crosse 6-4 (Augs 2-0, Ham 0-2, John's 2-0, Moor 0-2)
11. Hamline 8-6 (LAX 2-0)
12. Platteville 4-4
      St. Thomas 3-3 (CSS 1-1, Point 1-1, UWO 1-1)
      St. Norbert 3-3
15. Stout 4-5 (Ham 0-2, Gusty 1-1, Augs 1-1, John's 1-0)
16. Augsburg 4-6 (LAX 0-2, WW 1-1, Stout 1-1)
17. Bethel 3-5 (UWO 0-2, WW 0-2)
18. Ripon 0-0

I agree you need to look at in-region games, but as of right now you cant because teams havent played many of them and most of their games are on spring break trips. I disagree that wins over Alvernia and good showings against Wooster are moral victories. Because if the selection committee only looked at in region then their would be no point into playing those other games and its why they use the point system based on in region and team records. In region are the most important but not the whole story. A loss against a good team will give you more points than a loss against a bad team. Sometimes a loss against a good team can be worth more than a win over a bad team. I would guess the committee looks at how teams do against other good teams (in region and out of region)

My rankings might change some once teams get into their conference schedules whenever that may be.

[OshDude]

Make sure you use only in-region records when doing Midwest Region rankings because wins over Alvernia and good showings against Wooster are only moral victories, which mean next to nothing in terms of the postseason.

Here are the in-region records of contending MW teams (and then some, maybe). I included eight MIAC teams and all WIAC teams to start the year. I also have St. Norbert, Ripon and St. Scholastica. If anyone thinks I should add a team, let me know. I'll update this and subtract teams periodically. Let me know if I made a mistake.

Ranked by winning percentage (through 3/25), and I know this is not the order of Midwest teams. It's just easiest this way. Midwest series against Top 18 in parentheses.

1.  Whitewater 6-2 (Olaf 1-1, Beth 2-0, Augs 1-1)
     Stevens Point 3-1 (StT 1-1)
     Superior 3-1
     Moorhead 3-1 (LAX 2-0)
5.  Oshkosh 5-2 (CSS 1-1, StT 1-1, Beth 2-0)
6.  St. Scholastica 4-2 (StT 1-1, UWO 1-1)
     Gustavus 4-2 (Stout 1-1)
     St. Olaf 4-2 (WW 1-1)
9.  St. John's 5-3 (LAX 0-2, Stout 0-1)
10. La Crosse 6-4 (Augs 2-0, Ham 0-2, John's 2-0, Moor 0-2)
11. Hamline 8-6 (LAX 2-0)
12. Platteville 4-4
      St. Thomas 3-3 (CSS 1-1, Point 1-1, UWO 1-1)
      St. Norbert 3-3
15. Stout 4-5 (Ham 0-2, Gusty 1-1, Augs 1-1, John's 1-0)
16. Augsburg 4-6 (LAX 0-2, WW 1-1, Stout 1-1)
17. Bethel 3-5 (UWO 0-2, WW 0-2)
18. Ripon 0-0

I agree you need to look at in-region games, but as of right now you cant because teams havent played many of them and most of their games are on spring break trips. I disagree that wins over Alvernia and good showings against Wooster are moral victories. Because if the selection committee only looked at in region then their would be no point into playing those other games and its why they use the point system based on in region and team records. In region are the most important but not the whole story. A loss against a good team will give you more points than a loss against a bad team. Sometimes a loss against a good team can be worth more than a win over a bad team. I would guess the committee looks at how teams do against other good teams (in region and out of region)

My rankings might change some once teams get into their conference schedules whenever that may be.

Don't know what else to write. In-region games are pretty much the only important games. The formula used last season that I think you're referencing took only in-region games into account.

Opponent's opponents winning percentage will factor in. Beyond that, which is nearly impossible to calculate on your own, there isn't much sense in talking about a Wooster/Stevens Point game in terms of postseason bids. Keep updating your rankings, but please recognize the in-region records when you do.

But you're right. The out-of-region games do count for something. It's just that those are under the secondary criteria. Nonregional games are barometers and good prep for teams, but no, they don't mean much beyond that.

Just because the games are played on spring trips, it doesn't mean they don't count as in-region games. Of course there are not yet many in-region games played. That's why I have 18 teams ranked. Then again, the season is about 15% to 20% complete. Seems like a good time to start sorting it out.

[BaseballFan]

Of course in region games are most important just stating that its important to recognize the entire schedule.  But right now it cant be based on overall in region records either due to some teams playing some soft teams. That is why i have based mine so far on overall performance because it should correlate to the rest of the season.

Wisconsin teams going to be able to play this weekend?