BB: Midwest Region

MIACLUV · April 15, 2011, 10:54:06 PM

Based on SOS and In-region I give it a look like this:

1) UW-Whitewater (WIAC leader)
2) St. Olaf (MAC series cost them the 1)
3) St. Scholastica (probably wrapped up UMAC last weekend)
4) UWSP (Has the Titans for 2 more, but WIAC schedule gets lighter)
5) Conc. Chicago (rolling through the NAC to this point)
6) UW-Oshkosh (still has WW and 2 more with Point to deal with)

bonus:
7) Bethany Lutheran (very good schedule if weather doesn't blow it)
7A) UW Lacrosse (proved they belonged with OSH split)

Heavy emphasis on the SOS to this POINT

2 & 3 could flip flop depending on the Sunday outcome

But these teams have taken care of business to this time, these teams will jockey for position throughout the rest of the season, but this is the top of the Midwest in this guys opinion.

I cant remember the last time I haven't had any good reasons to put the Tommies in one of these

maybe the Gopher win kicks them into gear and a deep run to another MIAC tourney title.

MNbaseball · April 16, 2011, 04:29:31 PM

Based on MIACLUV's region rankings, below is each team's SOS with in region records according to the D3 website for each team listed, and I threw in Macalester because they currently are in 1st place in the MIAC.

Bethany Lutheran- 6 (9-5)
Stevens Point- 9 (11-5)
Whitewater- 11 (14-4)
Macalester- 19 (11-6)
St. Olaf- 28 (15-4)
Oshkosh- 38 (9-5)
UW Lacrosse- 174 (14-6)
St. Scholastica- 180 (9-2)
Concordia- 270 (13-4)

Just Bill · April 21, 2011, 03:06:00 PM

Good Midwest Region match up of conference leaders today with Concordia Chicago at UW-Whitewater. I believe it's just a single game starting at 3:00. Live stats here:

http://www.sidearmstats.com/uww/baseball/index.htm

BigPoppa · April 21, 2011, 03:10:51 PM

Quote from: Just Bill on April 21, 2011, 03:06:00 PM
Good Midwest Region match up of conference leaders today with Concordia Chicago at UW-Whitewater. I believe it's just a single game starting at 3:00. Live stats here:

http://www.sidearmstats.com/uww/baseball/index.htm

CUC can really put themselves on the national map with a win today.

cubs · April 21, 2011, 03:47:19 PM

It will be interesting to see who Whitewater throws, as they don't have a WIAC game until next Wedensday. Their #1 and #2 threw on Sunday, so they would have three days rest.

Just Bill · April 21, 2011, 04:02:54 PM

Quote from: cubs on April 21, 2011, 03:47:19 PM
It will be interesting to see who Whitewater throws, as they don't have a WIAC game until next Wedensday. Their #1 and #2 threw on Sunday, so they would have three days rest.

UWW is throwing Riley Tichner, who is probably #2, right? CUC is throwing Dan Kluss, who is probably their #3.

ShineTime · April 21, 2011, 04:19:22 PM

Tincher is the #1 for Whitewater Donovan #2.

Just Bill · April 21, 2011, 04:25:11 PM

UWW gets 2 (unearned) in the bottom of the first, but CUC has loaded the bases with nobody out in the second.

EDIT: CUC gets one on a DP ground ball and singles in another. 2-2 in the middle of the second.

Great game brewing. Batters are defintely winning the battles right now. 4-4 with CUC batting in the top of the 4th.

UWW leads 5-4 in the top of the 5th, but Tichner exits the game after giving up a leadoff double to Cam Stephens. Justin Lambert is in to pitch for UWW.

CUC scores two in the fifth to go back in front 6-5. Final pitching line for Tichner: 4 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. No decision possible.

Garret Balind in to pitch for CUC. 6-5 Cougars after five. Final line for Kluss: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. No decision possible.

7-6 UWW. UWW put runnners on first and third with no outs in the seventh, but came away empty.

Top of the ninth, still 7-6 UWW. CUC puts the leadoff hitter on base with a walk. CUC moves him to second on a ground out and UWW goes to Donovan to get the save. Donovan strikes out first batter he faces for second out of the inning, and gets a ground out to end the game. Warhawks win 7-6.

P.S. I hate that UWW doesn't display pitch-by-pitch in their live stats. But I guess it's better than nothing.

badgerwarhawk · April 22, 2011, 12:08:43 PM

It's better than clicking on a live stats link and discovering that the only thing there is the previous day's last game.

cubs · April 24, 2011, 12:52:58 PM

Anybody want to take a guess at what the Midwest Regional Rankings will look like when they are released on Thursday?

1. Whitewater
2. St. Scholastica
3. Stevens Point
4. Oshkosh
5. Concordia-Chicago
6. St. John's

St. Olaf who seemed to be a lock to be in the first rankings have lost six of their last eight, all of which have been "In-Region" MIAC games.

I picked St. John's to have the "best" resume of all the MIAC teams. Any objections?

biggio34 · April 24, 2011, 10:21:57 PM

Quote from: cubs on April 24, 2011, 12:52:58 PM
Anybody want to take a guess at what the Midwest Regional Rankings will look like when they are released on Thursday?

1. Whitewater
2. St. Scholastica
3. Stevens Point
4. Oshkosh
5. Concordia-Chicago
6. St. John's

St. Olaf who seemed to be a lock to be in the first rankings have lost six of their last eight, all of which have been "In-Region" MIAC games.

I picked St. John's to have the "best" resume of all the MIAC teams. Any objections?

The MIAC is such a tough call. I think Olaf is the deepest team on the hill but offensively they have too many games where they do not produce runs. I would pick them to win the MIAC tournament, but you are right, too many losses recently. The Tommies and CSS square off tomorrow so we'll see if the Tommies string of recent good play is a trend or a mirage.

I think I would rank them like this...

1. Whitewater
2. Point
3. CSS
4. Conc-Chi
5. Oshkosh
6. Lacrosse or St. Johns or Macalaster (did i just say that?)

Lots of games early this week so this could all change before Thursday.

Dagger · April 25, 2011, 12:30:45 PM

I have no prejudices against CSS, and admittedly know little about their current team, but knowing their past performances I have a very difficult time accepting them as a legitimate 1-4 seed despite their season record. Until they can win a game or two in a regional I would have to make them 5-6 seed. I'm sorry but you can't ignore their competition throughout the year.

biggio34 · April 25, 2011, 12:59:37 PM

Quote from: Dagger on April 25, 2011, 12:30:45 PM
I have no prejudices against CSS, and admittedly know little about their current team, but knowing their past performances I have a very difficult time accepting them as a legitimate 1-4 seed despite their season record. Until they can win a game or two in a regional I would have to make them 5-6 seed. I'm sorry but you can't ignore their competition throughout the year.

A valid statement about this year's team, as they have not played anyone to prove themselves. However, when talking about their past performances at regionals, you can't say they have never won a game or two. Last year they didn't play well and went 0-2. A few years back they made it to the final day against Whitewater. They have beaten the top regional teams and pitchers at regional time before, including Jordan Zimmerman (twice).

I put them at 3rd in my rankings precisely for the reason that they have had a bit of a weak schedule due to the dome collapse and some other weather cancellations and have not been able to show off their team against anyone good. But I do believe this team is good. And I do believe they deserve a top 4 spot in the Midwest.

BigPoppa · April 25, 2011, 01:13:58 PM

Here is my guess at what it may look like: (still a few games this week that could change it all)

1. Whitewater
2. Stevens Point
3. St. Scholastica
4. Concordia (IL)
5. Oshkosh
6. St. Olaf
7. St. Johns/Lacrosse

scrapper · April 25, 2011, 01:23:00 PM

Really have a hard time with St Olaf in the top of anything right now. No matter what they did earlier this year they have lost 7 0f their last 10 and are 7th in their conference with a 7-7 record and 19-10 overall. No way do they deserve to be on any list right now. Only if they can turn it around and sneak back into the MIAC race. Almost impossible with them sitting at 7-7 right now.