BB: Midwest Region

[BaseballFan]

Im not sure if this season has the most games between MIAC and WIAC. But I would not be surprised if this was the most sense the NCAA really harps on in-region games. Scholastica played I think 11 games against the MIAC last year so its not surprising to see the WIAC teams doing it also. I would agree its good to see a lot of these in region games.

[OshDude]

Oshkosh has another early DH today which is really too bad. Its nice to be able to play in the Dome and get some early games but a lot of times, you end up playing really early or really late. And then if you are lucky they sometimes jack up the heat to melt the snow off the roof.
Oshdude please give results

I posted this on the WIAC board, and I'll post it here. Oshkosh and Luther did not play enough innings of their second game due to a time limit. Luther was leading 9-5 in the sixth when the game was called, but the result will not count for either team.

UWO won game one, 7-5, in eight innings. Oshkosh is 3-0 on the season, not 3-1. Luther is 0-1.

[BaseballFan]

Oshkosh has another early DH today which is really too bad. Its nice to be able to play in the Dome and get some early games but a lot of times, you end up playing really early or really late. And then if you are lucky they sometimes jack up the heat to melt the snow off the roof.
Oshdude please give results

I posted this on the WIAC board, and I'll post it here. Oshkosh and Luther did not play enough innings of their second game due to a time limit. Luther was leading 9-5 in the sixth when the game was called, but the result will not count for either team.

UWO won game one, 7-5, in eight innings. Oshkosh is 3-0 on the season, not 3-1. Luther is 0-1.

That seems really strange because I would think it would be the same as if it was raining/lightning and the game was called. Because in that case the losing team has to only have 5 innings but maybe its different in the dome or the coaches made an agreement.

[d3ballguy]

Yeah, it is different in the dome. You HAVE to finish 7 innings for it to be counted as an official game. The dome gives you 4 1/2 hours to get 2 games in and if you don't finish then the game doesn't count according to NCAA rules, because weather was not a factor in the situation. 

[Gustie13]

Yup, same reason why Hamline's 2nd game vs Central and Mac's 2nd game vs Jamestown don't count http://www.hamline.edu/hamline_info/athletics/baseball/baseball.html     http://athletics.macalester.edu/news/2008/2/28/BB_0228085317.aspx. Although, interestingly enough, HU and Central will complete game 2 on their spring trips in AZ.

[BaseballFan]

New Poll
In Midwest rankings

#7 Oshkosh
#9 Stevens Point
#14 St Thomas

Whitewater, Scholastica, St. Norbert, St. Olaf receive votes in that order

Still surprised Scholastica (9-2) did not get a lot more votes or even make the top #25 but thats polls for ya.

[BaseballFan]

Pretty boring week for the midwest as teams are getting back or preparing for spring trips, but thought I would try to give some rankings after the initial wave of games.

1. Oshkosh 3-0 (should be 3-1 due to a time constraint)
2. Scholastica 9-2 (Split with Thomas and beat some quality NCAA teams in florida)
3. Stevens Point 1-1 (Split with Thomas, 2-time defending region champs)
4. St. Thomas 2-2 (Could be the best team but could not show dominance over region, 2 splits)
5. Whitewater 3-1 (good sweep, bad split)
6. St. Olaf  (split against Wartburg)
7. St. Norbert 0-0 (no games played yet basing on last year

Looking up at the pack
Bethel (3-3), Gustavus (3-1), Stout (3-1)

I think the top 5 teams are going to have to fight it out because they are pretty solid teams. Oshkosh and Scholastica match up will tell us a lot if there is a sweep

[OshDude]

1. Oshkosh 3-0 (should be 3-1 due to a time constraint)
2. Scholastica 9-2 (Split with Thomas and beat some quality NCAA teams in florida)
3. Stevens Point 1-1 (Split with Thomas, 2-time defending region champs)
4. St. Thomas 2-2 (Could be the best team but could not show dominance over region, 2 splits)
5. Whitewater 3-1 (good sweep, bad split)
6. St. Olaf  (split against Wartburg)
7. St. Norbert 0-0 (no games played yet basing on last year

Looking up at the pack
Bethel (3-3), Gustavus (3-1), Stout (3-1)

Hard to argue against yours. Good list. Here's mine.
1. UWO
2. St. Thomas
3. WW (I still like Augsburg)
4. Point
5. CSS (Like the StT, Alvernia splits. The rest? Whatever, like usual. 1-1 in-region. 2-2 vs. baseball teams)
6. Norbert
7. St. Olaf (although the offense better help out the pitchers sometime)

HM: Bethel, Augsburg (I'll believe for a few more weeks), Gustavus, Ripon (yet to beat a good team), the entire WIAC (La Crosse is my favorite of the group)

[BaseballFan]

1. Oshkosh 3-0 (should be 3-1 due to a time constraint)
2. Scholastica 9-2 (Split with Thomas and beat some quality NCAA teams in florida)
3. Stevens Point 1-1 (Split with Thomas, 2-time defending region champs)
4. St. Thomas 2-2 (Could be the best team but could not show dominance over region, 2 splits)
5. Whitewater 3-1 (good sweep, bad split)
6. St. Olaf  (split against Wartburg)
7. St. Norbert 0-0 (no games played yet basing on last year

Looking up at the pack
Bethel (3-3), Gustavus (3-1), Stout (3-1)

Hard to argue against yours. Good list. Here's mine.
1. UWO
2. St. Thomas
3. WW (I still like Augsburg)
4. Point
5. CSS (Like the StT, Alvernia splits. The rest? Whatever, like usual. 1-1 in-region. 2-2 vs. baseball teams)
6. Norbert
7. St. Olaf (although the offense better help out the pitchers sometime)

HM: Bethel, Augsburg (I'll believe for a few more weeks), Gustavus, Ripon (yet to beat a good team), the entire WIAC (La Crosse is my favorite of the group)

Nice list also, its hard to place the top 5 teams in my opinion. None of them have come out dominant. The reason for CSS #2 is they went 3-2 against NCAA  teams (Elizabethtown the other) in 4 days and after cashing their bullpen still beat a couple other .500 teams.

It will be interesting to see who wants to separate themselves from the pack because the last 2 years the #1 seeds have not be easy to pick. Ripon 2 years ago shouldnt of been, Point barely got it last year if you ask me since their record was not phenomenol

[BaseballFan]

New rankings midwest teams sit at

#6 Oshkosh
#11 Point
#16 St. Thomas
RV 53 UWW
RV 51 Ripon
RV 29 CSS
RV 16 Gustavus
RV 15 Augsburg
RV  1 St. Norbert

The obvious surprise of this poll was to see Ripon receiving votes so many votes after not receiving any votes in any of the prior polls. Yes 8-1 now but weak competition (which oshdude said before) and a lot of close ones at that. My guess there might be a Ripon person on the poll or just that they hadnt played a game yet prior to this week.

So I think this shows how the polls mean nothing because Ripon has beat nobody, and they are ahead of CSS and almost UWW. It would be interesting to see who makes up the poll members.

Anybody have any thoughts

[OshDude]

New rankings midwest teams sit at

#6 Oshkosh
#11 Point
#16 St. Thomas
RV 53 UWW
RV 51 Ripon
RV 29 CSS
RV 16 Gustavus
RV 15 Augsburg
RV  1 St. Norbert

The obvious surprise of this poll was to see Ripon receiving votes so many votes after not receiving any votes in any of the prior polls. Yes 8-1 now but weak competition (which oshdude said before) and a lot of close ones at that. My guess there might be a Ripon person on the poll or just that they hadnt played a game yet prior to this week.

So I think this shows how the polls mean nothing because Ripon has beat nobody, and they are ahead of CSS and almost UWW. It would be interesting to see who makes up the poll members.

Anybody have any thoughts

I think it's natural for people outside the region to see "Ripon, 8-1" and vote from memory. Sort of like, "That's a frequent tourney participant, and it has one of the best records in the nation." Who knows, maybe we're the ones who are underestimating the young Hawks.

I agree with you. If Ripon is that high, then CSS should probably be higher. But I don't have a problem with it. It'll all shake out in about three weeks. The list of RV teams will dwindle and the rest will take shape. I doubt nine MW teams will be receiving votes in three or four weeks.

[BaseballFan]

New rankings midwest teams sit at

#6 Oshkosh
#11 Point
#16 St. Thomas
RV 53 UWW
RV 51 Ripon
RV 29 CSS
RV 16 Gustavus
RV 15 Augsburg
RV  1 St. Norbert

The obvious surprise of this poll was to see Ripon receiving votes so many votes after not receiving any votes in any of the prior polls. Yes 8-1 now but weak competition (which oshdude said before) and a lot of close ones at that. My guess there might be a Ripon person on the poll or just that they hadnt played a game yet prior to this week.

So I think this shows how the polls mean nothing because Ripon has beat nobody, and they are ahead of CSS and almost UWW. It would be interesting to see who makes up the poll members.

Anybody have any thoughts

I think it's natural for people outside the region to see "Ripon, 8-1" and vote from memory. Sort of like, "That's a frequent tourney participant, and it has one of the best records in the nation." Who knows, maybe we're the ones who are underestimating the young Hawks.

I agree with you. If Ripon is that high, then CSS should probably be higher. But I don't have a problem with it. It'll all shake out in about three weeks. The list of RV teams will dwindle and the rest will take shape. I doubt nine MW teams will be receiving votes in three or four weeks.

Yea I would agree in the next three weeks most of the teams will drop out, even though it seems like teams that lose dont move positions that much.  I can see 5 times being ranked Oshkosh, Point, Thomas, Ripon and CSS....CSS and Ripon will most likely pile up a lot of wins in their conference so i think they should be recognized for that and will probabaly not allow UWW in the top 25.

Talk about 2 tough days ahead for Oshkosh: 24th DH against CSS, 25 DH against St. Thomas. Definite advantage to CSS and Thomas because Oshkosh will have will have to go 5-8 deep in their bullpen and have to save guys for each game. Where as the other 2 teams can come out with their top 3-4 pitchers each

[OshDude]

Talk about 2 tough days ahead for Oshkosh: 24th DH against CSS, 25 DH against St. Thomas. Definite advantage to CSS and Thomas because Oshkosh will have will have to go 5-8 deep in their bullpen and have to save guys for each game. Where as the other 2 teams can come out with their top 3-4 pitchers each

And it seems like forever ago since Oshkosh last played. But going off of the Lechnir quotes in the local papers, the UWO guys have a lot to prove and I'm sure they'll just be happy to be playing again.

I know CSS hasn't been playing reguarly either, but the Titans have a lot going against them versus the Tommies on the back end.

[Gustie13]

New rankings midwest teams sit at

#6 Oshkosh
#11 Point
#16 St. Thomas
RV 53 UWW
RV 51 Ripon
RV 29 CSS
RV 16 Gustavus
RV 15 Augsburg
RV  1 St. Norbert

The obvious surprise of this poll was to see Ripon receiving votes so many votes after not receiving any votes in any of the prior polls. Yes 8-1 now but weak competition (which oshdude said before) and a lot of close ones at that. My guess there might be a Ripon person on the poll or just that they hadnt played a game yet prior to this week.

So I think this shows how the polls mean nothing because Ripon has beat nobody, and they are ahead of CSS and almost UWW. It would be interesting to see who makes up the poll members.

Anybody have any thoughts

I think it's natural for people outside the region to see "Ripon, 8-1" and vote from memory. Sort of like, "That's a frequent tourney participant, and it has one of the best records in the nation." Who knows, maybe we're the ones who are underestimating the young Hawks.

I agree with you. If Ripon is that high, then CSS should probably be higher. But I don't have a problem with it. It'll all shake out in about three weeks. The list of RV teams will dwindle and the rest will take shape. I doubt nine MW teams will be receiving votes in three or four weeks.

Yea I would agree in the next three weeks most of the teams will drop out, even though it seems like teams that lose dont move positions that much.  I can see 5 times being ranked Oshkosh, Point, Thomas, Ripon and CSS....CSS and Ripon will most likely pile up a lot of wins in their conference so i think they should be recognized for that and will probabaly not allow UWW in the top 25.

Talk about 2 tough days ahead for Oshkosh: 24th DH against CSS, 25 DH against St. Thomas. Definite advantage to CSS and Thomas because Oshkosh will have will have to go 5-8 deep in their bullpen and have to save guys for each game. Where as the other 2 teams can come out with their top 3-4 pitchers each

I wouldn't automatically assume Oshkosh and USt will use all their top pitchers in this DH because both teams start their conf seasons on the 29th. I could see CSS throwing Kummet and Burg because the UMAC is weak and they face Crown the opening weekend (Crown's 2007 conf record: 1-15).

[BaseballFan]

Talk about 2 tough days ahead for Oshkosh: 24th DH against CSS, 25 DH against St. Thomas. Definite advantage to CSS and Thomas because Oshkosh will have will have to go 5-8 deep in their bullpen and have to save guys for each game. Where as the other 2 teams can come out with their top 3-4 pitchers each

And it seems like forever ago since Oshkosh last played. But going off of the Lechnir quotes in the local papers, the UWO guys have a lot to prove and I'm sure they'll just be happy to be playing again.

I know CSS hasn't been playing reguarly either, but the Titans have a lot going against them versus the Tommies on the back end.

Well I think every team would say they have a lot to prove so thats not surprising. CSS has been off for a week and half now but they play Buena Vista tonight in the Metrodome so a little warm up for Oshkosh. Im sure Oshkosh would be satisfied with 2 splits and really happy going 3-1.

CSS will probably throw Kummet & Berg like they did against Thomas and they will come back to pitch against Gustavus.

I could see St. Thomas break up their pitchers having their 1-4 pitch 3-4 innings apiece that way they can still come back against Bethel on 3 days rest. But Denning seems to like to test some of his other pitchers against good competition so probably a mixture.
I would still bet Oshkosh throws their better pitchers cuz they can still come back on 4 days rest against UWS (1-23 conference record, but will improve upon that this year)

I think games like these have big region implications (getting in and even seeding). A sweep for any of the teams could give them a higher seed, plus CSS needs at least a split to help for their bid.