BB: Midwest Region

[OshDude]

Well I think every team would say they have a lot to prove so thats not surprising.

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.

I watered it down. Lechnir basically said Oshkosh sucked against Luther, although Lechnir being blunt and honest is nothing new either. I meant "something to prove" as more specific than general cliche.

I have little doubt that CSS, UWO and StT will throw their bests at each other. There's no reason not to. In most ways, these games are more important than conference games, assuming all of those teams do what's expected during the conference season and reach about 30 wins.

[BaseballFan]

[/quote]

I watered it down. Lechnir basically said Oshkosh sucked against Luther, although Lechnir being blunt and honest is nothing new either. I meant "something to prove" as more specific than general cliche.

I have little doubt that CSS, UWO and StT will throw their bests at each other. There's no reason not to. In most ways, these games are more important than conference games, assuming all of those teams do what's expected during the conference season and reach about 30 wins.
[/quote]

Yea neither of these teams can afford being swept so they will come out with their guns on the mound. In-region games against teams with .750 winning percentage (which these 3 will probabaly end up) are hard to come by.

[BaseballFan]

CSS (11-2) sweeps Buena Vista 12-0, 8-6 in a DH that began at 1130 PM. Peter Burg (4-0) and Adian Kummet (2-1) picked up wins.

St. Thomas (9-3)  splits with Salve Regina who was 27-11 last year but did not make the tourney. Nobody else in the MIAC with stellar records Olaf & Gustavus 4-2.

[OshDude]

CSS (11-2) sweeps Buena Vista 12-0, 8-6 in a DH that began at 1130 PM. Peter Burg (4-0) and Adian Kummet (2-1) picked up wins.

St. Thomas (9-3)  splits with Salve Regina who was 27-11 last year but did not make the tourney. Nobody else in the MIAC with stellar records Olaf & Gustavus 4-2.

Hamline keeps beating the 4-seed WIAC contenders and losing to teams like Con-Wis. Suggests maybe quality over quantity. Definitely surprises me, and Hamline could be decent this year.

[BaseballFan]

Hamline keeps beating the 4-seed WIAC contenders and losing to teams like Con-Wis. Suggests maybe quality over quantity. Definitely surprises me, and Hamline could be decent this year.

It is suprising to see them beat some good teams (sweep Lacrosse & Stout) and lose to not so good teams. Could be a nice surprise this year. Things could possibly be wide open after St. Thomas in the MIAC and after the big 3 in the WIAC.

[Gustie13]

StO's results so far this year give me the feeling they may have fallen back to the pack. StO, GAC, HU, BU, AUG could all be fighting for the 3 playoff spots behind USt.

Anyone know anything about Luther's Cody Hyland? He certainly doesn't look like one of their better pitchers from the stats but he held a pretty deep GAC lineup to 1 hit last night.

[OshDude]

St. Scholastica and Oshkosh split today at the Metrodome. Please read on, though. I did a little commentary to humor myself. Game 2 was truly bizarre. The last three innings were NOT baseball and took about 25 minutes to play, thanks to CSS working against the time limit. The 5th and 6th took about seven minutes apiece. At one point CSS had to get through 4 full innings in less than 35 minutes.

UWO wins Game 1, 10-3. CSS wins Game 2, 10-5. I'm very happy CSS got credit for dominating UWO, unlike a couple of weeks ago when time ran out on Loras.

EDIT: UWO's No. 5, Kyle Kannenberg, vs. CSS's No. 2, Peter Burg, in Game 2 (UWO saving No. 1 Jeremy Rubens and No. 2/3 Curt Hendricks for St. Thomas tomorrow).

Game 2: CSS 10, UWO 5 (7 innings). UWO's Kannenberg out; 3B/P Brock Wetenkamp out; frosh P Cory Reiland out; frosh P Ryan Kuepper out; soph P Travis Helland out; frosh P Evan Matson in for UWO. Wetenkamp, Reiland, Kuepper, Helland and Matson getting their first innings of the year.

White flag time for UWO [when it was 10-0 after 4], but time is a factor. Game needs to be completed by 4:45 (central) for it to count. UWO might get saved by the bell again ... weird game. CSS playing against the clock more than UWO at this point.

Tick tick tick ... less than 10 minutes to get in 1 inning, but CSS is blowing through these innings. The crazy pace the past three innings has put CSS in a good position get this one in. No 10-run rule. UWO, the home team, can control "tempo." CSS bunting with a 10-run lead to get the game over. CSS's Burg throwing two pitches between innings, and meatballs during the innings. He probably threw 60 straight 75-mph fastballs down the middle. UWO still playing baseball and making quick pitching changes, but this is brutal. Something needs to change in the Metrodome scheduling.

Hits are working against CSS? CSS trying for early groundouts at the plate? UWO commits an error in the 6th and CSS runs into a tag by 20 feet at second base? CSS getting singles and walking into tags at second? CSS not even jogging out ground balls? This isn't baseball. And it's a shame these two teams have to play this way. CSS deserves to win this game, and these two teams should have things decided on the field. Regional seedings are directly affected by a clock? That stinks.

The game ended at 4:44. Even though the last inning started, the game would have been called if one more UWO batter reached, the CSS coach said after the game. He said another thing working against CSS was UWO's coaches, who call all pitches from the dugout, thus taking longer. I'd say running into tags is a far worse offense against baseball than calling pitches from the bench, which UWO has done for years. I doubt CSS has made a habit of playing crap baseball for the last 3 1/2 innings of a seven-inning game. Lost a bit of respect for the CSS coach today with that comment. I'm actually surprised CSS batters were not hit in the butt a few times today. Either way, I think this one will have a lasting effect. Neither team will forget how the game was played today.

CSS has two RBI groundouts, a Blake Eller RBI single, a sac fly, a 2-run bomb by Jake Gaub, an unearned run via an error by the shortstop and a 3-run upper-deck jack by Steve Kraushaar.

UWO on the board with a Kannenberg run-scoring single in the 5th, a Brad Demmin 2-run triple in the 7th and a run via an error in the 7th.

GAME 1 Oshkosh 7, CSS 3 (7 innings): CSS kicked the ball around in the OF, and CSS starter Adian Kummet hit four batters. UWO scored four in the 2nd and three in the 4th. Radio guys said they saw Kummet "maybe at his worst." CSS's Blake Eller hit a 2-run HR in the 7th to break up the shutout. CSS plated another in the 7th after a hit, error and wild pitch.

UWO sophomore No. 2/3 Ryan Demmin gave UWO a huge outing. His line: 7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, (5 or 6?) K, 1 HBP. Demmin sounded like he was out of gas but gutted it out in the 7th.

[HarryDH]

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.
[/quote]

I watered it down. Lechnir basically said Oshkosh sucked against Luther, although Lechnir being blunt and honest is nothing new either. I meant "something to prove" as more specific than general cliche.

I have little doubt that CSS, UWO and StT will throw their bests at each other. There's no reason not to. In most ways, these games are more important than conference games, assuming all of those teams do what's expected during the conference season and reach about 30 wins.
[/quote]


Considering the weather outside here in MN I don't think St. Thomas will have to worry about saving pitchers.  There's about a .1% chance of an outdoor game on saturday vs. bethel.

[BaseballFan]

St. Scholastica and Oshkosh split today at the Metrodome. Please read on, though. I did a little commentary to humor myself. Game 2 was truly bizarre. The last three innings were NOT baseball and took about 25 minutes to play, thanks to CSS working against the time limit. The 5th and 6th took about seven minutes apiece. At one point CSS had to get through 4 full innings in less than 35 minutes.

UWO wins Game 1, 10-3. CSS wins Game 2, 10-5. I'm very happy CSS got credit for dominating UWO, unlike a couple of weeks ago when time ran out on Loras.

EDIT: UWO's No. 5, Kyle Kannenberg, vs. CSS's No. 2, Peter Burg, in Game 2 (UWO saving No. 1 Jeremy Rubens and No. 2/3 Curt Hendricks for St. Thomas tomorrow).



Game 2: CSS 10, UWO 5 (7 innings). UWO's Kannenberg out; 3B/P Brock Wetenkamp out; frosh P Cory Reiland out; frosh P Ryan Kuepper out; soph P Travis Helland out; frosh P Evan Matson in for UWO. Wetenkamp, Reiland, Kuepper, Helland and Matson getting their first innings of the year.

White flag time for UWO [when it was 10-0 after 4], but time is a factor. Game needs to be completed by 4:45 (central) for it to count. UWO might get saved by the bell again ... weird game. CSS playing against the clock more than UWO at this point.

Tick tick tick ... less than 10 minutes to get in 1 inning, but CSS is blowing through these innings. The crazy pace the past three innings has put CSS in a good position get this one in. No 10-run rule. UWO, the home team, can control "tempo." CSS bunting with a 10-run lead to get the game over. CSS's Burg throwing two pitches between innings, and meatballs during the innings. He probably threw 60 straight 75-mph fastballs down the middle. UWO still playing baseball and making quick pitching changes, but this is brutal. Something needs to change in the Metrodome scheduling.

Hits are working against CSS? CSS trying for early groundouts at the plate? UWO commits an error in the 6th and CSS runs into a tag by 20 feet at second base? CSS getting singles and walking into tags at second? CSS not even jogging out ground balls? This isn't baseball. And it's a shame these two teams have to play this way. CSS deserves to win this game, and these two teams should have things decided on the field. Regional seedings are directly affected by a clock? That stinks.

The game ended at 4:44. Even though the last inning started, the game would have been called if one more UWO batter reached, the CSS coach said after the game. He said another thing working against CSS was UWO's coaches, who call all pitches from the dugout, thus taking longer. I'd say running into tags is a far worse offense against baseball than calling pitches from the bench, which UWO has done for years. I doubt CSS has made a habit of playing crap baseball for the last 3 1/2 innings of a seven-inning game. Lost a bit of respect for the CSS coach today with that comment. I'm actually surprised CSS batters were not hit in the butt a few times today. Either way, I think this one will have a lasting effect. Neither team will forget how the game was played today.

CSS has two RBI groundouts, a Blake Eller RBI single, a sac fly, a 2-run bomb by Jake Gaub, an unearned run via an error by the shortstop and a 3-run upper-deck jack by Steve Kraushaar.

UWO on the board with a Kannenberg run-scoring single in the 5th, a Brad Demmin 2-run triple in the 7th and a run via an error in the 7th.

GAME 1 Oshkosh 7, CSS 3 (7 innings): CSS kicked the ball around in the OF, and CSS starter Adian Kummet hit four batters. UWO scored four in the 2nd and three in the 4th. Radio guys said they saw Kummet "maybe at his worst." CSS's Blake Eller hit a 2-run HR in the 7th to break up the shutout. CSS plated another in the 7th after a hit, error and wild pitch.

UWO sophomore No. 2/3 Ryan Demmin gave UWO a huge outing. His line: 7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, (5 or 6?) K, 1 HBP. Demmin sounded like he was out of gas but gutted it out in the 7th.

UWO dominated 1st game, Demmin looked good definately their #1 or 2. Kummet did not look good, just had no command, evident by 3 HBPs in one inning. UWO offense looked pretty good. Blake Eller HRs for CSS

CSS dominated 2nd game, Peter Burg goes to 5-0 and looked really good. Kraushaar and Gaub HR for CSS

My take on the game 2: UWO pitchers work a lot slower because the coaches call the pitches--its a fact! CSSs coach was not saying probably any more than the truth and did not say they purposely did and think you misunderstood Oshdude.

UWO makes 4 pitching changes, UWO does not try to make things go faster by eliminating throw downs to second, UWO throws over 38 times to first in the first game. The Dome takes a 30 minute break between games to rake the mound and home why? CSS hitting so many homeruns and not sprinting around the bases in 12 seconds instead of 15. Many factors played play a roll into why it went so long. If Im CSS i would do the same thing because you deserve the win, so if UWO is not helping in moving the game a long CSS only had one option and that was to force outs. UWO knows about not finishing games so they could definately have their pitchers work faster.


But to say CSSs coach is blaming UWO coaches for calling pitches is the reason is asinine! Im sure he was simply making an observation because its true watching UWO pitch takes forever. 1st inning of the 1st game took 30 minutes alone and no runs were scored. Every other team that plays at the dome can finish both games but UWO cant for some reason? But I still think the dome needs to add 15 minutes to each DH

UWO might not of thrown at CSS but their 2B gave a good shot to CSSs catcher on a tag out. Nothing ever came of it except the umpire saying something to the 2B.

Overall both teams happy with split!

[BaseballFan]

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.

Correct not after snow hit here in the cities I dont think games will happen for a bit and probably not in Wisconsin from what it sounds like

I watered it down. Lechnir basically said Oshkosh sucked against Luther, although Lechnir being blunt and honest is nothing new either. I meant "something to prove" as more specific than general cliche.

I have little doubt that CSS, UWO and StT will throw their bests at each other. There's no reason not to. In most ways, these games are more important than conference games, assuming all of those teams do what's expected during the conference season and reach about 30 wins.
[/quote]


Considering the weather outside here in MN I don't think St. Thomas will have to worry about saving pitchers.  There's about a .1% chance of an outdoor game on saturday vs. bethel.
[/quote]

[OshDude]

But to say CSSs coach is blaming UWO coaches for calling pitches is the reason is asinine! Im sure he was simply making an observation because its true watching UWO pitch takes forever. 1st inning of the 1st game took 30 minutes alone and no runs were scored. Every other team that plays at the dome can finish both games but UWO cant for some reason? But I still think the dome needs to add 15 minutes to each DH

UWO might not of thrown at CSS but their 2B gave a good shot to CSSs catcher on a tag out. Nothing ever came of it except the umpire saying something to the 2B.

UWO has been calling pitches, throwing over a lot, pitching out and making frequent pitching changes for years. Where have you been the past 15 years?  Ryan Demmin is a slow worker. He very effectively has been since high school. I highly doubt the CSS guys have been purposely running into tags and giving away at-bats since high school.

I find it odd that you don't believe what the CSS coach said on the radio. He made a remark in deference to UWO, like they have a great program or something like that. Then he said he didn't think UWO did anything blatantly on purpose. He did say, like I wrote, that UWO made it hard to finish the game because UWO calls its pitches. He said it, and I wrote that that is weak because the reason the game would not have been completed is because of the time restriction, not because UWO was calling pitches.

UWO should have thrown at CSS for bunting up 10 and playing the version of "baseball" it did the last three innings. The CSS radio guys thought a HBP was coming after the bunt. They even said they would have plunked CSS if they were the UWO pitcher. The CSS guys never said UWO was stalling except for one time when Berg tied his shoes, and that was in jest. However, they did mention with great regularity how bush CSS was playing in order to get the game over.

UWO played how it always plays. It would have been easy for UWO to push past the time limit, but it played baseball. There was literally about one minute before the game would have been called. It's not hard to waste a minute on a baseball field.

CSS didn't play baseball to win. It's the game within a game. Like I wrote, CSS deserved to win based on the first 3 1/2 innings, and it did. I just have a slight problem with the way CSS went about it. I think there's a right way to win.

"Overall both teams happy with split!" What? Not a chance UWO is happy about a split.

"UWO might not of thrown at CSS but their 2B gave a good shot to CSSs catcher on a tag out." As well as he should have, if you're referencing one of the bush running-into-tags. In that case anything short of inflicting a concussion should have been legal.

"UWO makes 4 pitching changes ..." That's nothing new either. As far as that taking a long time, Lechnir didn't even make it out to the mound to yank Kanny. The other in-inning changes were done very quickly – the ball didn't even get out of the park before Lechnir was on his way to pull Reiland, the radio guys said.

I think Oshkosh played the game respectfully, like it always does. Say what you will about anything else, but the game is sacrosanct to Lechnir-led teams. And I don't think I'm putting too fine a point on that. You'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of the game, a finer student of the game and a man who respects the game more than Lechnir. The poster "cubs" would be able to give a player's perspective on that, but I've spoken with Lechnir enough and been around the team enough to know that it's true. He was man enough to give CSS a win, knowing one minute of BS (much like the kind CSS showed today) would have rendered the game moot. I can't say CSS did much to respect the sport in the last 3 1/2 innings today. But a win is a win, I guess.

You can have the last word.

[cubs]

EDIT: UWO's No. 5, Kyle Kannenberg, vs. CSS's No. 2, Peter Burg, in Game 2 (UWO saving No. 1 Jeremy Rubens and No. 2/3 Curt Hendricks for St. Thomas tomorrow).

UWO sophomore No. 2/3 Ryan Demmin gave UWO a huge outing. His line: 7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, (5 or 6?) K, 1 HBP. Demmin sounded like he was out of gas but gutted it out in the 7th.

I would have to say that Reubens and Demmin are UWO's #1a and #1b. 

My guess is that because of the time limit issue, Coach Lechnir didn't want to start one of those two in either of the nightcaps, when there would be a possibility of the games not being completed.  With as important as these games are in terms of Pool C bids, why not have your top two guys throwing in games that you know will be completed?

[Gashouse_Gang]

"CSS didn't play baseball to win. It's the game within a game. Like I wrote, CSS deserved to win based on the first 3 1/2 innings, and it did. I just have a slight problem with the way CSS went about it. I think there's a right way to win."

The way I see it, CSS had proven to be the better team in this game.  The way they (CSS) finished the game, is the only way they could have and still gotten credit for the win.  Moral victories are not going to help in seedings and regional bids.  Due to the rules and the time constraints of playing in the Metrodome, it left CSS with no choice but to finish the game in this fashion if it wanted credit for the win.   I have no problem with it. 

[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?

[cubs]

EDIT: UWO's No. 5, Kyle Kannenberg, vs. CSS's No. 2, Peter Burg, in Game 2 (UWO saving No. 1 Jeremy Rubens and No. 2/3 Curt Hendricks for St. Thomas tomorrow).

UWO sophomore No. 2/3 Ryan Demmin gave UWO a huge outing. His line: 7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, (5 or 6?) K, 1 HBP. Demmin sounded like he was out of gas but gutted it out in the 7th.

I would have to say that Reubens and Demmin are UWO's #1a and #1b. 

My guess is that because of the time limit issue, Coach Lechnir didn't want to start one of those two in either of the nightcaps, when there would be a possibility of the games not being completed.  With as important as these games are in terms of Pool C bids, why not have your top two guys throwing in games that you know will be completed?

And accordingly, Reubens throws Game #2 today.....  Shows how much I know....

Regardless, I wonder if this wasn't more of a match-up thing today.  Maybe UWO wanted to throw Reubens opposite of Robinson, who has now thrown back-to-back shutouts, so that they came out of the DH with no worse than a split?  I'm not so sure about it, but that seems to be the most logical reason.

Anyone else have a different reasoning?

Here are the boxscores:
Game #1-
http://www.tommiesports.com/bsbl/stats/3-25GM1.HTM

Game #2-
http://www.tommiesports.com/bsbl/stats/3-25GM2.HTM