BB: Midwest Region

[Bronko7]

This is a brutal conversation that needs to go away. Every conference has these teams. The UMAC has a few. The MIAC has MAC and Carl, and now St. Johns. The MWC has more than a couple. The commitee is not going to spend anytime wondering if teams shutout the worst teams in their conference. Teams like the Gusties giving up 4 runs to Carleton or CSS giving up 3 to Crown means nothing. None of them are getting scored off either teams top 8 pitchers. The guys pitching in those games aren't going to see innings in a regional.

[xyz123]

Agreed. This is a brutal conversation.  The point is taken, the scores mean nothing.

I'd like to add that I think BaseballFan's regional ranking should be correct... Ripon doesn't deserve higher than the 6th seed based on the in region teams they have beaten.  It will be interesting to see how those rankings change as the next couple weeks games are played. 

[ballboy]

I couldn't agree more with you good sirs, that it is a mood point of scores of games against lesser quality opponents.

My question is, do you think that the scheduling difficulties with the weather in the Midwest will affect any of the tournament decisions. For example, the teams in the south (or anywhere else for that matter) have already started their post season tournaments. And for the majority of the season those teams are "ranked" in the ABCA and D3 polls because of much higher win totals than those teams in the midwest. Does anyone think this will affect the final tournament or will the NCAA people look past this fact?

Thanks.

[OshDude]

I couldn't agree more with you good sirs, that it is a mood point of scores of games against lesser quality opponents.

My question is, do you think that the scheduling difficulties with the weather in the Midwest will affect any of the tournament decisions. For example, the teams in the south (or anywhere else for that matter) have already started their post season tournaments. And for the majority of the season those teams are "ranked" in the ABCA and D3 polls because of much higher win totals than those teams in the midwest. Does anyone think this will affect the final tournament or will the NCAA people look past this fact?

Thanks.

It all evens out in the end. The Midwest is on equal footing with other regions when tourney bids are doled out. Those South Region teams are basically done until regionals after this week. If anything, I'd say that's a disadvantage.

[BaseballFan]

I couldn't agree more with you good sirs, that it is a mood point of scores of games against lesser quality opponents.

My question is, do you think that the scheduling difficulties with the weather in the Midwest will affect any of the tournament decisions. For example, the teams in the south (or anywhere else for that matter) have already started their post season tournaments. And for the majority of the season those teams are "ranked" in the ABCA and D3 polls because of much higher win totals than those teams in the midwest. Does anyone think this will affect the final tournament or will the NCAA people look past this fact?

Thanks.

Moot!

It wont really make that big of difference. All regions get basically the same amount of teams for their tourney. Also, ABCA and D3 polls have no baring on regional bids, NCAA does their own thing.

I think south region teams being done early can be a disadvantage. But also think it could potentially hurt if midwest  teams dont get all their games in could hurt their pitching staffs not racking up enough innings.

[BaseballFan]

CSS, UWO, UST,  Olaf all went 2-0 today

[d3ballguy]

CSS, UWO, UST,  Olaf all went 2-0 today

Actually Olaf split with Hamline today, the Pipers won game 1 4-3 and then the Oles pounded them 14-2 in game 2.

[BaseballFan]

Yep thanks for the correction misread it

[OshDude]

Midwest Region teams two games or more above .500, ranked by winning percentage (through 4/20). Series between these teams and other potentially ranked Central Region teams in parentheses.

1.   Ripon 10-0
2.   Gustavus 13-3 (Moor 2-0)
3.   Whitewater 17-4 (StO 1-1, UWO 2-2)
4.   Oshkosh 20-5 (CSS 1-1, StT 1-1, WW 2-2, Point 2-0)
5.   St. Thomas 11-3 (CSS 1-1, Point 1-1, UWO 1-1, StO 2-0)
      St. Scholastica 11-3 (StT 1-1, UWO 1-1)
7.   Stevens Point 14-4 (StT 1-1, UWO 0-2, StN 2-0)
8.   St. Norbert 12-6 (Augustana 0-1, Carthage 0-2, Point 0-2, Beloit 3-1)
9.   Hamline 15-9 (Moor 2-0, StO 1-1)
10.  St. Olaf 9-6 (WW 1-1, StT 0-2, Grinn 2-0, Ham 1-1, Moor 1-1)
      Illinois College 9-6 (Grinn 2-0)
12. Concordia-Moorhead 9-7 (Gust 0-2, Ham 0-2, StO 1-1)
13. Grinnell 11-9 (StO 0-2, Ill. Coll 0-2)
      Beloit 11-9 (Augustana 0-1, StN 1-3)

Midwest Region's 5 Big Results of the Week (4/14-20):
Oshkosh swept two games from Stevens Point.
St. Scholastica split two games with Martin Luther.
Illinois College swept two games from Grinnell.
Oshkosh (8-0), St. Thomas (6-0) and Whitewater (5-0) all go undefeated.
Gustavus nine-game winning streak snapped by Macalester.

Midwest Region's Pitching Line of the Week (4/14-20):
Adam Dominick, senior; Steve Hedgepath, junior, Whitewater, vs. Superior (4/20): Combined no-hitter in 13-0(7) win.
Dominick: W (6-1), 5 IP, 2 BB, 9 K.
Hedgepath: 2 IP, 2 BB, 3 K.

Midwest Region's Hitting Line (or 2) of the Week (4/14-20):
Nick Beaman, freshman 3B, Ripon, vs. Carroll (4/16): 5-for-6, 5 R, 6 RBI, 3B, HR in 25-11 win.
Stewart Larson, senior 3B, Stevens Point, vs. Superior (4/14): 3-for-3, 3 R, 6 RBI, 3 HR in 12-2 win.
Must also give a nod to St. Norbert's 16 steals in one game against Carroll (4/19).

Midwest Region's 5 (or 6) Big DH's of the Week (4/21-27):
4/22 St. Thomas vs. Hamline
4/23 Stevens Point vs. Oshkosh
4/23 St. Olaf vs. Gustavus
4/26 St. Thomas vs. Gustavus
4/26-27 Ripon vs. Beloit

[BaseballFan]

1.   Ripon 10-0
2.   Gustavus 13-3 (Moor 2-0)
3.   Whitewater 17-4 (StO 1-1, UWO 2-2)
4.   Oshkosh 20-5 (CSS 1-1, StT 1-1, WW 2-2, Point 2-0)
5.   St. Thomas 11-3 (CSS 1-1, Point 1-1, UWO 1-1, StO 2-0)
      St. Scholastica 11-3 (StT 1-1, UWO 1-1)
7.   Stevens Point 14-4 (StT 1-1, UWO 0-2, StN 2-0)


Looks like the 6 teams we said were going to be in the regional are sitting pretty good still regarding their in region records. Dont think Gustavus will be up that high for too much longer with games coming up against Olaf, Thomas, CSS.

[BaseballFan]

Well the NCAA released their little book today. Im guessing Midwest region will only 6 teams since its not that strong (unless they rotate the 8 team regions everywhere not sure) Oshdude you probably know. Also 6 pool B teams help CSS which looks like a lock now. Here is how I think the 6 teams will go as of now, not sure of the 3 WIACs teams yet they just keep beating each other up.

1. WIAC champ
2. St Thomas
3. Ripon
4. WIAC 2nd team
5. CSS
6. WIAC 3rd team

My only fear is that Ripon will keep winning and since the NCAA loves them they will the 1 or 2 seed. I think these are the 6 most deserving teams. Only way these 6 dont make it will be if there is a surprise MWC or MIAC tourney winner.

[OshDude]

Yeah, the Oshkosh regional was/is going to be six teams regardless.

[Bronko7]

Well the NCAA released their little book today. Im guessing Midwest region will only 6 teams since its not that strong (unless they rotate the 8 team regions everywhere not sure) Oshdude you probably know. Also 6 pool B teams help CSS which looks like a lock now. Here is how I think the 6 teams will go as of now, not sure of the 3 WIACs teams yet they just keep beating each other up.

1. WIAC champ
2. St Thomas
3. Ripon
4. WIAC 2nd team
5. CSS
6. WIAC 3rd team

My only fear is that Ripon will keep winning and since the NCAA loves them they will the 1 or 2 seed. I think these are the 6 most deserving teams. Only way these 6 dont make it will be if there is a surprise MWC or MIAC tourney winner.

CSS is another loss away from being a B-Pool lock to sitting on the fence. With the Gustavus series cancelled and the St. Thomas game a question mark, they need to win out and they'll be fine. They need to play better than they are right now because none of their conference opponents are going to let them see anything but their #1 or #2.

[OshDude]

Rankings are out. Not surprised about the teams, just the order. Although maybe they are not correct if St. Thomas plays in "Minnestoa." Wonder what else they got wrong ...

Even before the Tommie losses to Hamline (StT is now 13-5 in-region), I thought Whitewater would be second behind Oshkosh. And you're right, 10-0 against HS teams doesn't impress the NCAA. Ripon is usally two spots ahead of where I thought they should be, so I predicted they would be again. Glad to see I was wrong on that one.

Thoughts? Only five ranked teams is interesting ... makes me think the NCAA field, as of now, has a Central team going to Oshkosh.

http://ncaa.com/rankings/default.aspx?id=212508

[BaseballFan]

Rankings are out. Not surprised about the teams, just the order. Although maybe they are not correct if St. Thomas plays in "Minnestoa." Wonder what else they got wrong ...

Even before the Tommie losses to Hamline (StT is now 13-5 in-region), I thought Whitewater would be second behind Oshkosh. And you're right, 10-0 against HS teams doesn't impress the NCAA. Ripon is usally two spots ahead of where I thought they should be, so I predicted they would be again. Glad to see I was wrong on that one.

Thoughts? Only five ranked teams is interesting ... makes me think the NCAA field, as of now, has a Central team going to Oshkosh.

http://ncaa.com/rankings/default.aspx?id=212508

Why would they only rank 5 teams? I dont get it, but its the NCAA so what else should I expect!...well Im pretty sure CSS will make it as a pool B, because pool B only has about 6 teams that deserve and they are one. Surprised that Ripon isnt higher since NCAA loves them...basically I agree with Oshdude on everything, but dont think a central team will be shipped to the midwest with only a 6 team region