BB: Just Some Guy's West Region Rankings

[Ralph Turner]

Jack, we fans are glad to have another contributor out of the SCIAC.

+1 karma to you (applauding your efforts and contributions!) Thanks! 

Remember that the West Regional has been awarded to McMurry in Abilene TX.

[Jack Parkman]

Thanks for the welcome Ralph.  I had read on here that the regional was in Abeline.  If you ask me, Chapmans coaches were very smart to schedule a trip to Texas right before the regional.  It can help them get used to the flight and playing on the road, something they rarely have to do.  I am sure they might have figured they can't get the regional every year, especially now that they are pre-determined.

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks for the welcome Ralph.  I had read on here that the regional was in Abeline.  If you ask me, Chapmans coaches were very smart to schedule a trip to Texas right before the regional.  It can help them get used to the flight and playing on the road, something they rarely have to do.  I am sure they might have figured they can't get the regional every year, especially now that they are pre-determined.

McMurry head coach Lee Driggers has scheduled aggressively in the past few years.  He has played the best teams (in-region) that he can, and has even brought in Marietta for Spring Break.

McMurry went to Chapman this year (losing 2 of 3) and I think that Chapman comes to Abilene next year.

[Jack Parkman]

It is always a plus to schedule aggressively as long as you win your conference.

I will now take a look at the Northwest Conference.

The NWC seems pretty simple to me.  It is a two team race between Linfield and George Fox.  There is no other team within 5 games in the standings and that team (Pacific) is barely over .500.  George Fox and Linfield have been the cream-of-the-crop the past 5-10 years in the NWC and both are playing this year with new coaches and neither has skipped a beat. 

Will the 2nd place team get an at-large bid to the regional in Abeline?  I would venture to say no for George Fox and maybe for Linfield and only because they have not played many out-of-conference games this year.  George Fox made the trek to Abeline once this year and did take 2 of 3 from McMurry.  George Fox also went to Cal State East Bay and lost 2 of 3.  Their only other non-conference games were a loss to an NAIA (Concordia) and a win against a D-I (Portland).  Neither of those games mean a thing. 3-3 overall out of conference.
Linfield took a different route with their non-conference scheduling.  Linfield beat NWC members Whitman and Puget Sound, lost to NAIA Concordia and lost 2 of 3 AT Cal State East Bay.  If Linfield keeps playing like they have been, I see them taking the NWC and moving on to Abeline.

ps-  For "Just Some Guy" I am not trying to steal the spotlight from you, just putting in my $.02 worth.

[Ralph Turner]

ps-  For "Just Some Guy" I am not trying to steal the spotlight from you, just putting in my $.02 worth.

As board moderator, I had real concerns about a specific board that was "named after one guy".  He had excellent insights into the West Region, and was willing to post good content.  He knows the ASC and the SCAC-West very well!  So, I left the title as it was.

This board is becoming the forum for West Region talk about quality teams and progress in the season towards the playoffs.  You haven't stolen his thunder, but rather have added valuable thoughts about the SCIAC.  Thanks.

[Ralph Turner]

It is always a plus to schedule aggressively as long as you win your conference. ...

The balance in the ASC has always made it hard to build a great in-region record, just because you get "beaten-up" inside the ASC.  I think that Coach Driggers has been able to try to build an in-region non-conference record over .600 over 10-12 games against quality opponents.

It is hard to make everyone across the country aware that the ASC-East and the ASC-West are like two distinct conferences, just like the ODAC/USA South or the SCIAC/NWC.  As for competitive balance, the Top 4-5 on the West and the Top 4 on the East are good programs.  To get to the NCAA's you have go thru both conferences.  (We are about 2 schools and then 5-6 years away on each side away from being able to split into two conferences.  )

[Just_Some_Guy]

This board is becoming the forum for West Region talk about quality teams and progress in the season towards the playoffs.  You haven't stolen his thunder, but rather have added valuable thoughts about the SCIAC.  Thanks.

I agreed 100%, particularly because I haven't had time to post a set of rankings the last couple of weeks. I'm just glad that I seemed to have incited/sparked some solid discussions about the quality teams in the West.

JSG

[baseballfan24]

It is always a plus to schedule aggressively as long as you win your conference. ...

The balance in the ASC has always made it hard to build a great in-region record, just because you get "beaten-up" inside the ASC.  I think that Coach Driggers has been able to try to build an in-region non-conference record over .600 over 10-12 games against quality opponents.

It is hard to make everyone across the country aware that the ASC-East and the ASC-West are like two distinct conferences, just like the ODAC/USA South or the SCIAC/NWC.  As for competitive balance, the Top 4-5 on the West and the Top 4 on the East are good programs.  To get to the NCAA's you have go thru both conferences.  (We are about 2 schools and then 5-6 years away on each side away from being able to split into two conferences.  )

Ralph,

I agree with your assessment entirely.  It is not easy getting out of the ASC conference tournament.  It puts a strain on pitching, and makes the regionals that much more difficult because the playoffs are two weeks in the ASC.  It is a tiresome run just to get to the regionals.  Which is the advantage of those independent schools that have no conference tournaments.  They get to rest and relax if they have earned their way in to the tournament.

After all of that, I really have to think there is not going to be an at large bid coming from the ASC this year unless someone beats Tyler.  Maybe, the Ozarks, but I don't know that they played a very tough or an in region schedule.  That being said it is very difficult for them to play an in region schedule because of their location.  They simply should not be in the west region.

Any thoughts on who will win the ASC tourney?

I have to say Tyler is the definite favorite, but the Ozarks has been solid on the bump this year.  I think UMHB is a quality team, but just like everyone else in the West they can't seem to sweep anyone which makes me think they don't have enough pitching.  McMurry by far has the best offense.  I think the teams to watch (although they have been very inconsistent all year) are Hardin-Simmons (their pitching is tough in the pen) and TLU (their offense keeps getting better).  If those teams get hot down the stretch it could be interesting going into that last weekend, and into the playoffs if they both or just one gets there.  Those are my thoughts.

Any input on some other conferences and how they are playing out?

[Jack Parkman]

Thaks Ralph.  I enjoy reading what MOST people on here have to say because it seems like they have a pretty good idea of what they are talking about.

[Just_Some_Guy]

La Verne in my opinion will win the SCIAC.  After an up-and-down start to the season they seem to be playing much better.  I really don't have much else to say than that except the game they still need to finish with Cal Lutheran could be the biggest game remaining.

Like you, regardless of who comes out, I believe the SCIAC representative will be one of the weakest teams in the West Regional. Unlike the poster, from Oxy you seem a lot less biased against the Hens, but still think that La Verne will take the SCIAC.

Provided nothing is wrong with David Colvin (why didn't he pitch against CMS?), I THINK that Pomona will repeat as SCIAC champs. Part of that rational lends to the notion that they're at home in that final double-header of the season against La Verne that I suspect will have huge playoff implications.

Part of that is that if there's runners on in front of Hedman, and you don't intentionally walk him, those runners are crossing home plate.

All that said, La Verne might have the better staff, especially with the way Wheatley and Wilfong have thrown out of the pen. Sweet has been pitching very solid and could match Colvin, and Scott Marcus certainly is no slouch himself in the middle of the Leopard lineup.
One weakness is that they haven't played very good defensive this year - Mehl and Boucher both fielding under .900  ...

I like Pomona, I like their tenacity and instincts tell me they find a way to come out of the West (if Colvin's healthy and continues to start weekend games).

JSG

[Jack Parkman]

JSG-

I didn't realize that the Colvin kid from P-P didn't throw this past weekend agains Claremont M-S.  Looking at his numbers he has been pretty good this year.  I wonder if he got hurt or is just tired?  He has had a great year as a freshman and that would be a big blow to lose him.  I guess we will see after this weekend if he is out for an extended period of time or not.  P-P's pitching got knocked around by Claremont M-S all weekend and I would venture to say that La Verne is a better hitting team than  Claremont M-S.
On the offensice side of things, Hedman is a stud and there is no other way to put it.  If he has runners on in front of him you better pray he doesn't hit one over the short-porch in right.  Other than their hitting, P-P doesn't do a whole lot on the bases-  only 10-14 stolen bases and 7 attempts were by one guy.  Only 9 sacrifices all season.  I guess they just let the guys go up and hit, which has worked pretty well so far.

La Verne has some pretty gawdy numbers this year too and I know they are very aggressive, un-like P-P. Scott Marcus is having a monster year for La Verne with 11 bombs and slugging almost .900.  Their starting pitching is a little suspect and seems inconsistent but their bullpen has been pretty lights out.

I really think La Verne will sweep this series or take 2 of 3.  I think I mentioned earlier that P-P needed 6 in the ninth against Oxy to pull out a win.  As far as schedules go, I think La Verne has the "easier" road with Oxy and Claremont M-S ahead (not counting the Chapman series).  P-P has Whittier, who is a very tough team to sweep and Cal Lutheran who has one arm that is pretty good that can beat a lot of teams.  I didn't incude Chapman since they are not SCIAC.

[doctor K]

Jack, we fans are glad to have another contributor out of the SCIAC.

+1 karma to you (applauding your efforts and contributions!) Thanks! 

Remember that the West Regional has been awarded to McMurry in Abilene TX.

Ralph, last years western regionals were moved to Hart Park because of weather, if there were an issue regarding weather again ( and I am not trying to jinx McMurry )  but where would the next likely place be for the games?

     DK

[Ralph Turner]

Doctor K,  good question...

Are you familiar with Driggers Field?

I think that that field can handle the weather that may roll thru that time of the year.

I don't know if HSU put in a bid as a backup field.

I think that Abilene D-III sports are outstanding for that reason.  Both HSU and McMurry are quality programs with quality people running them.

[doctor K]

Doctor K,  good question...

Are you familiar with Driggers Field?

I think that that field can handle the weather that may roll thru that time of the year.

I don't know if HSU put in a bid as a backup field.

I think that Abilene D-III sports are outstanding for that reason.  Both HSU and McMurry are quality programs with quality people running them.

My sister lives in Arlington and would like to come watch the games, we are playing in Dallas the first weekend of May and she is overjoyed to be able to see her nephew play. With the regionals being played somewhere close and the caliber of ball that is being played this time of year is outstanding. Not that I am insinuating the caliber of ball througout the year is not good it is just that the ambiance of the playoff's if you inow what I mean. Thanks

DK

[Ralph Turner]

Doctor K,  good question...

Are you familiar with Driggers Field?

I think that that field can handle the weather that may roll thru that time of the year.

I don't know if HSU put in a bid as a backup field.

I think that Abilene D-III sports are outstanding for that reason.  Both HSU and McMurry are quality programs with quality people running them.

My sister lives in Arlington and would like to come watch the games.  We are playing in Dallas the first weekend of May, and she is overjoyed to be able to see her nephew play. With the regionals being played somewhere close and the caliber of ball that is being played this time of year is outstanding. Not that I am insinuating the caliber of ball throughout the year is not good, it is just that the ambiance of the playoffs if you know what I mean. Thanks

DK

The UDallas campus is less than 30 minutes away from her!