BB: E8: Empire 8

[Bombers798891]

I didn't think Ithaca's bats would struggle like this. The loss of Locastro was a killer, but there's been some returning players underperforming

Matt Connolly was .380/.444/.500 last year and is .276/.323/.379 this season
Luke Stark was .326/.418/.385 last year and is .294/.463/.333 this season
Christian Brown was .300/.350/.396 last year and is .156/.263/.203 this season

The team's actually getting on base at a better clip than last season, but there's been a bunch of other issues. In addition to fewer hits, and XBH, this year's team, at their current pace, would leave 36 more men on base, hit into 11 more double plays, and have 10 more guys picked off. That's 57

In the 2nd inning of the Cal Lutheran loss, Ithaca scored a run on a triple and then a single. After the single, there was a wild pitch, a hit by pitch, two walks, and a passed ball. Ithaca managed to not score again in the inning. This probably sums up their struggles aptly

On the one hand, this is frustrating. On the other, you'd have to hope that Connolly and Brown's numbers go up, at least marginally.

[airball55]

That may not be a bad thing though.  Getting hot later in the season with regular game play may be just what the offense ordered.  It still comes down to pitching and defense.  Fisher is good, their lineup has good depth.  It is a good sign though for Ithaca to not give up more than 5 at Stevens in any game. That park is tiny.  Ithaca is taking the same path they did last year...they were 4-4 last season.  Perdergrast and Damato may be one of the best matchups in college D3 ball all spring. 

[D3SportsFan]

I agree, the D'Amato/Prendergast match-up would definitely be a game to watch live!

[airball55]

Here we go this weekend...Ithaca and Fisher.  Nothing against Stevens, but, this is for the title.  A three out of four basically clinches it.  It also may be enough for both of these teams to go 2-2 and still get at large bids.  I think the key is Prentergast.  If Fisher can beat him, and, I have to think it will be him and D'Amato in game one, then they could have a big series. Both teams are hot, Fisher is deep in the lineup and both teams seem to have four good starters with an edge to Fisher in the K category there.  Should be a good series and one the rest of the region will be watching.

[Bombers798891]

Bombers pick up 3 of 4 from Fisher after a bad loss to Rochester, and now have a trio of quality wins. Cortland next

[D3SportsFan]

Houghton takes 3 of 4 from St. John Fisher. Is the E8 getting even stronger? Will this affect SJF in the regional rankings?

[Bombers798891]

Houghton takes 3 of 4 from St. John Fisher. Is the E8 getting even stronger? Will this affect SJF in the regional rankings?

Houghton was 9-18 heading into those games. Their previous wins came over:

1-24 Valley Forge Christian (2)
7-17 Utica (2)
9-27 Iowa Wesleyan (2)
9-25 Alfred State
20-19 Eastern Mennonite
17-18 St. Vincent

They've got some decent pitchers, but Fisher scored five runs in three losses. Close losses, yes. But to lose 3 of 4 to a team like Houghton, that's not good.

[D3SportsFan]

Yes, not a very strong OOWP (opponent's opponents win-percentage) for St. John Fisher with regards to Houghton. Does Houghton being provisional save SJF from a fall in ranking?

[John McGraw]

Yes, not a very strong OOWP (opponent's opponents win-percentage) for St. John Fisher with regards to Houghton. Does Houghton being provisional save SJF from a fall in ranking?

Houghton is in the second year of the provisional process so Fisher's regional record will not be impacted. That said, I still think Fisher losing three out of four to a sub-.500 Houghton team will not help its cause. Fisher is competing for a Pool B or C bid to the NCAA tournament against teams from across the nation so the Cardinals will need to be very good over the final few weeks of the season to keep themselves in the playoff discussion.

[airball55]

Well said Dr. McGraw, but Fisher still sits with a record of 22-6 for games that count so it shouldn't be a killer.  They need to take the series from Stevens.  However, no one else in the region really outside of Cortland and Ithaca have made a series case to be at larges if for some reason they (Cortland) got upset in their tournaments.  That last win over Keystone was vital for the Cardinals.  Should be an interesting last couple of weeks.  Bottom line, the Ithaca's and Fisher's etc...need form to hold, Cortland, Union, etc..to win their conference tourny's

[baseballislife]

Good points, gentlemen.  SJF's strength of schedule (115th in the country) also may have something to do with their low loss total of six.  They are a very good team, but they typically are weak in that ranking.  The Houghton losses may not count officially, but they will be remembered.

My friend airball, this comment is probably more appropriate for the general NY thread, but I think a case could be made for Rochester, even if it is a long shot based on their 23-14 record.  They beat two ranked teams (Ithaca 6-0, Case Western 3-2) and lost to Case, 6-5, in Florida.  They took 3 of 4 from RPI, beat Brockport, had to play Emory (27-9) twice, and Wash U. (24-14) twice.  Their 3-9 start may cost them, but their 20-5 run since then should be considered. 

At least their league gets the auto-bid for the berth to the dance, so they have no excuses if they don't get that done.

[airball55]

I looked at rochester but the LL isnt a two bid league.  UR did well Against league teams but i just get two teams from LL.  Rochester needs a good postseason.  They typically struggle in the postseason but They have played better of late.  Fisher did get ithaca for 4...stevens for 4...keystone for 2...widener is an ncaa team...i wonder how two teams so close didnt play this year?

[baseballislife]

You are probably right about two LL teams getting in.  Until one steps up and gets beyond the regional (or gets there on a regular basis), the league probably has not earned that.

Fisher is 3-4 in those games you list.  They probably need a sweep this weekend, IMO.

True fact that UR has struggled in the tournament in the past, but that won't have any impact on this year.  There just need to win the tourney and then they are in.  Until they do, there will always be doubters. 

UR and Fisher typically play twice per year, but this year were only scheduled for one.  When that got washed out, it never got rescheduled.  You hear things, but I hate rumors.  UR has been trying to add a game(s) for this Thurs. - Sun. for several weeks since their regular season schedule ends tomorrow with a re-match @ Brockport.  No takers.  The weekend is obviously tough since most already have games, but too bad they can't get one for Thurs.  They will have 9 days to rest up for the tourney and study for finals!

[airball55]

It is too bad they don't play.  I certainly don't see why Fisher wouldn't play, they have had quite the run against Rochester area teams over the past five years.  I have seen pretty much everyone this year.  Cortland is in a class of their own, however, they will draw Oneonta's ace who is good and could drop that one.  Fisher out extra base hit Ithaca 16-5 on the weekend and lost three of four.  I don't think I have ever seen that. They are dangerous if they get rolling.  I just don't see Ithaca as of now, not enough on the bump.  Oswego has to be considered some, 3-1 against Cortland/Ithaca.  I can see the Jackets winning the LL, they have played well on the road. 

[Bombers798891]

Fisher did all the little things necessary to lose those Ithaca games.

Walks issued:
Fisher: 17
Ithaca: 5

Errors:
Fisher: 7
IC: 3

Hit batters:
Fisher: 5
Ithaca: 1

Baserunning
Fisher: 0-for-2 on steal attempts, 3 picked off
Ithaca: 11-for-13 on steal attempts, 0 picked off

These little things make the difference in close games against good teams, and I think it explains a lot about what's happened to the Cardinals. If they don't get a lot of hits, they don't score.

Fisher is 4-6 in games where they get 10 or fewer hits. In those 10 games they've averaged 5.8 hits per game and 1.7 runs. They have scored more than two runs just once.

Ithaca is 15-4 in those types of games, and in those 19 contests, they have averaged 6.1 hits per game but 4.3 runs. They've scored five runs or more 11 times in those games. Ithaca's (somehow) managed to score runs when they don't get hits. Fisher hasn't