BB: E8: Empire 8

[airball55]

YES!! Very well done Bomber.  I got to say, Coach Val has done a great job with this team, they aren't the typical Ithaca with big physical kids and 5-6 pitchers who will run it in at 85+.  Fisher is very talented, honestly, the region should root against them getting in.  They easily have the tools to make a run.  I had a chance to see some of the Ithaca series, you line up the guys and Fisher is just better than Ithaca, but, that does not win games.  Doing the little things does.  The picks, situational hitting, stealing bases by count, etc...they didn't do that weekend.  Your post is spot on.  I still think that Ithaca and Fisher are two of the top three teams with Cortland..i would throw Oswego right there with them by there 3-1 record against Cortland and Ithaca.  Pendregast is the perfect example of a smart player.  He won't blow it by you, but, he does not walk anyone and has impeccable command.  He kind of exemplifies this Ithaca team.

[Bombers798891]

YES!! Very well done Bomber.  I got to say, Coach Val has done a great job with this team, they aren't the typical Ithaca with big physical kids and 5-6 pitchers who will run it in at 85+.  Fisher is very talented, honestly, the region should root against them getting in.  They easily have the tools to make a run.  I had a chance to see some of the Ithaca series, you line up the guys and Fisher is just better than Ithaca, but, that does not win games.  Doing the little things does.  The picks, situational hitting, stealing bases by count, etc...they didn't do that weekend.  Your post is spot on.  I still think that Ithaca and Fisher are two of the top three teams with Cortland..i would throw Oswego right there with them by there 3-1 record against Cortland and Ithaca.  Pendregast is the perfect example of a smart player.  He won't blow it by you, but, he does not walk anyone and has impeccable command.  He kind of exemplifies this Ithaca team.

I've heard on more than one occasion that this Ithaca team is doing it "with smoke and mirrors" and there's probably some truth to that. Fisher is a more talented team, but they played an awful series against IC (and still probably could have won all four games).

I really wish Ithaca could have played Cortland, just to possibly give them another quality win. Remember last season, when Cortland basically tossed out the back of their staff against IC and got pounded? The Bombers could use a break like that again.

A final thought-- When looking at the rosters from 2013 to see if that claim about the staff was right, I realized something that needs repeating. Zack Graczyk had no business winning the NY region player of the year over Tim Locastro. None. Locastro outplayed him all season and was so good in the CWS it was scary.

[airball55]

I do, Cortland is still the obvious choice, Pendregast against Fisher was out of the game in the first!! They had the pen working, his velo. was way down and they didn't knock him out, only scoring two.  Honestly, he looked hurt.  Then, he settled in, was probably 82-83 the rest of the game but just carved.  Competes.  It is too bad there was no Cortland IC game.

[sjfcards]

Fisher got a much needed sweep of Stevens today in two strong pitching performances from D'Amato and Iseneker. I am not sure what Fisher needs to do to get themselves into the regional but another sweep tomorrow would really help. Currently at 25-9, with six games left (two with Stevens, RIT, Brockport, and two with Utica) does 4-2 get them in? 3-3?

[airball55]

Houghton games don't count.  That's why they did some different things, no excuse though.  They are 24-6 in the region and that is a pretty good number

[sjfcards]

Another come from behind win for Fisher in game 1 today. Looking for the sweep this afternoon.

[sjfcards]

Does anyone know when the regional teams and schedule will be announced?

[jdex]

Actually committee meets Sunday ......announces field early Monday ...... NY regional at Newark, NY hosted by Ithaca. Would be nice if Bombers get invited. Tradition helps?

[airball55]

Fisher cruises in Metro ECAC...puts regional record at 30-8.  With Ithaca losing today against Brockport it puts their regional record at 22-10.  This is going to be an interesting call this year.  Cortland, Union, Farmingdale and Stevens all win their AQ's.  Cortland and Fisher only two teams to get to 30 for wins.  Rochester, Oswego and Brockport have no shot.  Has Fisher and Ithaca done enough to get in.  Bombers drop last two to St. Law and Brockport.  What was once an easy pick (Ithaca) may not be anymore. 

[sjfcards]

Fisher cruises in Metro ECAC...puts regional record at 30-8.  With Ithaca losing today against Brockport it puts their regional record at 22-10.  This is going to be an interesting call this year.  Cortland, Union, Farmingdale and Stevens all win their AQ's.  Cortland and Fisher only two teams to get to 30 for wins.  Rochester, Oswego and Brockport have no shot.  Has Fisher and Ithaca done enough to get in.  Bombers drop last two to St. Law and Brockport.  What was once an easy pick (Ithaca) may not be anymore.

I would like to think that by getting to the 30 win plateau would get Fisher in, but you never know. IC has a good argument as well, but I would think they may be on the outside looking in. We find out soon enough...

[airball55]

Ithaca only played two games in the past two weeks and went 0-2.  I can't see them getting in.  Fisher goes 30-8 in region, 8-2 against NCAA teams.  Honestly, I think they get in and may even be a two seed.  This will be an interesting seeding this season.

[AlleyCat]

No Empire 8 teams! This league really needs to figure out a way to get an automatic bid. Hopefully Ithaca will be on board now that they were left at the alter and still have to host.

[John McGraw]

No Empire 8 teams! This league really needs to figure out a way to get an automatic bid. Hopefully Ithaca will be on board now that they were left at the alter and still have to host.

Not entirely true. Stevens, representing the CUNYAC, will play in the Newark regional.

[sjfcards]

No Empire 8 teams! This league really needs to figure out a way to get an automatic bid. Hopefully Ithaca will be on board now that they were left at the alter and still have to host.

WOW...I did not see that coming. I thought Fisher was about as close to a lock as could be considering the 30 wins, 8-2 vs tourny teams that someone else mentioned, etc. What more can they do?

PC any insight as to what the rationale was for the decision to leave out IC and Fisher?

[sjfcards]

No Empire 8 teams! This league really needs to figure out a way to get an automatic bid. Hopefully Ithaca will be on board now that they were left at the alter and still have to host.

WOW...I did not see that coming. I thought Fisher was about as close to a lock as could be considering the 30 wins, 8-2 vs tourny teams that someone else mentioned, etc. What more can they do?

PC any insight as to what the rationale was for the decision to leave out IC and Fisher?

After looking at the projections I see PC and the gang did not have Fisher in either. In fact they didn't have them listed anywhere in the discussion. Was there something I am missing that Fisher wouldn't even be on the bubble?