BB: E8: Empire 8

[John McGraw]

I don't really follow RIT enough to know certain specifics.

They had a really rough spring trip with just three wins down in Arizona and then they couldn't get past Ithaca on the opening weekend of conference play. I'd guess that's a pretty big emotional letdown to drop three of four to a team who was picked to finish behind you.

Numbers wise, the offense is down a little. Last year's team hit around .320, this year they're hitting .291. RIT lost a couple of their top hitters from last year, one of which, Matt George, had 23 stolen bases. Looks like last year when RIT's pitching was poor they were able to just outhit and outscore teams and they haven't done that this year.

That and Geoff Dornes hasn't been very good this year - at least comparing his numbers to last year. I'd say at this point he's got an outside shot at first team all-league but definitely not a third Player of the Year award.

[John McGraw]

Brockport 4 Ithaca 3

Ithaca commits six errors and squanders a complete game from Tom Fishback who gave up only three hits and one earned run. The Bombers also lost a one-run lead in the final three innings on just one Brockport hit.

The loss isn't particularly bad but for a team that's a likely Pool B selection into the national playoffs, they'll want to straighten out the defense before mid-May.

[Bob Maxwell]

Brockport scored the winning run on a HBP... and the guy who scored the run also was HBP, followed by a reach on an error, sac bunt, intentional walk.   

[John McGraw]

Brockport scored the winning run on a HBP... and the guy who scored the run also was HBP, followed by a reach on an error, sac bunt, intentional walk.   

Ugh. Just reading that makes me queasy.

[WrongArm]

Ithaca may have locked-up the E8, but the rest of the league is fighting over the crumbs. RIT woke up and took three of four from Fisher. No one challenged Ithaca this year, but the biggest difference in conference records has been the spoiler roles of improved Stevens and Utica teams. Stevens split with Fisher and Utica split with RIT.

Maybe Ithaca can use up their ugly games now and stay sharp for the regional tournament. Overall they've been steady defensively and balanced on offense. I'd be concerned that they really haven't faced much tough pitching in their conference games.

Utica was originally scheduled to  play Cazenovia on Wednesday, but that game was cancelled and replaced with a game with Cortland -- not exactly an equal swap. With a pitching staff that brings new meaning to the word "thin," Utica had better use their best guys, even if by committee, or the trip will be a shameful waste of diesel fuel.

[John McGraw]

Good win for Ithaca on Saturday afternoon against probable Pool C entry Montclair State. Both teams are vastly different from their regionals squads last year but the Bombers were able to exact a little revenge with a 4-3 victory.

They're playing Montclair this afternoon to close out the regular season. Another win would give them nice momentum heading into the the regional next weekend.

[scuba16]

With a pitching staff that brings new meaning to the word "thin," Utica had better use their best guys, even if by committee, or the trip will be a shameful waste of diesel fuel.

UC is woeful! IMO, They need to bring in some Junior College guys to fill in the pitching staff and maybe a couple 3-4 more experienced JC hitters! No disrespect but when you have young guys getting their heads beat in week after week, they start not caring pretty quick!
I think the JC route would provide the coaches(who know the game) an opportunity to be selective in who they recruit and get guys who are the best fit instead of guys who just want to be on a college baseball team!

[WrongArm]

I think the JC route would provide the coaches(who know the game) an opportunity to be selective in who they recruit and get guys who are the best fit instead of guys who just want to be on a college baseball team!

With only 5 wins, UC has obviously got some holes to fill. A few juco arms would go a long way to making them more consistently competitive. I hope they can shore up the pitching. This is a tough job for a young coach who's only been out of school a few years. At least he had a couple of outstanding assistants this season.

I saw on the Liberty League thread that Ithaca and RIT might leave the E8 after next season. It's not April 1 today, is it? If this is true, anyone know where RIT is headed? Ithaca in the Liberty League?

[John McGraw]

Ithaca, RIT and Nazareth are purported to be joining the Liberty League for the 2010-2011 school year.

[WrongArm]

Thanks John. When a few teams change conferences, the dominos continue to fall for quite awhile. What do you think the chances are that a few baseball-playing schools will look to join the E8?

[WrongArm]

UC athletic director announces the hiring of a new head coach.

http://www.wktv.com/news/sports/local/47960472.html

[John McGraw]

Thanks John. When a few teams change conferences, the dominos continue to fall for quite awhile. What do you think the chances are that a few baseball-playing schools will look to join the E8?

I'm not sure. Obviously the loss of RIT in the future drops the league to a small handful of teams, smaller than now. One would think the conference wants the entire package - teams for all sports. I still think in the future that teams in northeastern Pennsylvania would be a good fit like King's, Lycoming and possibly Wilkes. But, the rumor that those first two would bolt to the E8 has been around forever and those two are still in the MAC.

Aside from them, not a lot of options unless you want to start looking at the Keuka's and Cazenovia's of the world (no offense to them but I don't see those schools bringing anything unique to the conference or being able to compete.)

[WrongArm]

UC's new head baseball coach, Andy Weimer, currently sports a stingy 2.05 ERA for the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League. Bet he'll toss some killer BP this fall!

[Smithers]

any truth to the rumors about coach pepicelli landing a new job in south carolina?

[lordcharles]

according to news on web, he is taking a job as pitching coach at Clemson.

Nice guy - met him while son had official visit -he should do well!

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20091001/SPORTS/91001006/1004/NEWS01