BB: LL: Liberty League

[LLbaseball]

I was able to see a few teams while I was down in Florida.... namely, Vassar, RPI, and Clarkson.  All 3 teams looked solid, to be honest.  RPI is explosive and very sharp in the field.  I saw Vassar put up 16 runs on Franklin and Marshall (3 hr's).  They can definitely hit and the starting pitcher was a freshman who was very good.  Despite the loss to Utica, I think they will be ok.  Clarkson looks like the usual Clarkson.  A few bats in the lineup and a few arms to keep them in games.  I liked all 3 teams.

It's too tough to make a pick for playoff teams right now..... in my opinion. Does anyone know what teams are doing with the schedule this weekend?  Is everyone playing?

[airball55]

But it's fun to pick!!  I like Clarkson the more I look at them.  They very well could have swept Brockport, who is hot right now.  They played Cortland tough.  Hope and Grinnell aren't pushovers.  I have to slide them up just behind RPI.  Rochester moves up a bit as well just because they played a decent schedule in Florida against teams that have been outside.  But, we will know more on them today against St. Lawrence, who, I think is the team they have to beat out for the four spot. 

[baseballislife]

Riley pitched a good game (again) for SLU in game 1 last night.  Rochester rallied in game 2 before falling just short, 8-7.  UR needs to shore up their defense, which was very weak yesterday - costing them wayyy too many unearned runs.  Some base running errors took them out of potential good innings, too.

UR needs to step up today and at least get the split.  Otherwise, they put themselves behind the 8 ball early.  I agree that this series may very well decide who gets in at the end.  UR has their top pitcher from Florida going today (Sophomore Warren - 1-0, 10 IP, 0 ER, 9H, 10K, 4BB) as well as a big freshman who has shown solid potential to contribute right away.

Games 3-4 scheduled for a noon start on Saturday.  With the turf field and lights, I'm pretty confident they will get these games in.

[baseballislife]

Correction on UR-SLU Game 2 score, which was actually 7-6.  Also of note, UR freshman SS Heinrich hit a three-run inside the park HR to the 417 mark in right-centerfield to temporarily tie the game at 3-3.  Good moment for him.

[baseballislife]

UR's Dan Warren pitched a complete game shut-out today to get to 17 IP this season without allowing an earned run.  UR wins 3-0. 

UR showed some grit in game 2 to rally and tie it in the 9th before SLU wins with a walk-off in the bottom of the inning.  All in all a pretty even series, but SLU gets 3 of 4 mostly due to rough UR defense in game 2.

Two more one run losses for UR in the series, giving them a 2-6 record in 1 run decisions in 12 games.  Got to get over that hump if they want to be playing post-season ball.

[AlleyCat]

Union has big test today against Whitewater.

[airball55]

Union on wrong end of 26-11 game with WWhitewater.  Hard to really gage this.  both teams starters got smacked around pretty good.  It was game 6 in four days for Union, so, it's hard to imagine that they have the pitching depth to run into a team like this on the fourth day.  The other games played have been low scoring and against decent teams (minus Hamilton), Keene St, Chicago.  So, they are still 4-2 on the trip and this one just was a tough match up against a VERY good program.

[baseballislife]

A tough opponent for Union, for sure.  I am sure they were both pretty deep into their pitching staffs.  The thing that pops out to me is 10 errors by Union, yet 24 of the 26 runs scored by WW were earned.  That is pretty hard to do and a very rare stat line.

[airball55]

I saw that as well..I think it's just one of those days.  The Wisconsin boys can swing it though and when they get rolling can be tough to stop.  The rest of the week has been good for the staff.  Union is still a top three team in this league, maybe a bit higher.  RIT goes 4-3 but really didn't beat anyone worth mentioning.  Hard to gage them.  Still like the same teams we have mentioned all along.  RPI, Clarkson, Union, St. Law., Rochester and RIT on outside looking in but could be in the mix.

[AlleyCat]

I think it's going to a real advantage to the teams that had later spring breaks this year. Some of the teams that played earlier will not have played for close the 2-3 weeks. Teams like Union and RIT could make some real noise early due to the advantage. Everybody expected union to be strong this year, but maybe RIT could sneak in with the advantage. Some of the teams could be playing 6-8 league games in 3-5 days.

[baseballislife]

The pitchers held the advantage in a DH split between RIT and UR today.  RIT rallied late in game one, putting up 3 runs in the 6th inning of the 7 inning game and winning 4-2.  RIT rightfielder made a great diving catch on a 300 ft. line drive with one out and runners on 1st and second in the bottom of the 7th for UR.  If he doesn't make that play, the game is at least tied.

In game 2, UR spot starter Junior Josh Schulman takes a no-hitter into the 7th and strikes out the side in the 8th before being lifted for closer Janifer.  A lead-off single for RIT in the 9th fizzles when Janifer gets RIT hitter 2-3-4.  UR wins quick 9 inning game, 1-0.

In the only other LL action today, Union wins game 1, 2-0, on the strength of a 7 inning no-hitter by freshman Fishman.  In Game 2, Bard put a scare into the defending regular season champs as Union scores an unearned run in the 7th to tie Bard 3-3.  Game is called due to rain after 7.

[airball55]

The RIT, UR split isn't surprising...Bard hanging with Union is rather shocking.  Wow is all I can say to that.  Good for Bard...maybe this isn't an automatic sweep for opponents.

[airball55]

My Yellowjacket friends...that turf is sweet at U of R...this should get you guys back in the picture for being a top two or three contender year in and year out.  If that facility doesn't draw more recruits, not a good thing for the program or the staff.

[reddragon00]

Leagues across the state reeling right now!  airball...Good point on the turf but UR staff and recruiting in good shape.  Whole team is back next year along with another stellar class.  Problem with both RPI and UR, cost is $64k/year and they don't match up well in aid with other LL schools.  Always be an issue with both schools.  RPI seems to win in the aid battle.

Big question is, how does this weather play for that magical 30 win mark.  I think it's gonna impact it big time.

[baseballislife]

I agree on the 30 win plateau.  Some teams might end up lucky to play that many.  Even UR's field couldn't survive the snow dumped on it Saturday night, but with much of it melting in the 48 degree sunshine today and temps expected in the 60's tomorrow, they do expect to play a DH there on Wednesday.  Not bad considering some teams have had 10 or more games postponed in March alone.