BB: LL: Liberty League

[lewdogg11]

How does Clarkson beating Cortland today factor into this conversation? 

[John McGraw]

It doesn't. Cortland's bullpen pooped the bed (much like Ithaca did against 'Dem Spicey Boyz in football). I think the teams play nine times out of ten and Cortland takes eight or nine of them.

Good for Clarkson though. It's nice to see them continuing over their momentum from the Liberty League tournament. Shame they won't have their ace until at least Friday because of a little disagreement with an umpire at the Liberty League tournament.

[BaseB13]

What's the situation with their ace John?  Also, I'm not so sure about Cortland winning 8 or 9 out of 10 from Clarkson this year.  I think this just shows how Cortland and the entire SUNYAC may be a little down this year.  Cortland has had some un-Cortland like losses throughout the year.  As much as Cortland's bullpen **** the bed, you have to give Clarkson credit for even getting to the bullpen.  Tone has dominated many teams for an entire game.  Must not have been the case today.  I'm assuming his pitch count got up and that's why they yanked him?

[John McGraw]

What's the situation with their ace John?  Also, I'm not so sure about Cortland winning 8 or 9 out of 10 from Clarkson this year.  I think this just shows how Cortland and the entire SUNYAC may be a little down this year.  Cortland has had some un-Cortland like losses throughout the year.  As much as Cortland's bullpen **** the bed, you have to give Clarkson credit for even getting to the bullpen.  Tone has dominated many teams for an entire game.  Must not have been the case today.  I'm assuming his pitch count got up and that's why they yanked him?

No idea, I wasn't there. He left in the seventh and he'd given up five runs so it's not like he was cruising along at that point in the afternoon. It could be a variety of reasons that he came out. I would assume that when he left, the coaching staff thought the lead would stay intact. Oops LOL.

I would not want to be Ithaca tomorrow against what I assume will be a po'd Cortland team. Ithaca hasn't won a playoff game over the Dragons since 2004.

[lewdogg11]

It doesn't. Cortland's bullpen pooped the bed (much like Ithaca did against 'Dem Spicey Boyz in football). I think the teams play nine times out of ten and Cortland takes eight or nine of them.

Good for Clarkson though. It's nice to see them continuing over their momentum from the Liberty League tournament. Shame they won't have their ace until at least Friday because of a little disagreement with an umpire at the Liberty League tournament.

Bullpen or not...A win is a win in the post-season...Of course Cortland will probably just win out, but that would be expected.

[brewcrew17]

I like both RPI and Clarkson's chances the rest of the way. Pitkin may not be able to pitch until tomorrow for Clarkson but they still have two quality arms in Chocejcki and Goernold, both kids who are capable of going out there and shutting down a team. Clarkson's offense seems to be firing on all cylinders right now too. RPI has by far the deepest bullpen and the best bat that I've seen all year in Reardon (average, doubles and hrs). I think that its RPI's to lose but their defense has been terrible in the second half of the year, they'll need to cut down on the errors.

[anonymous234]

Does RPI and Clarkson both doing well in the Regional and the fact that with a couple different bounces it could be argued that Skidmore or Rochester could be in the same situation as well, and the fact that Clarkson beat big bad Cortland mean that the Liberty League is picking things up and shouldn't be looked down upon as much as a league in NY (and maybe nationally), or is it just an up year for them and a bit of luck?

[John McGraw]

Does RPI and Clarkson both doing well in the Regional and the fact that with a couple different bounces it could be argued that Skidmore or Rochester could be in the same situation as well, and the fact that Clarkson beat big bad Cortland mean that the Liberty League is picking things up and shouldn't be looked down upon as much as a league in NY (and maybe nationally), or is it just an up year for them and a bit of luck?

I'd say it's a little bit of both. Baseball is baseball after all and things don't always work out as they should. As for national respect, I don't see that coming unless someone makes noise in Wisconsin. WNEC still absolutely thumped Ithaca, the two seed, and then got caught in a tough situation with back-to-back games today.

Now, Clarkson on the other hand has gained a ton of respect for winning two games at the regionals. I bet RPI does not want to see them whatsoever.

[BoomerIL]

Rochester...should have, would have, could have!!!  NUTS!!!!   

[TRhit]

Boomer

Don't beat yourself up---it is just a game

[airball55]

Well said John.  I feel for Boomer man but I'm not so sure the Jackets would have done well in this regional.... lots of runs being scored.  I just like that the shipped in team (WNEC) got the boot.  Rather then critique the LL or the SUNYAC maybe we should be looking into Ithaca a bit.  Their "automatic" bid they seem to get hasn't produced much lately and with 13-14 easy wins in the Empire 5 (Utica, RIT, Fisher and Stevens) maybe they should be looked at with a bit more scrutiny.

[John McGraw]

Well said John.  I feel for Boomer man but I'm not so sure the Jackets would have done well in this regional.... lots of runs being scored.  I just like that the shipped in team (WNEC) got the boot.  Rather then critique the LL or the SUNYAC maybe we should be looking into Ithaca a bit.  Their "automatic" bid they seem to get hasn't produced much lately and with 13-14 easy wins in the Empire 5 (Utica, RIT, Fisher and Stevens) maybe they should be looked at with a bit more scrutiny.

I don't think so. Look at the Pool B teams nationally, there wasn't really much on the table this year. And the teams that got in haven't done so hot.

Central - Wash. U. 0-1, playing #1 seed Carthage on Saturday, oof!
Midwest - St. Scholastica 1-2
New York - Ithaca 0-2
South - Salisbury 1-2, York 1-2
West - Chapman 1-0

All but Wash. U and Chapman remain in the tournament right now. Overall, it's a down year for Pool B. Outside of the six teams that made it in, the next closest was Bethany Lutheran from the UMAC. Bethany blew its chances when it was swept by CSS in the UMAC finals.

Meanwhile, Pool C teams have done very very well. Go figure. IMO this discussion will be moot when Ithaca completes that rumored move to the Liberty League :-)

[BoomerIL]

Boomer

Don't beat yourself up---it is just a game

TR you very old rascal!!!!!!!  How are you??  Welcome to the D3 boards!!!!  I gotta tell you, it's not just a game, and coming from you, you old snake, I know you're the most passionate about games, win or lose.   

I also have to say that after three years of reading, observing , that most of the posters on this site really love and know college baseball at the DIII level.  I still have a lot to learn!! 

I hope you and your wife are well!!.  I was going to contact you if Rochester got to the regional, but they just seem to not be able to 'close' the games in the tournament.  They had a great season, but lost some games they should have won and maybe won some they should have lost, but they did play well this year.  We've got some good talent with more coming on next year.  As they say, time will tell.

Our son is staying on campus this summer and has two jobs lined up, one in a Biology lab and the other in the Athletic Dept. + a clinic or two.  He'll also play with the summer Yellowjackets.  I'll call you next week.

[BoomerIL]

Well said John.  I feel for Boomer man but I'm not so sure the Jackets would have done well in this regional.... lots of runs being scored.  I just like that the shipped in team (WNEC) got the boot.  Rather then critique the LL or the SUNYAC maybe we should be looking into Ithaca a bit.  Their "automatic" bid they seem to get hasn't produced much lately and with 13-14 easy wins in the Empire 5 (Utica, RIT, Fisher and Stevens) maybe they should be looked at with a bit more scrutiny.

I don't think so. Look at the Pool B teams nationally, there wasn't really much on the table this year. And the teams that got in haven't done so hot.

Central - Wash. U. 0-1, playing #1 seed Carthage on Saturday, oof!
Midwest - St. Scholastica 1-2
New York - Ithaca 0-2
South - Salisbury 1-2, York 1-2
West - Chapman 1-0

All but Wash. U and Chapman remain in the tournament right now. Overall, it's a down year for Pool B. Outside of the six teams that made it in, the next closest was Bethany Lutheran from the UMAC. Bethany blew its chances when it was swept by CSS in the UMAC finals.

Meanwhile, Pool C teams have done very very well. Go figure. IMO this discussion will be moot when Ithaca completes that rumored move to the Liberty League :-)

airball55....

I really believe that Rochester would have definitely competed.  And remember, I said competed.  They were ahead in the RPI series games and then lost it.  Clarkson, even though I give Pitkin a ton of credit, was being hit by our guys, just at someone.  The three straight shutout games, an anomoly!!!!  I think that they were over thinking and thought it could happen again.

I know I'm giving them a lot of credit, and when John was at the Cortland/Rochester game, I heard him say over the radio broadcast that they had a good team.  I know, I know, I'm drinking my Rochester Kool Aid again, but I'm having a hard time letting go.  When I see Wash U. in it, and Ithaca drops two in a row, I know UR would have been in the thick of it.  BUT, like we all have said, you have to be able to "close."

As an old Cubs fan, and what Ernie Banks has always said, "there's always next year!" 

[airball55]

I am a Liberty League guy but as much as I like the Boomer man, three straight shutouts against a Clarkson team that does not field all that well, isn't bad luck and line drives right at guys (they lost their starting SS, Clarke just before that weekend).  I love Coach Reina, class act but the ole' Jackets just don't seem to play well after May 1.  I thought their best shot was last season with Mcanearny (spelling, sorry).   I do agree though that they would have competed, they always play close games.  Seeing a guy the second time should have been an advantage for them.  And knowing John he did believe they had a solid club but you can't gage a team by head to head wins anymore out of conference... Cortland smacked Clarkson in Florida but had played ten games and the Knights only had 2 (Cobleskill, yikes).  That's why we love the game on here and I do hope that the next LL regional team that hasn't been in a while will be the Jackets, but they have to break that post season curse or whateve it is.  Wouldn't it be great to see an RPI Clarkson final in the regional.