BB: LL: Liberty League

[spectator123]

Skidmore 7
Rochester 2
Final

Looks like Sunday will be huge if they don't get rained out

[airball55]

Pretty much par for the course today minus Vassar getting one at RPI, but, we all acknowledged that could have been a possibility.  Good for Vassar.  The race is on for those 2-3-4 spots.

[LLbaseball]

I see that D'Agostino left Union earlier in the week.... Does anyone know what happened there?

Also, Vassar and RPI are rained out and making the games up on Tuesday.... wouldn't be surprised to see Vassar take another one.....

[BoomerIL]

Skidmore takes two today from Rochester, 6-5 in 9 innings the first game, and 6-0 on a 1 hit shutout by Laracuente.  Skidmore is definitely in the mix for the Liberty League conference title with probably the best staff in the conference.  I may be a Rochester "homer," but I do give credit where credit is due.  Rochester won the last 8 games prior to this weekend.

Rochester is 26-7, while Skidmore moves to 21-8.  The LL tournament will definitely be fun to follow.   

[BaseB13]

Skidmore takes two today from Rochester, 6-5 in 9 innings the first game, and 6-0 on a 1 hit shutout by Laracuente.  Skidmore is definitely in the mix for the Liberty League conference title with probably the best staff in the conference.  I may be a Rochester "homer," but I do give credit where credit is due.  Rochester won the last 8 games prior to this weekend.

Rochester is 26-7, while Skidmore moves to 21-8.  The LL tournament will definitely be fun to follow.   

It seems Skidmore does have some solid pitching.  When a teams #4 arm is throwing a 1 hit shutout against the #21 team in the country, then their staff must be pretty solid/deep.  Stills seems like Rochester would have to lose all four vs Clarkson to blow the opportunity to host.  Both Skidmore and Clarkson still have some tough conference games coming up as well.

Vassar/RPI cancelled today.  Legitimate chance RPI could miss the LL tournament. 

C

[BoomerIL]

Skidmore takes two today from Rochester, 6-5 in 9 innings the first game, and 6-0 on a 1 hit shutout by Laracuente.  Skidmore is definitely in the mix for the Liberty League conference title with probably the best staff in the conference.  I may be a Rochester "homer," but I do give credit where credit is due.  Rochester won the last 8 games prior to this weekend.

Rochester is 26-7, while Skidmore moves to 21-8.  The LL tournament will definitely be fun to follow.   

It seems Skidmore does have some solid pitching.  When a teams #4 arm is throwing a 1 hit shutout against the #21 team in the country, then their staff must be pretty solid/deep.  Stills seems like Rochester would have to lose all four vs Clarkson to blow the opportunity to host.  Both Skidmore and Clarkson still have some tough conference games coming up as well.

Vassar/RPI cancelled today.  Legitimate chance RPI could miss the LL tournament. 

C

Last week against Vassar, Rochester came from behind to win the last game on Sunday.  I watched all of UR's games last weekend.  I carried with me the stats of the LL teams, records, toatl and conference, team BA, and team ERA.  Skidmore had the best at that.  Our kids have been hitting like crazy, and I'm not taking anything away from the Skidmore pitching this weekend.  They could have easily swept UR, but our guys didn't get any timely hitting.

For what ever reason, RPI is struggling this year.  I think they really miss Marchese, even though he is only one player, but I think he was a big factor.  I always say, "one player does not make a team, but then can make a difference."  I believe Marchese is one of those players.  Having said that, Clarkson is sort of flying under the radar, but still posses a problem for the remaining teams they face, which includes Rochester.

I really believe that the Liberty League will, and is gaining ground as teams to consider in the New Region.  If Rochester finishes like I hope they do, and has Skidmore, Clarkson, and RPI in the mix as well, who knows what will happen come regionals.  Sure, Cortland is always the favorite, but I think the LL will gain somemore credibility.

The next few weeks will be intense for me and the Rochester faithful!!

[airball55]

I agree that other teams have a good chance to come out of the conference tournament.  The LL has better depth than in years past.  Skidmore, on that "field", is a tough team to play.  I remember a poster on here stating about how poorly coached they are!!  I don't agree with that assessment at all, and that would have been said even if U of R took all four.  Home field trumps all with that team though, Rochester still has a huge advantage if they host and it still looks that way.  RPI is a strange team this year.  They roll against good competition in Florida, then in 10 games at HOME against Clarkson, Rochester and Vassar they are a combined 3-7.  That certainly has never happened in the past.  Still with 8 games left so much can change for most of these teams.  I agree 100% with the Clarkson post.  They were there last year and that experience means so much.  They had a good road sweep of Union, something they traditionally don't do. 

[BaseB13]

I agree that other teams have a good chance to come out of the conference tournament.  The LL has better depth than in years past.  Skidmore, on that "field", is a tough team to play.  I remember a poster on here stating about how poorly coached they are!!  I don't agree with that assessment at all, and that would have been said even if U of R took all four.  Home field trumps all with that team though, Rochester still has a huge advantage if they host and it still looks that way.  RPI is a strange team this year.  They roll against good competition in Florida, then in 10 games at HOME against Clarkson, Rochester and Vassar they are a combined 3-7.  That certainly has never happened in the past.  Still with 8 games left so much can change for most of these teams.  I agree 100% with the Clarkson post.  They were there last year and that experience means so much.  They had a good road sweep of Union, something they traditionally don't do. 

I think your overstating the "home field" advantage that their field provides.  I don't think it makes a difference at all.  Other than maybe allowing them to get more games in.  Regardless, chances are it won't be there anyways.

[AlleyCat]

Rochester and Skidmore are locks for the tourney. That said, I believe that RPI could miss the tourney for the first time ever. They don't seem to have the fight they once did. They played great in Florida against great competition and now are struggling against very average teams. Skidmore always pressures teams into making mistakes, which is why they always play the better teams tough. Clarkson hits the ball well, which could make them tough. St Lawrence seems to be hanging around. We'll have to see wht happens this week in the LL. It's going to be the week to set the tourney in my eyes.

Just my thoughts.....

[airball55]

I think home field is absolutely HUGE for Skidmore and Rochester.  Skidmore, on that grass surface has won it before when they hosted.  I think if they have to travel to U of R then the results from the weekend would change.  As for Rochester, with their history of postseason failures, I am sure they would love to play at home.  Although they seem to play as well on the road in the regular season, that field as well offers a lot of coziness for the home club with the fan section in left center, the uniqueness of the park, etc...  RPI and Clarkson could probably care less as they have seemed to do fine on the road in the postseason.  RPI probably wants to travel, if they get in.  I do think that this Rochester club is different from the one that hosted in 07, and the depth of the offense lends itself for more success in post season play.

[DefenseWins]

I think home field is absolutely HUGE for Skidmore and Rochester.  Skidmore, on that grass surface has won it before when they hosted.  I think if they have to travel to U of R then the results from the weekend would change.  As for Rochester, with their history of postseason failures, I am sure they would love to play at home.  Although they seem to play as well on the road in the regular season, that field as well offers a lot of coziness for the home club with the fan section in left center, the uniqueness of the park, etc...  RPI and Clarkson could probably care less as they have seemed to do fine on the road in the postseason.  RPI probably wants to travel, if they get in.  I do think that this Rochester club is different from the one that hosted in 07, and the depth of the offense lends itself for more success in post season play.

Judging by the scores and box's i would say that UR wouldnt have faired much better at their home field. Skidmores pitching is what won them 3 of 4 and looking at the stats of their staff they are the deepest 1-4 in my opinion. Heard the first game between the two on sunday was ugly as can be, with a misplayed fly ball in the infield leading to skidmore letting rochester tie it up. and 5 of UR's 6 runs were unearned.

Rpi continues to struggle, dropping one to Vassar this weekend. They just are not the powerhouse this year and are beatable by everyone. I dont see them contending even if they make the tourny.


My Prediction is a UR Skidmore Final in the LL championship with an outside team other than those two being clarkson

[BBFan62]

Regardless of what happens it has been and is a fun and exciting season thus far. My hat goes off to the Skidmore staff as they did a great job of holding the Rochester offense. On paper, both staffs matched up well, particularly when you look at the conference games. There will be some exciting years to come, as the Rochester starters Menke & Kowal are freshmen and Ludwig is a junior. The Rochester closer, King, is also a freshman. Skidmore will have Brucato and Laracuente back next year. (A special "atta boy" to him for his 1 hitter). Other underclassmen on both staffs will step up too.
Baseball is baseball, regardless of how the runs are tallied, so I wouldn't really call it ugly.
Home field is a big advantage for everyone, as the home players get to sleep in their own beds and do not have to worry about traveling. Having said that, this coming weekend is huge for Rochester as they control their own situation, and will be traveling.

[baseballislife]

Always the optimist, I think that was a good spot for an "off" weekend for the U of R.  Taking nothing away from Skidmore's pitching staff, who did a great job, the Jackets were a ninth inning HBP away from a weekend split.  They have been a quite a roll and were due to come back to Earth a little bit.  That is baseball.  It's about focus and confidence and not getting too high or too low.

They are still in control for home field advantage and that should be huge for them come tournament time.  I think this year's team will rid themselves of the "can't win the big ones" tag they have been saddled with in recent years.  Gotta love this time of year!

[Truthfinder]

Weekend predictions:

Rochester goes 2-2 at Clarkson
Skidmore 3-1 vs. Union
And I'll say it: SLU goes 3-1 vs. RPI.

[LLbaseball]

Predictions:

Today:  RPI and Vassar split 1-1

Weekend:   Rochester splits with Clarkson  2-2
Skidmore sweeps Union 4-0
SLU splits with RPI 2-2
Vassar splits with Hamilton 1-1