BB: LL: Liberty League

[AlleyCat]

Well it looks like Rochester and RPI have it going in the early season. Rochester is 12 -2 and have St Lawrence this weekend. RPI is on a 9 game winning streak and is 10-4 heading down to Vassar. If things keep going the way they are 2 weeks from now could be some fun. I also think that Clarkson is going to be a tough team for anyone this year with a upper class of sluggers.

I think everyone thought Rochester would be the team to beat this year. RPI coming off a great season lost a lot and was shaky early, but now they look like they have it going and have more power this year than last.  Rochester still has the egde.

Rochester 22-2
Rensselaer 20-4
Clarkson  16-8
St Lawrence 12-12

My top 4 prediction for the league tournament.

[Bob Maxwell]

No arguement here...  I would pick the same four.

[BoomerIL]

Well it looks like Rochester and RPI have it going in the early season. Rochester is 12 -2 and have St Lawrence this weekend. RPI is on a 9 game winning streak and is 10-4 heading down to Vassar. If things keep going the way they are 2 weeks from now could be some fun. I also think that Clarkson is going to be a tough team for anyone this year with a upper class of sluggers.

I think everyone thought Rochester would be the team to beat this year. RPI coming off a great season lost a lot and was shaky early, but now they look like they have it going and have more power this year than last.  Rochester still has the egde.

Rochester 22-2
Rensselaer 20-4
Clarkson  16-8
St Lawrence 12-12

My top 4 prediction for the league tournament.

You and Bob Maxwell are wise men!!!!     However, I won't be as bold as to say 22-2.  Of course I hope I'm wrong.  I just want to take it one game at a time.

By the way, UR is playing today and tomorrow at St.Lawrence.  They re-scheduled based upon the rain forecast for Sunday.

[spectator123]

U of R won the first game 4 - 2 coming from behind against St L

[BoomerIL]

Rochester split today winning game 1, 4-2, but losing game 2 5-4.  They always have a hard time against St.Lawrence.  Must be "divine intervention."  Just kidding, although..........  

[BoomerIL]

Rochester picked up a pair of wins today, 4-3 and 10-3 to extend their record to 15-3 on the season, and 7-1 in the Liberty League.

With wins today by Luke Brocks, 3-0, who came in relief of Blair Veenema in the 5th inning of game one ( Charles "Ned" Chanatry recorded his 3rd save pitching the 7th), and Paul Toland also improved his record to 3-0 on the season as well completing 6 innings.  Olsen and Sullivan came in relief to finish the contest.

St. Lawrence has always given UR trouble.  Coming away with winning 3 of 4 at St.Lawrence was really good.  Rochester faces Brockport Wednesday, April 1st at UR.

[AlleyCat]

Clarkson swept 2 from Union and RPI put 2 more wins on the board at Vassar giving them 11 in a row. Both of their Sunday DH's were washed out. RPI looks like it is making it up Tuesday, don't know about Clarkson.

[AlleyCat]

RPI (15-4)seems to still have it rolling winning 2 more from Vassar and beating William Patterson yesterday in the rain 13-5. Clarkson is playing well and has RPI up there for 4 this weekend. Rochester has Brockport today and Union this weekend which should start shaping the field for the tournament. I wouldn't count Skidmore out, they're starting to play better and won 2 of 3 against Plattsburgh. St Lawrence needs a good weekend to stay in the hunt.

I'm predicting a Clarkson RPI split and Rochester to sweep Union

[BoomerIL]

AlleyCat.....

It's funny you should predict a Clarkson split with RPI.  Clarkson is playing some really good baseball, and they can hit!  The pitching seems to be pretty good as well.

Hopefully your prediction of UR sweeping Union holds true.  With RPI always strong, and Clarkson stepping up this season, UR has its work cut out for itself.  They still have to play St.John Fisher who always gives UR trouble, not to mention that Vassar always seems to win at least one against them.  Rochester can't give anything away and they still need to play Brockport today, and Ithaca down the road.

[AlleyCat]

I think Clarkson is very good! They have a lot of veteran guys who can play and Coach Kane always has them ready for RPI. RPI is playing well, but everyone knows its tough to play up in the north country.  I'm calling for a split because I think it will be a great matchup.

Clarkson should probably try to make up those Union games this year as from what I've heard the has gone to winning percentage for the top 4. 2 more wins could really help them.

Rochester is still the team to beat in the Liberty League.

[BoomerIL]

I just read the box score from the Rochester-Brockport game today at Rochester.  All I have to say is BRUTAL!!

I remember my old friend from last season "shoeless," who questioned the defense of Rochester.  He was/is absolutely correct with his ccomments.  You cannot commit 5 errors in a game, any game, at your home field, and expect to be given any respect.  No excuses!!

Now, I know that Brockport has not played their best baseball this season, and I'm not trying to take anything away from those kids, but I guess they had something to prove, and Rochester didn't.  This is the reason I am getting concerned about RPI, Clarkson, and even Union and Vassar.  Time will tell if UR can bounce back from this big loss, and the weather doesn't look like it will help them this weekend.

[Bob Maxwell]

Boomer, we've talked about Defense in the past... good teams do lose if they commit errors.  Its been something that Cortland has dealt with a few times in past years.  But if you can hit, often times you over come the poor defense.

Brockport had a couple of infield errors too.  I wonder if the field was chopped up, or if they were throwing errors if the wet grounds had anythign to do with it.  Its part of the game.

At least they happened in a non-conference game.

[BoomerIL]

Bob.....

I do believe there were some throwing errors.  None the less, and with no disrespect to Brockport, you cannot allow yourself to beaten like that, and at home.  I'm sure there is a local rivalry there, but to give up four runs in the eleventh is not good.  If the final turned out to be a one run loss, a squeaker, then maybe I'd say o.k.  But still, 5 errors in the game!!!  What about the runs scored in the first nine innings???

Like you mentioned, field conditions or not, both teams had the same situation to deal with. This loss does matter because it is an "in region" game.  However, Rochester did win two games against Union yesterday with rainy, 30+ degree conditions.  Sure, Union is not a powerhouse, but maybe UR needed those wins to maybe pull them through this weekend.  They did make some roster moves yesterday has well.  Next week they play RPI at Towers Field in Rochester.  A huge series for both to say the least.

[AlleyCat]

Was anyone at the Rochester games this weekend? I'm shocked that Union took a game from them. They must have played extremely well to shut them down on one hit. But with that said winning 3 of 4 on the road is good against anyone. St Lawrence and Skidmore split doesn't help with the determination of the 4th team yet. It looks like Clarkson is the real deal this year losing a close game to RPI yesterday.

This weekend should be a good one in Rochester if the weather allows them to play. Last year Rochester took 3 of 4 at RPI.

[Bob Maxwell]

Boomer, I feel your frustration as Brockport, as good as they've been the last few years... seemed to have a propensity for losing some region games to (IMO) lesser competition.  AND it did hurt us in the end of the season when the committees would meet.