BB: LL: Liberty League

[airball55]

Nice trip for the Thoroughbreds.  May get a vote or two in the poll.  It will depend on how the coaches see the schedule they played which may have been the weakest in the LL.  Good to see RPI, Clarkson, Rochester and St. Lawrence going after some of the better teams and getting a few wins along the way.  RPI beat Cortland after getting beat by Brockport and Clarkson split with the SUNYAC's Red Dragons (Oneonta and Cortland).  Vassar's start cooled some when they ran into better teams.  Toss up in this league right now. 

[BBFan62]

Skidmore got stomped by Kenyon today.  I said it before the season and I'll say it again today: If I were skidmore, I'd be worried about their pitching depth.  Brucato and Laracuente are dominant 1-2, but after them, it's a few freshmen and sophs that haven't pitched much (or at all).  They needed a position player to finish the game today, that sends me a warning sign.  Obviously it's early, but could be Brucato, Laracuente, pray for rain...

Skidmore went 7-1 on the Florida trip. As for the rotation, Brucato and Laracuente are solid at the top. It looks like the #3 and #4 guys are Keysor and Rudman. Keysor was the setup man last year and posted a 2.10 ERA while averaging more than a strike out per inning. Rudman was the closer and posted a 0.68 ERA with 7 saves while being named to the LL 1st team as a relif pitcher. Both are off to good starts. Keysor left after 7 with a 4-2 lead in his first start but did not get the win. In his second start (on 3 days rest) he took a 2 hitter into the 7th before running out of gas, but still got the win. Rudman got one start in Florida and got the win while only allowing one unearned run and 3 hits in a 7-inning game. Skidmore used position players to finish up the 15-2 loss to save arms for the upcoming 4 games they had scheduled in the next two days. It looks like Martins will be the setup guy and Stafutti the closer. I'm optomistic about the staff but I'm also a Skidmore fan. Time will tell, but no one is praying for rain yet.

Keysor did a nice job last year. I felt he'd be a starter this year, as he proved he can "get 'er done". The Skidmore staff will be one of the better staffs, no doubt.

Meanwhile, it appears this week might be a big challenge weather-wise. The early forecast calls for about 33 - 34 degrees Saturday & Sunday, with cold for this Wednesday (UR vs. St. John Fisher) as well. So, who knows if the games will be played. In the long run, that would help UR because they lost 2 starters for the year and one of their rotation guys is still recovering from a Florida injury that still might require surgery. The extra week would really help.

[Ron Ron]

I will give Skidmore credit for a good trip, but the quality of competition they faced in Florida isn't what it used to be (whether it was playing 4 against Rochester, playing Wooster, St Joes, others).  Also, still a long way to go for the 3 and 4 pitchers to hold up, as well as seeing the staff as a whole in 4 game weekends (against much better teams that have seen Keysor and Rudman before).  Certainly there is reason for optimism, but as many people can say (especially over in the SUNYAC board regarding Plattsburgh), a good spring trip against lesser competition does not mean a successful season will ensue.  Record wise and experience wise, great trip for the T-Breds.

[LLbaseball]

I was down in FL watching some games (RPI fan) and watched several games.  I saw RPI get hammered by Brockport, then walk through Stevens.  I saw Vassar hang tough with Brockport, which I was impressed by to say the least.... Vassar is much better this year.  And I saw Clarkson vs. Albright where Goerold was not sharp at all.... and Clarkson cannot hit at all.

It is a toss up.  Skidmore did not play anyone on their trip.  They should've finished 7-1.  Millikin? Minnesota-Morris? Bethel?  Come on.  The league is wide open this year for sure.  We shall see what happens.... if the fields ever clear from the snow.

[BaseB13]

I think giving your pitchers a few innings throughout the trip serves them well. Why save arms? Florida means nothing other than padding the wins, depending upon the caliber of the competition. What counts is the LL season and playoffs. Win the tournament and, regardless of your record, you're in. So, the first goal is to be one of the 4 teams.

In regards to RedDragons comments........Yep UR lost a freshman and a key player for the year. We had another injury, but that player should be able to comeback, although, if he does, he may miss a start or two. We won't know for sure for about a week or so.
[/quote]

If you're getting romped in one game of a spring trip, and you're playing eight games in one week, you would be better served to save your bullpen for upcoming games and pitch anyone, even a position player instead.  That's why you would save arms.  No need to bring in a decent reliever when you're down by 12.

[scscoach]

I agree with many on here, the league looks wide open. RPI's win over Cortland should give the Liberty League a little more credibility. Good job RPI. I'm picking RPI, Skidmore, Rochester and Clarkson (in no particular order) to make the LL tourney. PS...I'm a Skidmore fan

[NY2on2out]

Just wondering, how hard do pitchers throw in this conference (LL)?

[BigPoppa]

Just wondering, how hard do pitchers throw in this conference (LL)?

Most D3 guys land anywhere between 82-88 mph while a few reach into the lower 90s. It has nothing to do with the conference as much as it does the individual.

[BBFan62]

Just wondering, how hard do pitchers throw in this conference (LL)?

Most D3 guys land anywhere between 82-88 mph while a few reach into the lower 90s. It has nothing to do with the conference as much as it does the individual.

Speed without movement will only get you so far. As they say, pitching is like a good real estate investment...location......location......location. UR has several guys in the upper 80's with 2 or 3 at the 90 threshold.  A few of the hitters thrive on hard fastballs.

However, regardless of how hard someone throws, hitters will eventually time it. You need that second and third pitch for long term success.

The UR staff has the talent to keep them in the game against almost anybody. The 4-6 record from Florida resulted from 3 one run losses and 1 two run loss. In the UAA tournament, Rochester played 4 games prior to the tournament, most other teams played 10. Once the bats wake up, UR will be okay.

[baseballislife]

I agree with many on here, the league looks wide open. RPI's win over Cortland should give the Liberty League a little more credibility. Good job RPI. I'm picking RPI, Skidmore, Rochester and Clarkson (in no particular order) to make the LL tourney. PS...I'm a Skidmore fan

scscoach,

I agree with your picks, although nobody better sleep on Vassar.  Lots of parity in the LL this year.  Whoever survives will be more than battle tested.  Get ready for an uncomfortable weekend of games if you come west for the UR / Skidmore series.  IF they play it, it will be right around freezing.  It will probably come down to whether or not the predicted snow comes tomorrow and how quickly it goes away.

UR is scheduled to play St. John Fisher tomorrow, but that is unlikely to happen.  That is easy to make up later being 15 minutes from eachother.  A four game weekend set is another matter.

[scscoach]

I am planning on making the trip. Is UR still using Towers Field? Someone was telling me they built a new park with artificial surface. Hopefully there is no wind this weekend to go with the brutal temperatures.

[baseballislife]

I'm afraid Towers field is still their home.  Last I heard the new field will be ready for the 2013 season.  Fieldturf will be a real asset for getting these early season games in down the road, but for now it is still the same field.  FYI, the plan is to put it in the same place.

I agree on the wind!  It usually blows directly at the spectators and away dugout.

[BBFan62]

I am planning on making the trip. Is UR still using Towers Field? Someone was telling me they built a new park with artificial surface. Hopefully there is no wind this weekend to go with the brutal temperatures.

We're flying in for the games......I think I'll wear a snowmobile suit. Given the weather forecast, I think the games won't be played. But, at least we can see our guys. In fact I think the next 2 weeks are very iffy.
Pity the "bees in the handle"!

[baseballislife]

safe travels to you.....I'm thinking they won't be playing until the Clarkson series 10 days from now, but you never know.  I had heard UR tried to move the Fisher game to today, but it takes 2 to tango.  Too bad, it was 45 and cloudy....playable.

[baseballislife]

UR - Fisher game is postponed.  No surprise there  .