BB: LL: Liberty League

[LLbaseball]

I just got back from RPI/Vassar games today..... Vassar could've definitely won both.  The were a big hit away from winning game 1 against Ciesko.  They hit him around all day.  It's UNREAL how much better that team has gotten in past 2 years.  The arms over there are good enough to win for sure and they can flat out swing it.  20+ hits on the day.

Day 2 could be interesting....

I agree, Union will be happy getting 1 tomorrow.  I hope Rochester can salvage a decent weekend.  They need it!

[baseballislife]

Rochester broke out in Game 2, winning 12-1 on 17 hits.  Freshman SP Steve Cool went 7 innings, 3 hits, 1 ER.  Freshman Chris Davis 3 for 5, 2 doubles and a grand slam...6 RBI.  Senior Steve Just 4 for 6.  Every UR starter had a least one hit.

In game one, 8 walks and 2 hits batsmen in six innings doomed UR as Cook pretty much shut them down.
LL standings through today:

Clarkson   8-2
RPI            4-2
Vassar      5-5
SLU           4-6
UR             3-5
Union        2-4
Skidmore   2-4


BIG day tomorrow for UR/SLU

[airball55]

Today's results:
Clarkson splits with Union: 3-1 on weekend and that 4th game is giving them some problems right now.
RPI sweeps Vassar with two 5-4 wins:  That series could have had any combination of results.  Amazing how close Vassar is getting and how RPI is just another good team, not a dominant team, in the LL

SLU and Rochester split:  Not a huge surprise here. 

Next week:
Skidmore @ Union
RPI @ Rochester
Vassar @ SLU

With only two teams above .500 in league, it will make for a fun race for the late spots.  Clarkson and RPI would really have to falter to not make league.  That series may decide home field.  The SLU/Vassar series is a big one for those teams early.

[Ron Ron]

"lot of question marks behind Laracuente."

Are you standing by this statement Ron Ron? LOL.

I believe you misinterpreted this statement Ocho.  I meant, after Laracuente, who is lights out, there are question marks.  Meaning, once you get past Laracuente's starts/the bullpen, there are plenty of question marks and what ifs.  A few freshmen are stepping up, but still not a lot of confidence in the pitching staff, other than Laracuente. 

[BaseB13]

I believe you misinterpreted this statement Ocho.  I meant, after Laracuente, who is lights out, there are question marks.  Meaning, once you get past Laracuente's starts/the bullpen, there are plenty of question marks and what ifs.  A few freshmen are stepping up, but still not a lot of confidence in the pitching staff, other than Laracuente. 
[/quote]

Not entirely sure what you're talking about Ron Ron.  You don't have confidence behind Laracuente even though the player who had the best numbers on one of the top pitching staffs in the country that year has returned also?  (Brucato).  Not to mention Rudman has settled in nicely after switching from the pen.  And I'd say for a number four Keysor is solid.  Yes there's some young guys in the bullpen but that was no different from last year.  I don't think pitching is this teams weakness at all. 

They're swinging the bats alright without their top hitter too.  Defensively they have some freshman playing up the middle and there will be some growing pains for sure.  A lot of hating.


I think airball mentioned RPI just being a good team in the LL.  I think it's been that way for the last 5 of 6 years now.  They're good.  Always will be good.  But there were times when they was a massive gap between them and the rest of the league.  That all seems to have come to a halt since 2005 when they didn't win th league for the first time. They have had one or two teams in the last five years that put up similar numbers to those previous RPI teams although it's tough to really compare since the switch to the 24 conference game format.

[LLbaseball]

Ok boys, I'll take first crack at the weekend predictions:

Skidmore/Union -- split. I think Laracuente and Brucato will win, but the other 2 games are wide open and I can see Union squeaking them out.

RPI/Rochester -- RPI takes 3.  I think RPI is clearly the better team. Sorry Yellowjacket fans.

Vassar/St. Law -- I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Vassar takes 3.  I think they can really do it.  I expect them to make a playoff push.

Anyone else??

[airball55]

Skidmore/Union:  I will also go with a split here
RPI/Rochester:  RPI 3 of 4.  Lots at stake here
Vassar/St. Lawrence:  At SLU, I will take the Saints 3 of 4. 

Our predictions should be in the USA today or something!!

[djm222ball]

Who do you all think are the top players at each position in the LL? I am speaking defensively rather than about batting averages...ability to play the position?

Coleman of Clarkson is an amazing shortstop, if he does not make a great play in game 1 vs Union, they don't win

Heck of Union is a great right fielder with a strong arm, he has thrown out 3 runners at 1st after they hit a single to right (no single) with his arm

Grainger of Clarkson looks like a solid catcher

[BBFan62]

Who do you all think are the top players at each position in the LL? I am speaking defensively rather than about batting averages...ability to play the position?

Coleman of Clarkson is an amazing shortstop, if he does not make a great play in game 1 vs Union, they don't win

Heck of Union is a great right fielder with a strong arm, he has thrown out 3 runners at 1st after they hit a single to right (no single) with his arm

Grainger of Clarkson looks like a solid catcher

Ditto on Coleman. He made a great play vs. UR, throwing a runner out from very deep in the hole.

UR players Caghan (RF) and Francis (CF) are 2 of the better outfielders in the Liberty League.

[LLbaseballfan]

Alright everyone, here's how this weekends games are gonna go.

Skidmore/Union:  Union takes 1 of 4.   Laracuente gets rocked for the one loss.
RPI/Rochester:  RPI 4 of 4.  Johnny Rio goes 0-weekend
Vassar/St. Lawrence:  4-0 Saints. Vassar's Cinderella run ends in canton.

[DefenseWins]

Alright everyone, here's how this weekends games are gonna go.

Skidmore/Union:  Union takes 1 of 4.   Laracuente gets rocked for the one loss.
RPI/Rochester:  RPI 4 of 4.  Johnny Rio goes 0-weekend
Vassar/St. Lawrence:  4-0 Saints. Vassar's Cinderella run ends in canton.

Saints poster high on the Saints this weekend!!!! I don't know about 4 of 4 but I think 3 of 4. I think Cooke Considine and Conde (can we start calling them the 3 C's or come up with some kind of cool nickname??) get the job done and they take 3 of 4.

Union v Skidmore- Split         Dont think Laracuente gets rocked haha. I actually think he pitches another shutout. This kid has the most next level talent in the league next to Coleman. High 80's with movement.

RPI v UR- RPI 3 of 4. Tough one here I want to take UR because they are at home (I think) but that did not help them against Clarkson and I think RPI is a baby step behind Clarkson in terms of talent.

[airball55]

Saw U of R.  They are in trouble against teams who run if the kid who caught yesterday is behind the dish.  RPI doesn't run like they used to but I am sure they will look to exploit that weakness.  Fisher can run, so that is just a bad matchup for the Just kid.  He can swing it though.  That is a huge concern for the Jackets if he gets most of the games back there.

[scscoach]

Ok boys, I'll take first crack at the weekend predictions:

Skidmore/Union -- split. I think Laracuente and Brucato will win, but the other 2 games are wide open and I can see Union squeaking them out.

RPI/Rochester -- RPI takes 3.  I think RPI is clearly the better team. Sorry Yellowjacket fans.

Vassar/St. Law -- I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Vassar takes 3.  I think they can really do it.  I expect them to make a playoff push.

Anyone else??

I'm going out on a big limb and taking Vassar, RPI and Skidmore all to sweep this weekend.

[reddragon00]

airball...Saw the same game....Checking out Fisher.   UR is in trouble and far from what they used to be.  As much as Coach R told me they weren't re-building....they are.  Just can swing it but not a catcher.  He is getting no help from the upperclassman in terms of production.  Looks like all the freshman are beating older guys out.  Short term problem, long term bonus!!  Like the Fisher DI LHP transfer but would like to see him against a higher caliber team.  I do have to say....to listen to Fisher run their mouths was brutal!  Kind of Bush if I have to say. 

Mother Nature may ruin this weekend around here!!!

[airball55]

Yeah, I heard some of the talking.  I guess there are two sides to that story, I actually thought it started the other way and then it was "game on" from there.  Regardless, let's hope we get some games in this weekend.  Skidmore got two from Union yesterday and if they get all four will help separate them some.  Cold out today, but, maybe we will get some games in.