BB: LL: Liberty League

[airball55]

Ithaca does not hit good enough to get by games like this without their top pitchers.  I am not surprised by this at all.  Very surprised to see Warren for two innings, but, hey, mid week work.  Ithaca won't throw anyone with four gamer on Friday and Saturday against Fisher.  And, I saw Ithaca earlier this year against Oneonta, they don't hit.  Not shocking tonight.  If the Jackets can stay hot with Vassar and Skidmore coming up, they could host.  But, they need Union to falter some.  The LL is wide open, no real favorite after Union and I still think they can be beat.

[baseballislife]

I am sure that the reason Warren only went the first two innings is the same reason IC didn't throw their top pitchers - they need him this weekend.  It's the same for both teams since they both have  important league games coming up.

UR likes to throw by committee on these Wednesday games and treat them like bullpens, which they would throw in practice anyway. Seven pitchers with nobody throwing more than 15-20 pitches got the job done and they all remain available for the weekend.

[airball55]

Of course.  My point was more that they won't be able to use Warren on Friday, they will use him Saturday.  If teams want to make a run in regionals, these mid week games are good assessments as to who has the necessary pitching depth.

[baseballislife]

Agreed.  The play-offs will be upon us very soon.  Should be an interesting weekend!

[baseballislife]

Union takes two from Skidmore today to solidify their hold on first place.

RIT and SLU split up in Canton with RIT getting 4-0 shut-out in game one, beating SLU ace Riley.  SLU wins game 2 going away to remain 1 game back of RIT.

Similar story in Rochester as Vassar freshman pitcher wins duel over UR ace Warren, 2-0.  Solid outing by Warren, but Erkis shuts down UR bats.  Late rally in 7th quashed when UR runner gets picked off 2nd with first and second and no outs.

UR comes back in nightcap and overwhelms Vassar 14-0.  Schulman and Crean combine to put up UR's 6th team shut-out.  UR pitchers hold Vassar bats to 10 hits and 2 runs in the two games.

No change in the standings today, but things get even tighter percentage-wise.  Big day tomorrow if anyone can sweep the day.

[baseballislife]

Good weekend for UR, Union, and Clarkson.  SLU and RIT split with 2 each, which is what I expected.  RIT is dangerous, but I noticed their big hitter, Roman, did not play games 2, 3, or 4.  Does anyone know if he got hurt or what the deal is with that?  If he is out, that will be a serious blow to them.  They lost 2 of 3 without him and I would expect more trouble with their upcoming schedule if he is going to be out.

Union took 3 of 4 from Skidmore and Clarkson took care of business against Bard in getting all 4.

UR rallied for three wins over Vassar after dropping the opener, 2-0.  They had a nice run of only allowing 2 ER's over 44 innings over the last week and have lowered their staff ERA to 3.04.  After a 3-9 start, their 15-4 run has them in the thick of things.  Here is what is left in the final two weeks:

Union            9-3-1      .731     (Vassar, RIT at home)
RIT                 10-5      .667     (Clarkson at home, @ Union)
UR                  13-7      .650     (@ Skidmore)
SLU                  9-6      .600     (@ Vassar for 2, RPI at home)
Clarkson           8-6      .571     (@ RIT, Skidmore at home)
RPI                   7-7      .500     (Bard, @ SLU)
Vassar              5-5      .500     (SLU at home for 2, Union, Bard)
Skidmore        2-12      .143     (UR at home, @ Clarkson)
Bard            0-12-1      .038     (RPI, Vassar)

I still like Union to host, but if they stumble, UR could very well surpass them if they can win their series in Saratoga next weekend. 

[baseballislife]

Vassar (7-5 league) vaults to 4th place and SLU (9-8 league) drops to 6th after a DH sweep by Vassar today.  The freshman Erkis from Vassar beats SLU ace Riley, settling in after a rough first inning.  He has beaten Warren and Riley within four days of each other and is 5-0. 

SLU is in trouble with only a series with RPI left to play, unless they are able to make up the other games.

[baseballislife]

UR (19-13) overcame a slow start tonight to beat another hot team, Brockport (19-11), with a bottom of the ninth three-run walk-off HR by sophomore Lance Hamilton.  Down 7-0 in the 5th inning, 'Jackets rally with 5 in the fifth, 1 in the 6th, and three in the 9th on the walk-off HR to win 9-8.  Hamilton had 5 RBI on the night.

RPI (17-10) gets easy win @ Williams, Mass. (8-13), 15-3.

[BBFan62]

UR (19-13) overcame a slow start tonight to beat another hot team, Brockport (19-11), with a bottom of the ninth three-run walk-off HR by sophomore Lance Hamilton.  Down 7-0 in the 5th inning, 'Jackets rally with 5 in the fifth, 1 in the 6th, and three in the 9th on the walk-off HR to win 9-8.  Hamilton had 5 RBI on the night.

RPI (17-10) gets easy win @ Williams, Mass. (8-13), 15-3.
[/quote

Congratulations UR Yellowjackets! What a nice finish to the regular season, with just a non-con game to go! The jackets clinched a playoff spot and could end up the league champ, depending upon the RIT/Union series. Union must take 3 games or else UR takes the crown. If Clarkson grabs 3 from Skidmore then Clarkson shares a .667 win percentage. The jackets are 16-8, Clarkson would be 14-7. I'm not sure how that shakes out. Hats off to the YJ's, they're a year ahead of what I thought they would be.

[baseballislife]

A good weekend for RPI, UR, and Clarkson with series wins.  Vassar taking two from Union rather easily yesterday saved their season and kept the regular season top spot a wide open race.  The Vassar 1-2 pitchers sweeping SLU last Tuesday and Union yesterday was critical, but do they have the depth?

UR has completed all 24 of their league games (thank you, new field), have clinched a spot, and can play scoreboard watching this weekend.  If I'm looking at things correctly, I think 5 teams still have a chance to host and six teams still have life for the three remaining  spots.

Thanks for the support, BBFan62, but we both know the real crown is the tournament championship!

[AlleyCat]

This is going to be a crazy weekend in the LL. Only 2 schools eliminated from playoff contention. What really bothers me is team not trying to play the full league schedule. Hopefully those teams don't make it so their coaches realize they screwed their kids by not playing the games on the field. I would love to see some of these schools trying to sneak in by not playing get it in the end by pct. points. Vassar has a leg up on people coming into the weekend playing Bard. St Lawrence/RPI series will determine one spot, RIT/Union could determine who will be hosting and Clarkson/Skidmore will determine if Clarkson gets in.

Let's hope for good weather and all teams play all 4 games. Doubt that will happen knowing some of these coaches. They'll be watching to see if others will be playing to see how they can sneak in without playing. Sad state of affairs, but true. Rochester gets the gold star for putting it on the line and playing all 24 league contests. Glad they made it! Good job Yellowjackets

[djm222ball]

Not sure which teams you refer to when you say they are not trying to play

I know that every coach is trying to play their league games, there are academic issues, distance issues, cost issues and many other items to consider before implying that the coaches are trying to manipulate the schedule.

Union wanted to play Bard the final 2 games, forced to play only 3 vs. SLU because of neutral site field restrictions (played 3 vs. mandatory 2).
RPI killed their pitchers to get their league games in

I don't see any instance that supports your feeling, but obviously you are entitled to your opinion 

[AlleyCat]

Vassar and Skidmore playing single games mid week instead of DH's when the weather was terrific. League doesn't even allow for that. They made up their own rules to not extend pitching. Look at past years also. Same teams always trying to beat the system and not allow the kids to play. Do it on the field not in the offices.

[airball55]

I am with you DJ, no one does not try to play games.  Rochester has turf which is a nice advantage.  I think if we all go back in time, some teams didn't get to the max games for one reason or another.  Careful though, lots of yellowjackets here who will sting you!  LOL

[AlleyCat]

I would love to see the Jackets do something in the LL playoffs. Joe does a great job and the kids deserve a long stay in the playoffs.