BB: Regionals (Central) Rock Island '08, '10, Moline '09, Bloomington IL '11

[CCIWFAN6]

To be fair, Webster has always been seeded lower than than should be.

Agreed, but I do not see him taking a lower seed lightly like he did in 2007.

[BigPoppa]

The problem with not using your best arm in round one is this: Many lower seeded teams are average at best but only get in invite because they have one stud arm that rarely loses(which makes them an above average team when he throws). The top seeds generally run into that stud arm in round one and need to bring their best right back at them. Now... in rounds two and three, this may be a different story.

[cubs]

So if you are IWU, do you try and beat Thomas More with your #2, and save Pankau for Game #2 against Carthage/Buena Vista?

No way... throw him Wednesday and hope to bring him back on Saturday in the title game.

Good call, that totally slipped my mind.  Guess I'm still stuck on the Conference Tournament set-up and not the Regionals.

[TheSportsFan]

Coe can stick it with the best of them.  Nick Stein will be one of the top 3 players at this tournament, covers ground in CF with a plus arm, has great speed on the bases, and hits with great pop.  Coe will struggle because their pitching is very average.  Morris is by no means a shut down pitcher, Baranowski is a thumber, and Raisch struggles to throw strikes at times.

I love Coe, but don't think they will be able to get through a regional field due to a lack of arms.

Buena Vista is as cold as any team in this.  They lossed to Wartburg (with Watson), snuck by Luther, and lossed to an average Simpson pitching staff.

As ridiculous as this might sound Buena Vista is a very dangerous team.  They have got to be feeling lucky to even be invited, but are capable of throwing a lot of good arms on the hill.  Their lineup is top to bottom respectable (besides Case in the 9-hole) but lacks the star player.  Kloewer is very good, as is Blum, but Hoffman and the rest of the squad did not surprise me too much.

Good luck to the Central Region teams.  I'll be pulling for the IIAC, but wouldn't mind seeing another central team take it.  Rooting against the non-central squad from Thomas More.

[BigPoppa]

Coe can stick it with the best of them.  Nick Stein will be one of the top 3 players at this tournament, covers ground in CF with a plus arm, has great speed on the bases, and hits with great pop.  Coe will struggle because their pitching is very average.  Morris is by no means a shut down pitcher, Baranowski is a thumber, and Raisch struggles to throw strikes at times.

I love Coe, but don't think they will be able to get through a regional field due to a lack of arms.

Buena Vista is as cold as any team in this.  They lossed to Wartburg (with Watson), snuck by Luther, and lossed to an average Simpson pitching staff.

As ridiculous as this might sound Buena Vista is a very dangerous team.  They have got to be feeling lucky to even be invited, but are capable of throwing a lot of good arms on the hill.  Their lineup is top to bottom respectable (besides Case in the 9-hole) but lacks the star player.  Kloewer is very good, as is Blum, but Hoffman and the rest of the squad did not surprise me too much.

Good luck to the Central Region teams.  I'll be pulling for the IIAC, but wouldn't mind seeing another central team take it.  Rooting against the non-central squad from Thomas More.

Ironically, quite similar to my regional preview set to hit later today/tomorrow. I see Coe struggling, even if they win their first game. And BV is a SCARY team if they ever put it together. Carthage bullpen has been inconsistent and IWU has a stud arm, and a few others a bit above avg one. I think Ripon will be overmatched from the start and  Thomas More is scary-good at the plate.

[TheSportsFan]

There are two reasons why Buena Vista is scary.

First, they play well in the field.  While their fielding percentage may not suggest it, they are solid all around, with players capable at every position.  Their biggest hole in the field is on the mound, with some poorly fielding pitchers (11 errors from pitchers)

Secondly, they can run a lot of different arms to the mound.  They had 9 pitchers throw at least 20 innings, almost all capable.  It should be mentioned that the injury to Wuebker hurts their chances of winning the region. (no pun intended)

[mwunder]

Looking forward to the Thomas More vs. IWU game in round one.  Classic case of good vs. evil (and by that I mean hitting vs. pitching).  I have to agree with the above that there's no way Pankau doesn't pitch game 1.

If More can get past Pankau, who will stop them??  Don't know a lot about them, but any team that's hitting .350 as a unit has to be taken seriously.  They didn't really play anyone all season so that might come back to haunt them in this regional.

[CCIWFAN6]

I am sure a fan of every team might say this, but I think IWU has 0% chance to win the regional if they are unable to win the first game against Thomas Moore.  This is a team that has very little pitching depth after Pankau.  Sweeney is a good #2 option, but after that, it is a severe drop off.  Again, I am sure a lot of teams could say that, but this Titans team is not a team that has typically put up a lot of runs.

[Mr. Ypsi]

While I largely agree with your post, I think you are being a bit overly harsh - ZERO %!   Joe Sweeney was NATIONAL pitcher of the week two weeks ago; Nick Mehn is 6-2 with an era under 4, and even Eric McCollough is 3-0 despite an era over 6 (which kinda negates your 'problems scoring' point).  NCC was in first place in the conference when IWU swept them by a combined 31-2 - good pitching AND good scoring.

They're in deep doo-doo if they drop the opening game (as would be anyone ), but they would not be utterly hopeless.

[youcantseemestill]

Coe can stick it with the best of them.  Nick Stein will be one of the top 3 players at this tournament, covers ground in CF with a plus arm, has great speed on the bases, and hits with great pop.  Coe will struggle because their pitching is very average.  Morris is by no means a shut down pitcher, Baranowski is a thumber, and Raisch struggles to throw strikes at times.

I love Coe, but don't think they will be able to get through a regional field due to a lack of arms.

Ironically, quite similar to my regional preview set to hit later today/tomorrow. I see Coe struggling, even if they win their first game. And BV is a SCARY team if they ever put it together. Carthage bullpen has been inconsistent and IWU has a stud arm, and a few others a bit above avg one. I think Ripon will be overmatched from the start and  Thomas More is scary-good at the plate.

BigPoppa:  First, a slight correction.  This is not Coe's first trip to the NCAA playoffs.  They went previously in 2006 as the AQ from the IIAC.  They went to the Regional and beat St. Thomas, before falling to the eventual D3 runner up Stevens Point. 

One thing I will say about Coe that most people probably don't know.  They have and OUTSTANDING record against teams that were ranked in region throughout the season.  They went 3-0 vs BV, 4-0 vs Simpson, 2-0 vs Bethany Luthern, 1-1 vs Wash U, 1-1 vs Aurora for an 11-2 record against ranked teams (which is one of the secondary criteria for Pool C discussions and probably a final nail in the discussion for the regions #1 seed).  Throw in going 5-0 against a very good Wartburg team this season and Coe is as prepared as anyone for being here.  They have three very good starters and one of the best closers in the country.  We'll see if that is enough.

[Kohawk Krazy]

Coe can stick it with the best of them.  Nick Stein will be one of the top 3 players at this tournament, covers ground in CF with a plus arm, has great speed on the bases, and hits with great pop.  Coe will struggle because their pitching is very average.  Morris is by no means a shut down pitcher, Baranowski is a thumber, and Raisch struggles to throw strikes at times.

I love Coe, but don't think they will be able to get through a regional field due to a lack of arms.

Ironically, quite similar to my regional preview set to hit later today/tomorrow. I see Coe struggling, even if they win their first game. And BV is a SCARY team if they ever put it together. Carthage bullpen has been inconsistent and IWU has a stud arm, and a few others a bit above avg one. I think Ripon will be overmatched from the start and  Thomas More is scary-good at the plate.

BigPoppa:  First, a slight correction.  This is not Coe's first trip to the NCAA playoffs.  They went previously in 2006 as the AQ from the IIAC.  They went to the Regional and beat St. Thomas, before falling to the eventual D3 runner up Stevens Point. 

One thing I will say about Coe that most people probably don't know.  They have and OUTSTANDING record against teams that were ranked in region throughout the season.  They went 3-0 vs BV, 4-0 vs Simpson, 2-0 vs Bethany Luthern, 1-1 vs Wash U, 1-1 vs Aurora for an 11-2 record against ranked teams (which is one of the secondary criteria for Pool C discussions and probably a final nail in the discussion for the regions #1 seed).  Throw in going 5-0 against a very good Wartburg team this season and Coe is as prepared as anyone for being here.  They have three very good starters and one of the best closers in the country.  We'll see if that is enough.

It doesn't help the cause that in the previews on the front page they write so much about it being Coe's first appearance in the NCAA's when it's really their fourth.

[BigPoppa]

Coe can stick it with the best of them.  Nick Stein will be one of the top 3 players at this tournament, covers ground in CF with a plus arm, has great speed on the bases, and hits with great pop.  Coe will struggle because their pitching is very average.  Morris is by no means a shut down pitcher, Baranowski is a thumber, and Raisch struggles to throw strikes at times.

I love Coe, but don't think they will be able to get through a regional field due to a lack of arms.

Ironically, quite similar to my regional preview set to hit later today/tomorrow. I see Coe struggling, even if they win their first game. And BV is a SCARY team if they ever put it together. Carthage bullpen has been inconsistent and IWU has a stud arm, and a few others a bit above avg one. I think Ripon will be overmatched from the start and  Thomas More is scary-good at the plate.

BigPoppa:  First, a slight correction.  This is not Coe's first trip to the NCAA playoffs.  They went previously in 2006 as the AQ from the IIAC.  They went to the Regional and beat St. Thomas, before falling to the eventual D3 runner up Stevens Point. 

One thing I will say about Coe that most people probably don't know.  They have and OUTSTANDING record against teams that were ranked in region throughout the season.  They went 3-0 vs BV, 4-0 vs Simpson, 2-0 vs Bethany Luthern, 1-1 vs Wash U, 1-1 vs Aurora for an 11-2 record against ranked teams (which is one of the secondary criteria for Pool C discussions and probably a final nail in the discussion for the regions #1 seed).  Throw in going 5-0 against a very good Wartburg team this season and Coe is as prepared as anyone for being here.  They have three very good starters and one of the best closers in the country.  We'll see if that is enough.

It doesn't help the cause that in the previews on the front page they write so much about it being Coe's first appearance in the NCAA's when it's really their fourth.

First or fourth... it still has to be proved and won on the field.

[youcantseemestill]

I wasn't trying to be inflamatory with my post, I just figured it was an oversight. 

Either way, the main point for me, that while not having a stable of flame-throwing arms, Coe has a good enough staff to have an .846 winning percentage against the kinds of teams they are going to face in this regional. 

[BigPoppa]

I wasn't trying to be inflamatory with my post, I just figured it was an oversight. 

Either way, the main point for me, that while not having a stable of flame-throwing arms, Coe has a good enough staff to have an .846 winning percentage against the kinds of teams they are going to face in this regional. 

At this point, if you are left standing, you have a pretty solid pitching staff. It is hard to make it through the season without it. Many of the regionals come down to who has the best 3/4 starter to get them back to their #1 on Saturday.

[BigPoppa]

Predictions for Wednesday's games:

#1 Coe vs #6 Ripon- Noon (Coe wins it 6-2... Coe runs wilds on Ripon)
#2 Carthage vs #5 Buena Vista- 3:30 (Carthage wins 9-3... Redmen bats are rolling right now)
#3 Thomas More vs #4 Illinois Wesleyan- 7:00 (IWU wins it 4-2... One word, Pankau)