BB: Top Teams in West Region

[CrashDavisD3]

Pool Predictions

SCAC POOL A - Trinity
SCIAC POOL A - Cal Lutheran
NWC POOL A - Pacific Lutheran
ASC POOL A - Concordia-Texas
POOL C - Linfield
POOL C- ?

[108 Stitches]

It is a bit early for me yet. Not sure about the SCIAC, and NWC quite yet. Concordia is also no slam dunk in the ASC, as it looks like McMurry, or TxDallas, (...or UTT) could be a threat. I think SCAC tournament could be quite a dog fight as teams get stronger, BSC is starting to play like they were expected to play. I would think that Trinity would either win the SCAC or get a pool C bid, other than that it is clear as mud.

[Whatagame]

My thoughts on the NWC, I've watched a fair amount of games.

The top 5 teams are really bunched together, but Pacific is my pick to win the conference - particularly with their schedule moving forward.  It is going to be very difficult for anyone to take 2 of 3 games against them, as they really have the most effective #1 -#2 starting pitching punch in conference games up to this point.

PLU has a good hitting lineup (especially Gates), and I thought defensively they were very solid and athletic - particularly in the infield and at C.  The PLU shortstop has a few errors, but I'm certain he also makes a lot of plays that others wont.

For what it's worth, my son is a Frosh starting P in the conference, and has thrown a fair amount of pretty competitive innings against 3 of the top 5 (has yet to face Pacific and Whitworth) and he volunteered that Linfield's lineup was the toughest he's faced thus far all year.   Plus, with Linfied's 1-2 pitching tandem of Larsen and Vaughn being pretty close to Pacific's two guys, I'd lean to Linfield having a shot, but they need help.  Honestly, I don't know anything about Whitworth, haven't seen them.  Obviously, they are good.

The bottom feeders in conference are the usual suspects, and indeed the w/l records are really bad, but the opinions I get are that these squads are more likely this season than prior to rise up and catch someone off guard.  For instance, Fox's Ranta no-hit Whitman last Sat., but the Whitman pitcher took his own no-no into the 7th, and ended-up losing 1-0 on an unearned run after 8 2/3 scoreless.  Then Whitman takes a 4-0 lead going into the 6th in game 2, before the demons rose and knocked the wheels off.  L&C has some guys that swing it, and one really solid starting P. 

[Whatagame]

...finishing my NWC thoughts for the moment, yes, there is the possibility of a "spoiler" to rise up from the bottom teams and grab a win here and there that could really shake things up in the top of the NWC, allowing Linfield, PLU or G. Fox to win the conf.  However, my prediction as stated earlier is Pacific.  And, whatever team(s) make regionals, I believe will be strong and "battle tested" squads capable of making some noise in post season.

[(509)Rat]

I think crashdavis is nuts for picking PLU, mainly because they have the most difficult schedule from here on out. They are going to have to take all 3 of those series to get the pool A

Even as a general Whitworth fan I don't think anyone knows how they will finish out the season. This is a program who has finished middle of the pack and been less talented than the perennial favorites (GF, Linfield, PLU) for quite some time. I don't think anyone who follows the conference would have given them a shot at being 7-2 at this point of the season after series' with PLU and Linfield out of the way. Basically, I don't think anyone would be surprised to see them drop enough games to some of the bad teams to fall out of first. Whitworth has GF this weekend, guess everyone will learn a little more about the Pirates then...

[dp643]

Its a joke Concordia is not in the top 10. Teams with 5 to 7 wins in that position. I know its just rankings, but at 17 that almost comical.

Im predicting a tough weekend for Concordia this week at UMHB. The bats are starting to come around. Call me nuts but im predicting UMHB 2 games to 1 this weekend.

[(509)Rat]

Just a heads up on who has to play who still in the NWC amongst the top half of the conference (with current record)

Whitworth (7-2) = 3 games v Pacific, GF

Pacific (7-2) = 3 games v Whitworth, PLU

PLU (9-3) = 3 games v GF, Linfield, Pacific

Linfield (10-5) = 3 games v PLU, GF

George Fox (8-4) = 3 games v Whitworth, PLU, Linfield

No sense in predicting this years NWC based on current results (and the fact I haven't seen a single game for years!), but based on the standings and the series that have already been completed, Whitworth and Pacific are really in the driver's seat. Linfield is going to have to hope some of the bottom feeders take 2-3 games from Whit AND Pacific, on top of sweeping PLU and George Fox. Linfield could win out and still not get the auto bid the way things have set up...

I'm sure WC11 could give you actual thoughts/analysis on the teams at the top though, he's at least seen Pacific, Whit, and Linfield play each other.

Rat, Jack of all trades?!  Who knew? Good post too!  +K if I could

It almost sounded like I knew something about NWC baseball huh? You'll notice there is little substance to my post, I will never claim to understand baseball and won't be able to provide analysis. But I can provide a little history and updated results, standings, and maybe some insider Whitworth news on occasion...boards are always more fun when people from more than a couple schools are posting

[Piobark]

Having seen quite a few of the teams, I'd drop George Fox out of the contender list - they just aren't the same GF as in years past. And, with five losses (in a few more league games), Linfield is going to win out and get some help - just a lot of teams above them with 2 or 3 losses.

I think it will come down to Whitworth or Pacific - with the schedule giving the nod to Whitworth.

As for LC, their top starting pitcher is Michael Ball - who is also their starting shortstop. To keep him at short for the other two games, Coach Flynn has his rotation backwards, with their best pitcher going in game three. Makes for some mismatches - and some potential spoiler outcomes for LC. 

Promises to be a much more interesting last half of the season than in years past that is for sure!!

[wildcat11]

Pacific has been fantastic with starting pitching but Rats have the bats.  As much as it pains me the 'Cats will needs a Hail Mary to win the NWC and I don't see them in a strong enough position to get an at-large bid.  A lot could happen but it's Pacific and Whitworth's to lose.  We'll see how they perform being the front-runners.

[Westside]

Well Whitworth just dropped two to Fox today at home... So that makes things a bit more interesting. This is going to be a fun finish!

[Piobark]

Having seen quite a few of the teams, I'd drop George Fox out of the contender list - they just aren't the same GF as in years past. And, with five losses (in a few more league games), Linfield is going to win out and get some help - just a lot of teams above them with 2 or 3 losses.

I think it will come down to Whitworth or Pacific - with the schedule giving the nod to Whitworth.

As for LC, their top starting pitcher is Michael Ball - who is also their starting shortstop. To keep him at short for the other two games, Coach Flynn has his rotation backwards, with their best pitcher going in game three. Makes for some mismatches - and some potential spoiler outcomes for LC. 

Promises to be a much more interesting last half of the season than in years past that is for sure!!

Boy was this post wrong... GF rears up and slaps down Whitworth... and LC starts Ball in the first game against Whitman...

[Ron Boerger]

Hendrix dropped two at UDallas today, 4-5 and 2-3.   Michael Byers (7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER) got both wins in relief for UD, improving to 7-1.  The Warriors drop to 18-11, 10-4 SCAC.

[108 Stitches]

This makes the mid April home series vs Trinity (more) important for them. They probably will get the #2 seed in the West of the SCAC but this makes it a little bit tighter. They do not want to drop to the #3 to face BSC in the first round of the SCAC tournament.

[CrashDavisD3]

SCAC - Trinity(23-3)
SCIAC - Cal Lutheran(19-8) La Verne(19-10)
ASC - Concordia-Texas(24-6) Texas-Tyler 21-7)
NWC -  Linfield(15-7) Pacific Lutheran(17-8) Pacific(11-9)

I see SCAC getting 1 team, SCIAC 2, ASC 2 and NWC 1 for the West Regionals

[Ron Boerger]

How the top ten fared last week (corrections appreciated):

1.  Trinity (23-3): 1-0 (W v. UMHB 9-3)
2.  Marietta (14-3):  4-0 (W's @ Ohio Wesleyan 2-0, v. Frostburg St 18-0, v. ONU 7-3, 5-4)
3.  CNU (19-4): 3-0 (W's @ #5 Salisbury 4-2, v. Averett 6-0, 5-4)
4.  Kean (15-6): 2-2 (L @ Alvernia 1-7, W v. York 4-3, L/W @ TCNJ 1-2, 1-0)
5.  Salisbury (20-4): 3-1  (W @ St Mary MD 9-1, v. Va Wesleyan 8-2, L@ #3 CNU 2-4, W v Immaculata 7-1)
6.  Piedmont (20-9): 2-3  (W @Sewanee 9-3, L v #21 DePauw 6-13, L@ RV Emory 9-17, W/L v Emory 4-3, 5-14)
7.  Wheaton (15-3): 2-2 (W @Bridgewater St 11-6, L v Babson 2-3, W/L @Babson 4-3, 3-5)
8.  Eastern Connecticut (12-3): 4-0 (W's v Suffolk 5-4, v Roger Williams 7-3, v Mass-Boston 8-0, 15-2)
9.  UW-SP (10-4): 3-1 (W/L/W/W @ UW-Stout 10-6, 3-5, 18-5, 14-8)
10.  Keystone (12-4): 2-1 (W v Gwynedd-Mercy 4-3, L v Marywood 4-3, W/W @ Marywood 6-0, 5-1)