BB: Top Teams in West Region

[Richard Hamstocks]

I like Crashes list but would swap out PLU for Oxy. They need to beat a team or two of substance to make me a believer.

...signed Mickey Dolenz

Beating a team of 'substance' won't happen this weekend as Oxy has Cal Tech.  However, I suggest that Crash might be made a believer in the opposite direction.  Two of Oxy's wins were walk offs against a 1-16 La Sierra team (one in the 10th).  Cal Tech has a better record at 1-13.  Cal Tech lost to La Verne 5-3, so they've been playing well of late (and La Verne isn't bad, defending SCIAC champ and the only DIII team to beat Linfield thus far this year). If Cal Tech puts things together like they did in that second game against La Verne...
I've felt like Cal Tech was going to get a SCIAC game this year, and while I think their best chance is against CMS, they're in with a chance this weekend.  And if that happens, maybe Crash can leave a 12-3 team off his top teams list. 

[Gray Fox]

Losing to Caltech in sports is the only way Oxy gets mentioned on ESPN.

[CrashDavisD3]

Some tough teams OXY has played this year 

La Sierra(1-16)
Austin (3-16)
Claremont(2-11)
Chapman(6-8)

Next tough series for OXY 
Cal Tech(1-13)

I withdraw OXY being listed as a top team in the WEST....OXY will be 13-2 after playing Cal Tech Series unless OXY wants to make news by losing. LA Times, Local and National TV could feature Cal Tech with OXY

[Ralph Turner]

Leave LeTU in the top 10, but put them last.  In a series versus TLU, I think that TLU wins 2-1.

[CrashDavisD3]

My TOP TEAMS in the West 
1) Linfield 10-1
2) Trinity-TX 12-2
3) Texas-Tyler 11-3
4) LeTourneau 9-2
4) Centenary 10-3
5) Cal Lutheran 7-4-1
6) Pomona-Pitzer 10-3
7) George Fox 10-4
8) Pacific Lutheran 9-4
9) Occidental 10-2 
9) Texas-Lutheran 10-5
10 LeTourneau 9-2

* Receiving a single vote from OXY BOB....Occidental 10-2 soon to be 13-2.

Are we happier now?

[108 Stitches]

*I am happy now.  **

* no one cares other than me and my dog.

** At least until Sunday and then let's see what happened over the weekend.

Crashes' ten this weekend.
---------------------------------------------------------

Linfield at Willamette - not much to be learned here.

TU at Centenary - One of the best series in the West this weekend. Budding rivalry.

UTT vs Mississippi Col - Might learn a little....only it UTT loses more than 1

CLU vs Redlands - Ditto UTT series

P-P vs Whittier - ho hum

GF at Pacific - Pray for rain (if your Pacific)

TLU vs MHB - Another good series

LeT vs Lousiana Col - Looks like a decent series

**** Don't know about the rest of the Crash ten wanabees looking to move up. Post them here if interested.

[CrashDavisD3]

*I am happy now.  **

* no one cares other than me and my dog.

** At least until Sunday and then let's see what happened over the weekend.

Crashes' ten this weekend.
---------------------------------------------------------

Linfield at Willamette - not much to be learned here.

TU at Centenary - One of the best series in the West this weekend. Budding rivalry.

UTT vs Mississippi Col - Might learn a little....only it UTT loses more than 1

CLU vs Redlands - Ditto UTT series

P-P vs Whittier - ho hum

GF at Pacific - Pray for rain (if your Pacific)

TLU vs MHB - Another good series

LeT vs Lousiana Col - Looks like a decent series

**** Don't know about the rest of the Crash ten wanabees looking to move up. Post them here if interested.

These teams are bringing their brooms this weekend
Linfield
Pomona-Pitzer
Cal-Lutheran
George Fox (and umbrella)

Occidental - Top Ten Wannabe...Could be the worst 13-2 team in the Nation by Sunday

[wildcat11]

Linfield at Willamette - not much to be learned here.

Willamette's record isn't great but they've dropped a number of one run games.  I expect them to give Linfield a tough weekend but the 'Cats should be a heavy favorite.

[CrashDavisD3]

Some teams in the West have great records by playing weak teams.

http://www.d3baseball.com/seasons/2013/schedule?tmpl=sos-template

[Ron Boerger]

But Trinity (TX) just defeated the team with the #1 SOS in the country last night!!!   

Agree that at least some of the "top" teams in the West will start to fall out once they encounter some quality competition.   We should get a better handle on where Trinity stands with their series at Centenary (La) followed next Tuesday a single at home against a pretty decent Texas Lutheran. 

[CrashDavisD3]

But Trinity (TX) just defeated the team with the #1 SOS in the country last night!!!   

Agree that at least some of the "top" teams in the West will start to fall out once they encounter some quality competition.   We should get a better handle on where Trinity stands with their series at Centenary (La) followed next Tuesday a single at home against a pretty decent Texas Lutheran. 

Outstanding they beat a team that is 2-4.....Trinity should be getting some #1 votes this week. Let's not forget Trinity before that game had a TOUGH #195 SOS rating. Also  Trinity will complete in the TOUGH SCAC conference for that Pool A AQ Bid....Could be tough with 5 4 3  2 teams that have real shot at the POOL A BID(Trinity & UDallas)

Does Trinity have the TOUGHEST path to the Pool A bid in the country? 

http://www.d3baseball.com/conf/SCAC/2013/standings

[Ron Boerger]

Gosh, Crash, it was a joke, I'm fully aware that a team that's 1-0 in region is only #1 in SOS as a fluke, if you'd actually read the next para where I said that the games against Centenary and TLU would give a better handle on Trinity you might have realized that.   

Overreact much?

[Ralph Turner]

But Trinity (TX) just defeated the team with the #1 SOS in the country last night!!!   

Agree that at least some of the "top" teams in the West will start to fall out once they encounter some quality competition.   We should get a better handle on where Trinity stands with their series at Centenary (La) followed next Tuesday a single at home against a pretty decent Texas Lutheran.

This year, this "early season game" for DeSales on the spring trip does not count as towards the SOS.

As I understand the rules changes for next year, this game (early season DeSales versus mid-season Trinity) will count as towards SOS and the championship/Pool C considerations.

How long will we continue to see matchups such as this and the East Coast teams (Kean and Rutgers-Newark) going to the SCIAC schools for spring trips?

[108 Stitches]

I am openly a Trinty homey, but I have always been very straightforward and honest about the team, the program and their schedule, which is weak this year IMO. It is, again IMO ,one of the most talented teams they have fielded in a number of years, and it will be a disappointment for everyone involved  in the program if they don't move on to Appleton this year. It remains to be seen if "talent" can be translated into a winning team. Everyone knows getting through a baseball regional is one of the toughest things to do for a sports team since all it takes is one hot pitcher, an injury, ect to knock a team out. 

That said they have the easiest path to the Regionals of any quality team in the West. (again IMO)  It is not the programs fault that they have an easier schedule, it just worked out this way this year. This year they have to win the SCAC, which only has 5 teams and the best team not named Trinity is not eligible. The fact is that the other teams are significantly weaker than Cent and TU. Their challenge is to play enough tough games and get this team ready to do battle later in the year with the very good teams they will face who have likely played tougher schedules. 
So far this year this team has shown that they can swing the bat as well as anyone in the country, they have a very deep pitching staff that showed last night that they can bring in arms that can shut down a team when one or two of their pitchers are not on, and they played a very good defensive game. (one of a few I would add)

IMO they must continue to get better defensively and continue to develop the pitching staff so they don't run out of arms like they did last year in the Regionals. The team is literally two deep at every position on the field, so they need to keep getting enough innings for these players so it won't matter if someone gets injured, or they can ride a hot bat, or sit a cold one. If they can do this and develop that winning chemistry then they will move on.

You could probably ask every player or coach on the team this year about whether they care about the number one ranking, and I would bet everyone would tell you the same thing, "the only time number one means anything is at the end of the season" Just my 2 cents.

[CrashDavisD3]

Gosh, Crash, it was a joke, I'm fully aware that a team that's 1-0 in region is only #1 in SOS as a fluke, if you'd actually read the next para where I said that the games against Centenary and TLU would give a better handle on Trinity you might have realized that.   

Overreact much?

I know it was a joke. I just felt grumpy and sarcastic...SORRY !