BB: Top Teams in West Region

[Spence]

Did I get banned.....My responses are disappearing now

Got ya loud and clear.

[Spence]

Not in person. Online I have, of course.

Maybe I'll see them someday but I don't spend much time in Texas and they don't spend much time in Wisconsin.

Better than 95% would be something like 17th best or higher. Nah, don't think so right now. If you'd said 90 I might be ok with that. I don't think a ton of the top tier teams in D-III would want a pitching staff that has issues getting the ball over the plate.

I am glad that  you put the top 95% in perspective.

Almost 360 D-3 teams times 5% = 18.  I like the depth of the West Region so TU is in my top 5%.  I think that they need to play tougher competition, and that can occur with games against ASC schools (which I think, top to bottom) is better balances and tougher. 

I want to see how Schreiner and TLU do this year.  Centenary seems to be a bit down, the farther they get from D-1.

Still think they should play some games out of the area and region on their spring break, not just Trinity but anyone in a similar boat.

[tigerfan_2001]

Not in person. Online I have, of course.

Maybe I'll see them someday but I don't spend much time in Texas and they don't spend much time in Wisconsin.

Better than 95% would be something like 17th best or higher. Nah, don't think so right now. If you'd said 90 I might be ok with that. I don't think a ton of the top tier teams in D-III would want a pitching staff that has issues getting the ball over the plate.

I am glad that  you put the top 95% in perspective.

Almost 360 D-3 teams times 5% = 18.  I like the depth of the West Region so TU is in my top 5%.  I think that they need to play tougher competition, and that can occur with games against ASC schools (which I think, top to bottom) is better balances and tougher. 

I want to see how Schreiner and TLU do this year.  Centenary seems to be a bit down, the farther they get from D-1.

with the ASC moving to 33 conference games, that might have been challenging this year.  on the schedule, they are only play Concordia once instead of twice and now that TLU is part of the conference, they lost two mid week games against TLU. 

[NWBaseballFan10]

For those who have started to point out Concordia's success this season, I can't help but notice how much this team reminds me of last year's Linfield squad. Both teams started their seasons unranked following a disappointing year (Linfield 25-15 in 2012; CTX 22-22 in 2013). Both teams had a legitimate ace emerge on their staff (Haddeland for Linfield and Cox for CTX) and the bulk of the innings was primarily distributed to the 3 starters (68% for Linfield and 69% for CTX). The biggest difference IMO for CTX's success this year has been from their offense (team BA went from .251 last year to .324 now). Their top hitters are all returners who seem to have benefited greatly from the experience and AB's they received last year. Linfield's offense scuffled a bit in 2012 (BA .285), but you could see a noticeable difference last year from guys who received a lot of PT the previous year. It should also go without saying, but both teams are led by great managers who have used their big league experience to produce top contenders in the West region.

It will be interesting to see how CTX's season rolls along. It appears they are carrying that chip on their shoulder from having to watch the Regional last year while hosting (the same thing that Linfield experienced in 2012). This should make them a very dangerous team come May and, at this point, I will be surprised not to see them in McMinnville.

[Texas Leaguer]

For those who have started to point out Concordia's success this season, I can't help but notice how much this team reminds me of last year's Linfield squad. Both teams started their seasons unranked following a disappointing year (Linfield 25-15 in 2012; CTX 22-22 in 2013). Both teams had a legitimate ace emerge on their staff (Haddeland for Linfield and Cox for CTX) and the bulk of the innings was primarily distributed to the 3 starters (68% for Linfield and 69% for CTX). The biggest difference IMO for CTX's success this year has been from their offense (team BA went from .251 last year to .324 now). Their top hitters are all returners who seem to have benefited greatly from the experience and AB's they received last year. Linfield's offense scuffled a bit in 2012 (BA .285), but you could see a noticeable difference last year from guys who received a lot of PT the previous year. It should also go without saying, but both teams are led by great managers who have used their big league experience to produce top contenders in the West region.

It will be interesting to see how CTX's season rolls along. It appears they are carrying that chip on their shoulder from having to watch the Regional last year while hosting (the same thing that Linfield experienced in 2012). This should make them a very dangerous team come May and, at this point, I will be surprised not to see them in McMinnville.

Eerily similar.  Excellent analysis.  I'd love to see a Cox-Haddeland Rd 1 matchup in the West Regional to see possibly the best two arms in the West square off (and possibly for selfish reasons as well ) but I think those two teams will end up Being two of the top three seeds.

[Jack Parkman]

Here's a thought....is PLU and George Fox playing the NWC out of a 2nd bid?

[Westside]

Here's a thought....is PLU and George Fox playing the NWC out of a 2nd bid?

Possibly... I still don't understand Fox's struggles (#1 team offense and #2 team pitching, but 7-5 in conference). I think if they get to the 30 win mark, they will get in. That would put them at 30-9 or so on the year, and that would have to include at least two wins over Linfield. It also helps that the Regional is in Oregon and only 15 minutes from George Fox. I really don't see PLU getting in (thanks to that .220 team BA).

It is pretty much a guarantee that the SCIAC only gets one team, so it would depend on a team from Texas receiving it over them. I can't imagine they fly an out of region team over a borderline West team again. I mean... it was pretty disappointing they flew in two teams in 2012. Especially when neither of these teams were very impressive.

[BamColt]

Wow nice stuff NW

[Jack Parkman]

Here's a thought....is PLU and George Fox playing the NWC out of a 2nd bid?

It is pretty much a guarantee that the SCIAC only gets one team, so it would depend on a team from Texas receiving it over them.

What if Cal Lu slips up and doesnt win the SCIAC tournament, do you think they get left at home?

[SoCalSoxFan]

Here's a thought....is PLU and George Fox playing the NWC out of a 2nd bid?

It is pretty much a guarantee that the SCIAC only gets one team, so it would depend on a team from Texas receiving it over them.

What if Cal Lu slips up and doesnt win the SCIAC tournament, do you think they get left at home?

Cal Lu is currently 17-5. 
They should win at least 10 of next 12 scheduled games leaving them 27-7 going into 4 game round robin.
With that record they will play lower end of SCIAC in the last 4 games, leaving them at 31-7. 

If they end up with 31+ victories, they should get a wild card over Fox or PLU, especially since they beat Lubking and PLU.  I'm not sure if they would get a wild card over a 2nd Texas team... depends who it is.
If they end up with 30 or less victories, and lose in the SCIAC tourney, then I don't think they would get a Wild Card.

[gregger1258]

Linfield just keeps on winning. Took two from University of Puget Sound today after UPS beat Pacific Lutheran twice last weekend.
PLU will be in McMinville next weekend for 3 games which should be a great series.
I do not thing PLU will win more than one game at most next weekend.
George Fox already has 5 conference losses and pretty much has to win the rest of their conference games.
Linfield sits at 13-1 in conference play so far in a very tough Northwest Conference.
It is going to be very tough to get past Linfield on their home field at regionals.

[dp643]

Uh oh.....Trinity loses 2 to Hendrix yesterday.

[Spence]

And Hendrix completes the sweep.

SAA looking pretty strong.

[Whatagame]

Lots of folks ready to dismiss G. Fox a few weeks ago after being swept by Willamette (who I believe is now 17-11). Fox is now 20-6 and given how things currently sit in West Region, 20-6 ain't looking too shabby now

[108 Stitches]

I have not caught up on all of the games but some pretty big shifts happening this weekend.

Trinity drops three to Hendrix, loosing 5 of the last 6. Certainly not playing like a top ten team. Looks like they were all 1 run games, which they were wining earlier in the season. Have to catch up with someone who was there.

Whittier is for real. Whitworth was a flash in the pan?

Centenary in second place in the SCAC? Big upcoming series for them with TLU...who lost 2 of 3 to Schriener?

GFox season still rests on the final two series with Linfield, who just keeps rollin' rolin' rolin'