2016 West Regional - Spokane, WA

ILVBB · May 21, 2016, 11:35:16 AM

After watching Trinity for better than 10-years, I generally try not to get excited about the prospects of a "2-game series." For me it is has been easier to say "its kids playing baseball" and let it go at that.

However, when you look at the pitching that they have available, you have to get a little "excited."

Troy Nelson (era 3.28, 63 K's in 46 innings)
Chris Tate (era 1.41, 47 K's in 32 innings)
Kevin Flores (era 0.00, 13 k's in 8 innings)
Plus 5-other pitchers that have yet to pitch at the regional with ERA's of less than 1.50.

I can not remember any team going into the finals with as much fresh, good pitchers available. Tim has done a great job of building a very deep team that is well prepared for tournament ball.

108 Stitches · May 21, 2016, 11:47:02 AM

PLU is going to be a force in the NWest next year and West as they are very young and capable and I think they only lose one significant Sr. Congrats to UTT it just shows it's not how you play during the season, what matters is how you are playing in your conference and NCAA tournaments.

Bmo · May 21, 2016, 12:16:24 PM

I think Tyler was really helped by the ASC conference championship format which gave them the opportunity to experience win or go home baseball up until last week. They had no down period leading up to the regional, and I think they carried some of that momentum into the first couple games of the regional.

As for Trinity, yes they have a number of arms available, but many of those arms haven't had significant action in over a month. They will need to shake off the rust against a pretty capable offensive threat in PLU. I expect a dog fight to the end today; PLU is more than capable of taking a doubleheader, especially if Trinity doesn't come out executing.

Westside · May 21, 2016, 12:20:40 PM

Quote from: 108 Stitches on May 21, 2016, 11:47:02 AM
PLU is going to be a force in the NWest next year and West as they are very young and capable and I think they only lose one significant Sr. Congrats to UTT it just shows it's not how you play during the season, what matters is how you are playing in your conference and NCAA tournaments.

PLU should be really good, but they do lose their top two hitters from this year, and 3 of their top 4 pitchers from this season. It should be another dog fight, as Whitworth, Pacific, and Linfield return a huge amount of their teams as well.

Whitworth returns 7 starters and their entire pitching staff next season. They will likely be the favorite again going in to next NWC season.

Ron Boerger · May 21, 2016, 12:56:37 PM

Will be interesting to see who starts for PLU today. Game 1 starter Cory Nelson would have been a possibility after only 2.1 IP but he saw action in relief against UTT yesterday; only 1.2 IP, so maybe they'll give it a go. Game 2 starter Cole Johnson similarly only saw limited action (2.0 IP) but started one of the games yesterday and pitched 6.2 strong innings. Ty Donahoe (5-3, 4.61 ERA, 15 app/8 starts, 52.2 IP, .275 OBA) pitched 2.2 innings yesterday. Kyle Rossman (1-2, 5.14 ERA, 8 app/6 starts, 35.0 IP, .270 OBA) hasn't had a start since being pulled after 2 innings vs CLU on March 31 - also his last appearance. The only other pitcher to have started a game for PLU this season is Jacob Gleichman, who has an 8.51 ERA and pitched a couple of innings in Game 1.

108 Stitches · May 21, 2016, 02:02:14 PM

Quote from: Bmo on May 21, 2016, 12:16:24 PM
I think Tyler was really helped by the ASC conference championship format which gave them the opportunity to experience win or go home baseball up until last week. They had no down period leading up to the regional, and I think they carried some of that momentum into the first couple games of the regional.

As for Trinity, yes they have a number of arms available, but many of those arms haven't had significant action in over a month. They will need to shake off the rust against a pretty capable offensive threat in PLU. I expect a dog fight to the end today; PLU is more than capable of taking a doubleheader, especially if Trinity doesn't come out executing.

I agree with all of the above. However the Trinity pitchers have all been getting lot's of work in their scrimmages and should be fresh and sharp as they have been pitching against one of the best hitting teams in the country. Themselves. Trinity better come on strong out of the gate as PLU is not going to just lay down because it is "Trinity". Scannell knows that PLU will be coming in with momentum from yesterday so it will be up to the Trinity starting pitcher to take back the momentum. Should be a good hard fought game 1.

TexasBB · May 21, 2016, 02:08:21 PM

UTT will likely by the favorite to win the ASC next year and could be a regional power. They return 8 out of 9 starters including 3 freshman Welch, Wilson and Burns and a sophomore Bishop. The only senior they loose is Sam Lane their Center Fielder who batted 5th. On the pitching side they return 2 of the regional starters Adam Cason and Max Page. The also return their closer Reese Read and their set up man Chris Stodolka. This was a very young team that got better the last 1/4 of the season and into the ASC and Regionals.

Ron Boerger · May 21, 2016, 03:50:42 PM

PLU jumps out to an early lead. It's 4-2 after two innings.

Westside · May 21, 2016, 04:40:14 PM

Yea, Trinity offense won't be denied.

Leading 8-4 in the 5th. 13 hits already.

CAK72B · May 21, 2016, 04:45:27 PM

Stringing hits together over and over again...it's very impressive with 1-9 in the lineup contributing once again...PLU needs to put up a 0 in the 6th or this game could start getting away from them

Whatagame · May 21, 2016, 05:14:51 PM

Just FYI, Cortland lost this morning and is currently playing the winner-take-all final game, up early, but potential upset alert......

CAK72B · May 21, 2016, 05:24:29 PM

Rain delay at the West Regional....10-4 Trinity going into the bottom of the 7th...fwiw Trinity has scored in all 7 innings today

108 Stitches · May 21, 2016, 05:43:12 PM

What has impressed me about the Trinity offense is that even when they were down 4-0 in the first their at bats were very disciplined and not swinging at pitches outside the zone and even better taking strikes on balls that were not driveable waiting for their pitch. This is the same offense as last years team but they are much more disciplined in their approach.

Will be interesting to see how long this delay is.

108 Stitches · May 21, 2016, 06:26:56 PM

Game resuming at 6:00PM at Whitworth.

infielddad · May 21, 2016, 07:43:09 PM

While I think Coach Scannell and Coach Bunch will love the AB's by all 9 hitters, I would guess Coach Scannell will rave about the job done by Chris Tate. If I remember right, he came in with the bases loaded in the 1st. After 6 full, he gave up 2 hits and no runs.
Holding PLU with nada when TU was down 4-1 was huge...so far.
TU still has really good arms to finish. Tate did his job and did it so well.