Clearing the Bases
Mar
2008
With both polls out for the first time, there is some debate about the differences. As the top teams keep winning, the differences will become smaller over time. If the D3baseball.com poll is a predictor - then these could be the regional champions (highest ranking regional team): Trinity (Conn), Cortland State, New Jersey, Salisbury, Wooster, Carthage, UW-Oshkosh, and Chapman. From the ABCA/CB poll you get Keene State, Cortland State, Kean, Piedmont, Wooster, Carthage, UW-Oshkosh, and Chapman. Probably neither is entirely correct but either way the championship round would be exciting with either line up. The best news is that there is a lot of baseball yet to play and like most sports, the national champions is decided by a teams play, not their standing in either poll.
There are a lot of key match-ups this weekend. Two stand out as the winner this weekend will have the inside track for their conference regular season championship. On the west coast, Pomona-Pitzer and Redlands have been at top of the SCIAC for nearly the entire season. This weekend, Pomona-Pitzer and Redlands square off in a series that potentially could give either the SCIAC championship. In a key Little East match-up, Eastern Connecticut and Keene State play a doubleheader on Saturday on the opposite coast. This is the time for the Owls need to make a statement that they will be the top dog in the LEC. It is also time for Eastern Connecticut to shed a mediocre start to the regular season and start on their road back into the the national polls. This is the conference opener for both teams.
With the D-III baseball season half over and we have just two undefeated teams (with at least 5 games played) left in Carthage and Trinity (Conn). Carthage has won 30 of their last 32 games with their only losses at the championship round. Trinity (Conn) is the other undefeated team having survived a scare on Tuesday. The longest winning streak of the season applies to neither. Salisbury started the season with a 5-4 loss to Virginia Wesleyan in ten innings and have won 18 games in a row. A little luck in that first game and they could also be undefeated.
The NCAA will release stats for D-III players on 1 April. With the start of April it is time to start thinking about the end of the season All-American teams. Who would you like to nominate for a D3baseball.com All American? I will be accepting nomination through the end of April before the balloting cycle starts. Just post who you think should be considered and why.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Dan Kauffman, Sr. 1B from Juniata College
Hitting .541 (20/37), 7 HR, 24 BB, .734 OBP
Big League power, if he had some protection he would hit 25 hr’s
this year
Mike Bzozowski, So. RP from Catholic University
3/3 Svs, 8 appearances, 10 ip, 0.90 ERA, 10 k, .152 BAA
Game is over when he comes in, only should be considered if
there is a RP spot-probably will not stack up against SPs over the
course of the year
Jay Enoch, Sr. P from Juniata College
4 starts, 4 CG, 3-2, 4.13 ERA, 32.2 ip, 40 k, .217 BAA
Probably best pitcher in the Landmark Conference
For a Freshman All-America Team:
Tommy Little, Fr. CF from Catholic University
Hitting .420 (21/50), 2 HR, .500 OBP, 7-7 SB
Is playing outstanding CF as well as setting the table like a senior.
Was 7-12 in series vs. Juniata. Gets on base in many ways but
also has RBI power when needed.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Kenny Moreland, Sr, P, Christopher Newport University
2008 = 8-0, 4 CG, 1.65 ERA, 71 IP, 79 K, 10 BB, .196 opp bavg
2005 USA South Rookie of the Year, career Wins = 30, career ERA = 2.22, 2005 ERA = 1.52, 341 career K’s in 320 IP
Also played 2 seasons with Peninsula Pilots of Coastal Plains League
5-2, 21 saves, 71 K’s in 59.2 IP, 1.82 ERA
April 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Kenny Moreland is having a great year. With him pitching and Trae Bailey swinging the bat, they have Christopher Newport in playoff position.