For those that maybe haven't heard, Illinois Wesleyan hired a new coach recently.

http://www.iwusports.com/news/2014/7/7/MSOC_0707141820.aspx

Ryan Lakin has left Illinois Wesleyan to take the head job at Aurora University.  Releases are on both school's athletic websites.

Quote from: casualfan on May 22, 2014, 11:18:08 AM

Quote from: MidwestAficionado on May 21, 2014, 03:13:13 PM
If the rumors swirling are true, Aurora has made a hire and there will be another HC position open very soon...

You must really be in the know, MidwestAficionado. Us mere mortals must wait for a press release..

Ryan Lakin has left Illinois Wesleyan to take the Aurora job.

Like any regional, if a team gets hot, anything can happen. IWU has three pretty solid arms, but not dominating. It is what it is - lots of parity in college baseball.  I can't think the travel is going to help them any either (although I realize compared to the other side of the country, it's true of all the teams except the host).

A few comments:

I've seen every home game for IWU this year I believe.  I would, at this point, just be happy with one win over Elmhurst and a tournament berth.  The 2010 team was mentioned - they were a LOT better than this team, despite their 20 losses.  For one thing, their pitching depth was great.  IWU has a couple arms that can beat anybody, but they also have some new faces that likely need seasoning before being a factor in game 3, 4 or 5 of a tournament.  Would love to be wrong about that.

I can't imagine Augie not sweeping Millikin and hosting the tournament.  Of the travel options, at least that is the easiest if the tournament won't be in Bloomington.

Carthage is a puzzle. I didn't see them this year, and I realize you don't win by reputation, but it's hard not to see them as a contender every year like they were for so many years. The last big win I recall was the Bobby Thomsonesque home run by Mike Pugliese in the CCIW tournament against IWU in 2011.  It shocks me that they have not been in the mix of late.

I haven't seen Trey Martin this year, but with the exception of Illinois State's Paul DeJong, North Park's Tommy Endres is the best hitter I've seen this season. The kid not only battles every at bat, he battles every pitch.  Very patient as well.  I'm not sure what his weekend stats were at IWU, but he was a tough out every time up.

Quote from: Thunder1 on October 30, 2013, 01:15:36 PM

Quote from: voiceofseason on October 29, 2013, 05:02:37 PM

Quote from: Thunder1 on October 21, 2013, 06:57:26 PM
IWU basically went "Dennis Rodman" on Thunder.  Lots of cheap fouls behind the play, trash talking and diving.  IWU 21 fouls, WC 13.  Center ref let game get out of control.  Brutal slide tackle from behind in the 78th minute was last straw.  Broke the foot of one of WC's top players.  Might be out for the rest of the season.  WC guy went after the offender and got the red.  Played the last 12 mins down a man.  I used to have a lot of respect for IWU and coach Lakin.  They have had some great teams the last several years and can play "soccer" and always have played hard, but never cheap.  They went way over the line on Saturday.  Sad to see.......... WC boys were tired (3rd game in 4 days in a mid term finals week) and probably could have handled it a little better but at some point you have to say enough is enough.

It will do no good to get into a back and forth here, but your comments are without merit and moreso, without fact.  To my view, Wheaton was constantly late and dirty, which is atypical and disappointing of such a storied program.  To each is own - you have your opinion, and I have mine.

But where facts don't lie, the Wheaton player received the red card for shoving the ref.  You can't pin that one on IWU.

The most factual thing you said is that Wheaton was tired.  I believe one of the games (Benedictine) had to get shoe-horned into the schedule - I'm sure Coach G didn't want to do that to the kids.  Soccer is too intense of a game to play 3 games in 4 nights.

Fair enough voiceofseason.  I can appreciate that someone might have a different opinion as to what transpired during the game.  Please keep in mind that my response was to someone who was NOT at the game looking for some context to the game statistics and why WC reacted, as you stated correctly, in an "atypical" manner.  Additionally, I was not condoning WC's behavior.  As I stated, I felt WC could have handled the situation better.  My point was that I felt it was in response to IWU.  I can understand your response to my statements of opinion, but to suggest that my comments were without merit and fact is disingenuous.

Facts from previous statement

Fouls.  IWU 21  WC  13 
Slide tackle from behind broke the foot of one of WC's top players in 78th minute.  Out the rest of the season.
WC got a red after that foul
Played last 12 mins a man down
3rd game in 4 days for WC

Just the foul totals alone would suggest who was instigating that type of play
Slide tackle from behind ends the season of one of WC's top players.  Enough said.
Was not trying to "pin" the red card on IWU.  He deserved the card.  And yes, he did push the referee (who was trying to restrain him from going after the offending player)

Additional facts to consider

Prior to that game, WC had a total of 5 yc's in the previous 15 games
In that same time period IWU had 21 yc's

Why would a team who has had only 5 yc's in 15 games get 6 cards in one game?  It was a fair question to ask.

The facts are pretty clear, but I guess the answer to that question is a matter of opinion.............

No hard feelings voiceofseason.  I appreciate your comments.  Just calling it as I see it.  Good luck against NC.  If the boys meet again, hopefully BOTH sides will be better behaved.

I am here to tell you both sides were equally aggressive.  There is archived film of the game if you care to watch it.

Wheaton had five YC's in that game alone. 

My initial response was predicated by your remarks about not respecting Coach Lakin, and by inferring he had formulated a game plan to draw Wheaton into a match of thuggery.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  I have other thoughts,  but I'm just going to leave it here.

Good luck to the Thunder in the tournament.  Based on ability, I said at the start of the season I thought they would win the national title this year.  Some of that was from seeing them play, some of that was assumption about the incoming players.  We shall see.

Quote from: Thunder1 on October 21, 2013, 06:57:26 PM
IWU basically went "Dennis Rodman" on Thunder.  Lots of cheap fouls behind the play, trash talking and diving.  IWU 21 fouls, WC 13.  Center ref let game get out of control.  Brutal slide tackle from behind in the 78th minute was last straw.  Broke the foot of one of WC's top players.  Might be out for the rest of the season.  WC guy went after the offender and got the red.  Played the last 12 mins down a man.  I used to have a lot of respect for IWU and coach Lakin.  They have had some great teams the last several years and can play "soccer" and always have played hard, but never cheap.  They went way over the line on Saturday.  Sad to see.......... WC boys were tired (3rd game in 4 days in a mid term finals week) and probably could have handled it a little better but at some point you have to say enough is enough.

It will do no good to get into a back and forth here, but your comments are without merit and moreso, without fact.  To my view, Wheaton was constantly late and dirty, which is atypical and disappointing of such a storied program.  To each is own - you have your opinion, and I have mine.

But where facts don't lie, the Wheaton player received the red card for shoving the ref.  You can't pin that one on IWU.

The most factual thing you said is that Wheaton was tired.  I believe one of the games (Benedictine) had to get shoe-horned into the schedule - I'm sure Coach G didn't want to do that to the kids.  Soccer is too intense of a game to play 3 games in 4 nights.

Twelve freshmen, no Swedes.  Change in philosophy?

Quote from: forheavendial4999 on May 14, 2013, 01:03:14 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on May 13, 2013, 08:52:02 PM
And John Munyon wins Pitcher of the Year. 

Isn't Munyon like their #4 guy? I was thinking Johnson and Mehn were their top two.

Also, for anyone, was Sauer of Augustana injured? Saw he made his first start in the 2nd game of the conference tournament...seemed odd unless there was an injury.

Munyon was mostly a closer/reliever - very effective this year.  I assumed Jeff Johnson would get the award, but didn't turn out that way.

Quote from: CCIWFAN6 on April 29, 2013, 11:18:36 AM

Quote from: cciwposter13 on April 29, 2013, 09:19:27 AM
Most likely wheaton and north park will be the last two teams in the tournament. Also, is freshman Mike Kaufman in the lead to earn cciw pitcher of the year with a 5-1 record and 1.73 ERA?

Kaufman, in CCIW play, is 2-1 with a 3.31 ERA.  Mehn is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA, however, 3 of his appearances have been in relief.

Conference stats on CCIW site today:

Michale Kaufman   3-1  2.59 ERA  41.2 IP   27K  9BB
Jeff Johnson   4-0  1.98 ERA  41.0 IP  37K  6BB

I haven't seen Kaufman pitch.  Sounds like a good one - look forward to it.

Quote from: cciwposter13 on April 29, 2013, 09:19:27 AM
Most likely wheaton and north park will be the last two teams in the tournament. Also, is freshman Mike Kaufman in the lead to earn cciw pitcher of the year with a 5-1 record and 1.73 ERA?

Not trying to be a homer here, but I'd have to believe Jeff Johnson and Nick Mehn of IWU would both be in consideration.  As pleasant of a surprise as Mehn has been this year after an off year in 2012, Johnson has been consistently impressive, is undefeated and sports a 1.55 ERA overall (might be a little higher in conference play, I don't have that info in front of me).  There's still a weekend left, but he would get my vote at this point, despite Mehn's low ERA.

Well contested game last night.  Carthage actually loaded the bases in the 9th with no outs in the 9th and trailing 4-1, but a double play and a foul out ended the game, 4-2.

Senior day today for IWU - noon first pitch for game 1 of the twin bill.

A few wins between these two coaches:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/voiceofseason/8686058166/in/photostream

Quote from: BigPoppa on April 25, 2013, 01:48:53 PM
I am shocked at how quiet this board is...

Can Carthage take a game or two from IWU this weekend?

It is quiet.  I hope they don't take any games from the Titans, but I'm sure they are capable.  Looking forward to a first pitch at 7pm tonight.

I wonder if Wheaton can take a game from Augie.  Sure hope so.....

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on April 14, 2013, 03:59:15 PM
Nick Mehn just completed a complete game shutout, 2-0, to finish a Titan sweep of Elmhurst. 

The Titans move to 12-0.  Unless Augie and/or North Park (the only remaining 3-loss teams) can sweep the Titans, the conference race may be all but over.

Nick threw a great game today, but no way do I feel like the Titans have won anything.  They have an upcoming series with Augie, then home for three with Carthage (it doesn't matter if Carthage is up or down, this is always a war).  Then finish the conference with three games AT North Park.  They need this cushion - heck, they really need North Central to beat Augie tomorrow.

Kudos to them not losing games they should not lose, but they need to stay on top of their game.

Nick was effective today, but so was Marquis for Elmhurst.  The game was less than two hours.

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on April 06, 2013, 04:54:21 PM
Strange first game in B'town: after NCC took a 9-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth, the Titans scored five runs on ONE hit!  After getting the first two outs, 3 Card pitchers totally imploded with a double, 2 hit batters, 4 walks, and the final indignity - balking in the winning (losing) run.  (OUCH!  Even a Greenie can feel sympathy after that!)

With one more this afternoon and one tomorrow, the Titans currently stand at 6-0, the Cards fall to 3-3.

What is even more ironic is that the balk came by the reliever before he even threw a pitch.  It's the first time I've ever seen such a thing.  Couldn't stay for game 2, but obviously happy with the result.

Crazy ending to game 1.