BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Yeah... Carthage is UGLY right now. It is painful to watch (from a distance). Something HAS to change soon before it spirals so far it cannot be saved.

This might be a rhetorical question, but can it really get much worse than a 17-1 mercy rule loss to a 4-22 Ripon team?

And I thought it was pretty bad when last week Carthage pitchers plunked nine Wheaton batters en route to a 20-7 loss to a Thunder team that also isn't going anywhere this season.

[BigPoppa]

Yeah... Carthage is UGLY right now. It is painful to watch (from a distance). Something HAS to change soon before it spirals so far it cannot be saved.

This might be a rhetorical question, but can it really get much worse than a 17-1 mercy rule loss to a 4-22 Ripon team? 

If this was still a traditional Gordie Gillespie led Ripon Redhawk team that would be one thing, but I don't know if I've ever seen a worse Ripon team than this 2026 version.  Their series against Knox to finish out the MWC slate will likely determine who finishes in the MWC cellar this season.

Yeah... That loss to Ripon feels like rock-bottom.

[BigPoppa]

And I thought it was pretty bad when last week Carthage pitchers plunked nine Wheaton batters en route to a 20-7 loss to a Thunder team that also isn't going anywhere this season.

Something has to change. Granted, it's hard to follow a legend in the coaching world, but it feels like this is headed in the wrong direction fast.

[markerickson]

According to NPU's website, Millikin's Brayden Saling (9-0) picked up the victory against NPU.  Millikin's website lists Saling as a frosh INF.