BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[rolln2]

I think that CNU has USAS in the bag. If they lose more than 5 conference games I will be shocked. With 2 D-1 pitchers from C-USA on their staff now, along with the arms they already have returning, I don't see them having a team ERA above 3.50, which will make up for any inconsistencies their younger bats may experience throughout the season. 20-4 record in USAS play is my prediction for them. I expect to see them make a strong run all the way to Wisconsin and the Championship game.

Welcome to the board makeitnasty.  You must know the CNU team very well. But I will say that being a USAS fan for many years that I have learned one thing. That in this conference nothing is ever in the bag.  But thanks for the prediction.

[PNeal7]

I agree with Rolln2, nothing in the USAS is ever in the bag. The league is too competitve and in a 3 game weekend series anything can happen. With that sad, I do think CNU has the best shot to win the conference. They do have some big time, new arms this season, one of which is now coming to play for us in the Valley League (I won't announce which one yet). The league sets up very nicely for them with all of their pitching depth, but they have many tough games on the schedule. Methodist is always a tough series, Piedmont will be tough as well, Greensboro is improving and CNU plays at Greensboro this year. Plus, CNU plays a conference game for their 2nd game of the year. Regardless of the talent they have, no team is ready for conference games after only 1 regular season game. That first series against Ferrum will be tough, especially with one day being a double header.

Best of luck to my Captains.

[Boysofsummer21]

Welcome Makeitnasty - as to CNU having in it the bag, not really sure anyone wants to come out and say that in the USA South. They will have to prove they can do it each and every year, or at least for their final year. As to their pitching staff I have heard that they returned the entire staff and then upgraded it with both Transfers (D1 and D3) and Freshman class so if that is the case I think you meant to have an team ERA of 2.50 not 3.50. They have had a team ERA of 3.19 and 3.29 for the last 2 years and if they go up to a 3.50 this year with a stronger staff I think the coaching staff will be unhappy and I know that I would feel they under-performed their expectations. The biggest factors effecting the staff for this year will be 1. New catcher - how will the catcher handle the staff and how good is he behind the plate. 2. Without the big power from past years to lean on will the staff feel they have to do it all themselves and put to much pressure on themselves and not just relax and do their job.

I still think Ferrum and Piedmont are going to be tough and with Methodist being Methodist you are going to have a fight each time you take the field. I have also said I like what Greensboro's been doing in re-building their team and think they are an up and coming team. So I would not be asking "Paper or Plastic" just yet and now the Captains will have to prove it on the field.

[rolln2]

Speaking of teams having the conference in the bag. I went back and looked up the conference coaches preseason polls. Over the last 10 years only 3 of the preseason top picks have gone on to win the regular season crown. So it looks like the USAS is really never in the bag.

[PNeal7]

You are 100% correct. Very rarely do the final standings in the USAS look exactly like the preseason polls.

I like CNU as the favorite (partially due to obvious reasons, partially do to my bias) but Methodist and Piedmont are right in the mix as well. Of topic, but Piedmont has an absolutely gorgeous place to play. We went down to Atlanta for a spring break trip my freshman year (2006-2007) and played there. I was amazed at how nice the park was.

Here's to baseball being back in a few short weeks! Unfortunately with Shenandoah leaving I lose my one close/easy trip to watch the Captains play.

[rolln2]

USAS put out its' preseason coaches poll today.  CNU picked as the unanimous choice for 1st place. Ferrum and new conference member Piedmont tied for second, w/ Methodist and Averett rounding out the top five.

[Boysofsummer21]

CNU 2013 roster up and some names missing, one of the biggest is Goldsmith anyone what is up there? Is he playing some where else?

[rolln2]

CNU 2013 roster up and some names missing, one of the biggest is Goldsmith anyone what is up there? Is he playing some where else?

Saw the roster for CNU as well. Yes they are missing 4 pitchers to be exact. Goldsmith and three relievers.

[vabaseball]

I also am curious about Goldsmith. If anyone hears, please post. Thanks.

[Boysofsummer21]

Well CNU roster is up and let me just say upfront, great job by the coaching staff on recruiting. Talk about bringing in talent. I know of a few of the transfers and yes while I was a bit skeptical about them upgrading their pitching staff before I am not now. Even with the loss of Goldsmith I think he will be missed but they will not be hurt by it. Not sure I know too many teams that can lose an all-south region pitcher and say that. I bet I can guess the arms PNeal is trying to get up there for his team! That said if they can keep these guys healthy (Berlein for a whole season etc.) and play a little defense then this staff can put up some really good numbers (maybe in the mid to high 2 range is my prediction) but they will still need to score some runs. Also really like the pickup of Emerson, saw him throw on many occasions last year and while some times lights out there were times when he struggle. These times seemed to be more mental than mechanics so if he can get in with that CNU bull pen and learn their toughness and approach then he could really be a big help.
As to the other teams; really waiting to see the rosters get posted as I have not heard much about them. The season is only a couple of weeks away and really think most of the VA teams have been indoors for much of their practices so far so that might be a dis-advantage. But hey it snowed this week so it must be baseball season!

[rolln2]

Boysofsummer21. They must have gotten some good arms if they are going to replace a 2x all-conference and all-region pitcher in Goldsmith. But CNU has had some pretty good staffs over the years. So like any good program.  You don't rebuild you try and reload. Like we all know though. What looks good on paper does not win games on the field.

[rolln2]

I was looking at some of the USAS schedules today. It looks like the first conference weekend will be a good one w/ Ferrum tied for 2nd in the USAS coaches poll visiting #1 CNU. What a way to get the conference season started. Ferrum and CNU had three good games last year w/ one of the games going 14 innings. Can't wait just a couple of weeks to go.

[LTBB1971]

NCWC will have a tough time filling a lot of holes in this lineup.  2012 the strength of this team was pitching but with the losses of Roberts, Flynn, Costa and Wessell, they will have some big shoes to fill.  Offensively the bishops will have to rely heavily on SR C Tyler Clark and SR 2B Jake Alexander.  Not much else on the returning roster to brag about IMO.  On the mound SO Hatteras Brooks and JR Jackson Pleasant should be the number 1 and 2 punch and are extremely capable with SR Jake Swartout closing the 8th and 9th frames.  Besides that tons of question marks.  I think Bishops with their competitive schedule and a tougher USA SOUTH will struggle to get past the 15 win mark.

[rolln2]

Well it must be time for college baseball.  As I look outside the ground is covered white and it is about 20 degrees. Sure hope the weather improves a little as next week the boys start playing games. Wonder how many USAS teams have actually been able to get outside and play a few intra-squads.

[PNeal7]

Since the signed contact has been received, thus making it official, and given Boysofsummer21 inquired about it in an earlier post, Austin Chrismon will be coming up to play for us in the Valley Baseball League.

Best of luck to all teams, but especially the Captains, as the season is about to get under way.