2016 West Regional - Spokane, WA

Ron Boerger · May 20, 2016, 01:33:27 PM

Three losses in their last six games to sub-.500 Southwestern didn't help TLU. Win one or two of those - especially the last tourney game where they were instead run-ruled 16-2 - and TLU probably would have been in.

NWBaseballFan10 · May 20, 2016, 01:34:19 PM

Quote from: Westside on May 20, 2016, 12:28:51 PM
Quote from: 108 Stitches on May 20, 2016, 09:41:18 AM
Predictions for today's games

PLU vs Whitworth: PLU's pitching depth carries them through in a close but higher scoring game.

If anything, PLU's lack of pitching depth should make this a high scoring game! I mean... PLU literally brought their closer in in the 3rd inning yesterday, he threw seven innings! I think Whitworth's starter is better than PLU's, but, on paper, this will be a slugfest.

PLU's staff is looking pretty depleted after 2 games of starters failing to get through the 3rd inning. Originally, I thought WU would throw Kingma yesterday against TT so I'm guessing he gets the nod today and the Lutes throw Donahou. PLU doesn't have much else to offer with Rossman injured unless Nelson pitches off a day's rest since he only lasted 2 1/3 on Wednesday.

Tale of the tape for both guys:
Kingma (8-3, 4.39 ERA, 69.2 IP, 27 K's, 17 BB's)
Donahou (5-3, 4.14 ERA, 50 IP, 32 K's, 19 BB's)

Stat lines for each guy when teams faced off head to head this season:
Kingma - 1st Game (7 1/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 hits, 4 K's, 7-3 win for WU), 2nd Game (3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 11 hits, 2 K's, 7-3 win for PLU)
Donahou - 1st Game (6 IP, 2 ER, 10 hits, 5 K's, 3-1 win for WU), 2nd Game (7 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 K's, 6-5 win for PLU)

I went back and forth on this one, but the lucky coin I flipped gave the nod to PLU.

In other action today, I'm going with Trinity over TT. CWRU got ran out of the ballpark yesterday against TU, which I think is more of a result of TU's depth/skill than it is CWRU's lack thereof.

TexasBB · May 20, 2016, 02:24:00 PM

UTT will likely go with the Freshman - Page. He has pitched well his last two appearances in must win situations. First against UTD in the first round of the ASC tournament and then against HSU. In both of those games the pressure was on as a loss and UTT was finished. It will be interesting to see if he pitches well again. UTT still has arms in the bullpen so if Page can go 7, UTT has a chance.

108 Stitches · May 20, 2016, 03:42:59 PM

Trinity is up 5-0 through 2 innings. Vs Page they have 7 hits w/ all earned. I doubt they will not bring him out as he is getting hammered and not fooling anyone.

Late add: Yep they brought in Brunnemann.

Later add: That was better. He only gave up 2 runs on 1 hit. Trinity up 7-0 through 2 1/2. You just can not give free bases to this offense or they will make you pay.

Ron Boerger · May 20, 2016, 04:14:16 PM

UTT brings in short reliever Hunter Palmer (4 App. 4.2 IP, 1.93 ERA, .300 OBA) who gets through the inning unscathed, stranding runners at 2nd/3rd. Still 7-0 going to B4.

Ron Boerger · May 20, 2016, 04:41:28 PM

After giving up a run in the top of the fifth, UTT opens their half of the inning with three straight singles. A sac fly from Hollenshead plates the Patriots' first run. 8-1 after five. Palmer still pitching in the sixth for UTT.

Ron Boerger · May 20, 2016, 04:55:10 PM

Palmer's longest stint of the year had been 2.1 innings; he goes 2.2 today but can't get the third out of the inning and is pulled after allowing three straight hits resulting in four unearned runs after an error by the UTT 3B to open the inning. 12-1 Trinity with a runner still on second.

Turner Givens in to pitch (3 App, 5.2 IP, 4.09 ERA, .391 OBA) promptly gives up a single to Butler to make it 13-1.

infielddad · May 20, 2016, 04:56:26 PM

The Trinity lineup is 9 tough outs for any opposing pitcher. At least 4 and possibly 6 of those guys are quality D1 hitters and the rest through #9 in the order are darn good. In the modern vernacular, I think it can safely be said they have "length" in their line up.
TU is now up 12-1 in the top of the 6th.

infielddad · May 20, 2016, 05:10:16 PM

Waters homers to open the 7th. 14-1 now.
These are remarkable numbers for the Trinity line up:

8 - 14 ( .571 ) with two outs
14 - 26 ( .538 ) with runners on
11 - 21 ( .524 ) with runners in scoring position

108 Stitches · May 20, 2016, 05:10:30 PM

Infieldad. When the team went up to OU two years ago the best position player on the field (as acknowledged by both coaches) was Waters who normally hits in the 9 hole. (with a 0.419BA) As a tournament moves along they will brutalize pitchers. Great pitchers can hold them to 3 runs, good ones to 5 and everyone else, well your watching what can happen. 1-9 this is the best hitting Trinity team ever.

infielddad · May 20, 2016, 05:16:48 PM

Quote from: 108 Stitches on May 20, 2016, 05:10:30 PM
Infieldad. When the team went up to OU two years ago the best position player on the field (as acknowledged by both coaches) was Waters who normally hits in the 9 hole. (with a 0.419BA) As a tournament moves along they will brutalize pitchers. Great pitchers can hold them to 3 runs, good ones to 5 and everyone else, well your watching what can happen. 1-9 this is the best hitting Trinity team ever.

Waters is a great story, especially how he came back this year. Coach Scannell told us about it when we were there in February. 108, I think you are absolutely right about 1-9, with one addition: This is probably the best hitting team 1-15. Its just that only 9 get to play.

108 Stitches · May 20, 2016, 05:57:36 PM

So much for the stretch of no blowouts to Western teams...

Trinity beats UTT 14-2, Walker goes 8 for Trinity and UTT used 5 pitchers with Page taking the loss.

Trinity: 14-19-1
UTT: 2-9-3

Trinity goes to the championship game with a fresh bullpen and hot bats.

Winner of PLU vs Whitworth will play UTT this evening.

Ron Boerger · May 20, 2016, 05:58:50 PM

Third straight game the Tigers have gotten 8 quality innings from their starters.

Gray vs PLU: 8.0 IP, 7H, 2BB, 8K, 3 ER; one extra base hit allowed, a double
Turner vs CWRU: 8.0 IP, 4H, 5BB, 10K, 0 ER; two extra base hits, both doubles
Walker vs UTT: 8.0 IP, 9H, 1BB, 6K, 2 ER; one extra base hit allowed, a double

Ralph Turner · May 20, 2016, 06:00:12 PM

TU runs rampant in the regional. If we are seeing a National semi-finalist, then excellent! I want another Western Regional team winning the Championship.

Bmo · May 20, 2016, 06:44:12 PM

Well, whomever makes it to the championship round from the West will get the opportunity to go through most likely #4 UW Lacrosse to get to #1 Cortland in Pool A play. The Pool A winner should be battle tested, to say the least.

First-round matchups for the championship site will be as follows:
Pool A: South vs. New York and West vs. Midwest
Pool B: Mid-Atlantic vs. New England and Central vs. Mideast