|
Post by villagepub on Apr 20, 2023 6:30:59 GMT -6
While mathematically possible to still pull out a 40 win season, it is improbable.
Need to sweep this NIU series. It's at home - the 1st weekend series at home in a month. It is the last place team. A sweep is necessary.
IU comes to town on Tuesday. Would be nice to split with them this season. Again, defend your home field.
Then BSU has BG on the road, finals week, then Ohio on the road. OU is good again. I'd like to see a sweep at BG, and at least a 2 of 3 at Ohio.
After that is the Sycamores @ Terre Haute (ISU on an 11 game win streak. Just beat #4 Vanderbilt).
Next, BSU hosts Miami. Again, playing a lower tier team at home. BSU needs a sweep.
Then travel to USI. USI has always had a solid baseball program. Even though this is the 1st year of D1, they will be a trap game (right before Kent).
Kent finishes out the MAC season in Muncie. Defend your home field.
My gut says BSU will have 35-37 wins, not enough for an NCAA at-large bid. BSU must win the MAC, and without a regular season championship, they'll be playing the tourney on the road.
|
|
|
Post by cardfan on Apr 20, 2023 9:03:33 GMT -6
BSU didn't get at large bids the last two years with 40 win teams including an excellent regular season MAC championship team that played for the MAC tourney championship and was one game from winning it. It's always going to be imperative we win the MAC tourney because that's likely the only way we get in.
|
|
|
Post by villagepub on Apr 20, 2023 9:48:29 GMT -6
BSU didn't get at large bids the last two years with 40 win teams including an excellent regular season MAC championship team that played for the MAC tourney championship and was one game from winning it. It's always going to be imperative we win the MAC tourney because that's likely the only way we get in. That's incorrect. In 2022, BSU had 40 wins. In 2021, BSU had 38 wins. In 2022, Ball State was a "Last 4 out" in the NCAA Tournament selection. Having two consecutive 40 win seasons and being a "Last 4 out" the previous year will increase your odds of an at-large. Quality wins over IU (Big 10 leader) and ISU (MVC leader) wouldn't hurt either.
|
|
|
Post by cardfan on Apr 20, 2023 10:20:43 GMT -6
BSU didn't get at large bids the last two years with 40 win teams including an excellent regular season MAC championship team that played for the MAC tourney championship and was one game from winning it. It's always going to be imperative we win the MAC tourney because that's likely the only way we get in. That's incorrect. In 2022, BSU had 40 wins. In 2021, BSU had 38 wins. In 2022, Ball State was a "Last 4 out" in the NCAA Tournament selection. Having two consecutive 40 win seasons and being a "Last 4 out" the previous year will increase your odds of an at-large. Quality wins over IU (Big 10 leader) and ISU (MVC leader) wouldn't hurt either. I was thinking much more about last years team, even though the 38 win team might have been better in terms of balance and pitching. I really felt they deserved a bid both years and it didn't happen. So I'm skeptical that BSU can ever get an at large bid. For whatever reason the selection committee just doesn't value BSU as much as we'd like.
|
|
|
Post by villagepub on Apr 20, 2023 11:59:32 GMT -6
That's incorrect. In 2022, BSU had 40 wins. In 2021, BSU had 38 wins. In 2022, Ball State was a "Last 4 out" in the NCAA Tournament selection. Having two consecutive 40 win seasons and being a "Last 4 out" the previous year will increase your odds of an at-large. Quality wins over IU (Big 10 leader) and ISU (MVC leader) wouldn't hurt either. I was thinking much more about last years team, even though the 38 win team might have been better in terms of balance and pitching. I really felt they deserved a bid both years and it didn't happen. So I'm skeptical that BSU can ever get an at large bid. For whatever reason the selection committee just doesn't value BSU as much as we'd like. Like I said, you put together two 40 win seasons, with the first as a "Last 4 out", they really have to consider you, especially if you beat the leaders of two somewhat strong baseball conferences (Big 10 and MVC).
|
|
|
Post by CallingBS on Apr 21, 2023 20:27:49 GMT -6
We were the last out two years ago, and an absolutely awful Michigan team got in over us. We should've gotten a bid last year. We would've made some noise in the NCAA tourney each of the last two years.
Our backs are against the wall this weekend - we must sweep. 40 wins won't happen with our pitching situation. We might get lucky to sneak into the MAC tournament.
An interesting 3-game series to watch this weekend will be OU at IU.
|
|
|
Post by coastalcard on Apr 22, 2023 16:45:06 GMT -6
Win 2. Second game we were fortunate to outscore the pitching 16-12. Hard to predict if pitching can survive one more game.
We are definitely not getting better or consistent pitching as the season goes on.
3/11 MAC teams have records >.500
|
|
|
Post by coastalcard on Apr 23, 2023 13:28:15 GMT -6
Hat Trick for Peltier today. 3 HRs. 5 HRs total. 15-5 win. Sweep of weekend
|
|
|
Post by cardfan on Apr 23, 2023 14:24:39 GMT -6
Good weekend.
|
|