The Podcast About Division-III Baseball

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Episode 19: West Regional (Spokane, WA) Preview May 17, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is the third of our eight postseason regional preview podcasts -- this one focuses on the 6-team West Regional which will take place in Spokane, WA. We break down each of the six teams. In order:

#1 Chapman (at 1:44)
- After an enormous statement in the SCIAC championship game, can the Panthers live up to the #1 seed and make it to Appleton?
#6 Willamette (at 4:12)
- The Bearcats have had a lot of time off since winning the NWC title; how far can Connor Bailey and Matt Steindorf take them?
#2 Redlands (at 6:14)
- Perhaps the most balanced all-around team in the West, the Bulldogs will look to avenge their disappointing conference tournament with a strong regional showing
#5 Texas-Dallas (at 9:20)
- The Comets got hot at the right time, and are ready to try and outscore any and all opponents
#3 Concordia-Texas (at 11:42)
- The numbers don't jump off the page, but there are many reasons to fear the Tornados in a regional setting
#4 Texas Lutheran (at 15:14)
- The Bulldogs have felt like a team of destiny all year long; Riley Schaefer/Tyler Cauley + Dylan Drgac/Nathan Malinovsky = goooooooood baseball team.

We conclude with our top players and pitchers to watch, and our pick to punch their ticket to Appleton (at 19:40). Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 18: Midwest Regional (Duluth, MN) Preview May 16, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 18 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is the second of our eight postseason regional preview podcasts -- this one focuses on the 6-team Midwest Regional which will take place in Duluth, MN. We break down each of the six teams. In order:

#1 Concordia-Chicago (at 1:45)
- After almost pulling off a miracle comeback in the NACC tournament, the Cougars are looking to make it back to Appleton
#6 Bethany Lutheran (at 6:58)
- They already pulled off the impossible winning the UMAC; is their any magic left for the Vikings?
#2 North Central (IL) (at 9:26)
- Mateja and Wisz have carried the offense all year long; will it be enough to get the Cardinals back to the World Series?
#5 Dubuque (at 12:30)
- Fresh off a surprising IIAC title run, the Spartans are ready for the regional and they will not walk your hitters. Ever.
#3 UW-Oshkosh (at 15:35)
- The Titans earned a Pool B bid with a huge regular season; now it's time to see how legit they really are
#4 Bethel (at 18:27)
- One of the best pitching staffs in recent D-III history will look to shut down some better competition in Duluth

We conclude with our top players and pitchers to watch, and our pick to punch their ticket to Appleton (at 23:25). Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 17: Central Regional (Sauget, IL) Preview May 16, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. We finally made it, folks: the regionals are here. This is the first of our eight postseason regional preview podcasts -- this one focuses on the 8-team Central Regional which will take place in Sauget, Illinois. Before we dive into the eight Central competitors, we took some time to give some brief thoughts on the broader regional field and how we thought the committee did with the at-large bids (at 2:13). Then, we break down each of the eight teams. In order:

#1 Webster (at 6:20)
- Can the Gorloks defend their home turf after recapturing the SLIAC title?
#8 Thomas More (at 9:09)
- Fresh off taking down the 2017 national runner-ups, the Saints aren't an #8 seed to be taken lightly
#2 UW-Whitewater (at 12:20)
- Daytona Bryden is almost definitely the National Player of the Year -- oh and they also have a bunch of other exceptionally awesome players. Good luck, Warhawk opponents.
#7 Monmouth (at 16:13)
- The Fighting Scots and the McDonald twins will look to pull off the huge upset
#3 Texas-Tyler (at 18:15)
- The Patriots will try and have a better showing after last year's letdown
#6 Aurora (at 20:19)
- Knocking off Concordia-Chicago is no small feat; can they ride the momentum into the regional?
#4 Rhodes (at 22:43)
- The SAA champs haven't played for a few weeks -- can they get rolling again?
#5 Franklin (at 25:11)
- This preposterously ridiculous offense (62 dingers!!!!!!!!) hasn't faced much competition all year long. Is their lineup actually this amazing or are they in for a reality check?

We conclude with our top players and pitchers to watch, and our pick to punch their ticket to Appleton (at 32:40). Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 16: Projecting the At-Large Bids May 13, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. As we record on the morning of Selection Sunday, 33 of the 40 automatic bids have been clinched. This episode features a comprehensive look at the at-large field, and how Pool B and Pool C will likely shake out based on a variety of scenarios involving the results of Sunday's games. Here's how the at-large field looks:

2 Pool B bids
- The 3 teams we feel clearly have the best shot at these two spots
- Why all three teams would have strong cases for Pool C regardless
16 Pool C bids
- The 10 teams we feel are the safest
- The 6 teams we feel are on the bubble, but we project to be in
- The 5 teams we feel are on bubble and have the best shot if a few things go their way on Sunday
- 11 other worthy bubble teams that are in the discussion but we think fall just short

It's incredibly tough, but we do our best to discuss it all and cover as many scenarios as possible. We know we won't be totally accurate but we're doing our best to give you the best information and projections that we have. Thank you for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 15: Bubble Talk May 08, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 15 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. 16 of the 40 automatic bids have been clinched, and the regional field will be set in less than a week. Before we head into the last week of the regular season, we wanted to take a snapshot of the postseason picture and give an initial look at oh-so-terrifying at-large bubble. This episode has two primary parts:

Rapid fire reviewing the conference tournament results thus far (at 2:24)
- We scroll down the Playoff Central page (so we go alphabetically) and run through all the conference tournament results thus far, with a few quick thoughts on some of the more entertaining tourneys, and the some of the more surprising results. 16 teams have clinched automatic bids.
Our first look at the at-large bubble
- First, we offer our usual disclaimers about what this conversation is, and what we are aiming to do with our bubble preview (at 12:40)
- Presenting THE BUBBLE as it currently stands (on the evening of Monday, May 7th)
  - Pool B favorites and possibilities (at 16:00)
    - UW-Whitewater, UW-Oshkosh, Case Western
  - Pool C tiers
    - The teams that we feel are fairly safe (at 17:30)
      - TCNJ, CNU, Ramapo, Redlands, Cortland, Trinity (TX)
      - Other conference runner-ups that could be in good position to get an at-large (NCAC, OAC, LEC, ODAC)
    - The teams that are in good position but not quite locks (at 25:50)
      - Heidelberg, Berry, Case Western
    - The teams that have strong resumes but will need a good amount of help (at 33:20)
      - Alvernia, La Verne, Texas-Tyler, Rutgers-Camden
      - Empire 8 runner-up?
    - The teams that will need *a lot* of help (at 38:30)
      - Wash U, Piedmont, Methodist, Johns Hopkins, MIT, UW-La Crosse, UW-Stevens Point
      - CCIW runner-up
Then we wish you all the best of luck and say goodbye.

Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 14: SOS, Please Someone Help Me May 02, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. Three automatic bids have been clinched, and more conference tournaments are on the way. With the first regional rankings finally being released, we wanted to take an early look at the postseason picture. Here's what we've got:

New Top 25 quick hits (at 1:42)
- Wooster #1 lol what a world
- UW-Stevens Point OUT; Webster IN
- Adrian and Southern Maine jumping up a bit more
- Franklin still climbing
- North Central and Otterbein: on the edge but still out
A quick disclaimer (at 3:00) before reviewing the first regional rankings
- Central (at 4:47)
  - Parsing why Carthage was ranked over Webster
- Mid-Atlantic (at 7:37)
  - How many bids could the NJAC rack up?
  - Why Johns Hopkins is the real wild card in this region
- Mideast (at 10:08)
  - Why Case Western was ranked over Wooster, and why we assume it will change very quickly
  - The OAC is loaded like old times -- could they get 3 teams in the tournament?
  - La Roche and W&J really need to win their conference tournaments
- Midwest (at 14:32)
  - Concordia-Chicago has the huge edge in SOS -- that's why they are #1
  - How the WIAC could shake out with so many cancelled games, and how it will affect the Pool B race
- New England (at 18:02)
  - Why we felt best about this ranking
  - No big surprises, but a clear top 3
  - Why Southern Maine could be sleeping giant
- New York (at 21:35)
  - St. John Fisher over Cortland shouldn't actually surprise us all that much
- South (at 23:07)
  - Three elite teams and then somewhat of a mess
  - The ODAC will probably get at least two bids; we know Randolph-Macon will be one, but who is the favorite for the other one? Could they still get three in?
  - Shenandoah...? *thinking emoji*
  - No LaGrange even after winning the USA South tournament
- West (at 26:16)
  - Discussing why Concordia (TX) was ranked over Texas Lutheran
  - Is there a scenario where the SCIAC gets 3 bids?
Quick shoutouts to the two latest automatic bids (at 29:45)
- Willamette's impressive NWC tournament run
  - Connor Bailey: D-III HR leader
  - Matt Steindorf is legit
- Rhodes making noise again -- back-to-back SAA titles
Wooster and WashU update (at 31:00)
- Wooster
  - #1 for the first time in over a decade
  - Arguably the worst they've played all year but still grinding out some big wins; testament to how good they actually are
- WashU
  - SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE

Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 13: 1 Team In, 57 To Go Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 13 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. The first regional rankings are rapidly approaching and we've already got one automatic bid clinched, so we check in on some of the teams finding their stride at the right time as the postseason nears. Featured in this week's episode:

Top 25 deep dives:
- #11 Shenandoah (at 2:26):
  - We thought they'd have some of the best starting pitching in D-III; instead, the pitching has been solid and the offense has been elite
- #19 Salisbury (at 5:02):
  - We knew how talented this team was coming into the season; now they are really showing it and getting hot at the right time
  - Several All-American candidates in Jack Barry, Connor Reeves, and Austin Heenan
- #22 Franklin (at 7:19):
  - This team boasts a loaded lineup and the best record in the country, but a poor SOS makes us concerned based on recent at-large precedents (in case they don't win the HCAC tournament, which they obviously could)
- #23 Southern Maine (at 12:56):
  - One of our Appleton favorites heading into the season, the Huskies are finally starting to put some big wins together
Our first automatic bid winner, LaGrange (at 15:33):
- 1 team is in; only 57 to go!
- How the Panthers defended their USA South title and who has performed during their impressive second half
- Now they just have a month off...???
Shouting out some players at the top of the leaderboards -- early Player and Pitcher of the Year candidates (at 18:41)
Wooster update (at 21:53):
- They probably have the best offense in the country (11+ runs per game, lol), but the pitching depth has been the most impressive part of the season so far
- Strong chunk of their schedule coming up soon
WashU Update (at 23:02):
- With a top-notch SOS, what will it take for the Bears to sneak into the tournament?

Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 12: Did We Just Break News? Apr 05, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 12 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. We have now reached April which means the season has actually started and we can start taking things seriously. Lots to cover this week...here's what we've got:

New Top 25 quick hits (at 2:10):

Roanoke keeps winning; the ODAC is gonna be wild in late April
UMass-Boston slipping a little bit but hey they're probably fine
Methodist dropping a mid-week test to Randolph-Macon
Baldwin Wallace hanging on to the #25 spot despite being swept by Mount Union
Other teams making a push for the Top 25

Top 25 deep dives:

Christopher Newport (at 5:45): One of the most balanced teams in the country has impact talent on both sides of the ball; can they make a run at the CAC title?
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (at 10:00): Should the WIAC even be allowed to have another team this good?
Redlands (at 13:00): The best from the west get the respect they deserve

Recapping the dope Trinity (Texas)/Texas Lutheran series (at 16:30)

A brief discussion on the new D-III RPI -- link below (at 21:01)

Following up on our confusion about the WIAC (they do *not* have an automatic bid) and discussing the seemingly completely ignored fact that this year's tournament will feature 58 teams instead of 56 -- link to pre-championship manual below (at 23:30)

Our D-III hypothetical of the week at (27:45): what would a Division III baseball program do with unlimited funds? This was an extremely hilarious and enjoyable conversation.

Wooster Update (at 35:51): they won and it snowed AKA the story of every start to a Wooster season

WashU Update (at 36:16): We saw the Bears IN PERSON vs. NYU; our takeaways and Jake's emotional status after watching his old team compete without him

Then we say goodbye.

Thanks for listening!

Nick Herfordt's D-III RPI: http://www.eephuspit.ch/ncaa-d-iii-rpi-rankings/

2018 Pre-Championship Manual: http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2018DIIIMBA_PreChampsManual_20180302.pdf

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 11: The Doctor Is In Mar 28, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. The 2018 season is well under way, and we have TAKES, folks (but mostly we are just excited to have real things to talk about instead of speculating wildly). We covered a lot in this episode, including...

General Top 25 quick hits (at 1:30):

Methodist & Maryville: racking up the dubs
Christopher Newport/Case Western/Redlands/Catholic: all impressing early
Spalding: surprising in the SLIAC; anything is possible with Jimi Keating
Johns Hopkins/Southern Maine/Salisbury/St. Thomas: talented teams off to slow starts

Some deeper dives into a few Top 25:

Rowan (at 7:01): They've got arguably the best resume in the country, and a few standouts on both sides of the ball
Wisconsin-Whitewater (at 9:54): OMG THEY FINALLY STARTED THEIR SEASON oh and also they are very good again, surprise surprise
Concordia-Chicago (at 11:28): One of our preseason contenders is looking strong in the early going
Texas Lutheran (at 13:00): Behind two aces and the dude with the most hits in the country, this team is on fire

A look at a possible return to glory for the OAC (at 16:29):

Mount Union and Otterbein looked like the favorites heading into the season, and they've been solid...but the usual suspects (Marietta, Baldwin Wallace, and Heidelberg) are also back in business.

Two fantastic e-mails (at 21:04):

Yet another story about a regional team consuming insects for rally purposes; this time from Rhodes
The incredible story of what was almost the greatest comeback of all time in a 2011 DePauw/Emory game (links below)

Our traditionally biased updates on our respective schools:

WashU update (at 29:10): An impressive Florida trip, John Howard is DEALIN' and Ryan Loutos is the truth
Wooster update (at 32:38): The pitching has been great; Dan Harwood is still slugging over .900 lol

Then we say goodbye.

Thanks for listening!

DePauw/Emory game story: http://depauwtigers.com/sports/bsb/2010-11/releases/depauws-11-run-ninth-not-enough-in-loss.html

DePauw/Emory box score: http://depauwtigers.com/sports/bsb/2010-11/boxscores/20110322_w0b7.xml

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Episode 10: W4, Baby, W4 Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. After spending eight podcasts previewing each of the eight regions of the D-III baseball universe, it's time to settle into the regular season and take stock in what we've seen so far. This episode includes...

0:55 -- A discussion on the qualities of a good D-III baseball livestream, and why UMass-Boston is the gold standard
3:12 -- Reviewing the Cortland/Johns Hopkins déjà vu walk-off dinger, and our thoughts on those two powerhouse teams thus far. What's wrong with Cortland? What makes Josh Hejka so incredible?
6:25 -- Is Trinity (Texas) BACK? Is that a dumb question? Probably.
8:35 -- Checking in on the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets, who had a hot start before getting swept at home by Rowan. Then we fall down a Rowan Profs rabbit hole. What is a Prof?
11:41 -- A couple teams that we liked heading into the season who have disappointed thus far
13:00 -- An appreciation of Frostburg State senior right-hander Greg Schneider's outrageous start to the 2018 season
14:32 -- Wooster update: they beat Mount Union and Dan Harwood went crazy! Hooray!
15:35 -- WashU update: The upcoming Florida schedule is insane
17:11 -- Our D-III hypothetical this week is: Which former D-III player currently in pro ball would make their alma mater a definitive World Series contender if they returned to the team today?
23:45 -- A hat tip to the teams who have yet to begin their season, and then we say goodbye.

Thanks for listening!

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to thed3baseballpodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

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