2015 College Station Regional
May 29 - June 1, 2015
Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, College Station, Texas
Schedule (double elimination):
Friday, May 29:
Game 1: 3 California vs 2 Coastal Carolina, 12 pm
Game 2: 4 Texas Southern vs 1 Texas A&M, 6 pm
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs Game 2 loser, 12 pm
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs Game 2 winner, 6 pm
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs Game 4 loser, 12 pm
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs Game 5 winner, 6 pm
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Rematch of Game 6 (if necessary), 6 pm
Team Capsules:
1 Texas A&M
2015 Record: 45-11 (18-10, 3rd in SEC)
vs RPI Top 100: 23-9
vs RPI Top 50: 14-7
vs NCAA Field: 11-6
Final RPI: 6
Team Batting Avg: .307
Team ERA: 3.14
Team OPS: .871
Runs scored/9 innings: 7.56
Runs allowed/9 innings: 3.90
Fielding Pct: .967
NCAA Tournament appearances: 31
Record: 67-67
Last: Lost in the final of the 2014 Houston Regional
2015 Results:
Series wins: #172 Holy Cross (3-0), #168 Penn State (3-0), #111 Dartmouth (3-0), #22 Auburn* (3-0), @ #45 Alabama (2-1), #56 Missouri (2-1), @ #60 Kentucky (2-0), #132 Mississippi State (2-1), @ #74 Tennessee (3-0)
Series losses: #35 Arkansas* (1-2), @ #5 LSU* (1-2), #64 South Carolina (1-2)
Series splits: @ #31 Ole Miss* (1-1)
Midweek/Tournament wins: #242 SFA, #133 Houston Baptist*, #232 Incarnate Word, #2 Dallas Baptist*, vs #48 Nebraska, vs #14 Houston*, vs #122 Baylor, #267 UTPA (x2), #300 Prairie View A&M, @ #76 UTSA, #143 Sam Houston, #33 Rice*, #216 Abilene Christian, #145 UTA, #161 Texas State, vs #45 Alabama, vs #10 Vanderbilt*
Midweek/Tournament losses: vs #10 Vanderbilt*
* = NCAA Tournament team
Projected Lineup:
1. SS Blake Allemand (S) .352/7/37
2. 2B Ryne Birk (L) .295/9/33
3. DH Mitchell Nau (R) .371/4/46
4. LF Logan Taylor (R) .349/10/47
5. RF Nick Banks (L) .369/5/42
6. 1B Hunter Melton (R) .310/8/35
7. 3B Logan Nottebrok (R) .213/6/23
-- OR --
3B Ronnie Gideon (R) .307/7/40
8. CF J.B. Moss (R) .262/5/29
-- OR --
CF Nick Choruby (L) .182/0/5
9. C Michael Barash (R) .230/1/13
Top Starting Pitchers:
Jr. RHP Grayson Long (9-0, 2.62)
Jr. LHP Matt Kent (7-1, 3.42)
Top Relievers:
Jr. RHP Andrew Vinson (4-2, 1.58. 4 saves)
Jr. RHP Kyle Simonds (3-2, 2.62, 1)
So. RHP Mark Ecker (1-2, 2.81, 8)
So. RHP Ryan Hendrix (5-2, 4.37. 5)
2 Coastal Carolina
2015 Record: 38-19 (17-7, 2nd in Big South)
vs RPI Top 100: 19-15
vs RPI Top 50: 6-9
vs NCAA Field: 6-10
Final RPI: 18
Team Batting Avg: .278
Team ERA: 3.85
Team OPS: .806
Runs scored/9 innings: 7.23
Runs allowed/9 innings: 4.87
Fielding Pct: .964
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 14
Record: 17-27
Last: 0-2 in 2013 Blacksburg Regional
2015 Results:
Series wins: #166 Bryant (2-0), @ #191 UNC Asheville (3-0), @ #79 Winthrop (2-1), #173 Longwood (2-1), @ #78 High Point (3-0), @ #141 Presbyterian (3-0), #63 Liberty (2-1),
Series losses: #15 Radford (1-2)*, @ #9 Florida State*(1-2), @ #93 Campbell (1-2)
Midweek/Tournament wins: #110 Old Dominion, #193 Canisius*, #38 Georgia Tech, #254 Albany, #26 North Carolina State*, #104 West Virginia, #147 Ball State, @ #158 The Citadel, #183 Akron, #153 Toledo, #28 North Carolina, #54 Clemson*, #64 South Carolina, #88 Wake Forest, @ #27 UNC Wilmington*, vs #192 Charleston Southern, vs #79 Winthrop, vs #78 High Point
Midweek/Tournament losses: #115 Western Kentucky, #193 Canisius*, #116 Kent State, #13 Illinois*, #61 Michigan*, #51 Michigan State, @ #28 North Carolina, #17 College of Charleston*(x2), vs #15 Radford*
Projected Lineup:
1. CF Anthony Marks (L) .351/0/24
2. SS Michael Paez (R) .330/7/41
3. LF Connor Owings (L) .286/9/48
4. 3B Zach Remmilard (R) .271/6/42
5. DH G.K. Young (L) .298/9/49
6. C Casey Schroeder (S) .230/13/31
-- OR --
C Matt Beaird (L) .154/0/3
7. 1B Tyler Chadwick (L) .303/4/33
8. RF David Parrett (R) .241/10/37
9. 2B Seth Lancaster (L) .188/1/11
-- OR --
2B Al Molina (R) .231/0/16
*Schroeder is listed as day-to-day following a rib/back injury sustained on Friday
Top Starting Pitchers
RS So. RHP Alex Cunningham (6-0, 2.56)
Sr LHP Austin Kerr (8-1, 3.36)
Fr LHP Shane Sawczak (4-4, 4.04)
*Cunningham and Kerr are battling injuries and may not be available for the regional
Top Relievers
Jr LHP Brock Hunter (4-0, 2.36, 0 saves)
Fr RHP Bobby Holmes (4-0, 2.43, 0)
So RHP Andrew Beckwith (5-4, 3.57, 2)
*All three could be forced into starting roles, and have started games in recent weeks
Rundown:
The Chanticleers looked well on their way to hosting a regional of their own for the first time about a month ago, and then they became a MASH unit. Like the Aggies, Coastal has lost their top two starting pitchers. Unlike the Aggies, they went through most of the season relying on them to perform and pitch a lot of innings. On the weekend of May 8th, both Cunningham and Kerr went down to forearm and elbow injuries, respectively. The injuries could also bring a big impact on the bottom line as well, as Coastal is just 6-4 since the loss of their two starters, with 3 of those wins coming against Big South bottom-dwellers in the tournament. It doesn't appear that either will pitch much, and if they do, it will most likely be in relief, but I include them in "Top Starting Pitchers" because crazier things have happened. Then, in the third game of the Big South Tournament, their catcher Schroeder injured his ribs sliding into second base, causing extreme muscle strains in his back. He is now listed as day-to-day, and if he is unable to go it will be a huge blow. He is a stud defender and while he doesn't hit for a high average, he is always a threat to turn a game around or put it out of hand with his 13 homers this season. Speaking of power hitters, the Chants have a lot of them. They've hit 60 big flies as a team this season, and with the wind blowing out at Olsen this weekend, I expect them to add to that total. Without their top two guys, the rotation becomes shaky, with most of the replacement starters coming from the pen (listed under Top Relievers). These guys have done a solid job, but much like A&M's 3rd starters, they have struggled the second time through the order. With the offenses and weather forecast in College Station this weekend, that could spell trouble for Coastal's chances to advance.
3 California
2015 Record: 34-19 (18-12, 4th in Pac 12)
vs RPI Top 100: 21-12
vs RPI Top 50: 9-7
vs NCAA Field: 8-7
Final RPI: 39
Team Batting Avg: .275
Team ERA: 3.15
Team OPS: .756
Runs scored/9 innings: 5.74
Runs allowed/9 innings: 3.92
Fielding Pct: .970
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 13
Record: 39-24
Last: Advanced to 2011 College World Series (1-2) by winning the Houston Regional as the 3 seed, and beating Dallas Baptist 2-0 in the Super Regionals
2015 Results:
Series wins: #47 UC Irvine (3-1), #92 Kansas State (3-0), #294 Chicago State (3-0), #62 Oregon* (2-1), @ #91 Washington (3-0), @ #151 Utah (2-1), @ #123 Arizona (3-0), #34 Arizona State* (2-1), @ #93 Campbell (2-1), #23 USC* (2-1)
Series losses: #59 Duke (1-2), #138 Washington State (1-2), @ #102 Stanford (1-2), @ #4 UCLA* (1-2), @ #36 Oregon State* (1-2)
Midweek/Tournament wins: @ #102 Stanford, #163 San Francisco, @ #266 Pacific, #68 Fresno State
Midweek/Tournament losses: @ #163 San Francisco, @ #68 Fresno State, @ #102 Stanford
Projected Lineup:
1. CF Aaron Knapp (L) .315/0/22
2. RF Devin Pearson (R) .350/4/21
3. 3B Lucas Erceg (L) .316/11/40
4. 1B Chris Paul (R) .326/8/42
5. LF Mitchell Kranson (L) .252/4/16
-- OR --
LF Brian Celsi (L) .288/3/30
6. C Brett Cumberland (S) .247/7/32
7. SS Preston Grand Pre (R) .267/1/26
8. DH Nick Halamandaris (L) .217/1/13
9. 2B Robbie Tenerowicz (R) .183/0/8
Top Starting Pitchers:
So RHP Daulton Jefferies (5-5, 3.12)
Jr RHP Ryan Mason (6-3, 3.18)
Fr LHP Matt Ladrech (7-4, 2.72)
Top Relievers:
Fr RHP Erik Martinez (2-1, 1.71, 1 save)
Sr RHP Dylan Nelson (2-1, 3.46, 8)
Sr LHP Chris Muse-Fisher (3-1, 2.72, 2)
Aggie fans are all too familiar with what Cal can do in the postseason. In their last trip, in 2011, the Golden Bears shocked the world when they went to Reckling Park, came out of the loser's bracket, and won the regional. Then, they shocked the world again by winning their Super against another Texas team, the DBU Patriots, fresh off their win in the Ft Worth Regional. They went 1-2 in Omaha, with their one win eliminating the Ags from the tournament. That run literally saved Cal's program that was facing extinction due to lack of funding. Now, Cal relies on the same formula that fueled that 2011 run - pitching. The Bears are 3-deep on the mound in Jefferies, Mason and Ladrech, and all three have the capability to completely shut you down (ask UCLA, USC, Arizona St.). Behind that, Dylan Nelson is one of the better closers in the Pac 12. He does, however, struggle with giving up the long ball, which could be a problem this weekend. On offense, the Bears are just a typical team that will kill you with singles and doubles. The three headed monster of Erceg, Paul and Cumberland can also hit for power, but Cumberland struggles with his consistency, and he and Paul strike out quite a bit. Cal overall scares me far more than Coastal Carolina or Texas Southern simply because of their ability to go three-deep on the mound and not see a drop off. If they are still in the winner's bracket after Saturday night, they will be extremely difficult to beat twice in a row.
4 Texas Southern
2015 Record: 31-17 (16-7, 2nd in SWAC Western Division, SWAC Tournament Champions)
vs RPI Top 100: 0-6
vs RPI Top 50: 0-6
vs NCAA Field: 2-6
Final RPI: 157
Team Batting Avg: .293
Team ERA: 4.47
Team OPS: .798
Runs scored/9 innings: 7.47
Runs allowed/9 innings: 5.42
Fielding Pct: .953
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3
Record: 1-4
Last: 0-2 in 2008 Baton Rouge Regional
2015 Results:
Series wins: #225 Jackson State (2-1), #293 Grambling State (3-0 home, 2-1 away), #256 Southern (2-0 home, 3-0 away), #300 Prairie View A&M (3-0 home, 2-1 away)
Series losses: #186 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-2 home, 0-3 away), @ #2 Dallas Baptist* (0-4)
Series splits: Non-D1 Jarvis Christian College (2-2)
Midweek/Tournament wins: Non-D1 Huston-Tillotson (x2), @ Non-D1 Houston-Victoria, #133 Houston Baptist* (1 home/1 away), @ #250 Lamar, vs #291 Alcorn State (x2), vs #291 Grambling State (x2), vs #256 Southern
Midweek/Tournament losses: @ #14 Houston*, @ #8 TCU*, vs #293 Grambling State
Projected Lineup (R/L are my best guesses from different sources as TSU site didn't have them)
1. CF Zach Welz (R) .285/5/28
2. 2B Ryan Lazo (R) .247/1/29
3. RF Christopher Scroggins (R) .314/1/30
4. SS Robert Garza .348/4/31 (R)
5. DH Javier Valdez .306/2/31 (R)
-- OR --
DH Jerry Ford .310/1/22 (R)
6. LF Zach Howell .302/4/30 (L)
7. 3B Horace Leblanc .312/0/26 (R)
8. C Blake Hicks .242/3/13 (R)
9. 1B Joel Rosario .297/4/34 (L)
Top Starting Pitchers:
Sr RHP Frank Cruz (6-3, 3.97)
Sr RHP Felix Gomez (4-2, 4.61)
RS Jr RHP Robert Pearson (5-3, 5.25)
Top Relievers:
So RHP Ryan Rios (6-1, 2.92, 0 saves)
Sr RHP Devin Konarik (3-4, 3.05, 7)
Rundown:
You never want to disrespect any opponent, but the Tigers might be the worst 4 seed to be in a regional with A&M since LeMoyne in 2007. None the less, they will pose a challenge that the Aggies have not fared well against so far in 2015. As already discussed ad nauseum on this forum, the Tigers will run. And run. And run. And run some more. Overall, they're 136-170 on the season, and will lead the nation if they can muster 3 this weekend and pass Wofford who currently has 138. Lazo, Ford and Welz lead the way with 34, 29 and 22 respectively, but about 7 of their everyday players will have the green light. On the bright side, for the rest of the field at least, if you can keep limit the Tigers' free passes, you have a great chance of keeping them from playing their game. Their .293 team average seems like nothing to scoff at, but if you look deeper, they hit just .177 in their six games vs Top 50 RPI competition. The pitching has been suspect at best, and extremely inconsistent. The Tigers have routinely given up over 10 runs, and a defense that fields at a .950 clip certainly doesn't help either. Bottom line, the Tigers will be playing their hearts out and with nothing to lose, and that's always dangerous. But they're not a 4 seed that has a shut-down ace or dangerous lineup that poses a threat to actually win the regional.
Overall thoughts:
The committee certainly did the Ags no favors by not giving them a national seed, but they did them even fewer favors with this regional field. Sure Texas Southern is a very weak 4 seed, but if Coastal is healthy, they're a hosting-caliber team in their own right, similar to when Louisiana Lafayette came to Olsen in 2007. Cal, while they don't have a lot of postseason experience, is very talented on the mound and has a three man wrecking crew lineup that can do damage. If they're still undefeated after the Saturday night game, they will, in my opinion, be playing in the super regionals this weekend. The Ags certainly have the ability to win this thing, and win it in 3 games at that. We match up well with Cal in that they're a pitching-first team. They have a solid offense, but it's inconsistent and I don't think it could keep up with A&M's at its best. It should be a fantastic, competitive weekend of baseball at Olsen, so brave the rains and high waters and come cheer on your Ags with 6,000 of your closest friends!
Thanks and Gig 'Em, BTHO Everyone, and Go NC State!
May 29 - June 1, 2015
Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, College Station, Texas
Schedule (double elimination):
Friday, May 29:
Game 1: 3 California vs 2 Coastal Carolina, 12 pm
Game 2: 4 Texas Southern vs 1 Texas A&M, 6 pm
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs Game 2 loser, 12 pm
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs Game 2 winner, 6 pm
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs Game 4 loser, 12 pm
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs Game 5 winner, 6 pm
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Rematch of Game 6 (if necessary), 6 pm
Team Capsules:
1 Texas A&M
2015 Record: 45-11 (18-10, 3rd in SEC)
vs RPI Top 100: 23-9
vs RPI Top 50: 14-7
vs NCAA Field: 11-6
Final RPI: 6
Team Batting Avg: .307
Team ERA: 3.14
Team OPS: .871
Runs scored/9 innings: 7.56
Runs allowed/9 innings: 3.90
Fielding Pct: .967
NCAA Tournament appearances: 31
Record: 67-67
Last: Lost in the final of the 2014 Houston Regional
2015 Results:
Series wins: #172 Holy Cross (3-0), #168 Penn State (3-0), #111 Dartmouth (3-0), #22 Auburn* (3-0), @ #45 Alabama (2-1), #56 Missouri (2-1), @ #60 Kentucky (2-0), #132 Mississippi State (2-1), @ #74 Tennessee (3-0)
Series losses: #35 Arkansas* (1-2), @ #5 LSU* (1-2), #64 South Carolina (1-2)
Series splits: @ #31 Ole Miss* (1-1)
Midweek/Tournament wins: #242 SFA, #133 Houston Baptist*, #232 Incarnate Word, #2 Dallas Baptist*, vs #48 Nebraska, vs #14 Houston*, vs #122 Baylor, #267 UTPA (x2), #300 Prairie View A&M, @ #76 UTSA, #143 Sam Houston, #33 Rice*, #216 Abilene Christian, #145 UTA, #161 Texas State, vs #45 Alabama, vs #10 Vanderbilt*
Midweek/Tournament losses: vs #10 Vanderbilt*
* = NCAA Tournament team
Projected Lineup:
1. SS Blake Allemand (S) .352/7/37
2. 2B Ryne Birk (L) .295/9/33
3. DH Mitchell Nau (R) .371/4/46
4. LF Logan Taylor (R) .349/10/47
5. RF Nick Banks (L) .369/5/42
6. 1B Hunter Melton (R) .310/8/35
7. 3B Logan Nottebrok (R) .213/6/23
-- OR --
3B Ronnie Gideon (R) .307/7/40
8. CF J.B. Moss (R) .262/5/29
-- OR --
CF Nick Choruby (L) .182/0/5
9. C Michael Barash (R) .230/1/13
Top Starting Pitchers:
Jr. RHP Grayson Long (9-0, 2.62)
Jr. LHP Matt Kent (7-1, 3.42)
Top Relievers:
Jr. RHP Andrew Vinson (4-2, 1.58. 4 saves)
Jr. RHP Kyle Simonds (3-2, 2.62, 1)
So. RHP Mark Ecker (1-2, 2.81, 8)
So. RHP Ryan Hendrix (5-2, 4.37. 5)
2 Coastal Carolina
2015 Record: 38-19 (17-7, 2nd in Big South)
vs RPI Top 100: 19-15
vs RPI Top 50: 6-9
vs NCAA Field: 6-10
Final RPI: 18
Team Batting Avg: .278
Team ERA: 3.85
Team OPS: .806
Runs scored/9 innings: 7.23
Runs allowed/9 innings: 4.87
Fielding Pct: .964
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 14
Record: 17-27
Last: 0-2 in 2013 Blacksburg Regional
2015 Results:
Series wins: #166 Bryant (2-0), @ #191 UNC Asheville (3-0), @ #79 Winthrop (2-1), #173 Longwood (2-1), @ #78 High Point (3-0), @ #141 Presbyterian (3-0), #63 Liberty (2-1),
Series losses: #15 Radford (1-2)*, @ #9 Florida State*(1-2), @ #93 Campbell (1-2)
Midweek/Tournament wins: #110 Old Dominion, #193 Canisius*, #38 Georgia Tech, #254 Albany, #26 North Carolina State*, #104 West Virginia, #147 Ball State, @ #158 The Citadel, #183 Akron, #153 Toledo, #28 North Carolina, #54 Clemson*, #64 South Carolina, #88 Wake Forest, @ #27 UNC Wilmington*, vs #192 Charleston Southern, vs #79 Winthrop, vs #78 High Point
Midweek/Tournament losses: #115 Western Kentucky, #193 Canisius*, #116 Kent State, #13 Illinois*, #61 Michigan*, #51 Michigan State, @ #28 North Carolina, #17 College of Charleston*(x2), vs #15 Radford*
Projected Lineup:
1. CF Anthony Marks (L) .351/0/24
2. SS Michael Paez (R) .330/7/41
3. LF Connor Owings (L) .286/9/48
4. 3B Zach Remmilard (R) .271/6/42
5. DH G.K. Young (L) .298/9/49
6. C Casey Schroeder (S) .230/13/31
-- OR --
C Matt Beaird (L) .154/0/3
7. 1B Tyler Chadwick (L) .303/4/33
8. RF David Parrett (R) .241/10/37
9. 2B Seth Lancaster (L) .188/1/11
-- OR --
2B Al Molina (R) .231/0/16
*Schroeder is listed as day-to-day following a rib/back injury sustained on Friday
Top Starting Pitchers
RS So. RHP Alex Cunningham (6-0, 2.56)
Sr LHP Austin Kerr (8-1, 3.36)
Fr LHP Shane Sawczak (4-4, 4.04)
*Cunningham and Kerr are battling injuries and may not be available for the regional
Top Relievers
Jr LHP Brock Hunter (4-0, 2.36, 0 saves)
Fr RHP Bobby Holmes (4-0, 2.43, 0)
So RHP Andrew Beckwith (5-4, 3.57, 2)
*All three could be forced into starting roles, and have started games in recent weeks
Rundown:
The Chanticleers looked well on their way to hosting a regional of their own for the first time about a month ago, and then they became a MASH unit. Like the Aggies, Coastal has lost their top two starting pitchers. Unlike the Aggies, they went through most of the season relying on them to perform and pitch a lot of innings. On the weekend of May 8th, both Cunningham and Kerr went down to forearm and elbow injuries, respectively. The injuries could also bring a big impact on the bottom line as well, as Coastal is just 6-4 since the loss of their two starters, with 3 of those wins coming against Big South bottom-dwellers in the tournament. It doesn't appear that either will pitch much, and if they do, it will most likely be in relief, but I include them in "Top Starting Pitchers" because crazier things have happened. Then, in the third game of the Big South Tournament, their catcher Schroeder injured his ribs sliding into second base, causing extreme muscle strains in his back. He is now listed as day-to-day, and if he is unable to go it will be a huge blow. He is a stud defender and while he doesn't hit for a high average, he is always a threat to turn a game around or put it out of hand with his 13 homers this season. Speaking of power hitters, the Chants have a lot of them. They've hit 60 big flies as a team this season, and with the wind blowing out at Olsen this weekend, I expect them to add to that total. Without their top two guys, the rotation becomes shaky, with most of the replacement starters coming from the pen (listed under Top Relievers). These guys have done a solid job, but much like A&M's 3rd starters, they have struggled the second time through the order. With the offenses and weather forecast in College Station this weekend, that could spell trouble for Coastal's chances to advance.
3 California
2015 Record: 34-19 (18-12, 4th in Pac 12)
vs RPI Top 100: 21-12
vs RPI Top 50: 9-7
vs NCAA Field: 8-7
Final RPI: 39
Team Batting Avg: .275
Team ERA: 3.15
Team OPS: .756
Runs scored/9 innings: 5.74
Runs allowed/9 innings: 3.92
Fielding Pct: .970
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 13
Record: 39-24
Last: Advanced to 2011 College World Series (1-2) by winning the Houston Regional as the 3 seed, and beating Dallas Baptist 2-0 in the Super Regionals
2015 Results:
Series wins: #47 UC Irvine (3-1), #92 Kansas State (3-0), #294 Chicago State (3-0), #62 Oregon* (2-1), @ #91 Washington (3-0), @ #151 Utah (2-1), @ #123 Arizona (3-0), #34 Arizona State* (2-1), @ #93 Campbell (2-1), #23 USC* (2-1)
Series losses: #59 Duke (1-2), #138 Washington State (1-2), @ #102 Stanford (1-2), @ #4 UCLA* (1-2), @ #36 Oregon State* (1-2)
Midweek/Tournament wins: @ #102 Stanford, #163 San Francisco, @ #266 Pacific, #68 Fresno State
Midweek/Tournament losses: @ #163 San Francisco, @ #68 Fresno State, @ #102 Stanford
Projected Lineup:
1. CF Aaron Knapp (L) .315/0/22
2. RF Devin Pearson (R) .350/4/21
3. 3B Lucas Erceg (L) .316/11/40
4. 1B Chris Paul (R) .326/8/42
5. LF Mitchell Kranson (L) .252/4/16
-- OR --
LF Brian Celsi (L) .288/3/30
6. C Brett Cumberland (S) .247/7/32
7. SS Preston Grand Pre (R) .267/1/26
8. DH Nick Halamandaris (L) .217/1/13
9. 2B Robbie Tenerowicz (R) .183/0/8
Top Starting Pitchers:
So RHP Daulton Jefferies (5-5, 3.12)
Jr RHP Ryan Mason (6-3, 3.18)
Fr LHP Matt Ladrech (7-4, 2.72)
Top Relievers:
Fr RHP Erik Martinez (2-1, 1.71, 1 save)
Sr RHP Dylan Nelson (2-1, 3.46, 8)
Sr LHP Chris Muse-Fisher (3-1, 2.72, 2)
Aggie fans are all too familiar with what Cal can do in the postseason. In their last trip, in 2011, the Golden Bears shocked the world when they went to Reckling Park, came out of the loser's bracket, and won the regional. Then, they shocked the world again by winning their Super against another Texas team, the DBU Patriots, fresh off their win in the Ft Worth Regional. They went 1-2 in Omaha, with their one win eliminating the Ags from the tournament. That run literally saved Cal's program that was facing extinction due to lack of funding. Now, Cal relies on the same formula that fueled that 2011 run - pitching. The Bears are 3-deep on the mound in Jefferies, Mason and Ladrech, and all three have the capability to completely shut you down (ask UCLA, USC, Arizona St.). Behind that, Dylan Nelson is one of the better closers in the Pac 12. He does, however, struggle with giving up the long ball, which could be a problem this weekend. On offense, the Bears are just a typical team that will kill you with singles and doubles. The three headed monster of Erceg, Paul and Cumberland can also hit for power, but Cumberland struggles with his consistency, and he and Paul strike out quite a bit. Cal overall scares me far more than Coastal Carolina or Texas Southern simply because of their ability to go three-deep on the mound and not see a drop off. If they are still in the winner's bracket after Saturday night, they will be extremely difficult to beat twice in a row.
4 Texas Southern
2015 Record: 31-17 (16-7, 2nd in SWAC Western Division, SWAC Tournament Champions)
vs RPI Top 100: 0-6
vs RPI Top 50: 0-6
vs NCAA Field: 2-6
Final RPI: 157
Team Batting Avg: .293
Team ERA: 4.47
Team OPS: .798
Runs scored/9 innings: 7.47
Runs allowed/9 innings: 5.42
Fielding Pct: .953
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 3
Record: 1-4
Last: 0-2 in 2008 Baton Rouge Regional
2015 Results:
Series wins: #225 Jackson State (2-1), #293 Grambling State (3-0 home, 2-1 away), #256 Southern (2-0 home, 3-0 away), #300 Prairie View A&M (3-0 home, 2-1 away)
Series losses: #186 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-2 home, 0-3 away), @ #2 Dallas Baptist* (0-4)
Series splits: Non-D1 Jarvis Christian College (2-2)
Midweek/Tournament wins: Non-D1 Huston-Tillotson (x2), @ Non-D1 Houston-Victoria, #133 Houston Baptist* (1 home/1 away), @ #250 Lamar, vs #291 Alcorn State (x2), vs #291 Grambling State (x2), vs #256 Southern
Midweek/Tournament losses: @ #14 Houston*, @ #8 TCU*, vs #293 Grambling State
Projected Lineup (R/L are my best guesses from different sources as TSU site didn't have them)
1. CF Zach Welz (R) .285/5/28
2. 2B Ryan Lazo (R) .247/1/29
3. RF Christopher Scroggins (R) .314/1/30
4. SS Robert Garza .348/4/31 (R)
5. DH Javier Valdez .306/2/31 (R)
-- OR --
DH Jerry Ford .310/1/22 (R)
6. LF Zach Howell .302/4/30 (L)
7. 3B Horace Leblanc .312/0/26 (R)
8. C Blake Hicks .242/3/13 (R)
9. 1B Joel Rosario .297/4/34 (L)
Top Starting Pitchers:
Sr RHP Frank Cruz (6-3, 3.97)
Sr RHP Felix Gomez (4-2, 4.61)
RS Jr RHP Robert Pearson (5-3, 5.25)
Top Relievers:
So RHP Ryan Rios (6-1, 2.92, 0 saves)
Sr RHP Devin Konarik (3-4, 3.05, 7)
Rundown:
You never want to disrespect any opponent, but the Tigers might be the worst 4 seed to be in a regional with A&M since LeMoyne in 2007. None the less, they will pose a challenge that the Aggies have not fared well against so far in 2015. As already discussed ad nauseum on this forum, the Tigers will run. And run. And run. And run some more. Overall, they're 136-170 on the season, and will lead the nation if they can muster 3 this weekend and pass Wofford who currently has 138. Lazo, Ford and Welz lead the way with 34, 29 and 22 respectively, but about 7 of their everyday players will have the green light. On the bright side, for the rest of the field at least, if you can keep limit the Tigers' free passes, you have a great chance of keeping them from playing their game. Their .293 team average seems like nothing to scoff at, but if you look deeper, they hit just .177 in their six games vs Top 50 RPI competition. The pitching has been suspect at best, and extremely inconsistent. The Tigers have routinely given up over 10 runs, and a defense that fields at a .950 clip certainly doesn't help either. Bottom line, the Tigers will be playing their hearts out and with nothing to lose, and that's always dangerous. But they're not a 4 seed that has a shut-down ace or dangerous lineup that poses a threat to actually win the regional.
Overall thoughts:
The committee certainly did the Ags no favors by not giving them a national seed, but they did them even fewer favors with this regional field. Sure Texas Southern is a very weak 4 seed, but if Coastal is healthy, they're a hosting-caliber team in their own right, similar to when Louisiana Lafayette came to Olsen in 2007. Cal, while they don't have a lot of postseason experience, is very talented on the mound and has a three man wrecking crew lineup that can do damage. If they're still undefeated after the Saturday night game, they will, in my opinion, be playing in the super regionals this weekend. The Ags certainly have the ability to win this thing, and win it in 3 games at that. We match up well with Cal in that they're a pitching-first team. They have a solid offense, but it's inconsistent and I don't think it could keep up with A&M's at its best. It should be a fantastic, competitive weekend of baseball at Olsen, so brave the rains and high waters and come cheer on your Ags with 6,000 of your closest friends!
Thanks and Gig 'Em, BTHO Everyone, and Go NC State!
