We are hitting the home stretch of the Division II baseball season, as a couple conferences finish up league play this weekend and others follow suit in the next few weeks. Conference races are tight around the country with only a couple runaways, and that has narrowed down our choices for some of the top series' in the nation as we focus on those which will have the biggest impacts in the conference races. On top of that, we have even *more* no-hitters to share with you.
First, let's take a look at our usual round-up of no-hitters. We missed mentioning it last weekend, but Mansfield was the second team to turn in a pair of no-hitters on the SAME DAY. Mansfield blanked Kutztown in a pair of 1-0 victories back on April 11th, as Brandon Garrett struck out 10 and walked two in a seven-inning effort before teammate Luke Hils struck out six and walked three in the nightcap for another no-hitter. This coming a day after Kutztown actually swept a doubleheader from Mansfield.
This past week, Notre Dame College's Cam Fuller put his name on the list of 2016 no-hitters as he nearly twirled a perfect game against Fairmont State, striking out six and hitting one batter with a pitch in seven innings of work as NDC won 2-0. Fairmont State is now the only team this year to both throw a no-hitter (which they did against Caldwell back on March 14th) and also be on the receiving end of a no-hitter.
As we check in on the newest update to the strength of schedule pages, not much has changed. Saginaw Valley State has had the toughest schedule in the country so far this season with a .615 opponents' winning percentage, followed closely behind by Tarleton State (.613), Bellarmine (.611), Shippensburg (.609), Tampa (.606), Newberry (.604), Lynn (.601) and CSU-Dominguez Hills (.600). Tampa and Newberry are especially notable in that list considering they have the best records of those teams listed.
Taking future opposition in to consideration, Tarleton State has the toughest total strength of schedule at .613, easily outpacing Wingate (.598),
On to this weekend's slate! Our list of the top series' in the country has been pared down immensely this week as we have a clear four series which are head-and-shoulders above anything else going on this weekend. We will start off with our Marquee Match-Up of the Week...
#13 Florida Southern (26-11, 8-4 SSC) at #2 Tampa (31-6, 13-2 SSC)
Game One: Friday, 4/22, 6:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/23, 1:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Three: Saturday, 4/23, 4:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Projected Pitching Match-Ups
Game One: FSC Ben Richardson (9-2, 4.07) vs UT Christopher Williams (7-2, 3.56)
Game Two: FSC Cameron Hanes (3-4, 4.25) vs UT Kevin Martin (2-0, 5.48)
Game Three: FSC Logan Browning (3-2, 5.77) vs UT Brad Hencke (5-1, 3.64)
(Projected pitching match-ups are based exclusively on prior series' rotations and should not be considered official in any way.)
I usually make an attempt to move my top series of the week around the country to showcase the best from different regions, but it just so happens that FSC is in the midst of one of the toughest stretches of schedule that any school in the country will face this year. After earning our nod as the top series of the week last week against USC Aiken, the Mocs are back at it again this week as they travel to Tampa for the only series of the weekend to feature a pair of top-25 teams.
It is much of the same for FSC as in last week's preview. A potent offense led by Sam Machonis (.405, 11 2B, 9 HR, 42 RBI, .478 OBP, .671 SLG) in nearly every offensive category with a lot of power around him in Mitch Reeves (.385, 7 HR, 38 RBI) and Logan Browning (.313, 7 HR, 29 RBI). Last week, we predicted there would be a lot of runs scored in the series against USCA, but it didn't quite come to fruition until the final game of the weekend. FSC will need another pair of stellar outings from Richardson and Hanes to try and take down the defending champs and conference leaders.
For Tampa, it is kind of the same old, same old for the Spartans. The offense is off the charts, batting .351 as a team, led by a pair of guys hitting .441 (Kevin Santa and Vin Cosenzo) with relatively regular playing time. Laz Rivera (.417, 19 2B, 4 HR, 38 RBI, .472 OBP), Danny Lee (.406, 12 2B, 4 HR, 37 RBI) and J.D. Osborne (.403, 14 2B, 10 HR, 37 RBI, .774 SLG) are all full-timers hitting over .400. There aren't enough superlatives of numbers to throw at you from an offensive standpoint that is going to show a weakness for the Spartans.
However, let's head to the mound where Tampa has been just trying to hold on, for the most part. The Spartans have not been a team known to have a stellar rotation very often, but they always seem to get the job done well enough to rack up victories. This year is no different, as the team has a 4.66 cumulative ERA. The caveat there, of course, is that Tampa is going up against the best competition in the nation in the Sunshine State Conference each week. They have a good 1-2 punch in the rotation in Christopher Williams and Brad Hencke and they have a stalwart in the pen in Conner Andrews (14 app., 37 K in 32 IP). The staff features only five guys with an ERA under 5.00 on the season, so there is some damage that can be done here, but don't think it is going to happen every time out. There is talent there that can turn in some shutout ball if you aren't on top of your game.
Here are the other three series' from around the country I will be keeping an eye on this weekend:
North Greenville (34-12, 20-4 Conference Carolinas) at Erskine (34-11, 20-4 Conference Carolinas)
Game One: Saturday, 4/23, 12:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/23, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Three: Monday, 4/25, 2:30 PM ET (Live Stats)
UC-San Diego (26-13, 16-11 CCAA) at CSU-Monterey Bay (26-13, 15-12 CCAA)
Game One: Saturday, 4/23, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/23, 5:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/24, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
West Georgia (32-10, 18-9 GSC) at #18 West Alabama (31-11, 19-8 GSC)
Game One: Saturday, 4/23, 3:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio | Video)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/23, 6:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio | Video)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/24, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio | Video)
And here is our weekly recap/preview of each of the teams in this week's PerfectGame.org Top 25:
#1 Millersville (36-3): It is now 13 straight for the Marauders after yet another perfect week, this time 5-0 after a four-game sweep of Bloomsburg and a ridiculous 34-6 trouncing of Lincoln where five (!) players had four RBIs in the game for Millersville. They've got only two PSAC series' left to play in the regular season, one of them taking place against Shippensburg this weekend. MU already has a five-game lead in the PSAC East and a two-game lead in the whole conference.
#2 Tampa (31-6): The defending champs are on a run of their own, having won nine straight games after a three-game sweep of Lynn. They can put a stranglehold on the Sunshine State Conference this weekend with three games at home against Florida Southern, who are third in the conference.
#3 St. Edward's (31-10): The Hilltoppers picked up a big three-game sweep of St. Mary's last weekend, but dropped a mid-week single contest to Texas A&M-Kingsville. They should be able to stay at least tied for the lead in the Heartland Conference this weekend as they have three games on the docket against Panhandle State.
#4 Franklin Pierce (32-4): FPU is still dominating the competition in the NE-10, sitting at 13-2 after a three-game sweep of Bentley (19-2, 8-0, 13-0) where they easily handled their foe. After a mid-week win over Bridgeport (8-4), the Ravens are on the road at Assumption this weekend for three games before a single-game tilt on the road at Southern New Hampshire on Wednesday and another at Saint Anselm on Thursday.
#5 Colorado Mesa (34-7): The Mavs, who have nearly wrapped up the RMAC regular season title already at 24-4, went 3-1 at home against Regis last weekend. This weekend, they stay in the friendly confines with three conference games against Colorado Christian, the bottom team in the conference.
#6 St. Cloud State (30-4): I am guessing "St. Cloud State is third in the NSIC" wasn't something you were expecting to see this season, but here we are. Only a half game out of first after splitting a four-game series with Augustana (one of the NSIC leaders) and sweeping a DH from Mary, the Huskies will look to leap back to the top of the standings with a doubleheader on the road at Bemidji State on Wednesday.
#7 Cal Baptist (31-8): CBU sits atop the PacWest standings after having last week off, and won their first contest of this weekend over Point Loma on Wednesday at Angel Stadium, 5-2. They'll play PLNU three more times this weekend at home. They have a big tilt with Fresno Pacific beginning next Wednesday, when they face the Sunbirds once on Wednesday and twice on Thursday.
#8 Columbus State (33-10): The Cougars are leading the Peach Belt by the slimmest of margins after having won 11 straight games following an important three-game sweep of Augusta last weekend (10-9, 7-2, 20-7). With only six conference games left, all of which are against two of the bottom four teams in the conference, CSU is in a great spot. They'll face Armstrong State in three games this weekend at home before traveling to Point for a Wednesday game.
#9 USC Aiken (32-12): On the flip side, the Pacers are still in the hunt in the PBC, only a half game behind the Cougars for the lead in the conference. USCA took two of three from Florida Southern last weekend but finished the series with a loss and then dropped a mid-week game to Catawba. They have only three conference contests remaining, so they'll have to make them count this weekend in their three games against Flagler if they want to have a shot at the regular season title.
#10 West Florida (28-13): UWF is a game up on the field in the Gulf South after taking two of three from Delta State last weekend. They will try and keep that lead in tact this weekend with three games at home against Shorter before heading to Spring Hill for a single game on Tuesday.
#11 Lander (35-12): Unfortunately for Lander, they are going to need help if they want to move atop the Peach Belt standings. The Bearcats are done with their conference slate and sit second in the standings at 22-8. They swept UNC Pembroke last weekend in an offensive outburst (10-5, 14-12, 13-0) and dropped a single game to Newberry. They are off until May 4th and 5th when they finish their season with two games against Erskine.
#12 Quincy (27-9): The Hawks swept four games from Drury last weekend and are tied for the top spot in the GLVC. They split a mid-week doubleheader against Lewis, and will face Maryville in four GLVC games this weekend before taking on Illinois-Springfield on Wednesday.
#13 Florida Southern (26-11): FSC dropped two of three to USC Aiken on the road last week and have a huge opportunity to inch towards the top of the SSC standings with three games on the road this weekend at Tampa.
#14 Southern New Hampshire (32-3): 14 straight victories have the Penmen at the top of the NE-10 standings ahead of Franklin Pierce. SNHU swept three games from Assumption last weekend and picked up a single-game win over Saint Michael's on Tuesday. They are busy this upcoming week, however. They will face Southern Connecticut State in a pair of games Friday, head to Merrimack for three conference games on Saturday and Sunday, face Saint Anselm for a single game on Tuesday and meet up with Franklin Pierce at home for a single game on Wednesday.
#15 Nova Southeastern (28-13): The Sharks have been one of the hottest teams in the country for the last month and are only a half game behind Tampa in the SSC. They beat up Rollins in a three-game sweep last weekend (11-7, 10-5, 10-3) and dropped a mid-week game to Palm Beach Atlantic. They'll have a tough task ahead of them this weekend, however, with three games at home against up-and-coming Embry-Riddle.
#16 Missouri Southern (26-14): MSSU had a chance to put themselves near the top of the MIAA standings last weekend, but dropped two of three to conference leaders Central Missouri and then dropped a mid-week game to a struggling Pittsburg State team. They will try and rebound with three games at home this weekend against Fort Hays State before facing Pitt State in another single game on Wednesday.
#17 East Stroudsburg (30-11): The Warriors are one of the few teams in the PSAC who have a chance to catch Millersville, sitting five games back, but they will need to most likely sweep the remaining slate. They took three of four last weekend against Lock Haven and fell in a mid-week contest to Chestnut Hill. They will try and get back on track this weekend with four games against Mansfield and another mid-week game at Chestnut Hill.
#18 West Alabama (31-11): UWA is sitting in a tight race in the GSC, only a game behind West Florida after sweeping three games from Shorter last weekend and then picking up a single victory over Montevallo. They will be matching up with fellow GSC contender West Georgia for three games this weekend at home.
#19 Mercyhurst (29-9): The Lakers are leading their PSAC division by two games after sweeping four games from Pittsburgh-Johnstown last weekend. They also picked up a mid-week victory over Notre Dame College and are back in to PSAC play this weekend with four games against California (Pa.) before taking on Malone in a single game on Tuesday.
#20 Central Missouri (26-10): Holding a three-game lead in the MIAA, the Mules are rolling, going 19-3 over their last 22. They took two of three from Missouri Southern last weekend and picked up a mid-week win over Southwest Baptist. They'll try to hold serve in the conference this weekend with three games at Northeastern State and a Wednesday contest at Southwest Baptist.
#21 Lubbock Christian (29-11): The Chaps are locked in a heated battle with St. Edward's, tied atop the Heartland Conference, after sweeping three games from Texas A&M-International last weekend. They picked up a single victory over Eastern New Mexico this week as well. They'll face Rogers State in three games on the road this weekend and play Wayland Baptist on Tuesday, hopefully setting themselves up for their showdown against Oklahoma Christian next weekend.
#22 Chico State (25-13): Only 1.5 games separates Chico from fourth-place in their division in the CCAA, but they hold a slim half-game lead right now after dropping two of three to the other division leaders, Cal Poly Pomona, over the weekend. The team they are only 1.5 games up on, Sonoma State, comes to town this weekend for four games.
#23 Cal Poly Pomona (25-13): CPP, on the other hand, has a bit of a cushion, leading second-place UC San Diego by 1.5 games in the South division after winning those two games over Chico State. They won their first game of this weekend over Cal State-Los Angeles on Thursday evening and have three more to play, as they'll look to buoy their lead against the last-place Golden Eagles.
#24 Minnesota-Duluth (23-9): The Bulldogs have won eight straight and are only one game out of the NSIC lead after winning six games last week, including a four-game sweep of Concordia-St. Paul and a two-game sweep of Minnesota-Crookston. They should be able to keep that momentum rolling with four games this weekend at Bemidji State and two more on Wednesday at Upper Iowa.
#25T Belmont Abbey (33-10-1): I hold a soft spot in my heart this week for Belmont Abbey, who were the latest injustice to one of the other national polls. The Crusaders fell from #7 in the country to UNRANKED after a 2-2 week where both their losses were of the one-run variety to a very good team. Abbey dropped two of three to Erskine at home and picked up a single victory over Wingate on Tuesday. They finish conference play this weekend with three games on the road at Mount Olive, the fourth-place team in the Conference Carolinas, Abbey is third, only one game behind Erskine and North Greenville for the conference lead. And wouldn't you know it? Those two teams face each other this weekend, so Abbey is going to need a sweep of UMO and a 2-1 split in the other series.
#25T Dixie State (32-10): The newly-named Trailblazers are only one behind PacWest-leading Cal Baptist in the win column, but are four games back in the loss column, putting them at a 2.5-game deficit in the conference with only eight to play. Dixie split four games with Azusa Pacific last weekend are at home this weekend for four games against Hawaii Pacific.
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