D2 baseball is quickly nearing the first release of their regional rankings, giving us a sense of the playoff picture with just under a month left in regular-season and conference tournament play.
This weekend will bring some exciting matchups, guaranteed to play a role in the regional rankings when they are released. We have combed the country to bring you, the fans, what you want: big game atmosphere. These pivotal matchups can determine number one seeds and give hope to teams on the bubble.
Not every region will be represented, as we wanted to present the best matchups for your viewing pleasure. Also, there will be some matchups where regions are crossing over, to create a highly compelling series between regional powerhouses.[divider]
South Region vs. Southeast Region: BR-4 Tampa vs. BR-17 Catawba
Courtesy of Tampa Athletics
Tampa Stats: 25-6 (10-2, SSC) W3 straight
Catawba Stats: 24-11 (13-5, SAC) W11 straight
Tampa, the reigning D2 champion, has fluctuated between dominance and aggravation in terms of their play this year, but has been able to hold off plenty of tough teams on their path to their current spot in first place in the Sunshine State Conference. Their opponent is the squad they defeated in the championship game last season, Catawba, a team on a double-digit win streak that has propelled them into first place in the South Atlantic.
Catawba is led by senior Will Albertson, who has the best batting average on the team at .423 and also paces the team in homers with nine. As far as pitching, junior Russ Weiker will be the bulldog from the ‘pen with his team-leading seven victories in eight starts.
The Spartans will combat the Indian’s potent offense with stud pitcher Brad Hencke, who is second on the team with four wins and has struck out 29 in 48.1 innings. On the offensive side, Tampa is just as potent with their leader, Kevin Santa. Santa pulverizes pitchers with a .441 average and 15 extra base hits, exactly one-third of his total hits.
The winner of this series will be set up for a promising shot at number one in their region, but the loser won't fall too far behind. The Indians and the Spartans are prepping for a championship run, and are about to butt heads on their path. Be prepared for a great series of college baseball.[divider]
Central Region: BR-11 Emporia State vs. BR-46 Central Missouri
Hornets freshman Tucker Perkins, Photo by the Emporia Gazette/Emporia State Athletics
Emporia St. Stats: 25-7 (17-4, MIAA) W4
Central Missouri Stats: 20-8 (18-3, MIAA) W9
The Central division features the powerhouse MIAA conference, where there are plenty of interesting matchups each weekend. This coming slate of games is no different, with the first-place and second-place squads facing off for a chance to swap spots.
Central Missouri currently holds the conference lead, while also sporting the conference’s best staff ERA at 3.39 — they've only allowed 200 hits in 244.1 innings pitched. The pitching will have to be on point this weekend, as the offensive play has left UCM with a lot to desire. Owners of the league’s fourth-lowest batting average at .284, the Mules do combat that with the lowest strikeout total of all 14 teams.
Emporia State is almost the polar opposite on offense, leading the MIAA with a collective batting average of .352. The Hornets also lead the conference with 47 homers and 278 RBI’s. Where the Hornets may be able to match up almost to a draw with the Mules is pitching. ESU owns a 3.88 ERA, just barely below the Mules. The Hornets have also only allowed 94 free passes, so teams have to take advantage of their opportunities.
If either squad is able to show off their true strengths and maybe some things we haven't been shown so far this year, then look for the winner of this series as a playoff contender later on as postseason play approaches.[divider]
South Central Region: BR-22 Colorado Mesa vs. BR-64 CSU-Pueblo
Courtesy of Colorado Mesa Athletics
Mesa Stats: 28-5 (18-2, RMAC) W2
Pueblo Stats: 20-7 (14-2, RMAC) L1
The RMAC presents us with another thrilling inter-conference showdown between two teams occupying first place in their respective division. Colorado Mesa currently leads the Mountain division by five games, and Pueblo leads the Plains by five as well.
The Mavericks of Mesa have stumbled recently, losing a matchup with Adams State on April 1. Back on a two-game win streak, the Mavericks are looking towards their dominant starters, freshman JR McDermott (5-0, 0.53 ERA) and junior Tanner Herdt (6-0, 1.30 ERA) to continue their fine play and secure at least a couple victories over the ThunderWolves. The offense leans on home runs for most of their production (26 total dingers), and will have a chance to take advantage of the 17 already given up by Pueblo pitchers this season.
Speaking of Pueblo pitchers, they will have to be much better than their overall track record to date to take a couple victories from the Mavs. Good win totals have been acquired so far, with 20 overall, but the staff ERA at 5.17 is a red flag when facing a good Mesa squad. Where the Pack can strike is with their offense, led by senior Jordan Godman, who is hitting .513 this season with 5 homers and 5 triples. The Wolves have five regular starters who get on base above a .400 clip, and they need that to continue and translate to the rest of the lineup to put enough runs on the board to compete.
Mesa and Pueblo are battling for bragging rights in the state of Colorado this weekend, with the victor claiming a high stake in the race for regional hosting abilities. Colorado Mesa looks to be the favorite when examining stats, but even the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series… after being outscored by the Yankees by a total 28 runs over seven games. CSU-Pueblo can make a real statement this weekend with their in-state nemesis.
