05-25-2010, 09:07 AM
http://www.dnj.com/article/20100525/BLUE...tournament
At MT's Reese Smith Jr. Field
1. Sun Belt's DiMaggio
To see if FIU second baseman Garrett Wittels can become only the second player in NCAA history to have a 50-game hitting streak. Former Oklahoma State All-American and MLB all-star Robin Ventura holds the record at 58 games. Wittels, who was featured on ESPN's Sportcenter over the weekend, enters the tournament at 48 games. Win or lose, Wittels is guaranteed a shot at 50 in the double-elimination format.
2. Bye-bye Brentz?
One of the best hitters in college baseball, MT's Bryce Brentz may be playing his final string of games before turning pro. Brentz led the nation in homers and RBIs last season and nearly pulled off an NCAA triple crown. Even after sitting out part of this season with an ankle injury, he still has a .362 average with 15 homers. Brentz should be a first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft.
3. No duds
There is no throw-away team in this tournament. With all eight teams ranked in the top-100 and the conference currently rated fifth or sixth (depending on the source), there will be good baseball wire-to-wire and every team has a legitimate shot at the title. Three teams are ranked in the top-40 in RPI. The Sun Belt could put three or even four teams in the NCAA Regionals, so consider this week's tournament a preview to the national bracket.
4. Champion crowned
Only 31 Division I baseball tournament titles are handed out each year. Why not witness the drama and elation of the Sun Belt crown being claimed right here in Murfreesboro? A year ago, MT earned a tight 3-1 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, and the sight of the ensuing dogpile was priceless. A Sun Belt team will experience the same joy by week's end.
5. Build it, and ...
MT's Reese Smith Jr. Field will have its league-wide unveiling of sorts this week. The new grandstand and brick facade were finished before last season, but this week's Sun Belt tournament will be the first overall conference event there since construction ended. For fans of visiting Sun Belt teams, this week will offer the first look of the $6.6 million renovations.
6. Sunny skies
Last year's Sun Belt tournament at Troy was drenched by rain, backing up games several hours and extending the event an extra day. But this week's forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the mid-80s with only a slight chance of rain on Friday. The tournament offers top-notch baseball and a free tan.
7. Fireworks & Longballs
Tonight's Family Night kicks off the tournament, as gates open at 6:30 p.m. The All-Sun Belt awards and academic honors will be presented. Then a player from each team will compete in the home run derby, sending longballs out of homer-friendly Reese Smith Jr. Field. A fireworks show caps off the night. The event is free and open to the public and just might tempt your taste for more baseball beginning on Wednesday.
8. Hillbilly Hilton
A fan bus and tailgating extravaganza owned by MT fan Danny Farrer, the Hillbilly Hilton has become a staple in right-centerfield of Reese Smith Jr. Field. Long-time loyal Blue Raider followers populate the upper deck of the Hilton, and many of them share some entertaining banter with the opposing centerfielder. But don't think the Blue Raider bus offers a good view for freeloaders. Hilton patrons must still show valid tournament tickets to board.
9. Best of both worlds
Great pitching and great hitting will be on display by tournament's end. Typical of college baseball tournaments, the early games should feature some standout pitching performances as each team's ace takes the mound. And then the latter games are usually slugfests, as hitters beat up on extended pitching staffs. Back, back, back, gone.
10. Fling break
A Sun Belt tournament game offers a hiatus to Spring Fling patrons needing a three-hour rest from the high school state tournament. Plus, it might give a few prospects a chance to scout possible college baseball suitors.
At MT's Reese Smith Jr. Field
1. Sun Belt's DiMaggio
To see if FIU second baseman Garrett Wittels can become only the second player in NCAA history to have a 50-game hitting streak. Former Oklahoma State All-American and MLB all-star Robin Ventura holds the record at 58 games. Wittels, who was featured on ESPN's Sportcenter over the weekend, enters the tournament at 48 games. Win or lose, Wittels is guaranteed a shot at 50 in the double-elimination format.
2. Bye-bye Brentz?
One of the best hitters in college baseball, MT's Bryce Brentz may be playing his final string of games before turning pro. Brentz led the nation in homers and RBIs last season and nearly pulled off an NCAA triple crown. Even after sitting out part of this season with an ankle injury, he still has a .362 average with 15 homers. Brentz should be a first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft.
3. No duds
There is no throw-away team in this tournament. With all eight teams ranked in the top-100 and the conference currently rated fifth or sixth (depending on the source), there will be good baseball wire-to-wire and every team has a legitimate shot at the title. Three teams are ranked in the top-40 in RPI. The Sun Belt could put three or even four teams in the NCAA Regionals, so consider this week's tournament a preview to the national bracket.
4. Champion crowned
Only 31 Division I baseball tournament titles are handed out each year. Why not witness the drama and elation of the Sun Belt crown being claimed right here in Murfreesboro? A year ago, MT earned a tight 3-1 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, and the sight of the ensuing dogpile was priceless. A Sun Belt team will experience the same joy by week's end.
5. Build it, and ...
MT's Reese Smith Jr. Field will have its league-wide unveiling of sorts this week. The new grandstand and brick facade were finished before last season, but this week's Sun Belt tournament will be the first overall conference event there since construction ended. For fans of visiting Sun Belt teams, this week will offer the first look of the $6.6 million renovations.
6. Sunny skies
Last year's Sun Belt tournament at Troy was drenched by rain, backing up games several hours and extending the event an extra day. But this week's forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the mid-80s with only a slight chance of rain on Friday. The tournament offers top-notch baseball and a free tan.
7. Fireworks & Longballs
Tonight's Family Night kicks off the tournament, as gates open at 6:30 p.m. The All-Sun Belt awards and academic honors will be presented. Then a player from each team will compete in the home run derby, sending longballs out of homer-friendly Reese Smith Jr. Field. A fireworks show caps off the night. The event is free and open to the public and just might tempt your taste for more baseball beginning on Wednesday.
8. Hillbilly Hilton
A fan bus and tailgating extravaganza owned by MT fan Danny Farrer, the Hillbilly Hilton has become a staple in right-centerfield of Reese Smith Jr. Field. Long-time loyal Blue Raider followers populate the upper deck of the Hilton, and many of them share some entertaining banter with the opposing centerfielder. But don't think the Blue Raider bus offers a good view for freeloaders. Hilton patrons must still show valid tournament tickets to board.
9. Best of both worlds
Great pitching and great hitting will be on display by tournament's end. Typical of college baseball tournaments, the early games should feature some standout pitching performances as each team's ace takes the mound. And then the latter games are usually slugfests, as hitters beat up on extended pitching staffs. Back, back, back, gone.
10. Fling break
A Sun Belt tournament game offers a hiatus to Spring Fling patrons needing a three-hour rest from the high school state tournament. Plus, it might give a few prospects a chance to scout possible college baseball suitors.
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