Just because Rice isn't playing doesn't mean that there won't be some interesting drama and results from the conference baseball tournament (being played in Ruston this week).

#1 seed Charlotte lost in its opener to #8 MTSU 7-2. They'll play #5 FAU in an elimination game today. The other top seeds all won, although La Tech needed 12 innings and almost 5 hours to beat UTSA 7-6. Because of that game length (and a brief rain delay earlier in the day), the evening's finale (USM run-ruling WKU) didn't start until 12:15 am and didn't end until 2:59 am (it ended up being an 8-inning game).

Three conference teams (Charlotte, La Tech and USM) are among the 20 possible regional hosts. Most college baseball pundits are expecting just 1 CUSA host site and I guess Charlotte is the favorite of the three, although I personally think USM (or La Tech) has a better resume and are better teams. USM is probably the most dangerous postseason team because of their elite 1-2 starting pitching punch.

Having seen Charlotte up close in the regular season finale at Reckling, I think they're the most overrated team in the country. Well coached and fundamentally sound, their pitching is average at best (and that's a stretch) and their offense consists primarily of two hitters. Save for a couple untimely errors and our penchant for leaving baserunners on base, we could have easily swept that series. And Charlotte had everything to play for-- the #1 seed in the CUSA tourney and firming up their hosting candidacy.

(05-27-2021 06:24 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  USM is probably the most dangerous postseason team because of their elite 1-2 starting pitching punch.

This sounds like the makings of a disrespected 3-seed winning a regional or at least taking the host to game 7.

(05-27-2021 09:22 AM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 06:24 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  USM is probably the most dangerous postseason team because of their elite 1-2 starting pitching punch.

This sounds like the makings of a disrespected 3-seed winning a regional or at least taking the host to game 7.

USM (if they win the C-USA tourney) is likely a host themselves. At worst a two seed.

FAU beats Charlotte, 9-8.

(05-27-2021 12:45 PM)dragon2owl Wrote:  FAU beats Charlottoe, 9-8.

lol Charlotte, playing at home, goes 2 & Q. They'll still get a #2 seed, but I continue to think they are way, way overrated.

(05-27-2021 02:17 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 12:45 PM)dragon2owl Wrote:  FAU beats Charlottoe, 9-8.

lol Charlotte, playing at home, goes 2 & Q. They'll still get a #2 seed, but I continue to think they are way, way overrated.

Tournament is in Ruston, but agree that Charlotte is likely to disappoint in a regional.

(05-27-2021 02:31 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 02:17 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 12:45 PM)dragon2owl Wrote:  FAU beats Charlottoe, 9-8.

lol Charlotte, playing at home, goes 2 & Q. They'll still get a #2 seed, but I continue to think they are way, way overrated.

Tournament is in Ruston, but agree that Charlotte is likely to disappoint in a regional.

Charlotte thought they could save their best pitching for the weekend, started an untested frosh against 8-seed MTSU.

(05-29-2021 08:01 AM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 02:31 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 02:17 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-27-2021 12:45 PM)dragon2owl Wrote:  FAU beats Charlottoe, 9-8.

lol Charlotte, playing at home, goes 2 & Q. They'll still get a #2 seed, but I continue to think they are way, way overrated.

Tournament is in Ruston, but agree that Charlotte is likely to disappoint in a regional.

Charlotte thought they could save their best pitching for the weekend, started an untested frosh against 8-seed MTSU.

Their regular Friday and Saturday starters are nothing special. We hit both hard, and we have a sub-par offense.

ODU eliminated FAU today, 13-5.

USM thumping LaTech, 8-0, T5.

Both winners will meet tomorrow for the conference tournament title & autobid.

(FYI, Okie State's game with the 'Horns has been back and forth: OSU's been up 1-0, then down 2-1, then up 4-2 ... now tied 4-4 after 5.)

Not CUSA, but OKST beats UT 5-4, winning run scoring on a bases loaded walk.

That would be No.2 nationally UT.

(05-29-2021 02:51 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  ODU eliminated FAU today, 13-5.

USM thumping LaTech, 8-0, T5.

Both winners will meet tomorrow for the conference tournament title & autobid.

(FYI, Okie State's game with the 'Horns has been back and forth: OSU's been up 1-0, then down 2-1, then up 4-2 ... now tied 4-4 after 5.)

And Southern Miss blows their huge early lead. LaTech ties it 10-10 in the 9th, and walks it off in the 10th inning. They play again tonight for the right to face off against ODU in the championship game tomorrow.

In their return engagement/elimination game, USM overcame a 1-2 deficit with 4 runs (2 unearned) in T9 (3 singles, a walk and a homer). But LaTech strung together 5 singles and a walk in B9 to complete a 6-5 walk-off win.

The Bulldogs will face ODU for the CUSA title.

Charlotte, La Tech and USM were the possible CUSA regional hosts, but one has to wonder if ODU is the most deserving host among potential CUSA teams in the tournament. As of this morning, their RPI is 10 (and they're 13-6 vs Q1 teams). USM is 21, Louisiana Tech is 23 and Charlotte is 28 (and all three have losing records against Q1 teams).

(05-30-2021 08:44 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Charlotte, La Tech and USM were the possible CUSA regional hosts, but one has to wonder if ODU is the most deserving host among potential CUSA teams in the tournament. As of this morning, their RPI is 10 (and they're 13-6 vs Q1 teams). USM is 21, Louisiana Tech is 23 and Charlotte is 28 (and all three have losing records against Q1 teams).

According to Kendall, ODU did not bid to host. I suppose they could be a #1 seed at another host site, but that's unlikely.

(05-30-2021 08:54 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-30-2021 08:44 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Charlotte, La Tech and USM were the possible CUSA regional hosts, but one has to wonder if ODU is the most deserving host among potential CUSA teams in the tournament. As of this morning, their RPI is 10 (and they're 13-6 vs Q1 teams). USM is 21, Louisiana Tech is 23 and Charlotte is 28 (and all three have losing records against Q1 teams).

According to Kendall, ODU did not bid to host. I suppose they could be a #1 seed at another host site, but that's unlikely.

I think I read that there could be No. 1 seeds at other than home sites due to the way the regionals were set up this year. So I guess ODU could still be a #1 seed especially if they win today.

I just looked at Charlotte's schedule, still mystified by their lofty standing...

- The avoided playing both USM and LaTech while playing in the East. Explains how they got #1 seed in CUSA.

- #24 RPI, but #38 ISR and #97 SoS

- 4-6 vs. Top 25, 6-7 vs. Top 50, 18-2 vs. Q4 teams ranked below Top 150.

- 4-5 in last 9 games-- all against teams ranked well outside the Top 100

They're going to get a #2 seed, but they're really a mid-range #3 seed based on their overall resume.

ODU up on LaTech 5-3 heading to B8, but LaTech stages a 2-out rally (double, walk, double) to close within one (leaving two runners in scoring position).

I hadn't realized how upperclass-laden LaTech is this year. They are going to be decimated next year unless they bring in another lineup full of transfers, which is what they did two years ago. 5 of their top 6 hitters are Seniors (2 are redshirt seniors), and 4 of their top 7 pitchers are seniors, with another two being redshirt Juniors.

LaTech is so drained of pitchers that they're now pitching a guy with a 9.45 ERA, who has given up 21 hits and 12 BBs in just 13.1 IP.

Heading to the bottom of the ninth with LaTech trailing by one. Walk off in front of their home fans? They've got the heart of their lineup due up. ODU has their closer in (who came in to get the strikeout and strand runners on 2B and 3B in B8).

lol LaTech leads off the inning with a game-tying HR. Home crowd is going crazy.

No further damage. Going extras for the championship.

ODU wins and (according to Kendall and Aaron Fitts) they're likely a traveling #1 seed. If the lose, only USM has a shot at hosting and getting a #1 seed, but that's unlikely given MSU and Ole Miss both have better resumes.

LaTech has just put in their senior, Friday ace (Fincher), who is now pitching on 3 days rest. He hits the first batter, but gets the #8 and #9 hitters with no problems. Unfortunately, he then faced Kyle Battle (right-handed hitter against LHP), who leads off for ODU, but leads the conference in HRs and RBIs...and he just hit his 19th HR of the season to give ODU a 2-run lead. (Note-- all 7 of ODU's runs in this game have come courtesy of 3 HRs.)

Heading to B10 with ODU leading 7-5.

ODU wins it 7-5. I think they proved to be the best team in the conference this year.

Ugh. LaTech selected as one of the 16 hosts. The only viable shot for ODU to be a traveling #1 would be at South Carolina (with their 33-21 record).