Thoughts From The Weekend

Yes, it's another thrilling edition of "Thoughts From The Weekend". In today's episode, I'll clean up some missing links from Sunday, look at some of the big wins since Friday and try to crank out another All-Weekend Team. Who knows what else I might type, so why not tag along?

Boxing Up Those Links
There were several boxscores that I never got around to providing links for Sunday night. While I suspect that if you were truly interested you would have obtained this information by now, it gives me something to fill space with.

There's Game One between Minnesota and Arkansas. The Hogs prevailed 5-1, not that we need to revisit that final. Of course, there's Game Two, as well. The Gophers emerged victorious, 10-5, in the finale of the Dairy Queen Classic. I do wonder if the doubleheader splits with Ole Miss and Arkansas will serve Minnesota better in the RPI and SOS categories? If The Citadel had been able the make the trip, the doubleheaders would never have happened. Perhaps, we will look back on this as a boost to the Gophers at-large tournament hopes. (Should they need an at-large berth.)

There's Purdue's 13-1 drubbing of Western Kentucky. The win gave the Boilers a weekend sweep. Purdue bats started out hot and stayed that way all weekend long.

Finally, in a game that I had no information about 48 hours ago, Michigan State pounded on St. Joseph's 22-1. Yep, that's a twenty-two. Needless to say, there were plenty of offensive stars to choose from. However, in the interest of keeping you informed, freshman RF Eli Boike paced the Spartans with four RBI. 1B Evan Friedland had three hits, three RBI and scored three times. Brandon Doherty and Steve Gerstenberger had three hits a piece, as well. Craig Brookes got the win going five innings allowing only two hits and a walk.

Beating The Big Boys
The Big Ten had a good showing this weekend. Big Ten programs downed Mississippi State (in Starkville), Troy, #15 Arkansas, #16 Mississippi, #3 North Carolina, Notre Dame and #22 Nebraska.

There will undoubtedly be naysayers. I can hear their excuses already. Iowa won a rain shortened affair both days. Minnesota played at home. Penn State should have been swept, but for a fluky ninth inning homer. Michigan altered its pitching rotation to beat Mississippi State. This is a down year for "fill in the school a Big Ten program beat this weekend here". Yada, yada, yada.

While Minnesota's doubleheader splits with #15 Arkansas and #16 Ole Miss and Michigan's Saturday sweep of Troy and Mississippi State were great for both schools and the conference's street cred (not to mention their RPI), both programs are considered powers, albeit Big Ten powers. What should raise an eyebrow south of the Mason-Dixon line is that neither Iowa or Penn State are considered among the Big Ten's baseball elite.

Yet, Iowa pummeled a Notre Dame program -- the only one in the snowbelt that has any credibility with the national media, then turned around and came back from trailing 8-0 to beat the 'Huskers, 12-8. Rain, schmain. The Hawkeyes beat up Irish and Cornhusker pitching. It might not happen again, but it did happen this weekend.

Meanwhile, Robbie Wine's young men gave highly ranked North Carolina (Baseball America has the 'Heels #1) all they could handle over three days. The Nittany Lions managed only one late inning triumph, but lost Sunday by only a run and handled themselves rather well in hostile territory. A Big Ten program goes on the road against a Top 5 nationally ranked program and you think "embarrassment". I think it's safe to say that PSU wasn't embarrassed.

Now, before you dismiss my clearly biased praise, take a look at one national media guy said about the Big Ten's weekend. CSTV's Eric Sorenson has some love for the entire conference in his Teams of the Week feature. Way to spread that love, E.

The All-Weekend Team
I could probably just name every Purdue batter to the All-Weekend Team and be safe. The Boilers beat the snot out of the ball this weekend. However, to keep things balanced and avoid charges of laziness or being a Purdue homer, I'll assemble a team with something in addition to Boilermakers. Oh, please remember the math here is mine. I was not a math major. For good reason. Anyway, here goes.

C - Lars Davis, Illinois (8 for 15, 2 3b, 5 runs, 5 rbi)
C - Spencer Ingaldson, Purdue (9 for 13, 3 2b, 8 runs, 2 rbi)
1B - Ryne White, Purdue (7 for 11, 3 bb, 6 runs, 5 rbi)
2B- Evan Crawford, Indiana (8 for 15, 4 runs, 3 rbi)
SS- Keith Haas, Indiana (5 for 13, HR, 3 runs, 6 rbi)
3B- Nate Recknagel, Michigan (6 for 14, 3 HR, 4 runs, 6 rbi)
OF - Kyle Hudson, Illinois (8 for 12, 4 runs, 5 rbi, 2 sb)
OF - Jordan Comadena, Purdue (9 for 15, 2 hr, 3 2b, 7 runs, 6 rbi, 2 sb)
OF - Travis Sweet, Iowa (6 for 8, 5 runs, 4 rbi, sb)
OF - Mike Mee, Minnesota (6 for 13, 3 2b, 3b, 3 runs, 2 rbi, 2 sb)
DH- Andy Preston, Purdue (7 for 12, 2 HR, 4 runs, 5 rbi)
SP - Cory Luebke, Ohio State (W, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K vs. Lehigh)
SP - Zach Putnam, Michigan (W, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K vs. Miss. State)
SP - Ricky Heines, Purdue (W, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K vs. Western Ky.)
SP - Craig Clark, Penn State (ND, 8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K vs. UNC)
SP - Josh Lindblom, Purdue (W, 7 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K vs. Western Ky.)
RP - Drew O'Neil, Penn State (W, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K vs. UNC)

Ok, I cheated a bit. I took two catchers this week. Oh, like you could have picked just one. I crammed in an extra outfielder, too. I just couldn't leave any of the four guys out. I also slid Michigan's Recknagel over to third. Hey, he did play there this weekend, it's just not his normal position. Alright, maybe I cheated quite a bit. It was exceptionally difficult to bypass anyone this week.

In spite of my various alterations, I more than likely missed someone. If I did, please email me.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of my weekend round-up. Hopefully, I can get next week's to you in more prompt fashion. Remember, March is here. College baseball will be back here soon.