*****Official Regional Games Thread. #2 IOWA vs #3 N. Carolina at #14 Overall Seed Indiana St (Terre Haute) Regional (June 4, 11 am CT, ESPN+) *****
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Rick Heller has a weekly group email that he sends to those who signed up to receive it. In today's email, he identified that the game will be on ESPN+ as well as ACCN.
I went to the ESPN+ schedule for Friday and the Iowa/UNC game is listed. The link to the schedule is in Post #71 in this thread.
Friday's Starting Pitching match up:
Stats are for the entire season.
WHIP = walks + hits divided by innings pitched
In the Major Leagues, the average WHIP is around 1.30 (Marcus is at 1.38). Most middle-of-the-rotation pitchers will throw around this mark. Pitchers with a WHIP above 1.50 (which Knapp is) are generally thought of as poor and could be heading back to the minor leagues (or the bench).
....................Marcus....Jake
...................Morgan....Knapp
Record..............4-2..........5-3
ERA..................3.88........4.79
Innings.............60.1...........62
Strike outs.........67...........60
Home runs..........3............14
Opp Bat Ave.....177.........251
Walks...............47..........33
Hits..................36..........61
Earned Runs....26.........33
WHIP.............1.38.......1.52
I think Iowa is going to hit well against Jake Knapp, UNC's starting pitcher on Friday.
Scoring 5 runs is the key.
Iowa is 42-2 when they score 5 or more runs and 0-12 when they score 4 or less.
That is some serious heat and a nasty rising fastball, good find. Not sure how anyone in high school hits that!
For the good of the order: https://247sports.com/college/north...orth-Carolina-college-baseball-210936059/Amp/
Anyone wanting to learn a little bit about UNC’s baseball team can listen to the YouTube “podcast” linked above. It’s created by UNC focused individuals. The guest is Aaron Fitt from D1 Baseball.
At the 14:10 mark, they discuss Iowa a bit. One takeaway is that Aaron Fitt knows little about Iowa baseball other than pulling stats off a sheet. IMO, it reflects how difficult it must be for a small staff to cover the entirety of college baseball and the folly of the general perception that D1 Baseball is the be-all end-all in college baseball analysis (hell, the NCAA posts D1 Baseball’s Projected Field).
Aaron Fitt’s analysis of Iowa: Brecht will likely start against UNC. If not Brecht, then Langenberg. In baseball parlance, that’s a swing and a miss. He’s down 0-2 in the count.
Regardless of the top sheet comments on Iowa, there’s some good commentary on UNC baseball. Apparently, Jake Knapp (starting P on Friday) has been showing steady improvement and is likely has been UNC’s best starting pitcher down the stretch run. They’ve purportedly got a strong bullpen if the starting pitcher falters. Real strength is their hitting and defense. Losing Honeycutt hurts but the replacement (Horvath) is a really good baseball player - offensively and defensively.
I wouldn’t call it “mandatory” listening but it was an interesting 30 minutes of commentary as I sat on my deck late last night enjoying an adult beverage and a cool Spring evening. I certainly know more about UNC’s team after listening to it.
Cheers.
Anyone wanting to learn a little bit about UNC’s baseball team can listen to the YouTube “podcast” linked above. It’s created by UNC focused individuals. The guest is Aaron Fitt from D1 Baseball.
At the 14:10 mark, they discuss Iowa a bit. One takeaway is that Aaron Fitt knows little about Iowa baseball other than pulling stats off a sheet. IMO, it reflects how difficult it must be for a small staff to cover the entirety of college baseball and the folly of the general perception that D1 Baseball is the be-all end-all in college baseball analysis (hell, the NCAA posts D1 Baseball’s Projected Field).
Aaron Fitt’s analysis of Iowa: Brecht will likely start against UNC. If not Brecht, then Langenberg. In baseball parlance, that’s a swing and a miss. He’s down 0-2 in the count.
Regardless of the top sheet comments on Iowa, there’s some good commentary on UNC baseball. Apparently, Jake Knapp (starting P on Friday) has been showing steady improvement and is likely has been UNC’s best starting pitcher down the stretch run. They’ve purportedly got a strong bullpen if the starting pitcher falters. Real strength is their hitting and defense. Losing Honeycutt hurts but the replacement (Horvath) is a really good baseball player - offensively and defensively.
I wouldn’t call it “mandatory” listening but it was an interesting 30 minutes of commentary as I sat on my deck late last night enjoying an adult beverage and a cool Spring evening. I certainly know more about UNC’s team after listening to it.
Cheers.
With a 42-14 record, this Iowa team has surpassed the win-total high of the Rick Heller era (9 seasons over 10 years as coach). The 2015 team, which broke through to the NCAA Tournament, finished at 41-18.
Iowa's school record for wins in baseball is 44 (in 1981).
Iowa's school record for wins in baseball is 44 (in 1981).
Quick Listen Opportunity:
D1 Baseball discusses each Regional: Terre Haute Regional discussed at the 1:00.00 to 1:04.15 mark of the linked video.
Aaron Fitt picks UNC and cites "Jake Knapp's emergence as a reliable starter late in the season" as one of his key factors.
Kendall Rogers picks Iowa and claims that "Brecht, Morgan and Langenberg" are all "pro" arms.
Mike Rooney picks Indiana State citing the Sycamores "starting pitching" as his key influence.
Joe Healy says that any one of the four teams could win and that Wright State will give ISU everything they can handle in the first game. Interesting line . . . "Iowa might be the least discussed 40+ win team" ever.
Take it FWIW.
D1 Baseball discusses each Regional: Terre Haute Regional discussed at the 1:00.00 to 1:04.15 mark of the linked video.
Aaron Fitt picks UNC and cites "Jake Knapp's emergence as a reliable starter late in the season" as one of his key factors.
Kendall Rogers picks Iowa and claims that "Brecht, Morgan and Langenberg" are all "pro" arms.
Mike Rooney picks Indiana State citing the Sycamores "starting pitching" as his key influence.
Joe Healy says that any one of the four teams could win and that Wright State will give ISU everything they can handle in the first game. Interesting line . . . "Iowa might be the least discussed 40+ win team" ever.
Take it FWIW.
Has it been determined hes done for the season? Can't find much.
8 of 11 have IOWA advancing to the Super Regional!
I read Kyle Huesmann’s pre-Regional preview this morning. He only mentions the ACCN as providing TV coverage.
Circling back to what was posted previously, I just checked again (out of an abundance of caution) and ESPN+ has it listed as being broadcast at 6 pm. If you have ESPN+, no need to contemplate a month subscription to ACCN.
Will have TV on, sound down and will listen to John Evans and John Leo’s broadcast (trying my best to sync the 2).
Game Day! Let’s go get Game #1.
Circling back to what was posted previously, I just checked again (out of an abundance of caution) and ESPN+ has it listed as being broadcast at 6 pm. If you have ESPN+, no need to contemplate a month subscription to ACCN.
Will have TV on, sound down and will listen to John Evans and John Leo’s broadcast (trying my best to sync the 2).
Game Day! Let’s go get Game #1.
Gameday! Let's goo! I've heard Wright State is a trendy upset pick for Game 1.
If you don't have either channel, just grab a quick trial of YouTube TV, Sling, etc.
I mentioned above that Iowa should hit well against Jake Knapp, UNC's starting pitcher tonight. Dargan, who covers the Hawks for the Register & Press Citizen, agrees.
UNC will gladly take the walk. Hopefully Morgan's control is on tonight.
Dargan's pregame story:
Tonight's Starting Pitching match up:
Stats below are for the entire season.
Knapp gives up the HR ball and has a much higher opponent batting average, as you can see below.
WHIP = walks + hits divided by innings pitched
In the Major Leagues, the average WHIP is around 1.30 (Marcus is at 1.38). Most middle-of-the-rotation pitchers will throw around this mark. Pitchers with a WHIP above 1.50 (which Knapp is) are generally thought of as poor and could be heading back to the minor leagues (or the bench).
....................Marcus....Jake
...................Morgan....Knapp
Record...............4-2..........5-3
ERA.................3.88........4.79
Innings.............60.1...........62
Strike outs.........67...........60
Home runs.........3............14
Opp Bat Ave....177.........251
Walks................47...........33
Hits...................36............61
WHIP.............1.38.........1.52
Earned Runs....26............33
Stats below are for the entire season.
Knapp gives up the HR ball and has a much higher opponent batting average, as you can see below.
WHIP = walks + hits divided by innings pitched
In the Major Leagues, the average WHIP is around 1.30 (Marcus is at 1.38). Most middle-of-the-rotation pitchers will throw around this mark. Pitchers with a WHIP above 1.50 (which Knapp is) are generally thought of as poor and could be heading back to the minor leagues (or the bench).
....................Marcus....Jake
...................Morgan....Knapp
Record...............4-2..........5-3
ERA.................3.88........4.79
Innings.............60.1...........62
Strike outs.........67...........60
Home runs.........3............14
Opp Bat Ave....177.........251
Walks................47...........33
Hits...................36............61
WHIP.............1.38.........1.52
Earned Runs....26............33
T2 - Wright State has its first two on base. Runners on 1st and 2nd - no out. 0-0 score.
EDIT: Raiders draw first blood. 2 run double with one out. Raiders up 2-0 over the Sycamores. To B2.
EDIT 2: Sycamores punch back. Now 2-1 to T3. ISU had a great chance to tie it up or go ahead (runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out but didn't push across another run).
EDIT 3: A 2 run jack puts the Raiders up 4-1. To B3. Sycamores get one back on what sounds (I'm streaming the Sycamore radio broadcast in my office) like clown show defense by Wright State's OF. 4-2 to T4.
EDIT: Raiders draw first blood. 2 run double with one out. Raiders up 2-0 over the Sycamores. To B2.
EDIT 2: Sycamores punch back. Now 2-1 to T3. ISU had a great chance to tie it up or go ahead (runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out but didn't push across another run).
EDIT 3: A 2 run jack puts the Raiders up 4-1. To B3. Sycamores get one back on what sounds (I'm streaming the Sycamore radio broadcast in my office) like clown show defense by Wright State's OF. 4-2 to T4.
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Wright State up 4-2, Indiana State will be in a dogfight here!
Hawks should feel like home in this ballpark which I like too. They've seen parks like Duane Banks and also had the bright lights of crowds in Omaha and @LSU.
As stated above, get to the UNC starter early, he's not a dominating pitcher and gives up contact with a good defense behind him. Only caveat is that the bullpen is quite good so pick your poison there perhaps. Kinda cool to hear the D1 guys saying Iowa's rotation #1-#3 could be as good as most any of the top national seeds and I agree...no longer little 'ol Iowa..let's make some noise and get game 1!
As stated above, get to the UNC starter early, he's not a dominating pitcher and gives up contact with a good defense behind him. Only caveat is that the bullpen is quite good so pick your poison there perhaps. Kinda cool to hear the D1 guys saying Iowa's rotation #1-#3 could be as good as most any of the top national seeds and I agree...no longer little 'ol Iowa..let's make some noise and get game 1!
I haven't read anything where it is discussed but I think that it is somewhat important to understand that UNC's ballpark is a dream for left handed hitters. The power alley in RCF is something like 355 feet. Indiana State's ballpark is symmetrical. Power alleys are around 375 feet. Balls hit over the wall in the RCF power alley in Chapel Hill might not leave the park in Terre Haute. One would have to look at spray charts but I wouldn't be surprised if some of UNC's power numbers might be somewhat inflated due to ballpark influence.
Wright State's fan base is making their presence felt. From what I can hear on the radio broadcast, they are extremely vocal and enthusiastic.
Indiana State going to the bullpen. Starting pitching was supposed to be their strength. Uff da.
I think the 2nd Indiana State pitcher (Sat. starter) is the one with 4 CG shutouts, correct?
I demand that #14 seed Indiana State loses and that their message boards melt down.
Thank you.
I'd have to look that up. That makes sense though. Imagine the pitching depth if the regular Sunday starter had 4 CG shutouts . . . yikes.
EDIT: Some other fun "stuff" going on right now. Washington is tubthumping the RPI Manipulators (otherwise known as Dallas Baptist) 8-1 in B5. It's early (T5) but Lipscomb has a one-run lead on #3 overall seed Clemson.
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