B1G Baseball Update 3/3 - 3/20

With the madness of March in full swing let us check in on how B1G baseball is doing before conference play starts this weekend. RPI has been added to get a gauge on where each team is located in the grand scheme of things. RPI as of 3/20/17

Illinois 5-12 RPI: 199

03/03/17 at Fla. Atlantic L 10-11
03/04/17 at Fla. Atlantic W 14-4
03/05/17 at Fla. Atlantic L 2-16
03/10/17 at Coastal Carolina W 7-6
03/11/17 at Coastal Carolina L 2-3
03/11/17 at Coastal Carolina L 0-6
03/17/17 TOLEDO W 11-5
03/18/17 SOUTHERN ILL. L 5-8
03/19/17 TOLEDO L 4-10
03/19/17 SOUTHERN ILL. L 1-3

Illinois is still finding difficulty in getting wins early in the season only picking up three more over the past three weeks. Probably not the pace they were looking for this year but at least they are challenging themselves in taking on the defending CWS champs in Coastal Carolina. The Illini will try to start B1G play off on the right foot when MSU comes to visit.

Up next:
3/21 Illinois St.
3/24 - 3/26 MSU

Indiana 9-8 RPI: 27

03/03/17 at Samford W 10-5
03/04/17 at Samford L 5-6
03/05/17 at Samford L 3-5
03/10/17 MIDDLE TENN. L 3-5
03/11/17 MIDDLE TENN. W 12-1
03/12/17 MIDDLE TENN. W 6-0
03/15/17 at Hawaii W 7-6
03/16/17 at Hawaii W 4-3
03/17/17 at Hawaii W 8-5
03/18/17 at Hawaii L 10-11

Only lost one series the past few weeks which puts the Hoosiers above .500 and gets in pretty decent RPI shape. Late comebacks against Hawaii in Manoa certainly helped in the four game stand out in the Pacific. Indiana will try to keep the momentum going as it travels to NW.

Up next:
3/22 Cincinnati
3/24 - 3/26 @Northwestern

Iowa 10-8 RPI: 80

03/03/17 vs. Hawaii W 7-6
03/04/17 vs. Oral Roberts W 7-5
03/05/17 at Minnesota L 3-6
03/07/17 NORTHERN ILL. W 12-8
03/10/17 vs. Villanova L 1-10
03/11/17 vs. Bucknell L 1-7
03/12/17 vs. Lehigh W 15-7
03/12/17 vs. Lehigh W 8-3
03/17/17 at Kansas St. L 0-3
03/18/17 at Kansas St. L 4-5
03/19/17 at Kansas St. W 12-11

Iowa had a decent showing in the Dairy Queen Classic only losing to host and fellow B1G partner Minnesota. The Snow Bird Classic wasn't as successful with a split in wins only over Lehigh. Hawkeyes then dropped a close series to KSU.

Up next:
3/22 Bradley
3/24 - 3/26 Purdue

Maryland 12-6 RPI: 95

03/03/17 vs. Notre Dame W 4-3
03/04/17 vs. North Carolina St. W 9-2
03/05/17 vs. Dayton W 11-2
03/07/17 WILLIAM & MARY W 9-8
03/08/17 SAINT JOSEPH'S W 11-5
03/10/17 BRYANT W 7-1
03/12/17 BRYANT W 9-2
03/12/17 BRYANT W 4-0
03/14/17 at North Carolina L 2-9
03/17/17 PRINCETON W 4-0
03/18/17 PRINCETON W 6-2
03/19/17 PRINCETON W 2-0

Maryland has rebounded nicely since we saw them last. From opening day till March 2nd the Terps only had one win. Since then? Only one loss. The Irish Classic in particular was good to the turtles in that they got decent ACC wins over (fuck)Notre Dame and NC State. Maryland won't take a break either in that Michigan comes to town for a huge B1G showdown this weekend.

Up next:
3/21 & 3/22 @ UNC-Wilmington
3/24 - 3/26 Michigan

#18 Michigan 15-4 RPI: 47

03/03/17 at UCLA L 0-1
03/04/17 at Southern California W 4-1
03/05/17 vs. San Diego W 3-1
03/10/17 at Lipscomb W 8-2
03/10/17 at Lipscomb W 4-3
03/12/17 at Lipscomb W 5-0
03/16/17 NORTHERN ILL. W 7-4
03/18/17 NORTHERN ILL. L 5-8
03/19/17 NORTHERN ILL. W 7-4
03/19/17 NORTHERN ILL. W 8-3

Michigan is currently the only ranked B1G team this week and its mainly due to their stellar record plus good wins in the Dodgertown Classic over USC and San Diego. That ranking will be put to the test this weekend as the Wolverines travel to Maryland.

Up next:
3/22 W. Michigan
3/24 - 3/26 @Maryland

Michigan State 11-5 RPI: 18

03/03/17 vs. Furman W 3-2
03/04/17 vs. Presbyterian W 10-2
03/05/17 vs. UT Martin W 6-1
03/08/17 vs. Clemson L 2-9
03/10/17 at South Carolina L 2-3
03/11/17 at South Carolina L 2-5
03/17/17 vs. Campbell W 3-1
03/18/17 at Richmond W 13-4
03/19/17 vs. Cornell College L 1-2

Even though Michigan boasts the national ranking the Spartans currently have the best RPI out of the conference in this early stage of the season. This mainly is due to the upgrade in competition with the trips to the Palmetto State (even though MSU didn't pick up a win) and not having too many bad losses.

Up next:
3/21 C. Michigan
3/24 - 3/26 @Illinois

Minnesota 11-8 RPI: 86

03/03/17 ORAL ROBERTS W 4-3
03/04/17 HAWAII L 0-4
03/05/17 IOWA W 6-3
03/07/17 SOUTH DAKOTA ST. W 7-5
03/08/17 MILWAUKEE W 5-4
03/10/17 MISSOURI ST. W 5-2
03/11/17 MISSOURI ST. L 2-7
03/12/17 MISSOURI ST. L 3-12
03/14/17 at California L 1-7
03/16/17 at Sacramento St. L 2-3
03/17/17 at Sacramento St. W 9-2
03/18/17 at Sacramento St. W 5-2

In the Gophers own Dairy Queen Classic Minnesota couldn't crack the code of Hawaii but did get wins over Oral Roberts and the Hawkeyes. They added a few more mid-week series wins before dropping a set to the Bears of Missouri and then of California. The trip out West wasn't all bad though with picking up a series win in Sacramento.

Up next:
3/24 - 3/26 @aOSU

Nebraska 9-8 RPI: 71

03/03/17 vs. Oklahoma St. L 0-1
03/04/17 vs. Arkansas L 5-15
03/05/17 vs. Arizona W 1-0
03/07/17 NORTHERN COLO. W 8-2
03/08/17 NORTHERN COLO. W 12-2
03/10/17 WESTERN CARO. L 2-5
03/11/17 WESTERN CARO. L 2-8
03/12/17 WESTERN CARO. W 10-0
03/17/17 COL. OF CHARLESTON W 10-1
03/18/17 COL. OF CHARLESTON W 6-1
03/19/17 COL. OF CHARLESTON W 6-2

Much like the PAC12/B1G challenge Nebraska was only able to snag one final day win in the Frisco Classic although it was against the toughest opponent there. After grabbing a few wins over annual punching bag Northern Colorado the Huskers then dropped a series and an opportunity of revenge against Western Carolina which was the team that knocked them out of the tournament last year. Erstad's squad did right the ship the next week though with a sweep over Charleston.

Up next:
3/21 @CSU-Bakersfield
3/23 - 3/25 @Cal Poly

Northwestern 5-13 RPI: 290

03/03/17 at Santa Clara L 2-3
03/04/17 at Santa Clara W 7-1
03/04/17 at Santa Clara L 1-8
03/05/17 at Santa Clara W 15-9
03/07/17 ILL.-CHICAGO L 2-9
03/10/17 at Portland L 2-5
03/10/17 at Portland W 6-4
03/11/17 at Portland W 9-5
03/17/17 CENTRAL MICH. L 3-5
03/18/17 CENTRAL MICH. W 5-1
03/18/17 CENTRAL MICH. L 1-5
03/19/17 CENTRAL MICH. L 5-7

After starting winless through the first six games the Ws are starting to come for this Wildcat squad in a split with Santa Clara and series win over Portland. There is still a lot of work to do but that has to build confidence before B1G play starts.

Up next:
3/21 Illinois-Chicago
3/24 - 3/26 Indiana

Ohio State 8-11 RPI: 77

03/03/17 at Campbell L 2-7
03/04/17 at Campbell W 7-1
03/05/17 at Campbell W 7-6
03/10/17 at FGCU L 9-10
03/11/17 at FGCU L 1-13
03/12/17 at FGCU W 5-4
03/14/17 vs. Lehigh W 7-3
03/15/17 vs. Bucknell W 5-2
03/18/17 XAVIER L 2-3
03/19/17 at Xavier L 4-5
03/19/17 at Xavier L 6-5

The Buckeyes are still trying to gather the swagger they had at the end of last year but series wins are getting tough to come by. aOSU did manage to grab one against Campbell but couldn't get past Florida Gulf Coast and got the broom treatment to Big East member/fellow Buckeye state rep Musketeers.

Up next:
3/21 Youngstown St.
3/24 - 3/26 Minnesota

Penn State 6-11 RPI: 133

03/04/17 at Pacific W 11-4
03/05/17 at Pacific W 11-2
03/05/17 at Pacific L 1-6
03/08/17 at UC Davis L 2-10
03/09/17 at Sacramento St. W 4-2
03/10/17 at Sacramento St. L 3-11
03/11/17 at Sacramento St. W 6-1
03/18/17 at Delaware L 1-6
03/18/17 at Delaware L 0-5
03/19/17 at Delaware L 0-8

Much like most of the B1G the Nits are road warriors at this point in the season dealing with weather issues and travel. This can make it difficult to pick up series wins and PSU is no exception although they did manage to grab a couple at Pacific and Sacramento. The series sweep to the Blue Hens has to hurt the psyche though.

Up next:
3/21 Bucknell
3/22 West Virginia
3/24 - 3/26 Columbia

Purdue 10-8 RPI: 88

03/03/17 at Southeast Mo. St. W 4-0
03/04/17 at Southeast Mo. St. W 13-5
03/05/17 at Southeast Mo. St. L 7-17
03/10/17 at Cal State Northridge L 8-16
03/11/17 at Cal State Northridge L 1-4
03/12/17 at Cal State Northridge L 4-5
03/13/17 at Cal State Northridge W 9-3
03/16/17 at Santa Clara W 12-4
03/17/17 at Santa Clara W 3-0
03/18/17 at Santa Clara W 8-7
03/18/17 at Santa Clara W 10-5

The Boilermakers are already at ten wins even before B1G play and the RPI is about 200 pts. less than it was last year so that is a step in the right direction. Like PSU they are certainly road warriors right now and will have to keep it up this week with trips to Muncie and Iowa City.

Up next:
3/22 @Ball St.
3/24 - 3/26 @Iowa

Rutgers 6-13 RPI: 58

03/03/17 at Old Dominion W 8-5
03/04/17 at Old Dominion L 2-6
03/05/17 at Old Dominion L 4-15
03/08/17 at Iona W 12-3
03/10/17 at North Florida L 1-15
03/11/17 at North Florida L 2-13
03/11/17 at North Florida W 2-1
03/12/17 at North Florida W 12-4
03/14/17 at Fla. Atlantic L 2-14
03/17/17 at FGCU L 2-5
03/18/17 at FGCU L 4-13
03/19/17 at FGCU L 3-8

Rutgers is certainly enjoying the T in GTL with spending the past solid week in the Sunshine state. Catching rays is easy. Catching wins, however, are not for the Knights although they did get a split with North Florida.

Up next:
3/21 Rider
3/24 - 3/26 @USC-Upstate

Wisconsin -
S

Players of the Week

March 6, 2017

Player of the Week - Jake Adams Jr. Iowa
Had a .462 AVG with five hits, six RBIs, and two home runs. This helped the Hawkeyes with wins over Hawaii and Oral Roberts getting Adams named to the Dairy Queen Classic all tournament team. This is his first player of the week award.

Pitcher of the Week - Tanner Andrews Jr. Purdue

Threw a complete game shutout in a win over Southeast Missouri striking out eight and only allowing four hits. This is his first pitcher of the week award.

Freshman of the Week - Hank Christie Northwestern

Pitched a complete game in a win over Santa Clara striking out four and allowing one run. This is his first freshman of the week honor.

March 13, 2017

Player of the Week - Zach Jancarski Jr. Maryland

Hit .450 with nine hits, three doubles, six RBIs, and scoring six himself. This is his first player of the week award.

Pitcher of the Week - Jake Meyers Jr. Nebraska

Threw a complete game shutout in the Sunday victory over Western Carolina striking out four and giving up just five hits. This is his first pitcher of the week award.

Co-Freshmen of the Week - Andrew Saalfrank Indiana & Tyler Blohm Maryland

Saalfrank helped in the win over Middle Tennessee going six innings, striking out six batters, and only allowing three hits. This is his first freshman of the week award.

Blohm helped in a win against Bryant ALSO going six innings, striking out six batters, and allowing three hits. This is his first freshman of the week honor.

March 20, 2017

Player of the Week - Alex Krupa Sr. Indiana

Had a .533 AVG with eight hits, three RBIs and scoring five times. Also had three multiple hit games on the week. This is his first player of the week award.

Pitcher of the Week - Brian Shaffer Jr. Maryland

Threw 8 innings, striking out 10 batters, and allowed three hits in a win over Princeton. This is his first pitcher of the week award.

Co-Freshmen of the Week - Tyler Blohm Maryland & Skyler Hunter Purdue

Blohm again showing his skills in throwing seven innings, striking out eight, and allowing just two hits in a win over Princeton. This is his second straight freshman of the week honor.

Hunter was on the offensive side of things having a .438 AVG and getting eight RBIs on seven hits and scoring a run. This is his first freshman of the week award.

I Want My BTN

The BTN is upping their coverage of B1G again this year giving everyone a chance to see a game either on BTN or BTN2Go. Softball coverage has been added too and both tournaments will be shown in their entirety.  All times Eastern.

BTN/ BTN2Go 2017 Baseball Schedule

Saturday, March 25, 2017 Michigan - Maryland 7:00 PM

Sunday, March 26, 2017 Minnesota - Ohio State 12:00 PM

Sunday, March 26, 2017 Michigan State - Illinois 3:00 PM

Friday, March 31, 2017 Nebraska - Indiana 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 01, 2017 Purdue - Ohio State 6:00 PM

Tuesday, April 04, 2017 Creighton - Nebraska 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 08, 2017 Maryland - Nebraska 3:00 PM

Sunday, April 09, 2017 Ohio State - Penn State 3:00 PM

Friday, April 14, 2017 Northwestern - Illinois 8:00 PM

Sunday, April 16, 2017 Iowa - Nebraska 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 22, 2017 Rutgers - Iowa 8:00 PM

Sunday, April 23, 2017 Indiana - Michigan 12:00 PM

Sunday, April 23, 2017 Illinois - Purdue 3:00 PM

Sunday, April 30, 2017 Michigan State - Northwestern 3:00 PM

Tuesday, May 02, 2017 Georgia State - Minnesota 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 06, 2017 Maryland - Illinois 4:00 PM

Sunday, May 07, 2017 Ohio State - Michigan 4:00 PM

Sunday, May 14, 2017 Penn State - Indiana 12:00 PM

Sunday, May 14, 2017 Michigan - Purdue 3:00 PM

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Louisville - Indiana 6:00 PM

May 18-20, 2017 TBD - TBD TBA

May 18-20, 2017 TBD - TBD TBA

May 18-20, 2017 TBD - TBD TBA

May 18-20, 2017 TBD - TBD TBA

May 18-20, 2017 TBD - TBD TBA

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #1 10:00 AM

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #2 1:30 PM

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #3 5:00 PM

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #4 8:30 PM

Thursday, May 25, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #5 10:00 AM

Thursday, May 25, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #6 1:30 PM

Thursday, May 25, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #7 5:00 PM

Thursday, May 25, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #8 8:30 PM

Friday, May 26, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #9 1:00 PM

Friday, May 26, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #10 5:00 PM

Saturday, May 27, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #11 10:00 AM

Saturday, May 27, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #12 1:30 PM

Saturday, May 27, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #13 (if necessary) 5:00 PM

Saturday, May 27, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #14 (if necessary) 8:30 PM

Sunday, May 28, 2017 B1G Tournament Championship2:00 PM

BTN/BTN2GO 2017 Softball Schedule

March 24, 2017 Rutgers - Indiana 6:00 PM

March 25, 2017 Ohio State - Maryland 1:00 PM

Friday, March 31, 2017 Rutgers - Ohio State 5:00 PM

Sunday, April 02, 2017 Northwestern - Michigan 2:00 PM

Sunday, April 02, 2017 Iowa - Purdue 12:00 PM

Wednesday, April 05, 2017 Illinois - Northwestern 3:00 PM

Wednesday, April 05, 2017 Illinois - Northwestern 5:30 PM

Friday, April 07, 2017 Penn State - Michigan State 4:00 PM

Friday, April 07, 2017 Michigan - Ohio State 6:00 PM

Sunday, April 09, 2017 Indiana - Minnesota 1:00 PM

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Nebraska - Iowa 4:00 PM

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Nebraska - Iowa 6:30 PM

Friday, April 14, 2017 Wisconsin - Purdue 6:00 PM

Sunday, April 16, 2017 Michigan - Maryland 1:00 PM

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Michigan State - Michigan 6:00 PM

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Minnesota - Wisconsin 4:00 PM

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Minnesota - Wisconsin 6:30 PM

Friday, April 21, 2017 Ohio State - Michigan State 4:00 PM

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 Notre Dame - Northwestern 5:00 PM

Friday, April 28, 2017 Penn State - Maryland 6:00 PM

Friday, April 28, 2017 Northwestern - Nebraska 8:00 PM

Saturday, April 29, 2017 Indiana - Michigan 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 29, 2017 Purdue - Minnesota 1:00 PM

Saturday, May 06, 2017 TBD - TBD 2:00 PM

Sunday, May 07, 2017 TBD - TBD 2:00 PM

Thursday, May 11, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #1 11:00 AM

Thursday, May 11, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #2 1:30 PM

Thursday, May 11, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #3 4:30 PM

Thursday, May 11, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #4 7:00 PM

Friday, May 12, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #5 11:00 AM

Friday, May 12, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #6 1:30 PM

Friday, May 12, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #7 4:30 PM

Friday, May 12, 2017 B1G Tournament Game #8 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 13, 2017 B1G Tournament Semifinal #1 1:00 PM

Saturday, May 13, 2017 B1G Tournament Semifinal #2 3:30 PM

Saturday, May 13, 2017 B1G Tournament Championship 6:00 PM

World Baseball Classic: Final Four edition

After two weeks of international competition we are down to baseball's version of the final four. And while a lot of attention is to all the dunks and draining of threes where else are you going to see a no look tag out at second?

www.mlb.com

He was already celebrating the tag

Here is a quick recap of what happened so far:

First Round

Pool A - Seoul - Sky Dome

Israel 3-0
Kingdom of the Netherlands 2-1
South Korea 1-2
Chinese Taipei 0-3

The favorites were possibly the home team in Korea or at least the talent rich Netherland squad but the surprise of the first round was the Israelis and them sweeping the competition.

Pool B - Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

Japan 3-0
Cuba 2-1
Australia 1-2
China 0-3

Japan was the easy favorites here and they did work early and often. Cuba got the second bid making Pool B all chalk this time around.

Pool C - Miami - Marlins Park

Dominican Republic 3-0
United States 2-1
Colombia 1-2
Canada 0-3

The Dominicans kept their unbeaten streak going (...for now) and won Pool C behind a loaded lineup and great pitching staff. The US had some close calls winning in extras versus Columbia and letting a 5-0 lead slip away against the Dominican Republic after HR bombs doomed the Americans. A final game win against Canada averted a crisis though and the Yanks took the second spot to move on.

Pool D - Estadio Charros de Jalisco - Zapopan, Mexico

Puerto Rico 3-0
Venezuela 2-2 (TBW)
Italy 1-3 (TBL)
Mexico 1-2

In the second case of the home team not advancing Mexico didn't have enough to move on and instead gave way to Puerto Rico and Venezuela which are both talented teams. Venezuela did have to get by a pesky Italian team that was poised to shock the pool much like Israel but didn't get the timely hits that they needed in the tiebreaker game.

Second Round

Pool E - Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

Japan 3-0
Kingdom of the Netherlands 2-1
Israel 1-2
Cuba 0-3

Israel's cinderella-like run the finals were halted due to the fact that the competition became too much for them. Although they did automatically qualify for 2021 so everyone better be prepared for the Jew Crew next time around. Japan held sway as usual with the Netherlands close behind and both advancing to the Championship Round.

Pool F - San Diego - Petco Park

Puerto Rico 3-0
United States 2-1
Dominican Republic 1-2
Venezuela 0-3

Puerto Rico ended the Dominicans unbeaten streak and continued their own on the way to taking Pool F. The US again were the comeback kids against their earlier matchup with Venezuela and almost did the same thing in the bout with Puerto Rico. This set up a do or die rematch with the Dominicans which the US got its revenge to move on to the Championship round.

Championship Round

Semifinals - Los Angeles - Dodger Stadium

March 20th
Netherlands 3
Puerto Rico 4

In an wild semifinal Puerto Rico scored the game winning run in the 11th to advance to the finals.

March 21st 8pm CT MLB Network
USA vs. Japan

Schedules and players of the week courtesy of BTN.com
RPI courtesy of Boyd's World (http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/rpi/currentrpi.html)