MWC Games of 3/31 Weekend
April is upon us as is opening day for the bigs. Monday for most teams I see and it's about time. But, most of my addiction has been taken care of by Mountain West baseball. I wish the pitching was better for all teams as most have one good starter at best and some have none. Argue all you want but this is the downfall for the conference. One arm can dominate a whole team as you can’t avoid them as in other sports. One great hitter? Pitch around them, dude. Don’t let the one guy beat you. Anyway, read on before I really start to rant.
San Jose State (5-4) at San Diego State (5-3)
The Aztecs had a satisfying three game set in Fresno as they took two of three from the Bulldogs with a combination of hitting and pitching. Brett Seeburger is becoming one of the best pitchers in the MWC as he threw a shutout (12-0) against the mutts. The Aztecs also were able to stay with The Bulldogs ace, Ricky Tyler Thomas, as they won the first game of the doubleheader 5-4. So, the surprise team of the Mountain West is starting to show it means business. The Spartans, on the other hand, got swept in four games at Hawaii. All had a hand in the losses as nothing really seemed to work and chances taken were shot down. Will getting back to conference games make a difference? Hard to say but, dwell on this; the boys in blue have not won on the road this season. An interesting series between two programs on the rise but the Aztecs look good.
Fresno State (5-4) at New Mexico (9-0)
As you see above the Bulldogs lost two of three at home against SDSU. That's a bad lead in for a road series with the Lobos. The Bulldogs have to win at least one game if not the series to stay in contention for the regular season title. Their ace Ricky Tyler Thomas has proved to be human in his last two starts and that doesn't bode well for this series. I know, I know, they have other arms but he was the guy you figured would get the Friday win. Now, who knows? The Lobos are not unbeatable as the five game (?) losing streak against good OOC competition showed. The pitching is adequate if not pretty good but they win by an average of 10 runs, for criminy sake. Most of you know it will be pitching that gets them past the first round. They do look solid.
Air Force (11-13) at Northwestern (6-17)
I'll start out by saying something good about the Falcons. Nick Biancalana (2-1 and 7.76) pitched a gem in beating Omaha 1-0. He had a no-no going until the seventh when Omaha got to him for a few hits but no runs. A great win. We all know the Falcons can hit but the pitching has been way south of suspect. No starting pitcher has really been able to have back to back great outings and this has been the Falcons' downfall. Northwestern has also been suffering a bit. They have only two .300 hitters with Alex Erro (.341 and 2) leading the way. The pitching has been ok with two starters sub 4.00 in ERA. Those would be Josh Levy (1-1 and 2.60) and Josh Davis (1-0 and 3.44). That alone will put them at an advantage with the Falcons. But, the Falcons can hit.
Nevada (7-19) at Hawaii (16-8)
Nevada should ask SJS what they think about Hawaii. They got swept in four, remember? The Wolf Pack has already lost the first game 12-5 in a four game series so I think Hawaii is beginning to like the Mountain West. Nevada is doing ok in hitting (.275) but the pitching is letting them down (6.05) which is an ugly theme for the MWC. Hawaii is having a decent season especially after whacking the Spartans. The strength of this team is pitching (3.01) and that will always keep you in games especially against competition that doesn't have that. Yes, I'm talking about you San Jose State and Nevada.
UNLV (10-17) at Iowa (14-9)
The Rebels got trampled by New Mexico but that seems to be the daily dose that most teams have to put up with in the Mountain West. How many times do I have to say this in this post? Hitting is fine but pitching is having problems. Larry Quaney (1-1 and 2.94) is one of the strongest starters in the Mountain West and there are few of them. Iowa is having a decent season and they are hitting (.286) and the pitching is ok (4.49). They have five .300 hitters led by Robert Neustrom (.379 and 3). They have one very good starting pitcher in Nick Gallagher (2-1 and 3.09). The Rebels will be tested.