We are really getting to the home stretch now as we approach the final days of April. There’s just one month until conference playoffs for Division-I, three weeks until Division-II and two weeks until Division-III. The top teams have solidified themselves with strong play over the past several weeks, but the postseason is where they must continue to peform.
How how they stack up:
Division-I:
1.Stony Brook (Record: 22-12, Past Week: 2-1)
2. St. John’s (Record: 22-14, Past Week: 3-1)
3. Fordham (Record: 23-18, Past Week: 1-3)
4. Hofstra (Record: 11-24, Past Week: 4-0)
Analysis: I was at Stony Brook’s double header on Friday against Albany, it was a crucial series win against an America East rival. After getting out to an early 4-0, they nearly watched their lead slip away when Albany got within one run, but as good teams typically do, they did not panic and they put up a three-spot in the seventh innings thanks to a sac fly and a two-run double by Brandon Alamo who had five doubles in the double header. Greg Marino recorded the win with 6.1 strong innings, striking out 9 and walking none. Sam Turcotte fired 2.2 shutout innings for his fourth save. They lost the second game of the double header, as Brad Malm‘s first inning 3-R shot was the difference in a 4-3 loss. The good news as Jared Milch came on in relief and fired 4.1 shutout innings. They will need all their pitchers to step up in the wake of Brian Herrmann‘s Tommy John surgery. That’s a big blow, he has started eight games and held opposing batters to a .234 AVG. They were also without Michael Wilson, it goes without saying they will need him healthy for the conference tournament. They were able to win the rubber match, behind a dominant effort by Bret Clarke, who is now 6-0 on the season. They will face UMBC this weekend, but beforehand will take on St. John’s on Tuesday and Fairfield on Wednesday. Additionally, great sign for Hofstra to run their win streak to five this week with a sweep over UNC-Wilmington. It has largely been a lost season, but with a young team you’d like to see them improve as the season goes on and they’ve done so. Yesterday, Rob Weissheier‘s walk-off home run sent the home faithful back home happy.
Division-II:
1.Adelphi (Record: 27-5, Past Week: 4-0)
2. NYIT (Record: 24-9, Past Week: 2-1)
3. LIU Post (Record: 26-12, Past Week: 4-0)
4. Queens (Record: 21-14-1, Past Week: 2-1)
5. Molloy (Record: 11-23, Past Week: 0-3)
Analysis: You have to be very impressed with what Adelphi has been able to do. I think anyone that followed this team last year had a premonition that they would be a 25-win team this year, but not by the middle of April. They have been able to withstand the flu bug in early March, they have now won 13 in a row and haven’t lost since March 30. They will likely host the NE-10 tournament this year which is a huge advantage. They are the favorites to win it, but even if they don’t they will make an appearance in the regionals. With series this week between LIU Post and NYIT. It should be great baseball for four games, and will likely determine who has the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Post is an impressive 17-2 in conference play with NYIT right behind them at 14-4.
Division-III:
1.Farmingdale (Record: 26-6, Past Week: 2-0)
2. USMMA (Record: 25-9, Past Week: 3-0)
3. Maritime (Record: 20-15, Past Week: 1-2)
4. Old Westbury (Record: 16-14-1, Past Week: 1-1)
5. St. Joseph’s (Record: 17-16, Past Week: 3-2)
Analysis: Farmingdale continues to roll, they locked up the No. 1 seed in the Skyline Conference tournament with a sweep over Maritime on Friday. They will be looking for their first title since 2014, but USMMA will not roll over and hand it to them. Couple interesting things about St. Joseph’s I noticed. Tim Woodford, a junior from Hauppauge has quietly put together an outstanding season. He is 5-1 with four complete game, a 1.02 ERA and a 43:6 K:BB ratio. Also, the team’s K:BB ratio at the plate is unbelievable. Their leading hitter, Jesse Nakashian, has 13 walks and 14 strikeouts. Tyler Sanderson has 18 walks and 10 strikeouts, Anthony Raucci has 18 walks and 20 strikeouts, Tyler Crafa has 14 walks and 10 strikeouts, Tyler Costa has eight walks and five strikeouts. In an early of power and strikeouts, that bucks the trend.
