| The Bombers made a statement
with a sweep of Cortland this season. Ithaca athletics photo |
Follow this regional
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By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
The New York Regional has been the dominated by Cortland State for the past two decades but the Red Dragons will have some serious competition this year. No longer are they coming in as the favorite as Ithaca takes the honors this year. Top seeded Ithaca welcomed Montclair State for a tune-up last weekend and with two more wins in the book are ready for a serious run at a regional title.
Farmingdale State was dominant in its conference but where less so when they stepped out in their non-conference schedule. RPI and Union were the best in the Liberty League and it is no coincidence they met in the tournament championship, with RPI taking the playoff bid, and uion watching their bubble burst. Moravian, Neumann, and Rowan come over from the Mid-Atlantic region vis different routes. Moravian squeaked into their tournament and caught fire, Rowan was good in the conference schdedule and better at tournet time while Neumann racked up just enough wins to get in on one of the last at-large bids. Amherst comes over from the New England region, quietly earning a division win and the NESCAC title.
New York Regional schedule
Wednesday, May 15
Game 1 - No. 4 Farmingdale (28-13) vs. No. 5 Neumann
(29-13), 10 a.m.
Game 2 - No. 1 Ithaca (34-6) vs. No. 8 Moravian (24-17), 1:15
p.m.
Game 3 - No. 3 Rowan (32-12) vs. No. 6 Amherst (25-11), 4:30
p.m.
Game 4 - No. 2 Cortland (34-9) vs. No. 7 RPI (28-13), 7:45
p.m.
Thursday, May 16
Game 5 - Neumann vs Moravian, 10 a.m.
Game 6 - Rowan vs RPI, 1:15 p.m.
Game 7 - Farmingdale vs Ithaca, 4:30 p.m.
Game 8 - Amherst vs Cortland, 7:45 p.m.
Friday, May 17
Game 9 - RPI vs Farmingdale, 10 a.m.
Game 10 - Neumann vs Cortland, 1:15 p.m.
Game 11 - Ithaca vs Amherst, 4:30 p.m.
Game 12 - Winner Game 9 vs Winner Game 10, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, May 18
Game 13 - Winner Game 12 vs Loser Game 11, 12 p.m.
Game 14 - Winner Game 11 vs Winner Game 13, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 19
Game 15 - Repeat of Game 14 (if needed), 12 p.m.
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Favorite
Move over Cortland, there is a new king in the New York regional. Ithaca showed everyone they are the team to beat. The Bombers bring a 2-0 record against the Red Dragons and are 30-2 since a four game losing streak while in Southern California two months ago. The Bombers are expected to fly into the 2013 D-III World Series.
Most likely to disappoint
Farmingdale State was a Top 25 team, but an 0-4 start to the season moved the Rams out of the rankings. Once they entered their conference schedule, they were dominant. But they have no Skyline opponents in the New York regional. Take away the 18-1 record against conference opponents and the Rams are 10-12 and are headed to 10-14.
Cinderella
Rensselaer had the unusual experience playing in the shadow of Union and its remarkable run in 2013, but once tournament time rolled around the men of Troy were victors once again. The Red Hawks are clicking on all cylinders and if they can get past second-seeded Cortland, they have a team that can compete with the best.
Players to Watch
LF- David Zilnicki, Farmingdale State (.462, 22 RBI, 25
SB)
CF - Zack Graczyk, Cortland State (.429, 14 2B, 30 RBI)
SP - Pat Lemmo, Ithaca (8-0, 1.70 ERA, 54K, .219 opp. avg.)
RP - Patrick D'Ascenzo, Rowan (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 saves)
CF - Matt Sheneman, Neumann (.367, 26 runs, 43 RBI, 9
SB)
SP - Dylan Driscoll, Amherst (2.72, 7-0, 31 K)
SP- Sean Conroy, RPI (7-1, 1.91 ERA, 7-1, 50 K)
RF - Matt Hanson, Moravian (.364, 33 runs, 12 2B, 5 3B, 19 RBI, 15
SB)