| Marietta can't three-peat in
Appleton unless it gets out of Indiana first. Marietta athletics photo |
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May 15: All times Eastern Final
Washington and Jefferson 5, at Illinois Wesleyan 3
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May 17: All times Eastern Final - 13 innings
Washington and Jefferson 8, at Wooster 7
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By John Skomra
D3sports.com
Could it be a third straight year for the national champs to come out the Mideast? The road to Appleton goes through Terre Haute, Indiana this spring for eight teams. Conference champs Manchester (HCAC), Washington & Jefferson (PAC), Wooster (NCAC), Penn State Behrend (AMCC) and Mount Union (OAC) all aim to boast as regional victors.
Thomas More out of the PAC and Illinois Wesleyan of the Central region claimed at-large bids and look to show they belong among the regional elite. Defending champion Marietta also claimed a Pool C bid after dropping two games in the OAC tournament. A senior-driven balanced Pioneer team looks to repeat to Appleton for a third straight year. Expect a balanced attack of arms and hitting in the Mideast Regional this week.
Mideast Regional schedule
Wednesday, May 15
Game 1 - No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan (32-12) vs No. 5 Washington and
Jefferson (30-11), 10:00 a.m.
Game 2 - No. 1 Manchester (23-5-1) vs No. 8 Mount Union (23-16),
1:15 p.m.
Game 3 - No. 3 Wooster (32-10) vs No. 7 Thomas More (29-14), 4:30
p.m.
Game 4 - No. 2 Marietta (35-5-1) vs No. 6 Penn St.-Behrend
(30-10), 7:45 p.m.
Thursday, May
16
Game 5 - Illinois Wesleyan vs Mount Union , 10:00 a.m.
Game 6 - Wooster vs Penn State Behrend, 1:15 p.m.
Game 7 - Washington and Jefferson vs Manchester, 4:30
p.m.
Game 8 - Thomas More vs Marietta, 7:45 p.m.
Friday, May 17
Game 9 - Wooster vs Washington and Jefferson, 10:00
a.m.
Game 10 - Illinois
Wesleyan vs Thomas
More, 1:15 p.m.
Game 11 - Marietta vs
Manchester, 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, 12:00 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), 12:00 p.m.
Favorite
HCAC winner Manchester returns to familiar ground on the campus of Rose-Hulman. However, the Spartans possess a very weak strength of schedule, having not playing a regionally ranked opponent all year. With that, the slight edge goes to Marietta. The Pioneers dominated for most the season with one of the toughest schedules in the country. Manchester plays with much to prove.
Most likely to disappoint
The 2010 National Champion Illinois Wesleyan Titans come into Terre Haute as losers of four of their last eight. The Titans have relied heavily on strong pitching performances in 2013. Coming out the gate against an impressive W&J Presidents team boasting a .327 BA, the Titans will have to come ready to battle.
Cinderella
OAC champion Mount Union enters regionally play coming off an impressive 3-0 run in tournament. Conference Pitcher of the Year Zach Carlino will get the nod against Manchester on the hill and hopes to set the pace for the rest of the tournament. Don’t be surprised if Mount Union keeps its games close and puts itself in a position to win.
Players to Watch
UTL - Bryce Murphy, Manchester (.384, 56 runs, 38 RBI, 5-2, 1.29
ERA, 50 K)
C - Alex Toth, Marietta (.403, 37 runs, 18 2B, 35 RBI, .990
FLD%)
SP - Keenan White, Wooster (12-0, 2.38 ERA, 75 K)
1B - Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan (.313, 15 2B, 35 RBI)
RF - Ryan Darner, Thomas More (.367, 5 HR, 44 RBI)
3B - Matt Bittner, Penn State-Behrend (.314, 21 2B, 42 RBI)
SP - Zach Carlino, Mount Union (8-1, 2.77 ERA, 47 K)
SP - Eddie Nogay, Washington and Jefferson (10-1, 3.07 ERA, 60
K)