NSIC Players of the Week (3/3) – Prepare For Rant

The Northern Sun Conference has named their players of the week for the week ending on March 3rd and they are -

Player of the Week was Concordia’s Bryan Lippincott.  The freshman from Des Moines, IA hit a solo, walk-off homer in a game last Tuesday against St. Johns to win it for the Golden Bears by the score of 8-7.  He also hit a homer in the 2nd game of the day to help the team to a sweep and finish the day 3-9 at the plate.

Pitcher of the Week was also from Concordia, Ben Lemke.  The freshman from Rosemount, MN came into the 2nd game against St. Johns and threw 4.1 innings of no-hit baseball to earn his first career win.  The performance included 4 strikeouts to go with 1 walk and improved his ERA to 1.12 on the season.  NSIC Press Release

The Rant!

• I have nothing against these 2 players – they are deserving choices.  But why would you pick 2 guys from the same team when there were so many other great performances this past week?
• Add to that, Concordia beat St. Johns!  We’re talking about a Division 3 team that really isn’t that good.  They are 1-4 this season and below .500 last season.

The Alternatives?

• How about recognizing someone from Winona State who just beat the #1 team in D2 instead of a mediocre D3 team?  Leadoff hitter, Tony Mueller, had 8 hits in 3 games this week!  Pitcher, Kyle Hanken, came in with the game on the line in a tied, late inning battle and shut Lynn down for 2 innings to get what will possibly be their biggest win of the year.
• Maybe recognize someone at Minnesota State like shortstop Kosuke Hattori who was 6-10 in 2 games or pitcher Patrick Lenton who pitched 6 innings of 4 hit, 1 run baseball to get a win.
• St. Cloud State’s starting pitcher, Logan Birr, had an outstanding game against Bemidji State in pitching a complete game, 6 hit, 1 run game that included 7 strikeouts and no walks.

Rant off.

Winona State & Mary Playing Spring Break Games

     

Winona State Continued their spring break trip in Florida this week –

• Winona State (2-4) started out their trip with a bang beating #1 Lynn (Winona Beats Lynn) but had to play them a 2nd time the next day.  While they did get ahead 4-1, Lynn put on a hitting display in the 3rd inning to score 9 runs and won going away by the score of 20-8.  Big Inning Foils Warriors. 
• The Warriors went on to play Mercyhurst yesterday who had scored their own upset over #1 Lynn and the Lakers beat Winona by the score of 7-4.  Lakers Defeat Winona State
• Winona State will face off today against Florida Southern (13-4) – a team ranked #9 in the College Baseball News poll.  The Moccasin’s did lose yesterday to the Detroit Tigers by the score of 7-1.  Yes, THE Detroit Tigers – Florida Southern – Detroit Box Score

The University of Mary (3-7) was taking their own spring trip in Phoenix with games starting on Sunday –

• On Sunday, the Marauders faced Montana State Billings (6-10) and split a double header, losing game 1 by the score of 11-5 before coming back for a 4-2 win led by pitcher, Tyler Porter.  Porter Pitchers Marauders to Split
• On Monday, Mary faced Billings again in a twin bill with the same results – a split.  The Yellowjackets easily won the first game, 13-1 but the Marauders once again got an excellent pitching performance, this time by Kyle Schroeder, to win 8-4.  Schroeder pitched 6 innings and had 7 strikeouts to lead Mary.  Mary Splits Doubleheader
• Mary continues their trip today against Grand Canyon University (6-9).  Unfortunately for them, they will likely face the Antelopes ace pitcher, freshman Casey Collins, who has shut down high powered teams like #3 rated Mesa State earlier in the season.  Antelopes-Marauders Preview

In other games today, Concordia (6-1) plays a doubleheader in the Metrodome against Grand View University of Iowa.  The NAIA school is just 1-5 on the season.  Concordia Preview and Listening Options