We are 3 weeks into the NCAA D2 college baseball season and all but 1 team in the Northern Sun Conference (Mary) have gotten games in. The Metrodome continues to be used night and day by teams trying to deal with the generally crappy playing conditions all over the Midwest.
Players of the Week – NSIC Week 3 Press Release
NSIC Player of the Week 
#27 Dan Bauer
IF, 6-0, 190, R/R
Bemidji, Minn.
Bemidji HS
Bemidji State
Dan Bauer went 9-for-15, a .600 batting average, in the four-game sweep of Northern State in a nonconference series at the H.H.H. Metrodome Sunday (10-2, 17-4) and Monday (4-2, 4-3 (8)). Two of those nine hits were game-winners, both coming in Monday’s doubleheader with the game tied, two outs and in the late innings (bottom 6th in game one and top 8th in game two). He had a team-high in hits and tied a team-high in RBI in the four games with seven. Bauer added three runs, hit his first home run of the season and recorded a double. He stole one base, recorded 11 assists and six putouts playing second base, going all four games without an error. He recorded at least one hit and one RBI in each contest, going a perfect 3-for-3 in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, adding three RBI and two runs scored.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week 
#20 Patrick Lenton
RHP, 6-1, 215, Sr., L/R
Maple Grove, Minn.
Maple Grove HS
Minnesota State
Patrick Lenton earned his first win of season in MSU’s season opener, a 7-4 victory at Colorado Christian on Feb. 19th. He gave up one earned run in six innings of work. He fanned nine batters and limited the Cougars to just three hits in the game. He now stands 15-3 at MSU in his career.
Northern Sun Games Last Weekend
Augustana goes 3-1 over the weekend at the Metrodome against Morningside and Nebraska Kearney – Vikings go 3-1
Bemidji State crushes Northern State in first 2 games and then barely holds on to sweep the 4 game series – Beavers Sweep 4
Concordia Split with Nebraska Kearney – Furrow Walk-Off – Bears Split
Minnesota State travels all the way to Colorado for 3 games where they went 2-1 against Colorado Christian – Mav’s Upend Cougars 9-1
In perhaps the best contests, St Cloud State and Winona State split a pair at the Metrodome giving us no clear indication of who’s better. Huskies Earn Split
Upper Iowa lost 2 to Wayne State scoring only 1 run in each contest. This helped the WSC fans feel a lot better but causes some concerns for the Peacocks. Peacocks Drop First 2
Upcoming Northern Sun Action
This weekend will be a great opportunity to see Northern Sun action at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. On both Friday & Saturday there are a pair of NSIC doubleheaders – Wayne State vs. Winona State and Bemidji State vs. St. Cloud State. In addition, Minnesota State plays UW-Parkside there on Saturday in a DH to make 14 hours straight of Northern Sun games.
Concordia plays a couple doubleheaders at the Dome this week, Wednesday against St. Johns and Thursday against Kansas Wesleyan.
Augustana and Upper Iowa are both scheduled to travel to play games in Missouri on Saturday.
NCAA Division 2 College Baseball Polls
Both PING! and College Baseball News have updated their polls for the week ending on February 21st. Each of them agree on the top 3 teams in the country –
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College Baseball News dropped Emporia State from the top spot all the way down to #10 because of a 8-10 loss to Central Oklahoma. Southern Arkansas had been tied for first last week but dropped to #2 while sweeping all 3 games they played during the week against West Florida, a team receiving votes in this poll. Taking over the top spot is Florida Southern (11-0) who plastered Pace University this weekend outscoring them by 68-8 in a 4 game sweep. The Northern Sun Conference’s Wayne State dropped all the way out of the poll after starting the year ranked #14 in the country and now find themselves out of the top 63. Minnesota State & Southwest Minnesota State did pick up 1 vote, as they did last week, and St. Cloud State makes a 3rd NSIC team on the list with 1 vote. College Baseball News D2 Poll
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PING Baseball also had changeover at the top as they dropped their previous #1 team, UC San Diego, to the #7 spot. The Tritons (11-3) split their 4 game weekend series against Chico State, who moved into the poll at #19. Florida Southern, Southern Arkansas and Francis Marion are the top 3 in each of the polls. There are no Northern Sun teams in the PING poll – Ping Baseball D2 Poll
In Division 1 College Baseball the first weekend of play is in the books and Yahoo/Rivals has a good recap of the winners & losers so far – D1 Winners/Losers
Northern Sun Baseball 
Thanks for the updates. I really have enjoyed reading your blog over the last year or so.
Just wanted to make a small addition. Minnesota State actually played 3 games in Colorado. On Friday they split a doubleheader with Colorado Christian. That story is here: http://www.msumavericks.com/news/2010/2/20/BB_0220105710.aspx. They won the first one 7-4 then dropped the second 10-8.
They were supposed to play a doubleheader on Saturday too, but it was snowing and the temp was around 25. That’s cold even for Northern Sun Baseball!
They also play a doubleheader in the Metrodome on Saturday against UW-Parkside.
Thanks Dave – I blew it on the first one. One the Saturday games I blame the NSIC office as it isn’t listed on the combined schedule. Either way, I’ve made changes to the post above and I appreciate your chiming in to correct me.
Hey fish,
I’m not one to complain cause you do a great job with this site but when you reported on the Wayne St-Upper Iowa games why would you include the link to UI’s web site when they lost both games instead of Wayne’s. To the victors go the spoils?
You sure couldn’t confuse it with NCIS?!
Did I see that right that CU got beat by D3 St.Johns twice today. A big surprise to me.
St Johns’s beat Concordia both the games today at the Dome. 4-0 and 9-8. A bit of a surprise to me.
Not exactly a great endorsement of the team they lost to either – “The Johnnie’s finished 12-20 overall and 7-13 in the MIAC (in 2009)”
Concordia is going to take some lumps this year. They have a decent freshman class but lost a bunch of good players and are relying too much on underclassman this year. Furrow is off to a great year at the plate but their pitching is going to struggle and will be quite inconsistant.
Some very strong outings for those players of the week!
CU is young. Their defense has hurt them at times. The pitching has had trouble over coming these erros. They are a scrappy bunch. Furrow has become a leader and DeVries is making strides as well. The “experienced” youth needs to continue to improve. I do not think they will win the conference but I do believe they will make some noise
I listened to both games today that CU played. Low scoring affairs. CU lost the first game 3-2 and a throwing error late in the second game gave them the win 2-1.
In reply to John regarding linking to the UI site – no, to the victors don’t go the spoils. I like to spread it around a little bit. This site tries to cover all of the conference so I feel its best to give each team some press.
UI is probably the good team I cover the least on this site as I know nothing about the school and have never had any contact from anyone from the school or their fans. Just trying to reach out and give them some due.
OK Fish. I understand where your comming from I just thought it would have been better to highlight UI when they won 2 instead of when they they got a combined 2 runs in the DH. I agree with you about them being one of the lesser known teams in the NSIC. I don’t know much about them either with the exception of them having a nice showing in the NSIC Tourny last May and their 2ed baseman (Seth Fox) just so happens to be from right around the corner from our town just south of Philly.
I know a few of the UIU players. They believe to be contenders this year. I know the younger players because I coached against a few of them and know their coaches well.
Game 1 Final
Winona 6 WSC 2
Combined 2 hitter for Winona
Watched the Wayne,Winona games on video. Not the best. Was wondering on three plays. Mueller dives for a ball in front of him. No error, homerun/Bisenius. Pop up to Pitcher/firstbasemen. NO error /double/Bisenius Grounder to SS/fumble ball/ basehit/ Plasha.
The announcers were calling them errors. Anyone have thoughts.
They may all have been hits, just wondering.
I was at the game so here’s a view from the cheap seats. # 1) “Muller dives for a ball in front of him. No error” The kid laid out trying to make a play which is what good ballplayers do and I respect him for that but unfortunitly the safe/correct play is to pull up and keep the ball in front of you. Gotta respect the effort though. Therefore the HR awarded Bisenius shoulda been scored a single/E-8. Sorry Mike.
#2) I missed the “Pop up to Pitcher/1st baseman so no comment.
#3 Grounder to SS/fumble ball/ basehit/Plasha. That’s a hard one. Judgement call in my opinion. It was a chopping slow roller. SS charged the ball but couldn’t get a handle on it. Could go either way and I couldn’t argue with the offical scorer wichever way he went. You win some of them and lose just as many.
I was at a Augustana game and the center fielder for them did about the same thing, layed out for a ball, the ball bounced up in the air after hitting off of him. The runner from 2nd tried to go home, he got up and threw the guy out at home and the batter went to 2nd. No way he could have caught it as it hit the ground first. Lose some, because he got a error on the play. He also got a assist on the play.
Well that’s one of the good things about being from Philly. You gotta look far and wide to find something to “embarrase” me and I certianily wasn’t blushing yesterday. I saw the same play and from where I sat I saw nothing unsportsmanlike at all. Wayne’s 1st baseman was merely trying to put the tag on the runner caught in the rundown and his momentum carried him on top of the runner diving into 2ed base. The kid on the bottom pushed him off (can’t blame him either) and when they both got up they told each other how they really feel and then the game went on. NO BIG DEAL! Sometimes things get a little heated between the lines and that’s where it should be left. After the game all these young men shook hands and will be back at the Dome to play 2 more today. No Harm No Foul.
I didn’t think Mueller dove for the ball I thought he just ran by it. As for the Bis double the pitcher and 1b collide no one touches the ball and its a double. Simple baseball scoring.
And – dirty player. Really? Were you at the game and see the play?
Fish;
Could you please take my last post down. You can teach old dogs new tricks. Sometimes you shouldn’t put your thoughts down in writing and perhaps sleeping on them before actually putting them in writing makes more sense also. I appologies for my comment! Wityh age is supposed to come wisdom….
Hey Ima,
Forget about it. No big deal. Congrats on the 2 – 1 run w’s today. Look forward to seeing you guys later in the year. By the way, whata you think about Wendte’s HR. Pretty impressive I thought. For those of you who weren’t there last years POY hit one into the upper deck in right to put Wayne up 2 (not for long) late in the game. The ball actually went into the tunnel marked 212-213. Even my son said it was the farthest ball he’s ever seen hit and he’s hit a few himself over the years. Have to give WSU credit though as they came back in the 7th and pulled out the win. They definatly wanted it more.
One of the coolest things about it was when he hit it and who he hit it off. I have been watching the twins there for years and agree that ball was hit hard.
Mueller Gave up 5 runs what happen. was he bad or what happend cuz i saw he struck out 9, and gave up what sounds to be a BOMB.
Really the young man didn’t pitch a bad game. Your right he did strike out 9 but he also hit 3. That never helps. He definitly is a talented player/pitcher and if you take away “The Bomb” it’s a 4-2 CG win. I do agree with IMA in that it was a pretty cool match up in the last inning. And Mr Wendte sure made a statement. One thing I can’t figure out though is why the WSU coach came out to the mound after a big strike out by Mueller of a Wayne pitch hitter on the batter before Wendte. Mueller was definately pumped as evidenced by his fist pump after strike # 3, and the crowd was really going wild. Seemed to me like the visit to the mound took the momentum out of things. Next thing you know it’s 5-4 Wayne. Can’t quite seem to figure that one out.
Thanks fish.
Well here I am back home in Philly and reality is starting to set in. (And is stinks) Had a great time over the last couple of days at a great venue doing what I love doing, watching college baseball. Saw a couple real good teams with a lot of potential compete in 3- 1 run games. I wouldn’t be supprised if the next time they meet they are playing in the NSIC playoff finals. You guys up there have a real good set up being able to get early season games in, inside the cosy confines of the Dome. The rest of the NSIC should be thankful as well to be able to do the same. Thanks for having us!!! Good Luck WSU.
It would be nice to schedule the NSIC conference tournament at the Dome. Weather gaurantee, pleasant place for crowds, easy access (sort of), and no excuse for errors.
Glad you enjoyed the trip to the Dome Plasha Sr. It is a short trip up the road for me (250 miles all Interstate) and I enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Hope to meet some of the bloggers this spring at games.
Your right about easy access. They had what I think was the player/employee parking lot open for us so we parked right next to the team busses. Easy in and easy out. Except for vending machines you gotta bring your own food which has never been a problem for me in the past. A good time was had by all. We don’t get back there this year but I am planning on getting to your field when we come out to see Jr for Easter so I’ll catch up to you there. I was planning on seeing IMA but I got hijacked to the MOA by the bride and my daughter immediatly after our last game. If not I’m sure I see many of you in St.Cloud
Whats the Deal with the tournament in St cloud again and not back in Wayne.
The NSIC Tourney is back in St. Cloud again because a 2 year deal was made with the NSIC to host them at Joe Faber Field. I was there last May and I think it was/is a great place to host this Tourney. There is also a 2ed field that could be used to play games if the week got shortened because of the weather. I’m not sure why you ask why it’s not back in Wayne? Wayne St. didn’t win the tournament anyway, Minn. St did although Wayne won the regular season Championship. Another thing Faber field has going for it is lights. That’s a big help. The inability to host night games hurts Wayne as far as hosting the Central Regional also.
The current NSIC schedule and last years schedule is a two year deal also. Next year there could be 8 teams in the tournament. I heard this last year from a pretty good source, but nothing for sure.
Would be nice to mix it up some for us.
The WSC games against Washburn, scheduled for tomorrow are being moved from Topeka to Emporia. Emporia State has been added to schedule at 3 pm. Is Emporia State any good this year?
Bonus baseball – I’m lovin’ it.
The game against Emporia is actually the one that was scheduled for March 16th but is now moved to tomorrow March 2ed. Anybody wanna buy a round trip plane ticket from Philly to KC. on the 16th of March? Also the Washburn game is cancelled. WSC only plays 1 game with Emporia tomorrow and according to their web site Live Stats are available.
They are currently 7 and 1. Truman State took them into extra innings. Truman has been very poor for years.
Emporia lost several key players but who did not. I expect them to be very good.
I was really just kidding. They finished second in the country last year and opened the season ranked number one. I think they are still top ten – I expect them to be very good. Looking forward to it.
Washburn cancelled. I guess a 35 minute drive to open your season is too much to ask. No wonder they suck!
1 game with Emporia State. Go ‘Cats.
Emporia State is currently ranked#9 by Collegiate Baseball released March 1.
Minnesota State 14 votes
SW Minnesota 1 vote
St Cloud 1 vote
CU plays Ashland Ohio next week ranked 12, St Joes and Nebraska Omaha (both received a vote). Could be a tall test for the young Golden Bears.
WSC 7 EMP 3 Final
Cats played well. Starting to hit it now. What a difference it makes to have bp before the game, in and out, sunshine, fresh air – felt like baseball season!!
Great pitching against some kids who can really mash.
Mankato lost two today to Bemiji. Didn’t see that coming.
I thought that was rather remarkable myself especially considering Lenton Started game 1? Any given game any team can get beat. The ball doesn’t bounce your way all the time. But 2 out of 4? Looking past them?