This Weekend in SBC Softball

[VObserver]

Louisiana @ ULM
USM @ Troy
Marshall @ TxSt
GaSo @ CCU
USA @ JMU
App @ GaSt

Obviously we want to sweep ULM. The outcomes of USM @ Troy, Marshall @ TxSt and USA @ JMU are not important to us long term for RPI purposes, but for Conference Standings and tie breaker purposes, we would prefer the Marshall @ TxSt series be split either way 2-1, Troy to win the USM Series 2-1 and JMU to win the USA series 2-1. Regardless of standings we want CCU to sweep GaSo, as we don't play GaSo, and as a result, every CCU win gives us a win in the opponents record column, while the loss by GaSo goes into the Opponents Opponents column, which is less of an impact on our RPI. The outcome of App @ GaSt does not affect our RPI, but for standings purposes we want GaSt to win the series 2-1.

Other important series for us, and the reasons why, include:

Oklahoma @ LSU ... we need both to stay in the top 25, so a 2-1 split works.
aTm @ Texas ... we need at least one aTm win here and would prefer more, to keep the Aggies in the Top 25.
Ole Miss @ Tennessee ... same as aTm.
UVa @ Pitt ... need a sweep here to keep UVa in Top 25.

IWU @ McNeese ... need a McNeese sweep to keep them from falling in RPI. We need the Pokes to end the year in the Top 50.
Jacksonville St. @ FIU ... Need JaxSt sweep for same reasons as McNeese.
Marshall @ TxSt ... Need TxSt to win series to ensure they get back in top 50.
Missouri @ Auburn ... Need Mizzou to win series, to move them closer to Top 50.

Of course we want everyone not in the SBC that we played to sweep if possible, but the above series are more important than the rest.

[SlickRick]

Thanks Charlie!

[VObserver]

More on our series with ULM.

Our adjusted RPI is .58707 [40]; theirs is .54138 [84]
We outhit the Warhawks by .309 to .282
We outscore them 5.79 R/GM to 3.92 RPG
We allow 3.97 R/GM to their 3.67
Our ERA is 3.36, theirs is 3.32
The ERA of our opponents vs us is 5.39, their opponents vs them is 3.77
our scoring differential is +1.82 R/GM, theirs is +0.25
We hit 2.79 Extra Base Hits/GM to their 2.00
Their best win is Texas State, ours is Texas A&M
Our SOS is 39, theirs is 65, so our numbers are against generally better competition.
We are 10-12 vs Top 100 RPI, they are 3-16

In my opinion, if we play like we have been the last few games, we should win this series. With even a slight improvement in walks and hit batters allowed and/or a slight improvement in fielding, we should sweep the Warhawks.

[VObserver]

One more stat: So far this season we have 7 common opponents: McNeese, Tulsa, UNT, UNI, Jacksonville St, Ole Miss and Texas State. Against this group we are 8-3, ULM is 3-9.

Just another reason to believe we should win the series.

[Turbine]

One more stat: So far this season we have 7 common opponents: McNeese, Tulsa, UNT, UNI, Jacksonville St, Ole Miss and Texas State. Against this group we are 8-3, ULM is 3-9.

Just another reason to believe we should win the series.

Nice research

[SlickRick]

Nice research

Always solid info!

[VObserver]

Coastal just lost to GaSo 7-4 in Conway

[VObserver]

GaSo batting in top 5 of second game at CCU. GaSo leading 9-4.

[VObserver]

And Coastal loses 9-4 in game two.

[60swerethebest]

I’m not sure we’re an at large team. We’ll see tomorrow but we struggled mightily today in all aspects of the game.