Baseball 2022

Not typically a lot of baseball talk on this forum.  However, the program is trending in the right direction.

They will be having an open to public scrimmage tomorrow (10/16) at noon.  Looks like weather is set to be nice as well.

I'll add that this could also be a good opportunity to check out the newly renovated Joe Etzel Field. Pilots have been unable to play in front of home crowds for a long time with the renovations and COVID. Unfortunately, I will be out of town. Otherwise would have loved to check out at least a couple innings.

https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/536258-429173-portland-baseball-eyes-wcc-tournament-berth-in-2022

I am always excited for baseball season. My hope for the team is certainly the WCC tournament (and/or beyond!).

Finally remembered to look up the FTM measurements on the outfield wall that had perplexed me: fathoms. Nice touch!

It's been quiet over here so far, but the team has not been quiet at all!

The team has started out 14-5 overall and 2-1 in WCC play after taking the opening series from BYU. Gonzaga was given 9 first place votes to win the WCC crown this year, but BYU earned Gonzaga's lone first place vote.

College Baseball Nation (no idea the reputation of this website) has us ranked at No. 49 this week.

Through games played yesterday, we are ranked 26 in the NCAA RPI. I’m no rankings expert like the folks over in the men’s basketball forum, but this is nice!

I do know to say: “it’s still early in the season!”

https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/baseball/d1/rpi

Not sure even Ernie Banks would have played two today...

Wait…

The Long Beach State Dirtbags?

Geezaldinho wrote:Wait…

The Long Beach State Dirtbags?

It took you close to 3 weeks to notice?

You need to whip yourself back into PilotNation shape, Geezer.

I know professor DoubleDipper doesn't approve of citing Wikipedia, but

The Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team is the college baseball program that represents California State University, Long Beach. Although all Long Beach State sports teams are officially known as the Beach, the baseball team is typically referred to as the "Dirtbags".

Wait…

The Beach?

The Bluff Boys have clinched a berth into the WCC Baseball Tournament for the first time in program history after their win yesterday over St. Mary's.

The team currently sits in third place with a good chance to finish second if they can take care of their series against St. Mary's this weekend and Pepperdine next weekend. If the Pilots finish in second place they get an automatic bye to the double elimination round.

the 8-6 win last night also marked their seventh straight victory in the WCC. The question is what is the longest win streak the Pilots have had in conference play in program history?

Fox Mulder wrote:the 8-6 win last night also marked their seventh straight victory in the WCC. The question is what is the longest win streak the Pilots have had in conference play in program history?

St. Mary's slugged a grand-slam in the 9th inning this evening, but it wasn't enough to keep the Pilots from their 8th straight victory...

I imagine there is someone who can determine what the longest winning streak in Pilots baseball history is, but after many years of watching, my money is on 8-straight!!

DoubleDipper wrote:

Fox Mulder wrote:the 8-6 win last night also marked their seventh straight victory in the WCC. The question is what is the longest win streak the Pilots have had in conference play in program history?

I imagine there is someone who can determine what the longest winning streak in Pilots baseball history is, but after many years of watching, my money is on 8-straight!!  

This is indeed a new record in conference.

The previous record for WCC consecutive wins was 6 ( 1999 & 2010)

The previous record for consecutive wins of any sort is 14 ( 1958 ).
1958 was their best season ever (25-8 )

https://portlandpilots.com/documents/2019/3/15/2019_BSB_Info_Guide.pdf

There is still a long way to go into today's game against the Gaels due to the rain forcing delays, but the Pilots just scored 14 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning (I think there were 7 walks given up by SMC) and they are up by 13.

If the Pilots can hang on, they will tie USD for the all-important 2nd place in the WCC.

DoubleDipper wrote:If the Pilots can hang on, they will tie USD for the all-important 2nd place in the WCC.

Yesterday the Gaels plated 4 runs in the 9th on a grand slam, and today they put 6 runs across the plate in the 9th, but lost again...22-12!

It was a sloppy game (UP had 4 errors early), but it also wasn't the best weather to be playing in.

The Pilots have clinched the second seed in the WCC tournament with USD/Gonzaga splitting their double header. Portland owns the tie-breaker over USD since the Pilots took two of three at home this season. This is a huge moment for the program. They make it to the tournament for the first time and they also clinch a bye into the double elimination round. Its a great day to be a pilot!

The Pilots have had a great season because of their team play but a special moment for a Pilot arm as Brett Gillis is named a Semi-Finalist for the National Pitcher of the Year Award.

This season Brett has been masterful on the mound. He is 9-1 (the single season record is 10) and entered this week sixth in the country with an ERA of 1.52.

He struck out nine in his start on Friday against Pepperdine giving him a season total of 111. That ties him with Zach Varce for third place all time. He'll need three more strikeouts to take sole possession of second place passing Doug Kline who struck out 113 in 1987.

Pilots lose their second in a row to Pepperdine but still finish the regular season at 31-21/17-10 and secure the second seed in the WCC Tournament in Stockton that begins on Wednesday.

Portland will first play on Thursday at 7pm in the double-elimination round against either San Diego, BYU, or LMU.

When was the last time the Pilots made the NCAA tourney? Any hope of an at large if they don’t win the WCC tournament?

The last time the Pilots made the NCAA Regionals was in the early 90's.
1991 the Pilots made the Fresno Regional going 1-2.

Miami 13, Portland 1
Portland 12, San Diego State 5
Cal State Northridge 12, Portland 7

Coincidentally the last time Portland made Regionals their skipper, Geoff Loomis, was playing for the Pilots who were a part of the Pac-10 North.

As for chances to make the NCAA regional... They will need to win the WCC tournament to make it in

It was scorching in Stockton this afternoon as #3 USD scorched #6 USF for 8 runs in the final three innings and will now take on #2 UP tomorrow at 7.

In the other game, #5 LMU upset #4 BYU and moved on to face #1 GU tomorrow at 3.

I guess that is the advantage of being the #1 seed, because LMU did not finish their game until just before 11 this evening, and they will have a quick turnaround.  At least afternoon game will not be played in triple-digit heat like it was today, and by the time the Pilots take the field, it should be close to 85 degrees and cooling.

Can’t get the stream to work but it doesn’t look like I’m missing much anyway. Too bad

Dean Murdoch wrote:Can’t get the stream to work but it doesn’t look like I’m missing much anyway. Too bad

There have been technical difficulties, but I am getting the stream loud and clear.

Face it, USD is the best offensive team in the WCC, and down 10-1 in the 5th, the Pilots should probably preserve their pitching in this double-elimination format.

It is an ugly game...it has been going for over 2 hours now and it is still the top of the 5th.