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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: April 26
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Aaron Fitt
1:04
Hey gang, let's pull up our socks and get after it!
KatFan
1:05
I saw Colton Cowser got some love in a recent article and the most recent draft rankings, what is the biggest factor for the change in tone on him compared to the beginning of the year? I know KR was critical before the season. Also, Jack Rogers is someone who is can be overshadowed by Cowser, what is a realistic round that you could see him go in the draft? He and Cowser have been the rocks for SHSU this season.
Kendall Rogers
1:05
Kat -- I don't think I was really critical of Colton, but scouts were a little down on him because he had a rough early spring in 2020, followed by a lackluster fall. WTS -- Colton is a great kid, great player and I'm pumped that he's having a solid spring for the Bearkats. He reminds me a lot of Braden Shewmake with a bit more athleticism and power potential.
Kevin R.
1:07
Completely agree with the write-up - after that G3 loss to Ole Miss, the weekend almost seemed like a L for LSU and I forgot that we won the first 2 games (people in BR were NOT happy, as you might have imagined). Now with 6 SEC wins, LSU just needs 1 from Ark, and series wins vs Bama, Aub, and A&M to make a regional, right? :)
Aaron Fitt
1:07
I suppose that roadmap would give LSU a shot -- if they take two of three in each of those last three series and avoid getting swept by Arkansas then they'll be 13-17 in the SEC, if my quick math is right. That usually puts an SEC team right on the borderline; we've seen some teams get in with that kind of conference record, and others get left out. But at least LSU's RPI is in good shape, and if they get to 13 wins then it means they will have positive momentum at the end of the season, which could also weigh in their favor.
Big 12 Fan
1:07
Does the Big 12 get two national seeds this year? Seems like Texas and TCU are starting to separate themselves from the pack a bit even though I know Tech is always dangerous.
Kendall Rogers
1:07
Big 12 -- I feel pretty confident saying the Big 12 will get two top 8 national seeds as of right now, and probably a third in Texas Tech, though I'm a little concerned about Tech's depth down the stretch with all of those injuries. I don't see TCU or Texas deviating much the rest of the season, and I think I lean Horns against Tech this weekend.
Andrew Smith
1:09
give the stags love one time in the top 25
Aaron Fitt
1:09
I will confess that I argued in favor of ranking Fairfield and I was out-voted. And hey, I understand the skepticism -- Fairfield is only allowed to play MAAC opponents this year, there is no nonconference competition to measure them against, so really it's impossible to know if they are this year's Stony Brook or not. But I know this: going 25-0 against anybody is really freaking hard, at any level of baseball. Personally I do believe Fairfield deserves a Top 25 nod for that. If they stay undefeated, maybe the Stags will break in next week.
TW
1:10
Love the site boys, keep up the good work. Kind of a lot of fluidity in the rankings this week. I am very concerned about the early host announcements and how this type of movement will still happen down the stretch. Is the NCAA planning to pick 25-30 host spots as eligible? Or just the necessary 16 plus a handful of alternatives?
Kendall Rogers
1:10
The NCAA will pick the 16 host sites. Period. So, theoretically, you could have a No. 2 seed hosting a regional. I think I expect that with one or two hosts, but we'll see.
docestes
1:11
If you were coaching Arkansas, would you leave Kevin Kopps in his current role, or consider starting him on Friday nights?  The guy is other-worldly right now.
Kendall Rogers
1:11
Absolutely not. Kevin Kopps has been unbelievable as the shutdown closer, and the Hogs are starting to get better starts out of Patrick Wicklander and Peyton Pallette. Leave him alone!
Vandyfan
1:11
With back to back game three wins against top 5 teams should Vandy fans be feeling better about our game three situation as a bullpen game or is it still something that you view as a relative weakness?
Aaron Fitt
1:11
I mean I certainly view it as a relative weakness, but obviously it's a weakness they can overcome because they do have some very good bullpen pieces and a very good offense. But would I rather have a guy I can pencil in for five or six innings every Sunday? Um, yes.
TOAST
1:13
Pretty disappointing series for Mississippi State. Only won 1 game but should have won 2. Up 4-0 rolling and you leave a pitcher in too long and you never regain the lead. Where does state go from here? Quite possibly could sweep every series left on the schedule besides on the road at USC. It seems the pieces are all there they just need to put it together.
Aaron Fitt
1:13
Yeah, I think Mississippi State is in great shape heading into the home stretch, TOASTY. Sure, you'd love to win that series on the road when you've got an opportunity, but there's no shame in losing two of three in a road game against Vanderbilt. In the long run, I still feel great about Mississippi State's chances to make a very deep postseason run; that team remains on my short list of top national title contenders, along with Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
Delilah
1:14
Should I be worried about Louisiana Tech going 2-2 vs Marshall?
Kendall Rogers
1:14
Delilah -- Not yet. Aaron and myself discussed La Tech after the weekend, and certainly, splitting a series with Marshall isn't optimal. But let's see how they respond to that series. If they struggle again next weekend, I'll have more to think about on that.
Guest
1:15
What does Kentucky need to do following the series win over Alabama to make the field?
Kendall Rogers
1:15
Guest -- I consider 14-15 wins for UK the magic #. If it can get to that mark after the SEC tournament, I think it will make the field. We'll see, though. It's going to be a challenging year for the committee.
David
1:16
Does Virginia need to win their last 3 series (at Va Tech, vs Wake Forest, at BC) to make it into regionals (without an ACC Tournament win)?
Aaron Fitt
1:16
So the Cavs are sitting 11-16 in the ACC, which means taking two out of three in each of those last series would get them to 17-19. I think they'd have a pretty decent shot at 17-19 in the ACC, considering how much of a grind the 36-game conference schedule is. I definitely feel like any team that finishes .500 in the ACC this year should be a lock, but getting within two games of .500 may very well be enough too.
RFBleacherCreature
1:17
What does the road to the postseason look like for Clemson?  Back at .500 overall and in conference play with UL, @FSU, @GT, & Duke to finish the season.  Do you think they will find a way to make it into the tournament?
Kendall Rogers
1:17
Clemson would probably be in for me ... but not by a wide margin. The bad news is that Clemson's RPI is still 66. The good news is it has a tough remaining schedule, so it has a lot of RPI opportunities waiting ahead. It won't be easy, but there's most definitely a pathway there.
Chris K
1:20
Concerns for ECU's starting pitching? Williams looks better than ever but Kuchmaner and Smith struggled to get through 3 innings-both have had short outings recently.(CW has arm soreness, hopefully it's just rest to take care of it).  As always, thank you for the chats.
Aaron Fitt
1:20
You know, I don't get the feeling they ever really expected Tyler Smith to be a regular six- or seven-inning guy; I mean last week he came out after four innings of shutout ball, and this week he gave them 5.2 innings of 1-run ball. Feels like he's doing what they expected, and Kuchmaner has not been as good as expected, but he's still a proven veteran guy and I feel like he'll be a valuable piece when it matters most. Having Williams and Whisenhunt both healthy and rolling in June feels like the most important thing for ECU to make an Omaha run.
Guest
1:21
What needs to happen this weekend for Charlotte to sneak in as a host for a regional? They are 11th in RPI and 15th ranked
Kendall Rogers
1:21
Guest -- If Charlotte wins 3/4 against this weekend against ODU, I would not be happy if the 49ers aren't a regional host. at that point, especially with the NCAA loving to give new 'hosts', I think Woody's club would deserve to host a regional. First things first, though, they need to take care of business and let the chips fall where they may.
Dawg
1:22
What are the chances of Louisiana Tech hosting after this past weekend?
Aaron Fitt
1:22
Definitely took a big hit with a couple losses to a Marshall team that was 6-22 heading into the weekend -- that series cost La Tech 18 spots in the RPI. It felt like they were in really really good hosting shape last week, and now it feels like they may be on the wrong side of the hosting bubble. Two weeks left before hosts are announced, feels like the Bulldogs need to go 6-2 in the next two weekends at Middle Tennessee and vs. FIU to shore up their hosting credentials.
UNC
1:23
Thoughts on UNC’s postseason chances after a big series win over Miami? Remaining ACC schedule is tough for the Heels
Kendall Rogers
1:23
UNC is in better shape than a team like Clemson right now -- better RPI and better league record. But you're right, that is a tough finish. It's crazy to think about, but NC State has probably leapt both in the pecking order for me. The ACC postseason bid race is fascinating to me.
Sparky
1:25
Any word on a PAC 12 Tournament? I know it had been approved at the start of last season, but COVID obviously wiped it out. Haven’t heard anything on that front this year. Wondering if you guys know something? Also, if ASU finishes with an above .500 conference record, are they a safe bet to make it to the field of 64?
Kendall Rogers
1:25
Sparky -- No Pac 12 tournament this year, but it will be back in 2022, IMO. As for Arizona State, feel pretty solid about it making the field right now. Not only is its resume respectable, but the committee will also know the Devils are doing it with a plethora of injuries. Frankly, they've kind of overachieved given the losses.
Jeffrey
1:26
What are your thoughts on DBU getting at large bid since taking 3 of 4 from Indiana State?
Aaron Fitt
1:26
All of a sudden, DBU has leapt into the conversation -- and it really wasn't there last week, with an RPI around No. 140. But that shows you how fluid this stuff still is; suddenly the Patriots are up 54 spots to No. 85 -- still outside of bubble range, but gaining ground fast. It's insane to me that they still haven't played a true road game this season, just four neutral-site games. Perhaps eight road games down the stretch at Evansville and SIU will give them an RPI bump.
Captain Crunch
1:29
Can UC Irvine potentially host a Regional if they can get their RPI in the 20s?
Kendall Rogers
1:29
Cap -- It is most certainly possible. Right now, there is no obvious choice for a SoCal regional. So, if the committee wants a SoCal regional, UCI would make the most sense.
Lenny
1:29
Are they announcing super sites the week of May 10, or just the hosting sites and the super sites will be of the 16 host sites. I guess what I'm asking is the only thing we're going to know the week of May 10 host sites, and will the rest of the season still be relevant in regards to attaining a national seed?
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