D1Baseball Weekly Chat: May 22 • D1Baseball
Have questions about the latest Top 25 rankings and the postseason picture as a whole? You have questions and we have answers.
JT: Thoughts on Ostrander taking over for Scott Berry @ USM?
Kendall Rogers: JT — Love that hire for Southern Miss. Ostrander is an absolute rock star of a person and pitching coach, and he has experienced at all levels of coaching. I think that’s a no-brainer, terrific hire for USM. He will carry the torch quite nicely.
Ryan: What does Southern Miss need to do in the Fun Belt tournament in order to host? Won 15 out of the last 16. Have some impressive wins (including sweep of DBU) but the RPI is sitting at 28
Kendall Rogers: Ryan — Great question. I love what USM has done as of late, and I think if it runs the table in the tournament it will be a tough club to deny a host for. That would mean an RPI around 18-21 with a sizzling hot last month of the season + a non-conference series sweep over fellow host contender DBU.
CajunFan: Let’s talk about the Fun Belt. What happens if a non Troy, Coastal, S Miss team wins the tourney. Will the belt get 4 teams?
Kendall Rogers: Cajun — I tend to think Troy gets squeezed out in that scenario, but what if Troy plays the team you’re talking about in the conference championship? The Trojans are likely in, and that league is very likely a four-bid league. Coastal and Southern Miss are 100% locks to make the field. Good question by the way.
Brad: What does Coastal need to do to host and possibly get a national seed. Friday and Saturday starting pitching was hurt, but they hopefully are back and during the process they found some young arms. Great coaching job by coach Gilmore. What percentage do you have for them to get out of Regional? Thx for ur coverage.
Aaron Fitt: Yeah, incredible coaching job by Gilley and his staff, they did an amazing job holding it all together despite some key injuries. I think this team is very, very likely to host, even with a winless showing in the conference tournament. And if they host, I do like their chances to win a regional at home — that’s a scary offense that is well suited to its home ballpark. Of course, South Carolina’s offense is also a great fit for that ballpark, so if that’s the 2-seed, it could be interesting
Bobcat: What are y’all’s thoughts on Texas State?
Kendall Rogers: I think Texas State could be really dangerous in the postseason with some of the front-line arms it has, along with some of those bats. But right now the RPI being in the 50s for a Sun Belt team is problematic. Bobcats can make the field with a strong showing in the conference tourney, though. There’s a definite pathway.
