After dropping their final series of the season to High Point, the Flames are tasked with winning the Big South Tournament this week if they are to make their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Technically, it is in the realm of possibility to make the NCAA Tournament without winning the Big South Tournament, but after taking a huge hit in RPI (now down to 52), it’s just easier to consider this a win, we’re in, loss we’re out scenario.
So what exactly will the Flames be up against? Well this certainly seems to be one of the more wide open conference tournaments of the past few years, but that isn’t coming from a lack of top tier teams, rather there are just way more top tier teams. For instance, Liberty is seeded fourth after dominating the Big South last season and being the overwhelming conference favorite this year, High Point is the fifth seed after being picked second in the preseason poll, and a promising Campbell team is found at sixth seed despite being the defending tournament champs.
There also won’t be any home-field advantage, as Gardner-Webb did not qualify for the eight team field. This is the first time that the host team has not been in the conference tournament since 2009 when the tournament was at UNC-Asheville.
The tournament will feature two sections of four teams, each playing in a double elimination tournament. The winner of each section will then face off in a winner-take-all championship game.
With that, here’s a little of what you should know about each team.
#1 Radford (20-4): Likely second round opponent if Flames win in round 1. The Highlanders came from nowhere to dominate the league, finishing three games clear of the rest of the league. Their season was reminiscent to the Flames 2014 run in that they weren’t thought to be a favorite in the preseason but went on to dominate. They won’t have quite the motivation to scratch and claw to win this thing like the rest of the league, since they are a lock of the NCAA Tourney, but they are still gunning to be a potential regional host. They sport a lethal combination of offense and pitching.
1st game vs. Longwood
#2 Coastal Carolina (17-7): Headlined by their punishing sluggers, Coastal is back on the top rungs of the Big South. Sporting a lineup full of power, they can drastically alter a game with the swing of the bat. I really like their route to the championship as well. If they can knock off CSU, they will face either Winthrop or Campbell in a game that would give them a vice grip on their side of the bracket. They are most likely a lock for the NCAA Tournament as well.
1st game vs. Charleston Southern
#3 Winthrop (16-8): Another lineup chock-full of hitters, Winthrop has not been getting the respect they deserve. Currently on a 13 game Big South win streak, they are one of they hottest teams in the league. The Eagles offer no “breaks” in their lineup with 10 guys batting over .250.
1st game vs. Campbell
Alex Close has emerged as Liberty’s closer in 2015, while also sporting the best batting average.
#4 Liberty (16-8): Liberty’s roster is full of players who haven’t been at their full potential this year. There are numerous guys underachieving at the plate, and the pitching staff has a severe lack of depth. Currently two of the top Big South pitchers in 2014, in Ashton Perritt and Parker Bean, have ERAs of 5.26 and 7.53 respectively. If they Flames are able to find their form, they are no doubt one of the most dangerous teams in the league, but as of late, that has not been the case.
1st game vs. High Point
#5 High Point (14-10): The Panthers present a balanced lineup with solid pitching. They were able to beat Radford in aggregate score for that series and are coming off a series win over Liberty, which is their first round opponent. Certainly a dangerous squad that has the potential to win it all at fifth seed.
1st game vs. Liberty
Cole Hallum
gocu.com
#6 Campbell (12-12): The defending champs are about where I see the cutoff at as far as teams that have a good shot of winning this tournament. The sixth seeded Camels are coming off a series victory over Coastal that should give them confidence heading into their bracket, in which Coastal is the top team. They are highlighted by Big South Player of the Year, Cole Hallum, who is dominant at the plate and as a closer.
1st game vs. Winthrop
#7 Charleston Southern (10-14): Their RPI of 188 is over double that of Campbell’s. Though anything can happen in postseason play, I see the Bucs as a two-and-done squad.
1st game vs. Coastal Carolina
#8 Longwood (9-15): Another non-threat to win the title. They do have the leading home-run hitter in Kyri Washington, so a big cut at the right time could crush another team’s hopes, but I don’t see them having any sustainable success.
1st game vs. Radford
The tournament kicks off today at 9:30 with a match-up between Coastal and CSU. Liberty will play High Point sometime around 8:00. You can find the entirety of the bracket here. All games will be broadcast on ESPN3.
