Feb 27, 2019
Welcome to Episode 34 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is the sixth of eight regional preview podcasts -- this episode focuses on the Mideast region. But before getting into the beasts of the Mideast, we have a brief discussion (at 0:45) about the first Top 25 poll of the season and why we should probably all just relax for a few weeks. We then begin our regional preview (at 4:00) with the AMCC, where La Roche is sure to reign supreme again with literally the entire lineup returning (!!!) and some elite pitching as well. Next (at 7:20), we head to the HCAC where we ponder just how repeatable the offensive juggernaut known as the Franklin Grizzlies could be in 2019, and why Earlham might be best suited to challenge them. Then (at 13:40) we head to the NCAC where Jordan does his best to suppress his Wooster bias while also objectively assessing a team that should definitely be one of the best teams in the country once again. Also, how will Wabash follow up their magical 2018 run? And can Denison stay in the mix for a postseason spot? After that, we dive into the outstanding OAC (at 26:00), where Baldwin Wallace and Otterbein look like a cut above talent-wise, but we are certainly done making the mistake of counting out Marietta (also Heidelberg and Ohio Northern are no joke). We then head (at 36:55) slightly north to the MIAA, where the Adrian Bulldogs will likely continue to dominate, despite losing D-III legend/friend of the podcast Tommy Parsons to graduation/pro ball. Our final conference spotlight (at 40:45) touches on the PAC, where Washington & Jefferson will likely return to the top of the standings after a relatively disappointing 2018. Finally, we touch on the two independent teams in the region. First (at 42:40), we discuss Case Western and their frustrating snub last season, the development of Rocco Maue, and why we still expect a lot from the Spartans in 2019. Then (at 48:12), we briefly touch on the newly independent Thomas More Saints, who are giving it one last ride in D-III before becoming an NAIA school. We conclude (at 50:00) by shouting out some other notable players and then picking our players and pitchers of the year, and our teams to beat.
Click here to see our 2019 Preseason All-American teams.
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