May 10 Rankings
Postseason play for NAIA is well underway and their D-II and D-III counterparts will have their first pitches thrown soon. From here on out and decisions as to who is best will be made on the field. The regionals are set and the seedings have been determined. Whoever advances from here on out will be determined on the diamond rather than in a committee.
Along with the final regular season rankings are each of the three small school national postseason tournaments regions. I’ve included my own prediction for each regional once again using my patented gut-feeling/hunch forecasting technique that has was passed on to me as a young child based upon the writings and teachings of generations upon generations of amateur baseball internet pundits.
The final small school rankings, along with player and pitcher of the year announcements, will be made June 7th following the D-II championship series.
Rankings are based on games through Sunday, May 15.
NCAA Division II
Atlantic Regional (Hosted by Mercyhurst)
1. Mercyhurst (PA) (37-6)
2. West Chester (PA) (36-11)
3. Seton Hill (PA) (36-18)
4. Millersville (PA) (33-17)
5. Shippensburg (PA) (30-22-1)
6. Shepherd (WV) (31-21)
7. Winston-Salem (NC) (35-17)
Of the seven teams seeded in the Atlantic Region only one of them, Mercyhurst, has been in the Top 25 rankings for the duration of the season. They started the year sixteenth and steadily climbed to the fifth position during their season long success streak in which they generated DII’s highest winning percentage. ‘Hurst should be an easy choice to emerge out of the region, but their results in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament are reason to give hesitation. The Lakers were twice thumped by their conference brethren, losing games by a combined 10-38 margin to WCU and Seton Hill. Nevertheless, none of the other septuplet of schools emits enough machismo to believe they’ll oust the host.
Central Regional (Hosted by Emporia State)
1. Emporia State (KS) (41-11)
2. Minnesota Sate (44-9)
3. St. Cloud State (MN) (39-16)
4. Lindenwood (MO) (35-18)
5. Southern Arkansas (39-14)
6. Missouri Western State (32-20)
7. Central Oklahoma (33-19-1)
8. Arkansas-Monticello (31-19)
The Hornets spent the almost the entire season ranked in the top five neighborhood and gave little reason to demonstrate that they belonged anywhere else. ESU only lost 11 games all season and six of those defeats were by a single score, so their lopsided win-loss total could have easily been even more askew. They look like the team to beat, but their pitching lacks the certain oomph which makes good teams great - their pitchers get outs, but they don’t dominate.
Minnesota State completed yet another of 40+ victory season, but this season’s schedule of results doesn’t have their customary number of blow-outs and run-away wins they usually compile. As such the Mavs aren’t quite the formidable foe they usually are, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see them advance.
The difference between ESU and MSU is slight, but I’m going with the home team Hornets advance to the final eight.
East Regional (Hosted by Southern New Hampshire)
1. Southern New Hampshire (41-9)
2. New Haven (CT) (29-11)
3. St. Thomas Aquinas (NY) (38-15)
4. LIU Post (NY) (30-18)
5. Felician (NJ) (33-13)
6. Southern Connecticut State (27-14-1)
7. Dominican (NY) (21-27)
None of the teams selected to the East Regional particularly float my boat. To be honest, if Franklin Pierce were in the bracket I may pick them, but the Ravens were ungraciously left at home.
SNHU is the obvious favorite, but their team stats really don’t terribly differentiate themselves from the rest of the teams as much as their record indicates. As a result, I’m going to pick a team other than the favorite to advance out of the region. New Haven has an experienced roster full of upperclassmen, particularly on the mound. That extra intangible will make the difference and send the Chargers to Texas.
Midwest Regional (Hosted by Northwood)
1. Northwood (MI) (43-11)
2. Southern Indiana (32-19)
3. Quincy (IL) (32-20)
4. Drury (MO) (36-18)
5. Bellarmine (KY) (34-19)
6. Wayne St. (MI) (31-19)
7. St. Joseph's (IN) (34-20)
8. Kentucky Wesleyan (27-22)
Northwood is the hot new kid on the block with their 43 wins and GLIAC regular season and tournament titles, but I’m going with the old standby Southern Indiana to advance to the championships once again. The Eagles’ national title teams in ’14 and ’10 won 49 and 52 games respectively, and this year’s club is a far cry from reaching those kind of numbers, but they still have the skill to compete, especially in a lukewarm Midwest Region.
South Regional (Hosted by Delta State)
1. Delta State (MS) (41-11)
2. Tampa (FL) (37-12)
3. Nova Southeastern (FL) (33-16)
4. Florida Southern (34-14)
5. Valdosta State (AL) (33-20)
6. West Alabama (34-19)
7. Miles (AL) (31-21)
I’ve had Tampa as my number one ranked team the entire season and think the Spartans were hosed to being relegated to receiving the second seed in the region. As a result they’ll have to make just their second trip outside Florida for the season — and the first one didn’t go well as they lost two of three to Tusculum. Nevertheless, as long as Tampa is still playing they’ll be my unwavering pick to win the title.
Southeast Regional (Hosted by Mount Olive)
1. Mount Olive (NC) (47-8)
2. North Georgia (42-10)
3. USC Aiken (39-13)
4. Catawba (NC) (37-15)
5. UNC Pembroke (40-15)
6. Georgia College (35-13)
7. Lincoln Memorial (TN) (33-17)
Just as with Tampa, I wholeheartedly believe the wrong team was given top seed and home field advantage. North Georgia earned 42 wins while playing one of the strongest schedules in the nation and topped the regular season Peach Belt season standings. Because the Trojans are the hosts, it does level the playing field for someone else to claim the regional title. I believe the winner of the region will ultimately be one of the PBC teams, but I’m undecided on which. My gut says North Georgia, but since I’ve overlooked UNCP the entire spring I could see them advancing as well just to spite me. I’ll stick with UNG in a hotly contested region.
South Central Regional (Hosted by Angelo State)
1. Angelo State (TX) (41-13)
2. Colorado Mesa (CO) (44-10)
3. West Texas A&M (35-16)
4. Lubbock Christian (TX) (37-14)
5. St. Edward's (TX) (33-18)
6. Arkansas-Fort Smith (33-20)
Mesa ran away with the RMAC regular season and conference titles with no other team coming even close to usurping their supremacy. They were far and above the best team in their conference but I’m not as secure in the belief that they’re head and shoulders above the rest of the competition in the region. Irregardless, I’m going with the Mavs to prevail. Angelo State won the region on Mesa’s home field last season and now this year CMU can return the favor.
West Regional (Hosted by Azusa Pacific)
1. Chico State (CA) (45-9)
2. Azusa Pacific (CA) (40-10)
3. Dixie State (UT) (37-12-1)
4. UC San Diego (36-17)
5. California Baptist (34-16)
6. Cal Poly Pomona (33-20)
Of all the regions I feel that this one is the most competitive. None of the six would surprise me as regional winners. Even the sixth seed is extremely strong. Pomona has been ghastly hot the second half of the season to finish at 33-20 despite being a game under .500 as late as April 1st.
While Chico wasn’t able to host the group, I still believe they are the best of the bunch and Dave Taylor, their head coach, unquestionably is deserving of every coach of the year accolade as his forged his relatively inexperienced team into a club that earned a CCAA record 34-4 mark
| Rk. |
Prev. |
School |
ST |
Record |
Week |
| 1 |
1 |
Tampa Spartans |
FL |
37-12 |
3-0 |
| 2 |
3 |
Chico State Wildcats |
CA |
45-9 |
4-1 |
| 3 |
2 |
North Georgia Nighthawks |
GA |
42-10 |
2-2 |
| 4 |
7 |
Colorado Mesa Mavericks |
CO |
44-10 |
4-0 |
| 5 |
4 |
Emporia State Hornets |
KS |
41-11 |
1-2 |
| 6 |
5 |
Mercyhurst Lakers |
PA |
37-6 |
3-2 |
| 7 |
6 |
USC Aiken Pacers |
SC |
39-13 |
1-2 |
| 8 |
8 |
Dixie State Trailblazers |
UT |
37-12-1 |
2-2 |
| 9 |
11 |
Angelo State Rams |
TX |
41-13 |
2-2 |
| 10 |
10 |
Mount Olive Trojans |
NC |
47-8 |
0-0 |
| 11 |
9 |
Lubbock Christian Chaparrals |
TX |
37-14 |
1-2 |
| 12 |
12 |
Azusa Pacific Cougars |
CA |
40-10 |
2-2 |
| 13 |
14 |
Delta State Statesman |
MS |
41-11 |
2-0 |
| 14 |
15 |
Minnesota State Mavericks |
MN |
44-9 |
4-0 |
| 15 |
13 |
Nova Southeastern Sharks |
FL |
33-16 |
0-1 |
| 16 |
20 |
Georgia College Bobcats |
GA |
35-13 |
4-0 |
| 17 |
17 |
West Chester Golden Rams |
PA |
36-11 |
3-2 |
| 18 |
16 |
Southern Arkansas Muleriders |
AR |
39-14 |
1-2 |
| 19 |
18 |
Florida Southern Moccasins |
FL |
31-13 |
3-2 |
| 20 |
22 |
Northwood Wolves |
MI |
43-11 |
4-0 |
| 21 |
21 |
Southern New Hampshire Penmen |
NH |
41-9 |
2-2 |
| 22 |
19 |
UC San Diego Tritons |
CA |
36-17 |
4-2 |
| 23 |
23 |
Belmont Abbey Crusaders |
NC |
37-17 |
1-0 |
| 24 |
24 |
Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters |
TN |
33-17 |
0-0 |
| 25 |
25 |
Cal Baptist Lancers |
CA |
34-16 |
3-1 |
NAIA
Bartlesville Bracket (Hosted by Oklahoma Wesleyan)
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan (48-9)
2. Indiana Tech (42-12)
3. Bryan (TN) (37-19)
4. Midland (NE) (41-18)
5. St. Ambrose (IA) (28-24)
I’m going all in on the host for this one. No question.
Bryan struggled to close the year with pairs of losses to Truett-McConnell (barely excusable) and Montreat (completely inexcusable) and fell out of the Top 25 after spending the bulk of the season hovering around the twenty position. Midland and St. Ambrose aren’t in the equation.
That leaves Indiana Tech left to usurp the top ranked Eagles. While the Warriors certainly have the talent to pull the upset, I don’t see that happening. Wesleyan has lost only three games at home this season and I can’t imagine them dropping a pair this week - not with the juggernaut offense they have. The only way I could see OKWU not advancing is if they were to somehow drop their first game and then desperately struggle to regain their mojo as they overcompensate to make up for a bombshell loss.
Bellevue Bracket (Hosted by Bellevue)
1. Bellevue (NE) (49-9)
2. Science & Arts (OK) (42-15)
3. Davenport (MI) (41-16)
4. Antelope Valley (CA) (37-16)
5. Judson (IL) (37-19)
As the preseason number two team and current number six, the Bruins should be a no-brainer pick to move on, but I’ve got a feeling in my bones an upset may be brewing outside Omaha. Bellevue unexpectedly lost a pair of games in the NSAA Tournament and hasn't earned a win over a ranked team since early March; as such they’re not exactly headed into the postseason with a whole lot of steam. Fortunately for them Science and Arts and Davenport aren’t quite clicking on all cylinders either and have been rather meh of late as well.
If the Drovers or Davenport wins the title I’d be surprised, but not shocked. Even if Antelope Valley were able to pull off the upset I wouldn’t label it too much of a stupefaction of sorts. This is a pretty even bunch of clubs where a big play or inning could propel any one of them into the next round (well, except for Judson, that would take divine intervention).
Who to pick… I dunno… I dunno… I dunno…. Eenie meenie miney mo… Lets go with Science and Arts and add another Oklahoma team to the finals flavor.
Hattiesburg Bracket (Hosted by William Carey)
1. Southeastern (FL) (48-9)
2. Texas Wesleyan (45-14)
3. William Carey (MS) (38-17)
4. Lyon (AR) (35-22)
5. LSU Alexandria (33-23)
Another tricky pick with three teams I could see not just winning the region, but the whole enchilada. The Fire, Rams and Crusaders have each been the in Top 25 the entire season and are all currently situated in the top fifteen so we’re dealing with some gosh darn tootin’ good teams here.
The Crusaders get a boost for being the home team - that’s a pivotal point for top seeded Southeastern who are traveling outside the Sunshine State for the first time since way back on February 11th. I’m a staunch believer in home field advantage, especially in tournament play, but I’m not sure if that’s going to be enough to make up for Southeastern’s moxie. Ultimately if the Fire had the ability to win The Sun Conference tournament, they should be able to win this bracket as well. Going to go with SEU to advance, but it will be interesting.
Hutchinson Bracket (Hosted by Tabor)
1. Clarke (IA) (45-12)
2. Missouri Baptist (42-14)
3. Tabor (KS) (41-16)
4. Jamestown (ND) (40-20)
5. Concordia (NE) (34-20)
Missouri Baptist started the season in the top five, but an uninspiring 12-9 start saw them temporarily removed from the rankings. Their 29-5 turnaround since then has propelled them back into the top ten and they once again look like a national title contender. The Spartans haven’t exactly rocked the most imposing schedule, but they do have wins over some more-than-decent teams which includes national tournament participants William Carey, Bryan, Campbellsville and Lyon.
One team MBU wasn’t able to defeat is Clarke who was awarded the number one seed in the bracket. The Spartans to have to avenge those losses if they’re going to make it to the final ten. The host team Tabor shouldn’t be overlooked either. They were able to take two of three from top ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan earlier this year. If they can win a series against the Eagles, Tabor can beat anybody. Nonetheless, I’m going with Baptist to advance.
Kingsport Bracket (Hosted by Kingsport CVB & Appalachian Athletic Conference)
1. Keiser (FL) (39-18)
2. Tennessee Wesleyan (39-19)
3. IU Southeast (IN) (46-13)
4. Talladega (AL) (36-23)
5. Marian (IN) (30-21)
Keiser was my preseason favorite and for sentiment’s sake I’m going to pick them to advance. Their starting pitching is absolutely phenomenal with Daniel Garmendia, Kyle Keatts and Miguel Castellanos combining for 257 strikeouts between them. Kevin Berges isn’t putting up the same video game numbers he’s had the past two seasons, but he still wields a mighty stick and can change the outcome of a game with one swing.
Tennessee Wesleyan’s Aaron Ford is the X-factor for the region. He may be NAIA’s top pitcher and can single handedly keep the Bulldogs in a game. Regardless though, one pitcher can only do so much in a tightly scheduled bracket.
Lawrenceville Bracket (Hosted by Georgia Gwinnett)
1. Georgia Gwinnett (38-19)
2. Webber International (FL) (39-15)
3. Central Methodist (MO) (42-16)
4. The Master's (CA) (36-21)
5. LSU Shreveport (LA) (38-20)
I’m not crazy about any of these teams. The Master’s and Gwinnett were ranked 11th and 12th to start the season, but each underperformed with the Mustangs quickly falling out of the rankings all together while the Grizzlies made a season-long slide to 19. Webber was white-hot headed into mid April, but their spark was extinguished quickly as they finished 3-6.
I’m declaring this one a coin-flip decision between GGC and TMU. Gwinnett has prepared for the postseason by facing one of the stiffest schedules in the NAIA, but the Mustangs went 20-4 to close the regular season with wins over Biola, Menlo, Vanguard and Hope International to catapult them into the postseason. Nevertheless, going to go with Gwinnett to win the bracket and finally make that trip to Lewiston which has eluded them.
Lima Bracket (Hosted by Northwestern Ohio)
1. Northwestern Ohio (44-10)
2. Middle Georgia State (43-15)
3. Hope International (CA) (33-15)
4. MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) (35-19)
5. Midway (KY) (28-29)
UNOH hasn’t lost since March 5th when they were upended on the road in extra innings to Georgia Gwinnett - that’s twenty-six wins in a row which includes 10 shutouts and seventeen times in which they scored at least nine runs. Unless you’re related to or dating a player on the one of the other teams, you’re picking the Racers to advance.
Montgomery Bracket (Hosted by Faulkner)
1. Faulkner (AL) (47-10)
2. St. Thomas (FL) (35-17)
3. Huntington (IN) (33-11)
4. Cumberlands (KY) (42-16)
5. Truett McConnell (GA) (32-26)
This is another region where I can’t justify picking anyone other than the host and top seed. Faulkner has lost only ten games this season and seven of those were by a single run or in extra innings. Their Southern States Athletic Conference title run included 16-1 and 13-3 manhandlings of William Carey and a character creating come-from-behind championship victory over Middle Georgia State. Look for the Eagles to make it back to Lewiston for another deep title run.
Oklahoma City Bracket (Hosted by Oklahoma City)
1. Oklahoma City (45-8)
2. Mayville State (ND) (46-11)
3. Campbellsville (KY) (34-19)
4. Friends (KS) (32-20)
5. College of Idaho (24-29)
Elementary choice here. Oklahoma City has been ranked first or second for the bulk of the season while none of the other clubs in the bracket have been in the Top 25 at all - not even for quick one-week “howdy" at the tail-end. I’d bet the farm on this one.
The only team I could see maybe making an upset bid would be Friends who received quite a bit of bulletin board motivation material attacking their inclusion in the tournament. Nonetheless, it would take one heck of pep talk to inspire them to get past the Stars.
Lewiston Bracket (Hosted by Lewis-Clark State)
1.Lewis-Clark State (35-13)
2. Bye
3. Bye
4. Bye
5. Bye
The Warriors get a free pass into the final ten because they’re the host. The Abilene paradox of athletics. Insert eye roll.
| Rk. |
Prev. |
School |
ST |
Record |
Week |
|
1
|
1
|
Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles |
OK
|
48-9
|
0-0
|
|
2
|
2
|
Oklahoma City Stars |
OK
|
45-8
|
2-0 |
|
3
|
5
|
Northwestern Ohio Racers |
OH
|
43-10
|
3-0
|
|
4
|
4
|
Faulkner Eagles |
AL
|
47-10
|
0-0
|
|
5
|
6
|
Southeastern Fire |
FL
|
48-9
|
1-1
|
|
6
|
3
|
Bellevue Bruins |
NE
|
49-9
|
0-1
|
|
7
|
7
|
Middle Georgia State Knights |
GA
|
43-14
|
0-0
|
|
8
|
8
|
Texas Wesleyan Rams |
TX
|
45-13
|
0-1
|
|
9
|
10
|
Keiser Seahawks |
FL
|
39-18
|
1-1
|
|
10
|
9
|
Missouri Baptist Spartans |
MO
|
41-14
|
1-1
|
|
11
|
11
|
Webber International Warriors |
FL
|
38-15
|
0-0
|
|
12
|
12
|
Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs |
TN
|
39-18
|
0-0
|
|
13
|
13
|
Indiana Tech Warriors |
IN
|
41-12
|
0-1
|
|
14
|
14
|
St. Thomas Bobcats |
FL
|
35-17
|
0-0
|
|
15
|
15
|
William Carey Crusaders |
MS
|
38-17
|
0-0
|
|
16
|
16
|
Davenport Panthers |
MI
|
41-15
|
2-2
|
|
17
|
17
|
Tabor Bluejays |
KS
|
41-15
|
0-0
|
|
18
|
18
|
USAO Drovers |
OK
|
41-15
|
0-0
|
|
19
|
19
|
Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies |
GA
|
38-19
|
1-0
|
|
20
|
20
|
Clarke Crusaders |
IA
|
45-12
|
1-1
|
|
21
|
21
|
Cumberlands Patriots |
KY
|
42-15
|
0-0
|
|
22
|
22
|
Hope International |
CA
|
32-16
|
1-2
|
|
23
|
23
|
Concordia Cardinals |
MI
|
42-13
|
0-2
|
|
24
|
24
|
LSU Shreveport Pilots |
LA
|
38-19
|
1-0
|
|
25
|
25
|
Indiana Southeast Grenadiers |
IN
|
45-13
|
1-1
|
NCAA Division III
South Region (Hosted by Averett University)
1. Salisbury (MD) (30-8)
2. LaGrange (GA) (38-4)
3. Rowan (NJ) (28-16)
4. Emory (GA) (27-12)
5. Otterbein (OH) (31-12)
6. Roanoke (VA) (29-16)
The smart money is on either LaGrange with their school season record breaking club or top seeded Salisbury, but I’m going to take a bit of a dark horse and go with Emory. The Eagles had a strong start to the season, but faltered triumphantly about half way through the year and were nearly banished from the rankings. Since their fall they’ve seemingly cured what ailed them and again look more like the team that was picked fourth in the preseason.
Mideast Region (Hosted by Washington and Jefferson)
1. Wooster (OH) (35-8)
2. SUNY Cortland (33-7)
3. La Roche (PA) (34-8)
4. Washington and Jefferson (PA) (34-10)
5. Misericordia (PA) (30-12)
6. Keystone (PA) (31-13)
7. DePauw (IN) (31-11)
8. Earlham (IN) (29-12)
An absolutely stacked region with four teams that are currently in the Perfect Game Top 25 - three of which who are in the top ten. Of the quartet Wooster has been the most consistent throughout the year and also finished the season in a flurry, compiling 53 runs in three games in the NCAC tournament. Of all the regions this is the one I’d consider the biggest toss-up. I’ll begrudgingly pick Wooster with the lowest level of confidence.
Central Region (Hosted by Webster University)
1. Birmingham Southern (AL) (36-8)
2. Washington (MO) (26-8)
3. Wartburg (IA) (31-12)
4. Webster (MO) (29-13)
5. North Central (IL) (25-16)
6. Greenville (IL) (30-15)
Birmingham and Washington played a pair to start the season and will likely meet up again in the Central Region as they’re unequivocally the two top teams in the region. The first time they met it was the Panthers who prevailed, but that was way back in February and the Bears should have the upper hand now as the games will be played just across the river from their campus. Nevertheless, I’m going to go with BSC to win the region. The Panthers played had a strong schedule which will have them battle-tested and ready for the games.
West Region (Hosted by The University of Texas at Tyler)
1. Texas-Tyler (39-7)
2. Cal Lutheran (31-10)
3. Centenary (LA) (34-8)
4. Linfield (OR) (30-11)
5. Concordia University (TX) (28-16)
6. Rhodes (TN) (25-19)
Texas-Tyler was taken to extra innings in three of their last four and won another by a single run in the bottom of the ninth. While they ultimately won the games one has to wonder if they still have enough mojo left for an entire run through the region. I had been big on Centenary since the preseason, but they’ve dropped off a bit from the monster numbers they were compiling earlier in the year. Since I don’t have much faith in the other four schools, the pick is going to go down to either the Patriots or Gents nonetheless. I’d pick the home team and consider those close games gave them confidence to overcome adversity.
Mid-Atlantic Region (Hosted by Middle Atlantic Conference)
1. Johns Hopkins (MD) (36-6)
2. Shenandoah (VA) (36-8)
3. Wheaton (MA) (23-14)
4. RIT (NY) (33-7)
5. Alvernia (PA) (28-13-2)
6. Elizabethtown (PA) (27-15)
7. SUNY Maritime (26-11)
8. Lesley University (MA) (21-17-1)
Shenandoah spent the entire season in the top ten and a good portion of the year as the number one team. However the year came to a crescendo it arrived with some surprising results for the Hornets. SU went 5-5 to close the year, a shadow of their former steadfast self. Johns Hopkins quietly crept up the rankings and finished on the outskirts of the top ten. The two teams are evenly matched but the Blue Jays have more momentum which will make the difference. Hopkins to advance.
New York Region (Hosted by SUNYAC)
1. Oswego State (NY) (28-8)
2. Southern Maine (30-11)
3. The College of New Jersey (31-11)
4. Tufts (MA) (30-8-1)
5. Castleton (VT) (34-8)
6. Ithaca (NY) (28-11)
Oswego State started the season ranked fifth and finished first in the Perfect Game rankings. Aside from Tufts, the other teams in the region only were in the Top 25 intermittently or not at all. I’m all in on the Lakers to advance.
New England Region (Hosted by Massachusetts Maritime Academy)
1. Massachusetts Boston (33-10)
2. Arcadia (PA) (32-11)
3. St. John Fisher (NY) (30-10)
4. Salve Regina (RI) (34-10)
5. Babson (MA) (25-13)
6. Suffolk (MA) (26-15)
7. Worcester State (MA) (19-20)
8. Penn State-Berks (20-19)
None of these teams are particularly impressive and none are currently positioned within the top twenty. Of the eight UMass Boston has the most impressive résumé with wins over Salve Regina, Southern Maine, St. Joseph’s and Suffolk. As such, I’m taking the Becons to have their season extended.
Midwest Region (Hosted by Wisconsin-Whitewater)
1. Wisconsin-Whitewater (35-7)
2. Concordia Chicago (IL) (29-11)
3. Adrian (MI) (33-11)
4. St. Scholastica (MN) (32-8)
5. Wisconsin-La Crosse (28-17)
6. St. Thomas (MN) (26-16)
7. Macalester (MN) (26-15)
8. St. Norbert (WI) (30-11)
Wisconsin-Whitewater spent the entire season in the top ten and finished as the second ranked team. Of the remaining seven, Concordia Chicago is the only school which I could see giving them fits. The Cougars had a bad middle of the season, but rebounded to approach their preseason tenth ranked position. Irregardless, I’m choosing Whitewater to advance. The perennial power shouldn’t have too much difficulty winning their hosted region.
| Rk. |
Prev. |
School |
ST |
Record |
Week |
|
1
|
1
|
Oswego State Lakers |
NY
|
28-8
|
0-0
|
|
2
|
2
|
UW-Whitewater Warhawks |
WI
|
35-7
|
3-1
|
|
3
|
3
|
Shenandoah Hornets |
VA
|
36-8
|
0-0
|
|
4
|
4
|
Cortland State Red Dragons |
NY
|
33-7
|
0-0
|
|
5
|
5
|
Birmingham-Southern Panthers |
AL
|
36-8
|
0-0
|
|
6
|
6
|
Centenary Gents |
LA
|
34-8
|
0-0
|
|
7
|
7
|
Wooster Fighting Scots |
OH
|
35-8
|
3-0
|
|
8
|
8
|
Tyler Texas Patriots |
TX
|
39-7
|
2-0
|
|
9
|
9
|
LaGrange Panthers |
GA
|
38-4
|
0-0
|
|
10
|
10
|
La Roche Redhawks |
PA
|
34-8
|
4-0
|
|
11
|
11
|
Johns Hopkins Blue Jays |
MD
|
36-6
|
0-0
|
|
12
|
12
|
Salisbury Seagulls |
MD
|
31-9
|
0-0
|
|
13
|
13
|
Tufts Jumbos |
MA
|
30-8-1
|
4-1
|
|
14
|
14
|
Emory Eagles |
GA
|
27-12
|
0-0
|
|
15
|
15
|
Washington Bears |
MO
|
26-8
|
4-0
|
|
16
|
16
|
Cal Lutheran Kingsmen |
CA
|
31-10
|
0-0
|
|
17
|
21
|
Washington & Jefferson Presidents |
PA
|
30-9
|
4-1
|
|
18
|
24
|
Concordia University Chicago Cougars |
IL
|
29-11
|
3-0
|
|
19
|
20
|
UT Dallas Comets |
TX
|
33-11
|
0-0
|
|
20
|
18
|
Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets |
VA
|
26-15
|
0-0
|
|
21
|
17
|
St. John Fisher Cardinals |
NY
|
30-10
|
2-2
|
|
22
|
22
|
St. Joseph’s Monks |
ME
|
31-8
|
0-0
|
|
23
|
23
|
Salve Regina Seahawks |
RI
|
34-10
|
3-1
|
|
24
|
19
|
Southern Maine Huskies |
ME
|
28-9
|
2-2
|
|
25
|
25
|
Linfield Wildcats |
WA
|
30-13
|
0-0
|