For a while the idea of any post season play at the various college levels was uncertain but here we are for the second weekend in a row with post season play in the northwest, as this weekend’s matches up the top four teams from the Northwest Conference to see who will be crowned champion.
I truly wish I was able to cover the tournament this year, but alas it was not mean to be but I will be watching closely from home and preparing to cover this tournament in 2022.
#1 Pacific (Ore.) Boxers (23-9 Conference, 28-12 Overall)
The regular season champion, Pacific earned the right to host this year’s tournament, and enters this year’s NWC tourney as my favorite to win. A deep team that can put runs on the board and then turn around and shut down opposing offenses. Chase Anderson will be the force that drives the offense through the tournament. Hitting .443 on the season with 8 home runs, 48 runs scored and 15 stolen bases, he has the potential to change a game in every at bat.
Will Clark will lead the Boxers on the mound with his 7-0 record and 1.54 ERA. The left hander will need to set the tone to start the tourney and give the Boxers their best chance to win moving forward.
#2 Pacific Lutheran Lutes (21-10 Conference, 25-15 Overall)
The Lutes enter the tourney as the #2 seed and have played well all season long. All season long they kept in the hunt for regular season title but they know that winning this tourney is the main goal and they have the ability to do it. Jordan Haworth will be key for the Lutes offense as he enters the tourney with a .409 average, hitting 13 home runs, driving in 46, scoring 44 runs and stealing 15 bases.
Another key contributor for the Lutes will be Cole Trotignon who will have an impact both at the plate and on the mound. Offensively Trotignon hit .309 with 10 home runs and drove in 53 RBIs. On the mound he went 5-1, including 2 complete games and holding a 3.76 ERA.
#3 Willamette Bearcats (21-11 Conference, 27-13 Overall)
Willamette comes in at the #3 seed but by no means does that make them an underdog in this tournament. The Bearcats have possibly the most explosive offense in the tournament with 4 hitters in the top 6 for home runs in the conference. The headliner of the group is Samuel Daly who sported a .400 average, with 12 home runs, 13 doubles and 3 triples on the year.
Just because their offense is powerful doesn’t mean their pitching isn’t. Layton Wagner comes into the tournament with a 7-1 record, 2.41 ERA and a 61 K’s (2nd in conference).
#4 Whitworth Pirates (15-17 Conference, 16-23 Overall)
Whitworth slides into the #4 seed in the tournament and look to play the underdog role and knock out the favorites. Offensively the Pirates will lean on Jaxsen Sweum to keep is solid season going. Serum hit .346, with 10 home runs and drove in 43 RBIs. He and the rest of the Pirates offense will need to get hot to keep up with the high power offenses each of the other teams brings to the tourney.
On the mound Dylan Bishop will need to be strong to keep the Pirates chances alive. With a 4-2 record and 3.75 ERA, Bishop has the ability to keep his team in games and let his offense take over.
My Predictions
RUNS!!! Lots and lots of runs are going to be scored in this tournament and I wouldn’t be surprised if victories come more from who can slow down opposing offenses longer, rather than which pitchers dominate the most. If defenses can limit big innings they will give themselves a chance to get a lead and extend it.
Late Inning Heroics – I would bet that at least 2 games in this tournament are decided on the final play. Whether that is a walk off hit or a game saving defensive play, I have a feeling things are going to be tight.
Champion – I said right off the bat that Pacific is my favorite to win the tourney and I’m sticking with that. Although I will honestly say that is not a 100% sure fire prediction from me. The Lutes and the Bearcats both have been strong this year and I never disregard a good underdog and the power of playing with a chip on your shoulder like the Pirates will have.