Extra Playoff Spot Confounds Bloxom Cards’ Tourney Odds Improve, But Coach Fears Drop In Quality
North Idaho College last qualified for the Region 18 baseball tournament in 1988. This year, the Cardinals have perhaps their best shot to qualify in years.
Coach Jack Bloxom isn’t happy about it.
Some background: Region 18 is divided into the four-team North Division and six-team South. A rule change will permit three teams from each division, instead of the usual two, to advance to regionals.
“I don’t like it,” Bloxom said, “because the third (North) team out of four isn’t playing well enough to qualify for the play-offs.”
Don’t misunderstand Bloxom. It’s quite possible that NIC might be that third team. Bloxom just believes the new format is too similar to other come-one, come-all tournaments, such as Big Sky Conference basketball (six of eight advance).
NIC (7-8) opens North play against Treasure Valley Community College with a doubleheader today and a single game on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ricks visits Southern Idaho for a threegame set.
TVCC coach Rick Baumann disagrees with Bloxom’s tournament stance.
“I really like it,” Baumann said. “We felt like we were probably the best team in the league at the end of last year. We were 9-9, but we won seven of our last nine. I think three deserved to go to the playoffs.”
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: REGION 18 NORTH BASEBALL A quick look at Region 18 North baseball teams, in predicted order of finish:
SOUTHERN IDAHO EAGLES (16-10 this year) 1995 record: 30-28 overall, 9-8 North, second place Coach: Jim Walker, 22nd year, 741-246. Key players: P Brandon Duckworth, P Bryan Gallager, P Mike Young, C-1B Mike Forbush. Outlook: CSI can’t help but contend with its talented pitching staff. Duckworth might be region’s best player. “At times, we look absolutely great,” Walker said. “When we ho-hum it, we can get beat by anybody.”
RICKS VIKINGS (16-11) 1995 record: 37-22, 10-8, first Coach: Jerry Schlegelmilch, sixth year, 145-108. Key players: 1B Rob Lake, 2B David Decker, LF Kenny Christensen, P Rick Winger. Outlook: Ask CSI’s Walker and he’ll say Ricks is a great club. Ask Ricks’ Schlegelmilch and he’ll rave about CSI and bemoan his club. “I don’t exactly know how we’re 16-11,” Schlegelmilch said.
TREASURE VALLEY CHUKARS (15-15) 1995 record: 24-23, 9-9, third Coach: Rick Baumann, 14th year, 361-317. Key players: C John Margaritis, 3B Luke Hayes, P Corey Warner, P Eric Stricker. Outlook: Pitching is strong, position players are suspect. Per usual, Chukars will run the bases aggressively and force defenses to play clean. “We’ve got to play more consistent,” Baumann said.
NORTH IDAHO CARDINALS (7-8) 1995 record: 18-22, 7-10, fourth Coach: Jack Bloxom, 29th year, 541-507. Key players: 2B Jeremy Mort, 3B Paul Wilson, SS Jason Bartell, P Jeff Anstine, P-OF Marc Pizzoferrato. Outlook: Wilson’s batting an alarming .460 with six doubles and two homers. If defense and pitching continue to improve, NIC might stay in the race.
SOUTHERN IDAHO EAGLES (16-10 this year) 1995 record: 30-28 overall, 9-8 North, second place Coach: Jim Walker, 22nd year, 741-246. Key players: P Brandon Duckworth, P Bryan Gallager, P Mike Young, C-1B Mike Forbush. Outlook: CSI can’t help but contend with its talented pitching staff. Duckworth might be region’s best player. “At times, we look absolutely great,” Walker said. “When we ho-hum it, we can get beat by anybody.”
RICKS VIKINGS (16-11) 1995 record: 37-22, 10-8, first Coach: Jerry Schlegelmilch, sixth year, 145-108. Key players: 1B Rob Lake, 2B David Decker, LF Kenny Christensen, P Rick Winger. Outlook: Ask CSI’s Walker and he’ll say Ricks is a great club. Ask Ricks’ Schlegelmilch and he’ll rave about CSI and bemoan his club. “I don’t exactly know how we’re 16-11,” Schlegelmilch said.
TREASURE VALLEY CHUKARS (15-15) 1995 record: 24-23, 9-9, third Coach: Rick Baumann, 14th year, 361-317. Key players: C John Margaritis, 3B Luke Hayes, P Corey Warner, P Eric Stricker. Outlook: Pitching is strong, position players are suspect. Per usual, Chukars will run the bases aggressively and force defenses to play clean. “We’ve got to play more consistent,” Baumann said.
NORTH IDAHO CARDINALS (7-8) 1995 record: 18-22, 7-10, fourth Coach: Jack Bloxom, 29th year, 541-507. Key players: 2B Jeremy Mort, 3B Paul Wilson, SS Jason Bartell, P Jeff Anstine, P-OF Marc Pizzoferrato. Outlook: Wilson’s batting an alarming .460 with six doubles and two homers. If defense and pitching continue to improve, NIC might stay in the race.