Wheaton, North Central fighting for final playoff spot
If the goal is to be playing meaningful baseball at the end of the year, then both Wheaton College and North Central are right on track. The two neighboring schools face off this weekend with a spot in the CCIW Tournament on the line.
North Central holds the fourth and final playoff spot with a 9-6 conference record, while Wheaton sits one game back at 8-7. Not only is the fourth seed up for grabs, but both teams sit within shouting distance of first place with just two series remaining in the season.
"I think if you have key series down the stretch it means you've had a good year and are in the running for something," Wheaton coach Matt Husted said. "Things are all out in front of us still and that's a good feeling. We haven't eliminated ourselves yet and that's a good thing."
The two teams, separated by less than 8 miles, have had very similar seasons. Both have compiled 18 wins on the season and boast starting pitching staffs that have the potential to shut down opposing hitters.
Their difference comes in consistency. Wheaton has had difficulty stringing wins together but has avoided any losing streaks. North Central, on the other hand, has twice won 5 of 6 games but went on a 3-9 conference stretch in the middle of the year.
The series, and possibly both team's season, may be decided by who can figure out the opposing team's starting pitchers first. North Central's staff, led by senior left-hander Kris Singh, has been hard on hitters all season long. Singh posts a team-best 1.76 ERA and is undefeated on the season.
On the other side Trey Martin is pitching as well as anyone in the country. Martin is on a streak of 29 scoreless innings, the seventh-longest streak in the history of Division III baseball. In his four conference starts Martin is 3-1 with an ERA of just 0.55.
"I don't think there is anyone hotter in the country in D-III than Trey Martin right now," Husted said. "You like that that guy is on your team. Three consecutive shutouts, I've never heard of such a thing."
With the likes of Martin and Singh on the mound, hits may be at a premium. The three-game set will start Friday evening in Wheaton's Pfund Stadium. On Saturday the action will move to North Central's Zimmerman Stadium for an afternoon doubleheader. Although both teams have one remaining conference series after they face off, Husted said his team knows the opportunity it has ahead of it.
"I think that we are excited for the opportunity. I think at this point in the year we all know what's on the line, it's just a matter of playing good baseball," Husted said. "We prepare all year to have an opportunity at the end of the year to be in the mix, and that's where we are. They know what's at stake."