Each NWC Baseball Team’s Path to the Conference Tournament

By: Elijah Dapkus

You may watch sports for a long time before you stumble upon a league where parity rules top to bottom more than it does this year in Northwest Conference (NWC) Baseball.

Usually in a race for a four-team tournament in a nine-team conference, two or three teams separate from the field, and a few more vie for the last spots. For most of the season in NWC Baseball, the sixth place team has trailed the first by just two games. That means next weekend, the top six could completely flip.

Even teams lower in the standings have seen increased success as of late. For instance, Whitman put up 25 runs in a game against Willamette, clinched that series, and passed Whitworth in the standings.

With the NWC Baseball Tournament tipping off in two weeks, let’s take a look at each team’s path to the bracket.

Pacific Lutheran (PLU)

Current/Projected Seed: 1 / 1

Path to the tourney: While PLU has had moments of inconsistency, their 11-7 record and series win over Pacific (PAC) have put them in front of the pack. They have to keep their momentum going though, as a surging Whitman (WC) on the road and veteran Linfield (LIN) crew could cause problems for the Lutes. Losing either series could cost them not only the top spot, but also the whole tournament.

Pacific (PAC)

Current/Projected Seed: 2 / 3

Path to the tourney: Coming off a historic NCAA Regional Championship run, the Boxers have fallen well short of expectations this year. However, they currently rank second in the NWC. Sweeping Willamette (WU) would practically clinch a spot.

Linfield (LIN)

Current/Projected Seed: 3 / 2

Path to the tourney: If LIN can beat GFU or PLU twice, they should be in the tournament. But can they? GFU usually plays aggressively against LIN, and PLU on the road is a tough out. I project they take down GFU and win just enough games to make the tournament.

George Fox (GFU)

Current/Projected Seed: 4 / 5

Path to the tourney: With series against second-ranked PAC and third-ranked LIN coming up, the next few games could impact GFU's standing in the season. I predict a series loss at LIN and win vs. PAC, based on results of previous matchups. The 4/12 game at L&C is pivotal; it may be the difference between a spot in the tournament and the end of our season.

Willamette (WU)

Current/Projected Seed: 5 / 6

Path to the tourney: Willamette’s stint in conference play is essentially over. They have only one three-game series left vs. PAC. I project them to lose two of three, as PAC has consistently better results over common opponents. If you’re a Bearcat, root for PAC to beat GFU, and Whitworth (WWU) to beat L&C these next two weeks for a chance to crash the tournament party.

Lewis & Clark (L&C)

Current/Projected Seed: 6 / 4

Path to the tourney: I was shocked to project L&C as the fourth seed, but they have come on strong lately with wins over GFU and PLU. They could easily overtake WU, with three games vs. WWU looming ahead. I don’t see them making the tournament, but I can always be wrong.

Puget Sound (UPS)

Current/Projected Seed: 7 / 7

Path to the tourney: If you don’t care who goes to the NWC Tournament and you just want a sleeper/chaos team to root for, it should be UPS. They will play against eighth place WC and ninth place WWU seven times in total over the final two weeks. If the Loggers finish by winning six or more of their last eight games, I expect them to sneak into the tournament.

Whitman (WC)

Current/Projected Seed: 8 / 8

Path to the tourney: If WC wins the rest of their games, they should make the tournament. However, it’s much more likely that they will only win about three or four of eight. Their role then shifts to a more familiar one of spoiler. Could they knock off PLU and bump them from the tournament? Winning three or four of those games could do it.

Whitworth (WWU)

Current/Projected Seed: 9 / 9

Path to the tourney: Whitworth is the only team that truly has no chance of making the tournament. Their last two conference series against UPS and L&C are relatively low profile as well. It’s safe to say the Pirates are rebuilding, and they’ll come back stronger next season.