World Series Previews (Part 2)

SOUTHEAST

Warner Robins American East, Georgia

Overall 2011 Team Record: 15-0
Southeast Pool Play History (Since 2002): 17-10
Georgia Pool Play History: 9-3 (LLWS Champions in 2006, 2007)

Team ERA: 2.00
Team Batting Avg: .275  (4 players over .300)

Key Players: Jake Fromm (25K's in 11.2 Inn, 1.59 ERA, .438, 2 HR (only HRs for team), 8 RBI)

Projections:Warner Robins will go as far as the "Man Child" takes them. Fromm is a monster on the mound, and was the team's most productive hitter. In fact, for all the talk about Warner Robins competing for the LLWS title, the team is extremely weak with the bats. If Warner Robins plays their cards right though, it's possible that Fromm will only need to beat two tough teams. Southwest on opening night and West in the US championship. If that's the case, we could be looking at yet another team from Georgia being the US champions.

SOUTHWEST

Lafayette, Louisiana

Overall 2011 Team Record: 12-0
Southwest Pool Play History: 20-6
Louisiana Pool Play Record: 5-4
Team ERA: 6.00
Team Bat Avg: .375 (8 players over .300)

Key Players: Austin Primeaux (.700, 3HR, 11 RBI), Ethan Hines (.600, 2 HR, 12 RBI)

Projections: Lafayette scored a ton of runs in the Southwest regional and Louisiana state tournament, but gave up its share of runs as well. Haden Erbe is the team's ace, but he's not a flamethrower. After that, the well is pretty dry on the mound. Luckily for Lafayette, they hit. Hines, Primeaux, Erbe, and Miller are the stars. Lafayette's chances of winning the group will come down to the ability to stay away from Georgia's ace.

MIDWEST

Rapid City Harney, South Dakota

Overall 2011 Team Record: 10-1
Midwest Pool Play History: 3-24
South Dakota Pool Play History: 0-3

Team ERA: 2.81
Team Bat Avg: .400 (5 players over .300, 9 HRs in regional)

Key Players: Hayden McGriff (.500, 4 HR), Zach Solano (.500, 2 HR)

Projections: For only the second time in history, a team from South Dakota has advanced to Williamsport. Although the shirts around Williamsports will say Rapid City, South Dakota again, the league is different. Back in 2008, it was Canyon Lake LL. This year it's Harney. The boys from Harney have some big sticks, and Hayden McGriff is intimidating on the mound, but besides playing a nice opener with Montana, Rapid City shouldn't provide many problems for anyone else in the pod.

NORTHWEST

Billings Big Sky, Montana

Overall Team Record: 18-1
Northwest Pool Play Record: 14-13 (Hawaii responsible for 5-1 record before moving to West)
Montana Pool Play Record: 0-0

Team ERA: 2.23
Team Bat Avg: .326 (5 players over .300)

Key Players: Cole McKenzie (.684, 3 HR, 11 RBI, Only regional triple crown winner in USA)

Projections: The Northwest region does surprisingly well, even without Hawaii to carry the load lately. Auburn Washington made a deep run last year, and the teams from Oregon performed well in the latter half of the decade. A team from Montana in the World Series is literally unheard of though. Big Sky, Montana didn't back into the series at all either. They went 3-1 in pool play and took care of business in the single elimination round. For Montana to be successful they only need to win one game this week. It's gotta be the opener with South Dakota. For that to happen, Cole McKenzie will need to win the one-on-one battle with South Dakota's Haden McGriff. Montana is in trouble just by Haden's name alone. If I have a baseball-playing son, I want him to be named Haden McGriff too!

I'll be on the road to Williamsport bright and early tomorrow morning. If I can't get internet access during the trip, I'll post through my phone, but it should be a fantastic week. I haven't been to the World Series during the first weekend since 2003. I'm definitely excited. If anyone is in Williamsport from now until Thursday, leave a comment... come say hi. Remember to share the blog with your friends.

See you guys in Willy!