In the past we spit the bit badly in Omaha. This is an actual obstacle. Our record there is abysmally bad. I'm not sure if the stage is just too big or not, but Coach Mac has dealt with this very specifically following the loss to Fullerton last season. The cultural change we have to adjust to is very intimidating, with a bar set as high as it gets. In the CWS setting, all it takes is one error and sometimes only one pitch to pull the bus up and go home. And, frankly, no other result will please this team - perhaps the most talented team in the country.
For this reason, I was delighted to see us screw up the ACC Tourney. I have felt all season that we had not faced any real adversity - and last week, we finally did. All season long, we played really well but coasted at times, especially on the road. It was as if we didn't realize the size of the target we wore on our back, because everyone else besides Miami and maybe FSU - both arrogant, entitled solipsists - dam sure knew how good we were. . I am hoping that was enough of a reality check to administer the seriousness of the task ahead.
There are no productive 3-0 counts for the Nibble Rich Funk. Brendan has gotten wild high himself recently, causing a few homers, instead of pounding the inside and low zone. Harrington had a nasty reality check when a hot team finally squared up on him as he forgot that the curve is his most effective pitch. Zack got beat on badly against Wright State - our most recent game. He had been too used to 8 pitch innings. We discovered vulnerability in our best players....what's worse, in our pitching staff - the absolute key to postseason success.
How we square up now is our second step of 3 to the Title. Last week was refreshing and productive as hell. Solak also got off the schneid - a monstrously huge improvement at arguably the most necessary hitter in our lineup. If Solak gets hot and Will keeps his roll up, we may just face one fewer lefty over the next 10 or so games. Brendan and Blake Tiberi can hit anyone although better against righties, but a left handed starter keeps Colin Lyman's defense off the field. With the size of the outfield in Omaha, Lyman is a huge factor in our favor.
Lots to think on, lol.
In reality, we will have as good a chance as anyone else as I do believe that we are as good as any one else including Florida. We, as everyone else, need some breaks. That's a huge stadium out there.
