I think the UK game and the environment it's played in is really critical for both programs; outside of conference play it's the closest thing to a tourney atmosphere as either of us will play in. Both coaches get an opportunity to see how players excel--or just as importantly, don't--in that type of pressure.
So the winners in the pressure category for Louisville were many: Corey Ray with the homer, but the pressure was put on UK's bullpen just prior to that homer. McKay was robbed of a homer, but came back and worked a great at bat and ultimately moved Lyman over with a smash that the first baseman knocked down. Devin Hairston with the clutch hit. A clutch at bat by Rosenbaum to tie the game working back to a hitter's count after getting down 0-2. Many contributors...and I'd proffer not coincidentally kids with multiple at bats in Regional and SuperRegional play.
We're gaining strength; the thought of bringing Solak back next week is exciting because it makes us that much tougher in late innings. We can keep bringing bats off the bench...like Fitch who had a bad at bat last night, like Lyman who figured into the win, like a Mann or Ellis who will go to the bench with Solak's return but with the confidence of alot of at bats that will be valuable in late innings in conference and tourney play.
We're getting it together at the right time; that National Seed is so critical to us because we play at a wholly different level at home on that surface and with our dimensions. You don't get cheap homers there, which I think is advantageous to good pitching in part because you have to string together hits to get runs rather than get people on in front of a Big Fly. The surface maximizes speed--you have to have it in the outfield and you can't hide a big bat in the outfield. We're recruited and constructed for our Stadium...and it fits with what you need to win in Omaha.
So the winners in the pressure category for Louisville were many: Corey Ray with the homer, but the pressure was put on UK's bullpen just prior to that homer. McKay was robbed of a homer, but came back and worked a great at bat and ultimately moved Lyman over with a smash that the first baseman knocked down. Devin Hairston with the clutch hit. A clutch at bat by Rosenbaum to tie the game working back to a hitter's count after getting down 0-2. Many contributors...and I'd proffer not coincidentally kids with multiple at bats in Regional and SuperRegional play.
We're gaining strength; the thought of bringing Solak back next week is exciting because it makes us that much tougher in late innings. We can keep bringing bats off the bench...like Fitch who had a bad at bat last night, like Lyman who figured into the win, like a Mann or Ellis who will go to the bench with Solak's return but with the confidence of alot of at bats that will be valuable in late innings in conference and tourney play.
We're getting it together at the right time; that National Seed is so critical to us because we play at a wholly different level at home on that surface and with our dimensions. You don't get cheap homers there, which I think is advantageous to good pitching in part because you have to string together hits to get runs rather than get people on in front of a Big Fly. The surface maximizes speed--you have to have it in the outfield and you can't hide a big bat in the outfield. We're recruited and constructed for our Stadium...and it fits with what you need to win in Omaha.
