Tonight is the beginning of a tough 4 game stretch. Big game. Beat Vanderbilt.
Vandy
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Must have this one (and several more to get into contention to host a regional). Probably need to go 6-2 or better (win both remaining weekend series, beat Vandy and Bellarmine) and then win the ACCT or make the finals to clinch one of those top 16 spots.
More bad baseball, King not tagging on the sac fly. Smdh,dude's trying to steal earlier.
Just not what you expect at this level.
Just not what you expect at this level.
Definitely a brain fart on the sac fly tag up. Cost us a run there.
The caught stealing on his previous at bat was actually a hit and run attempt that Lippe couldn’t make contact with the breaking pitch. Just a great pitch and great throw by the catcher.
That crossed my mind. Thanks for the explanation. I was using the steal to bolster my reasoning 😅
Well, Cutts did give up a homer and a triple, perhaps Williams and McDonnell saw something in his 2/3rds of an inning that they didn’t like? Breaking pitch not breaking like it should? Consistently falling behind the two batters he gave up hits to….
Nice win. Very nice. We are literally on the bubble from hosting a regional. 7 to go. It can be done.
As I sat through all 9 innings, I share most all of the same sentiments expressed in this thread about last night’s game. This is clearly not a criticism, as just stated, I felt the exact same way the entire contest.
With that said, we won despite some of the incredible pitching mistakes that led directly to unearned runs by the way of walks, HBP and wild pitches. My inclination is to question Mac and Williams, but in truth, it’s not about coaching decisions, it’s about execution……something I need to learn for myself. Just like EK Jr., failing to tag from second to third with one out cost us a run in a very close game. Additionally, as Bardman correctly pointed out …… how can anyone explain walking a .088% hitter? Not once but almost twice!!!
I have come to the conclusion that what CDM has been saying all along is not only true, but most insightful about this roster. He loves the fight in this team, and while the pitching has been a huge source of frustration, and largely explains why this team is ranked 20th, when it could easily be ranked in the top 10 if it were not for the number of walks, HBP and wild pitches by a rotation that simply cannot stay in the strike zone.
For the first time in my memory, I expect ESPN to use its influence in getting UL as a host, as this team if nothing else is the most exciting college baseball team to watch, as the speed on the bases, the bizarre pitching, and the top to bottom effective hitting makes for entertainment.
It was a great win against a solid Vanderbilt team already securing a host position.
With that said, we won despite some of the incredible pitching mistakes that led directly to unearned runs by the way of walks, HBP and wild pitches. My inclination is to question Mac and Williams, but in truth, it’s not about coaching decisions, it’s about execution……something I need to learn for myself. Just like EK Jr., failing to tag from second to third with one out cost us a run in a very close game. Additionally, as Bardman correctly pointed out …… how can anyone explain walking a .088% hitter? Not once but almost twice!!!
I have come to the conclusion that what CDM has been saying all along is not only true, but most insightful about this roster. He loves the fight in this team, and while the pitching has been a huge source of frustration, and largely explains why this team is ranked 20th, when it could easily be ranked in the top 10 if it were not for the number of walks, HBP and wild pitches by a rotation that simply cannot stay in the strike zone.
For the first time in my memory, I expect ESPN to use its influence in getting UL as a host, as this team if nothing else is the most exciting college baseball team to watch, as the speed on the bases, the bizarre pitching, and the top to bottom effective hitting makes for entertainment.
It was a great win against a solid Vanderbilt team already securing a host position.
I would love to share your optimism and we certainly have some great opportunities with the GT and Wake series. I think we got a few factors that weigh against us getting to host as a regional #1. We are currently ranked somewhere between 17th and 20th. The teams that are ranked close to us are Oregon St, Oklahoma, UC Irvine, Ole Miss and Dallas Baptist. What's common among those teams are that 4 of them are considered west teams. As I have said before unlike football and basketball, location does seem to be a factor in balancing teams in baseball. Also if you look at RPI rankings, which is also a big indicator of how teams get ranked for Omaha has Oregon St at #7, Ole Miss at #17, UC Irvine at #18, Dallas Baptist at #19 and Oklahoma at 22. Our RPI currently sits at #27. I do think we can at least make the decision difficult by having good series against GT and Wake and doing some damage in the ACC tournament. Still a lot of important games to play to determine our opportunites for Omaha.
It's hard to imagine getting what we need out of the last two series and the ACC Tournament(as far as hosting)without either the offense putting it in another gear or the return to form of a handful of pitchers that have been hurt,returning from injury or returning to past form.
Every other phase of the game needs to be razor sharp, really not just trying to host a regional but for any chance at getting out of a regional.
Every other phase of the game needs to be razor sharp, really not just trying to host a regional but for any chance at getting out of a regional.
On another note,related to the game last night.
That win should put some pep in their step. This game is so mentally challenging, I think if they can become more focused about helping the team achieve team goals,their grit will keep them in most games.
Mac made a great point about King last night as Eddie was about 5 feet away. Mental lapses just have to be almost zero tolerance when half the team is either hurt or struggling.
I hope the win last night sharpens their senses about being in every pitch, every play and every situation. Winning every game should be the goal and the goal is only achieved if everyone has that in mind.
FOCUS!
That win should put some pep in their step. This game is so mentally challenging, I think if they can become more focused about helping the team achieve team goals,their grit will keep them in most games.
Mac made a great point about King last night as Eddie was about 5 feet away. Mental lapses just have to be almost zero tolerance when half the team is either hurt or struggling.
I hope the win last night sharpens their senses about being in every pitch, every play and every situation. Winning every game should be the goal and the goal is only achieved if everyone has that in mind.
FOCUS!
Did anyone feel like the game announcers were biased for Vandy? During one inning they interviewed a Vandy player the entire inning, almost completely ignoring the game. He was a nice kid but the attention they were giving him and Vandy was over the top. You could sense they were distraught when the Cards won the game.
I noticed it. Dang game was on the ACCN, too. I’d understand if it were the SECN. SEC bias is very real.
It was Vandy’s batting half of the inning, similar to what they did with Dan McDonnell during the previous inning, but I do understand what you mean. They interviewed him much longer than they did McDonnell - but that was probably because they knew that they couldn’t ask goofy golf questions with McDonnell like they could with the Vandy Friday starting pitcher, who was basically a bystander last night.
They certainly didn’t sound like the normal ACC Network baseball announcing crew, that was for sure. I definitely wondered who they were during the game, and had the thought that they must be an SEC announcing crew.
Just realized the win over Vandy, the 33rd of the season, the Cards have eclipsed last year's win total of 32.
Aside from the walks, HBP and wild pitches delivered by this rotation; this could easily be a top 5 college baseball team. There have been a few occasions where our offense struggled at the plate, but even so performances were capable of winning the game, had the aforementioned issues from our pitching staff not occurred.
I chose not to look at it from that perspective. If you told me we would lose our #1 pitcher halfway through the ACC season, our #2 would only pitch 16 innings total, our #3 was a guy who was never a starter and the guy who we thought was our closer turned out to have the "yips" all season, I would say Dan has overachieved to get us in a tie for 9th place in ACC play, a projected #2 seed in a regional, and defeated teams like Texas, Arizona, UNC, Vanderbilt, FSU, Clemson, and GT.
