This is heartbreaking

[Bdawg]

But by damn we are competitive. If that was the number six team in the country, I like where we are right now. We got to get fully healthy and get us a closer. We are closer than I expected we would be and this beats the hell out of of last year. At least they made a hit to win it and we didnt give it away, although you can?t grove a pitch to their best hitter in a chance for them to win it. And boy was it grooved. Just heartbreaking.

[Commercecomet24]

Yep agreed.

[basedog]

Tough tough lost. I just knew when we hit the first batter it wasn't gonna go our way. I'm betting most of us on ED had that thought. Pitching was good this weekend except for two 9th innings. Not sure we can solve this problem this year. We have two good starters and 3 or 4 good middle relievers but no closer which we haven't had since Sims went down two years ago.

[schddog72]

But by damn we are competitive. If that was the number six team in the country, I like where we are right now. We got to get fully healthy and get us a closer. We are closer than I expected we would be and this beats the hell out of of last year. At least they made a hit to win it and we didnt give it away, although you can?t grove a pitch to their best hitter in a chance for them to win it. And boy was it grooved. Just heartbreaking.

All this is true. BUT, I put both losses this squarely on pitching DECISIONS!! Stayed with the lefthander way, way, way too long Friday night, and stayed with Siary way, way too long today. Their lineup had already seen him for corn's sake; time for a change in the 9th inning. And in any event, he should have been yanked when he hit the first batter. Just insane pitching decisions both Friday and today. If it's Lemonhead, then once again he's showing he's dumber than dirt. If it's the new pitching coach, then he ain't very smart either.

I'm venting somewhat here, but damn, this was a disappointing weekend for two out of three nights!!

[StarkVegasSteve]

All this is true. BUT, I put both losses this squarely on pitching DECISIONS!! Stayed with the lefthander way, way, way too long Friday night, and stayed with Siary way, way too long today. Their lineup had already seen him for corn's sake; time for a change in the 9th inning. And in any event, he should have been yanked when he hit the first batter. Just insane pitching decisions both Friday and today. If it's Lemonhead, then once again he's showing he's dumber than dirt. If it's the new pitching coach, then he ain't very smart either.

I'm venting somewhat here, but damn, this was a disappointing weekend for two out of three nights!!

I mean I get you want to change, but who are you going to go to? Hardin pitched last night. You had already burned Schuelke. Did you really want to run Auger or Davis out there again? So that leaves you, realistically, with Kohn, Black, possibly Stevens, Holcombe, Dotson, or Cheatham. I mean would you rather have seen any of those guys?

[basedog]

I mean I get you want to change, but who are you going to go to? Hardin pitched last night. You had already burned Schuelke. Did you really want to run Auger or Davis out there again? So that leaves you, realistically, with Kohn, Black, possibly Stevens, Holcombe, Dotson, or Cheatham. I mean would you rather have seen any of those guys?

After hit batter I would have gone to one of the lefty guys. Just my opinion. We had a few arms and I realize it's all a gamble but too late to over think now.

[Todd4State]

I mean I get you want to change, but who are you going to go to? Hardin pitched last night. You had already burned Schuelke. Did you really want to run Auger or Davis out there again? So that leaves you, realistically, with Kohn, Black, possibly Stevens, Holcombe, Dotson, or Cheatham. I mean would you rather have seen any of those guys?

Stevens would have been a good choice.

[Bdawg]

All this is true. BUT, I put both losses this squarely on pitching DECISIONS!! Stayed with the lefthander way, way, way too long Friday night, and stayed with Siary way, way too long today. Their lineup had already seen him for corn's sake; time for a change in the 9th inning. And in any event, he should have been yanked when he hit the first batter. Just insane pitching decisions both Friday and today. If it's Lemonhead, then once again he's showing he's dumber than dirt. If it's the new pitching coach, then he ain't very smart either.

I'm venting somewhat here, but damn, this was a disappointing weekend for two out of three nights!!

I have disagreed with a couple pitching decisions myself. We have the benefit of hindsight but I also was bitching to myself when we made the change Friday night. We just got to get a little bit better and find a closer. We beat their best pitcher today and just gave it up at the end to their best hitter, who just so happens to be their best pitcher. Still can’t believe he grooved that pitch!!!

[Bdawg]

Stevens would have been a good choice.

My thought too. Just hope Friday wasn’t in his head, but if he had any nuts about him, he would want the ball.

[MoreCowbell]

How far we have fallen. Much better than last two years but MSSTATE baseball should never be satisfied with losing a series, especially one we should have swept

[StarkVegasSteve]

Stevens would have been a good choice.

I doubt you want to run the guy who gave the up the walk off Friday night into another tight situation where the opportunity to give up a walk off again exists. If he gives up that homer you might as well sit him for the rest of the year. He would be done mentally. Again, I think people are just looking for someone to blame. We only gave up 4 hits the entire day. We lost because we walked 6 and hit 5. Siary and Schuelke both pitched out of jams and Ligon held his own.

[schddog72]

After hit batter I would have gone to one of the lefty guys. Just my opinion. We had a few arms and I realize it's all a gamble but too late to over think now.

I totally agree with you, especially considering you're facing their best player who is a lefty. Left on left just made a lot of sense to me.

[basedog]

I doubt you want to run the guy who gave the up the walk off Friday night into another tight situation where the opportunity to give up a walk off again exists. If he gives up that homer you might as well sit him for the rest of the year. He would be done mentally. Again, I think people are just looking for someone to blame. We only gave up 4 hits the entire day. We lost because we walked 6 and hit 5. Siary and Schuelke both pitched out of jams and Ligon held his own.

I disagree, I would put Steven's, we need help and we need to find out who has stones. Stevens seems to be a cool mature guy. Hell, it could not be any worse what happened!

[DawgFromOxford]

All this is true. BUT, I put both losses this squarely on pitching DECISIONS!! Stayed with the lefthander way, way, way too long Friday night, and stayed with Siary way, way too long today. Their lineup had already seen him for corn's sake; time for a change in the 9th inning. And in any event, he should have been yanked when he hit the first batter. Just insane pitching decisions both Friday and today. If it's Lemonhead, then once again he's showing he's dumber than dirt. If it's the new pitching coach, then he ain't very smart either.

I'm venting somewhat here, but damn, this was a disappointing weekend for two out of three nights!!

People were literally complaining about losing for the exact opposite reason Friday night. People complained the Shulk was dealing and taking him out cost us the game. Today Siary was dealing (did he hit a batter to start the 9th? yes, but had been solid otherwise) and you're complaining because we didn't pull him? Can't have it both ways. Don't forget we also had a chance to blow the doors open with bases loaded and instead flew out to end the inning (credit to the Florida player made a heck of diving playing)

Did pitching let us down in both games to get walked off in the 9th? Yes. But as far as pitching decisions go I don't have a problem with the moves we made and overall we pitched really well outside of the 8th inning on Friday that let Florida back in and gave them all the momentum. Too easy in hindsight to say what we should've done.

[Commercecomet24]

People were literally complaining about losing for the exact opposite reason Friday night. People complained the Shulk was dealing and taking him out cost us the game. Today Siary was dealing (did he hit a batter to start the 9th? yes, but had been solid otherwise) and you're complaining because we didn't pull him? Can't have it both ways. Don't forget we also had a chance to blow the doors open with bases loaded and instead flew out to end the inning (credit to the Florida player made a heck of diving playing)

Did pitching let us down in both games to get walked off in the 9th? Yes. But as far as pitching decisions go I don't have a problem with the moves we made and overall we pitched really well outside of the 8th inning on Friday that let Florida back in and gave them all the momentum. Too easy in hindsight to say what we should've done.

We hindsight a lot lol!

[Bdawg]

How far we have fallen. Much better than last two years but MSSTATE baseball should never be satisfied with losing a series, especially one we should have swept

I’m far from satisfied but trying to see the progress. We should have never fallen this low after a natty, but we have had a tough SEC schedule so far this year too.

[SPMT]

How far we have fallen. Much better than last two years but MSSTATE baseball should never be satisfied with losing a series, especially one we should have swept

I?m not pleased with what happened after 2021 but this team would beat the dog$hit out of last year?s team. If they can continue to play with the same effort and grit, it will come together for a host.

[Commercecomet24]

I?m not pleased with what happened after 2021 but this team would beat the dog$hit out of last year?s team. If they can continue to play with the same effort and grit, it will come together for a host.

You are 100% right about that! This years team has some stones.

[SPMT]

When did Bednar appear and when did Sims to appear in 2021?

Would be interesting to know. Maybe we have time for others to click.

[schddog72]

People were literally complaining about losing for the exact opposite reason Friday night. People complained the Shulk was dealing and taking him out cost us the game. Today Siary was dealing (did he hit a batter to start the 9th? yes, but had been solid otherwise) and you're complaining because we didn't pull him? Can't have it both ways. Don't forget we also had a chance to blow the doors open with bases loaded and instead flew out to end the inning (credit to the Florida player made a heck of diving playing)

Did pitching let us down in both games to get walked off in the 9th? Yes. But as far as pitching decisions go I don't have a problem with the moves we made and overall we pitched really well outside of the 8th inning on Friday that let Florida back in and gave them all the momentum. Too easy in hindsight to say what we should've done.

Pulling Schuelke Friday night is one of the decisions I was referring to.
Siary is not overpowering; UF had seen him through the lineup, so logic says it's time for a change.
Once Siary hit the first batter how can you not pull him?
And, how can you leave a right-handed Siary in to face UF's best hitter, who happens to hit left-handed?
These are 4 pitching decisions which can be legitimately debated!!

[StarkVegasSteve]

When did Bednar appear and when did Sims to appear in 2021?

Would be interesting to know. Maybe we have time for others to click.

Landon appeared Game 1. Shut down Texas.

Bednar got injured and was out a few weeks but pitched really well on the road against LSU in the first SEC series.

[CaptainObvious]

I mean I get you want to change, but who are you going to go to? Hardin pitched last night. You had already burned Schuelke. Did you really want to run Auger or Davis out there again? So that leaves you, realistically, with Kohn, Black, possibly Stevens, Holcombe, Dotson, or Cheatham. I mean would you rather have seen any of those guys?

Pre-game today, Lemonis bragged to an interviewer about having a lot left in the bull pen. He used 2, Two, TWO of them.

[DownwardDawg]

Landon appeared Game 1. Shut down Texas.

Bednar got injured and was out a few weeks but pitched really well on the road against LSU in the first SEC series.

Yes, but both really started dealing very late in the season. The Bednar of the CWS was nowhere to be found throughout the season. He was a good Saturday starter. In the CWS, he was an automatic win.
Sims was "allowed" to pitch 1-2 innings per weekend after that opening game against Texas. He hardly ever threw more than once per weekend during the regular season. As the season went on, he would throw 3 innings to close out a game.
There was some really good coaching in that 2021 season that won our Natty.

[Commercecomet24]

Yes, but both really started dealing very late in the season. The Bednar of the CWS was nowhere to be found throughout the season. He was a good Saturday starter. In the CWS, he was an automatic win.
Sims was "allowed" to pitch 1-2 innings per weekend after that opening game against Texas. He hardly ever threw more than once per weekend during the regular season. As the season went on, he would throw 3 innings to close out a game.
There was some really good coaching in that 2021 season that won our Natty.

You got that right. The staff did an outstanding job handling the staff and game management that year.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Let me say this also. People who have played ball should understand it. I consistently hear about this player needs to show some stones, or this guy has big balls, or this guy needs to nut up. It’s different sophomoric sayings for a player “getting it done”. But don’t ever forget than in athletics, the other guy always has a say-so. Sometimes a pitcher is confident, locked-in, and throws the perfect pitch, but the hitter hits the crap out of it. So it’s not a lack of testicular fortitude. Other times a pitcher is scared to death, timid, and throws a crappy pitch, only to watch the batter whiff. Then everyone talks about how he nutted up. The opponent always gets a say-so. It’s what makes the three major sports so great. In golf, it’s just you and the ball, club, and course.

[Commercecomet24]

Let me say this also. People who have played ball should understand it. I consistently hear about this player needs to show some stones, or this guy has big balls, or this guy needs to nut up. It?s different sophomoric sayings for a player ?getting it done?. But don?t ever forget than in athletics, the other guy always has a say-so. Sometimes a pitcher is confident, locked-in, and throws the perfect pitch, but the hitter hits the crap out of it. So it?s not a lack of testicular fortitude. Other times a pitcher is scared to death, timid, and throws a crappy pitch, only to watch the batter whiff. Then everyone talks about how he nutted up. The opponent always gets a say-so. It?s what makes the three major sports so great. In golf, it?s just you and the ball, club, and course.

Man I wished more people understood this. Nobody wanted it more than me but that "want to" would've not helped me one bit against Nolan
Ryan. These kids are out there giving everything they've got and for people to say they don't have stones or are soft is ridiculous and a cop out. These kids put in hours of hours of work before most of us get up in the morning and late after classes. If you've been to this level you know what I'm talking about. I love this post and thank you for posting this!

ETA: example from today. Bryce Chance smokes a ball that probably would've been a game winner but the other guy makes a highlight play. So did chance lacks stones there because he made an out with runners on? Heck no!

[basedog]

My definition of "stones" is he is tuff. Nut up to me is tough or toughness. I don't think of it being negative. But I do see athletes who are soft.
I would have put a left handed pitcher in the ninth to face Fl left handed slugger and told our pitcher to "nut up and let everyone know you got stones"! LOL

[Commercecomet24]

My definition of "stones" is he is tuff. Nut up to me is tough or toughness. I don't think of it being negative. But I do see athletes who are soft.
I would have put a left handed pitcher in the ninth to face Fl left handed slugger and told our pitcher to "nut up and let everyone know you got stones"! LOL

I said it last night. At this point we need to mix and match to close games because we don't have a closer. If we have to use multiple pitchers to close do it. Yeah I would've brought in a lefty and then a righty to face the next hitters and go left right if I had to. We need a closer bad it's the missing piece. Last 3 outs are the toughest in baseball and why closers make so much money!

[basedog]

I said it last night. At this point we need to mix and match to close games because we don't have a closer. If we have to use multiple pitchers to close do it. Yeah I would've brought in a lefty and then a righty to face the next hitters and go left right if I had to. We need a closer bad it's the missing piece. Last 3 outs are the toughest in baseball and why closers make so much money!

I figured you would go left to left, right to right. After the hit batter to start the ninth, I think it made him anxious. I would have loved to see our freshman Stevens, I just like what I’ve seen of him. Yes he struggled Friday but I just think he can handle pressure. He just needs to pitch to gain experience.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

My definition of "stones" is he is tuff. Nut up to me is tough or toughness. I don't think of it being negative. But I do see athletes who are soft.
I would have put a left handed pitcher in the ninth to face Fl left handed slugger and told our pitcher to "nut up and let everyone know you got stones"! LOL

Understood. And I don’t disagree. But the pitcher could have done that very thing and still gotten hit. He could have nutted up, let everyone know he has stones, and still gotten hit. Because the batter gets a say-so.

I agree that toughness is good. It’s not negative. But toughness doesn’t guarantee success. And failure doesn’t necessarily mean you were soft. Toughness does greatly improve your chances for success.

[Commercecomet24]

I figured you would go left to left, right to right. After the hit batter to start the ninth, I think it made him anxious. I would have loved to see our freshman Stevens, I just like what I’ve seen of him. Yes he struggled Friday but I just think he can handle pressure. He just needs to pitch to gain experience.

Yeah I go lefty on cag and throw nothing but sliders and that's stevens best pitch. Then go to a righty after him.

[Commercecomet24]

Understood. And I don’t disagree. But the pitcher could have done that very thing and still gotten hit. He could have nutted up, let everyone know he has stones, and still gotten hit. Because the batter gets a say-so.

I agree that toughness is good. It’s not negative. But toughness doesn’t guarantee success. And failure doesn’t necessarily mean you were soft.

Baseball is just so different. Pitcher/hitter with it on the line, there's just nothing else like it in sports imo.

[basedog]

Understood. And I don’t disagree. But the pitcher could have done that very thing and still gotten hit. He could have nutted up, let everyone know he has stones, and still gotten hit. Because the batter gets a say-so.

No doubt, it goes both ways. I didn’t question our pitcher in the ninth. He just made a mistake pitch, I would have changed pitchers after hit batsman.

[Commercecomet24]

No doubt, it goes both ways. I didn?t question our pitcher in the ninth. He just made a mistake pitch, I would have changed pitchers after hit batsman.

I agree with you 100%. Base you know the game well and you know baseball is the most second guessed, hindsighted game there is, which ironically is what makes it special

[SPMT]

Man I wished more people understood this. Nobody wanted it more than me but that "want to" would've not helped me one bit against Nolan
Ryan. These kids are out there giving everything they've got and for people to say they don't have stones or are soft is ridiculous and a cop out. These kids put in hours of hours of work before most of us get up in the morning and late after classes. If you've been to this level you know what I'm talking about. I love this post and thank you for posting this!

ETA: example from today. Bryce Chance smokes a ball that probably would've been a game winner but the other guy makes a highlight play. So did chance lacks stones there because he made an out with runners on? Heck no!

In general I would agree, however last year?s team was soft as a kitten. They had no heart and no obvious leadership group. Could?ve been youth/maturity because this team has it.

2022 was similar but gloating when some had no business gloating.

[basedog]

I agree with you 100%. Base you know the game well and you know baseball is the most second guessed, hindsighted game there is, which ironically is what makes it special

Take him out, leave him in, LOL. 24 I never coached baseball, my Dad coached little league and what was call Dixie seniors for over 20 years. He was a fundamentalist, throw strikes don’t walk them, and don’t stand out the plate and take strike 3. He won lots of championships,LOL.

We need to get together and go to a game. I have connections to great seats.

[Commercecomet24]

Take him out, leave him in, LOL. 24 I never coached baseball, my Dad coached little league and what was call Dixie seniors for over 20 years. He was a fundamentalist, throw strikes don’t walk them, and don’t stand out the plate and take strike 3. He won lots of championships,LOL.

We need to get together and go to a game. I have connections to great seats.

Man I'd love that! Just say when.

[Commercecomet24]

In general I would agree, however last year?s team was soft as a kitten. They had no heart and no obvious leadership group. Could?ve been youth/maturity because this team has it.

2022 was similar but gloating when some had no business gloating.

I can agree with that.

[basedog]

Man I'd love that! Just say when.

Ok. You can drive up to Brandon and ride with me.

[Commercecomet24]

Ok. You can drive up to Brandon and ride with me.

Cool with me.