MCWS

[EdwardDrayton]

Opening game from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha: Virginia leads North Carolina 2-1 going to the home half of the sixth.

[EdwardDrayton]

The Tarheels walk it off in regulation 3-2.

Fabulous game to open the Series.

[basedog]

I was thinking Virginia would have walked NC most dangerous hitter in bottom 9th.

[redstickdawg]

I was thinking Virginia would have walked NC most dangerous hitter in bottom 9th.

and it would have set up a force at 2nd. He was 0 for 4 so far and maybe they thought he was slumping, IDK, certainly curious.

[EdwardDrayton]

Game 2: Florida State vs Tennessee 6 pm

[basedog]

Game 2: Florida State vs Tennessee 6 pm

Interesting matchup.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Tennessee pulling their starter after 8 pitches

[ZedFedder]

Why did they pull him?

[Coach34]

Why did they pull him?

Because he's not even as good as Pico. Worst looking SP in a CWS I've seen since 2013

[Cooterpoot]

All these guys driving balls oppo while we stand on top of the plate trying to pull everything SMDH

[DawgFromOxford]

Because he's not even as good as Pico. Worst looking SP in a CWS I've seen since 2013

FSU said hold my beer

[Coach34]

It's funny seeing these teams do the same shit people rail on Lemon about

[Coach34]

Fla St SS has a cannon

[DownwardDawg]

Tennessee pulling their starter after 8 pitches

They don't even need pitchers. They score like 27 runs per game. Lol

[Ranchdawg]

How many of y’all been to Omaha?

[basedog]

This is gonna be a slug fest.

[BrunswickDawg]

FSU said hold my beer

Personally, I enjoy watching the annual FSU meltdown. It's my way of knowing that summer has begun.

[State82]

How many of y’all been to Omaha?

I went to Rosenblatt twice, including the last year it was played there just to go, and the new park once.

[KOdawg1]

How many of y’all been to Omaha?
I went twice in 2021

[Pinto]

How many of y’all been to Omaha?

Been multiple times. My roommate and I got off work one Friday in 97 and drove to Omaha to watch state play on Saturday and drove back to be at work Monday morning. That was at Rosenblatt.

Saw us be national runner ups, the champions, and another time or two.

New park is nice but rosenblatt just had something about it.

[DawgFromOxford]

First game was phenomenal. This game is like watching 2 JV teams

[State82]

New park is nice but rosenblatt just had something about it.

Without a doubt it did. If you are a college baseball fan and never got to experience Rosenblatt Stadium it is very difficult to describe. The location in the old part of town, the tailgating in yards that people paid to park in, merchandise tents lining the streets, a few establishments scattered around to have a cold one, there was a definite mystique about the whole experience that you cannot explain.

[DownwardDawg]

Personally, I enjoy watching the annual FSU meltdown. It's my way of knowing that summer has begun.

Tennessee will battle them for the melt. Both choke post season. FSU just has more experience choking.

[EdwardDrayton]

How many of y?all been to Omaha?

Yup. Didn't even have to sell my trailer. :)

[Coach34]

Tennessee will battle them for the melt. Both choke post season. FSU just has more experience choking.

Yeah this will be who chokes less

[EdwardDrayton]

Tennessee will battle them for the melt. Both choke post season. FSU just has more experience choking.

Florida State first. Then Tennessee. Hate them both but FSU decidedly more.

[Ranchdawg]

I went to Rosenblatt twice, including the last year it was played there just to go, and the new park once.

Been 3times also. Once Rosenblatt and twice T.D. Ameritrade. Just for sake of discussion does anyone believe they ought to move the College World Series to other venues on a rotating base? IMO I’m not a Omaha fan. They only give the teams coming I think only 1,000 tickets to sell. The vast majority of fans there could give a rip who is playing. It’s a social scene for the locals and they have ALL the tickets. They show up in the 2nd or 3rd inning and leave in 7th or 8th inning. The bleachers in the outfield has the stupidest tradition of beach balls and even more don’t care about the game.

Last time I was there I had to stand in this ridiculous line to purchase tickets directly from the Ameritrade ticket office early in the day before the game. I was sold from Ameritrade’s ticket office duplicate tickets. Somebody from Omaha had purchased their tickets online and were sitting in the seats that I had purchased from Ameritrade. They thought it was hilarious and refused to move. If I hadn’t had my family that little punk mf’r would needed a plastic surgeon because I would have rearranged his face. So I had to wait for a person with Ameritrade to get me more tickets. I missed the first two innings waiting on and dealing with the person from Ameritrade’s office. I said right then there I’d never be back and I haven’t. And who wants to go Omaha for a vacation or go there for any other reason.

[CaptainObvious]

Was there for the Championship Round in '13 and the first 2 State Games in '21.

[Saltydog]

You'll never convince me that UT is not using hot bats. Good hitters, sure. but they hit way too many balls with exits speeds of 105+. There were rumors last year but they have 5 players with 19 plus homeruns. Yeah, something ain't right.

[Saltydog]

Agree with you Ranch. I'd like to see it move around as well. As for Omaha, well other than some good steakhouses it's not the ideal vacation spot. Their zoo is nice so there's that.

[mparkerfd20]

Horrible ump allowed TN to tie. Should be over.

[CaptainObvious]

Must be nice to have 2-3-4 batters who are clutch under pressure!

[Saltydog]

He's been extremely inconsistent that's for sure.

[DownwardDawg]

Walk this off TN!!!!

[mparkerfd20]

Walk this off TN!!!!

**** TN and **** Vitello

[DownwardDawg]

Must be nice to have 2-3-4 batters who are clutch under pressure!

No doubt!!! Very clutch hitting there!!!

[DownwardDawg]

**** TN and **** Vitello

Lol!! But **** FSU more!!!!

[DownwardDawg]

**** TN and **** Vitello

Boom!!!!

Joking. It's a rare thing when I cheer for Tennessee....and I live there!!! Hate their fans other than a couple of neighbors.
But I despise FSU.

[DawgFromOxford]

Personally, I enjoy watching the annual FSU meltdown. It's my way of knowing that summer has begun.

Welcome to Summer

[DownwardDawg]

Welcome to Summer

Hahahaha!!!!!

[basedog]

I just don't think anyone will out slug TN. They got gamers and dirt baggers in their lineup. Talk bout clutch hitting.

[maroonmania]

FSU truly seems to be cursed in Omaha. TN guy looks to have struck out (could have been called on the check swing or could have just been called a straight out ball in the zine strikeout), but alas it wasn't and the guy gets the 2 run single to tie it up and TN walks off the game.

[EdwardDrayton]

**** TN and **** Vitello

^^^^^^

[EdwardDrayton]

Lol!! But **** FSU more!!!!

^^^^^^^

[Commercecomet24]

Great start to the cws!

[Cooterpoot]

You'll never convince me that UT is not using hot bats. Good hitters, sure. but they hit way too many balls with exits speeds of 105+. There were rumors last year but they have 5 players with 19 plus homeruns. Yeah, something ain't right.

Look at the size of their guys, could be roids. Bats get checked at the CWS. Could be they recruit top shelf now too.

[KOdawg1]

You'll never convince me that UT is not using hot bats. Good hitters, sure. but they hit way too many balls with exits speeds of 105+. There were rumors last year but they have 5 players with 19 plus homeruns. Yeah, something ain't right.

It's called recruiting badass dudes that are jacked and knock the piss out of the baseball. They don't have slappers like we've had in spots

[Leeshouldveflanked]

It's called recruiting badass dudes that are jacked and knock the piss out of the baseball. They don't have slappers like we've had in spots
Most of our players look like they have never been to a weight room.

[KOdawg1]

Most of our players look like they have never been to a weight room.

Yeah, outside of Dakota and Hujsak, our lineup looked like just a bunch of average dudes. Hell, even Hines went from being fat to sickly looking.

[Saltydog]

Look at the size of their guys, could be roids. Bats get checked at the CWS. Could be they recruit top shelf now too.

Indeed could be roids. Christian Moore appears to be an extremely tempremental.

[maroonmania]

Most of our players look like they have never been to a weight room.

No doubt our players and their players look vastly different.

[Coach34]

Clown Show dugout is like a girls softball team.

Please go 2 and Que

[CaptainObvious]

It's called recruiting badass dudes that are jacked and knock the piss out of the baseball. They don't have slappers like we've had in spots

Actually the game winning hit last night was slapped opposite field in the gap almost to the wall. The pitch was 4 or 5 inches off the plate. Our guys look for something over the heart of the plate after getting 2 strikes on them. That is an awful approach.

[Coach34]

I don’t think anybody will argue about our approach at the plate this season or us being too pull happy

[DownwardDawg]

Clown Show dugout is like a girls softball team.

Please go 2 and Que

Haha!!!

[maroonmania]

These first 3 CWS games have all been incredibly entertaining and fun to watch. Looks like it will be 3 one run games.

[EdwardDrayton]

These first 3 CWS games have all been incredibly entertaining and fun to watch. Looks like it will be 3 one run games.

Very entertaining first three games.

[EdwardDrayton]

Wow. Another walkoff. Kentucky 5-4 over the Wolfpack.

[Commercecomet24]

Another walkoff! This cws has been awesome so far!

[Commercecomet24]

Indeed could be roids. Christian Moore appears to be an extremely tempremental.

The roid rumor about Vitello and his teams have been floating for a while. Who knows, things that make you go hmmmm

[basedog]

The roid rumor about Vitello and his teams have been floating for a while. Who knows, things that make you go hmmmm

Bunch of Clowns***. Hope they get exposed.

[Commercecomet24]

Bunch of Clowns***. Hope they get exposed.

He's getting the job done for sure. Just win.

[SPMT]

The roid rumor about Vitello and his teams have been floating for a while. Who knows, things that make you go hmmmm

Unless baseball is different, from talking to a current player on one of our teams the ncaa is testing pretty heavily for ped. I?m doubtful they are juiced. But?..you never know.

[basedog]

Unless baseball is different, from talking to a current player on one of our teams the ncaa is testing pretty heavily for ped. I?m doubtful they are juiced. But?..you never know.

Juicing has been going on for a long time. Cheating occurs and I'm making fun basically of Tn baseball, but they act like some are on roids.

[SPMT]

Juicing has been going on for a long time. Cheating occurs and I'm making fun basically of Tn baseball, but they act like some are on roids.

If the players are made aware as to when they will be tested and there are no randoms, then there?s no doubt some will use.

[Pancho]

Isn't each participating player on any team that goes to Omaha tested as was Luke Alexander?

[CaptainObvious]

Unionizing will put a stop to testing.

I think State will be a good candidate for Central IVY League when the dust settles!

Ga. Tech
Vandy
Rice
Tulane
Wake
Northwestern
Purdue
Rutgers
UAB
Mississippi State
Duke
Va. Tech

[EdwardDrayton]

Sooooo ......... Virginia is the first team out

[Commercecomet24]

If the players are made aware as to when they will be tested and there are no randoms, then there?s no doubt some will use.

There's way more ped use than one would think. Just look at the players getting poppped in minor league ball every year. As Base said peds have been being used for years and it hasn't stopped. You'd probably be surprised at even the amount of HS kids using peds. Juco is extremely rampant.

[DownwardDawg]

aTm fans..........

[EdwardDrayton]

The Wolfpack the second team to go. Now we can put to bed all that 2021 what would have been.

[EdwardDrayton]

Please please please let the Noles be the third team to pack and go.

[EdwardDrayton]

Another good one in play between A&M and KY. 0-0 after five. This is hands down the best set of opening CWS games I've ever seen.

[EdwardDrayton]

Oh my. A&M's Jace Laviolette appears to have suffered a hamstring injury. If he is unable to play, that is a devastating loss for the Aggies.

[Turfdawg67]

UT is the best team by far, but being in Knoxville today and listening to their "fans", I hope UF stays hot! Just sayin

[archdog]

I were a JUCO player I would use. Why not. Jack a bunch of home runs and get signed by a better school and then cycle off.

[archdog]

Other than our year.

[Saltydog]

Might as well hand the title to UT now. They will beat them even if Laviolette is healthy. Now, if Montgomery and Laviolette were both playing, it might be different. Honestly though, if aTm loses tonight I think UF will beat them tomorrow.

[basedog]

5 players with 20 home runs. First D1 team ever to have this.

[EdwardDrayton]

5 players with 20 home runs. First D1 team ever to have this.

The Rocky Top juice bar added some new 'flavors' this season.

[EdwardDrayton]

The Noles are gone. All is right in the universe.

[Turfdawg67]

The Noles are gone. All is right in the universe.

NVMD

Dumb comment fb an even dumber rebuttal. Isbell has taught me to take the high road. Lolz

[Coach34]

Clown Show is the first SEC team eliminated. #Justice

[Pinto]

Clown Show is the first SEC team eliminated. #Justice

Must really suck to be one of the top 5 teams in the country.

[Pancho]

Be awful for some if Nick has another great year in 25. If Lemo was a clown, what would his name be?

[EdwardDrayton]

The SEC is down this year. LOL!!!

[Coach34]

Must really suck to be one of the top 5 teams in the country.

1st time in school history. He's their Dan Mullen

[Coach34]

Be awful for some if Nick has another great year in 25. If Lemo was a clown, what would his name be?

Only Natty in school history Clown?

[Pancho]

you could have won with the team he was handed.

[CaptainObvious]

you could have won with the team he was handed.

Nah. The only other State Coach who could have won with our 21 team is Cannizzaro. Even sitting in the dugout talking to his girlfriend! He could just throw the bats, gloves and balls out there and say play ball!

[Pancho]

but she was hot

[EdwardDrayton]

Weeeel, not sure he would've won but he sure threw his balls out there and said play.

[Coach34]

you could have won with the team he was handed.

He wasnt handed Bednar- and we dont win it without him.

[ScooterDog]

Change the subject a little. The organ music this year lacks much to be desired. Agree?

[EdwardDrayton]

Let's go AGGIES!!!

[DawgFromOxford]

The rest of the country (those that care) have to be sick and tired of SEC baseball. 5th year in a row for a SEC CWS champion and no repeats

[MoreCowbell]

you could have won with the team he was handed.

I think Lemo is a great at managing talent when he has it. He just cant evaluate or acquire it.

[Coach34]

I think Lemo is a great at managing talent when he has it. He just cant evaluate or acquire it.

Amazing post when we could possibly have two 1st round picks this year.

[MoreCowbell]

Amazing post when we could possibly have two 1st round picks this year.

You keep saying this like that proves this was a very talented team. It just isn?t. He just is not a great recruiter. Not sure how you can argue against that.

[basedog]

I think Lemonis fails mostly is his decision making. But it is baseball, "take him out, leave him in, steal or not to steal, bunt or not to bunt......" He seems indecisive a lot of time.

But no doubt good players make good coaches.

[Coach34]

You keep saying this like that proves this was a very talented team. It just isn?t. He just is not a great recruiter. Not sure how you can argue against that.

If you are among the top of the league in draft picks- which we will be come July- you have talent. That cant even be argued.

Our problem in 2024 was injuries hurting us and left us with a hole or two in the line-up. We had a couple of guys underperform which also hurt. Hines has talent- you cant argue that. He had his worst season as a college player this year. Thats not a lack of recruiting- thats a player not living up to his standard.

[BuckyIsAB****]

Amazing post when we could possibly have two 1st round picks this year.

And their best year of their career is a made up by you regional final. Gtfo

[Commercecomet24]

The SEC is down this year. LOL!!!

lol yeah a lot on here trumpeted that narrative and I've said all year that the sec is deeper and more talented than it's ever been. Being proven once again. Folks say that every year and it's because they don't watch anyone else play!
When the 11th of 11 teams make it to the cws semi finals, lol! Any of the 11 of sec teams making the tournament this year were capable of winning it all.
You're right on my friend!

[Goldendawg]

If you are among the top of the league in draft picks- which we will be come July- you have talent. That cant even be argued.

Our problem in 2024 was injuries hurting us and left us with a hole or two in the line-up. We had a couple of guys underperform which also hurt. Hines has talent- you cant argue that. He had his worst season as a college player this year. Thats not a lack of recruiting- thats a player not living up to his standard.

Other teams have injuries during the season but have some depth with needed talent to overcome the loss of a couple of players. If we have the talent you allude to, why were we middle of the pack in year 6 under Lemonis? You seem to talk out of both sides of your mouth when addressing this. I don't see it being used both ways. Injuries have also been used as an excuse for the disaster of the 2023 season. aTm may win the CWS (SEC Baseball National Tournament -Omaha) without their best player if Montgomery is out. I agree with you we have some talent , just not enough of it or we would not have finished 5th in the regular season.

[Goldendawg]

lol yeah a lot on here trumpeted that narrative and I've said all year that the sec is deeper and more talented than it's ever been. Being proven once again. Folks say that every year and it's because they don't watch anyone else play!
When the 11th of 11 teams make it to the cws semi finals, lol! Any of the 11 of sec teams making the tournament this year were capable of winning it all.
You're right on my friend!

I have often said that there many outstanding baseball minds on this board and I continue to learn more about the game from your insights. I questioned the overall strength of the conference this season and have been eating lots of crow, fried, baked, smoked, etc and willingly admit it.

[Commercecomet24]

I have often said that there many outstanding baseball minds on this board and I continue to learn more about the game from your insights. I questioned the overall strength of the conference this season and have been eating lots of crow, fried, baked, smoked, etc and willingly admit it.

You're a dang good poster, Golden and always appreciate your thoughts. I've just been around the game same long, heck baseball is my only vice lol. I've played, coached and studied it for a long time and it helps when you start evaluating players, teams and conferences. My oldest son is a hs coach and my youngest runs a baseball training facility so even in my old age I get to stay caught up with the game, lol. Doesn't mean I ain't wrong at times though because baseball is a game of so many variables. Overall though i can look at kinda evaluate the game and talent level when watching, just comes from to many hours spent at the ball fields! Just love the game!

[Coach34]

And their best year of their career is a made up by you regional final. Gtfo

Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl and only played in 1 of them- so he sucked too huh?

Or did his 2 HOF coaches suck?

[BrunswickDawg]

Other teams have injuries during the season but have some depth with needed talent to overcome the loss of a couple of players. If we have the talent you allude to, why were we middle of the pack in year 6 under Lemonis? You seem to talk out of both sides of your mouth when addressing this. I don't see it being used both ways. Injuries have also been used as an excuse for the disaster of the 2023 season. aTm may win the CWS (SEC Baseball National Tournament -Omaha) without their best player if Montgomery is out. I agree with you we have some talent , just not enough of it or we would not have finished 5th in the regular season.

I don't consider 5th in SEC middle of the pack - it puts you at roughly one of the 10-15 best teams in the country regardless of conference ranking.
Let's look at some of MSU's most recent 5th place or worse teams -
2012 - 40-24 (16-14), 1-2 in Regional
2013 - 51-20 (16-14), CWS Finals
2017 - 40-27 (17-13), 0-2 in a Super
2018 - 39-29 (15-15) 7th place, 2-2 CWS
2024 - 40-23 (17-13), 2-2 in Regional

From being on this board since day 1, I can tell you that we had a whole lot of posters wanting to fire Cohen during both those 2012 and 2013 seasons. His decisions suck, he over thinks, we have no power, our pitching is for shit, we had no talent, he cussed too much, AND HE BUNTED!!!!!!! Then, for some reason they coddled Cann's cahones all season while he took the Defending SEC Champs and the SEC Hit King and finished 5th, had to go to Hardy St. High for a regional and then got spanked in the Super by LSU (also finished with a worse record than this year's team). But, now - all that is "our best period of baseball EVA!!!!" - but somehow this past season is far inferior??? I just don't get it.

The impact of injuries is about position and timing. Losing Nate Dohm for most of the season is probably a 5 game swing for us just in SEC play, maybe more across the season. It also has a trickle down effect throughout the rotation and the bullpen. Some teams overcome it some don't. We didn't in 2022. We did this season in my mind - but it still has it's impact. Losing a position player is much easier to overcome. You may not get the same production from the replacement, but you also have 8 other offensive players to spread the production too. None of those things are something a coach can control or honestly truly mitigate. You just absorb it and try to battle through it. Keyboard jockeys want to make it seem like a video game where you just plug someone else in. Baseball doesn't work like that.

[Pancho]

other teams insert quality backups which goes back to cruitin. Lemo is on the clock again.

[Coach34]

Lemo is on the clock again.

Why is this a thing? Nobody disagrees.

The difference is we enjoyed 2024 and look forward to 2025.

[Commercecomet24]

Is any coach(outside of a very select few) ever off the clock?

[DownwardDawg]

Is any coach(outside of a very select few) ever off the clock?

Nope

[State82]

Is any coach(outside of a very select few) ever off the clock?
Excellent point. True story.

[Commercecomet24]

Excellent point. True story.

Hired to be fired, heard it for years. I can think of very, very few who went out on their own terms.

[RockyDog]

I don't consider 5th in SEC middle of the pack - it puts you at roughly one of the 10-15 best teams in the country regardless of conference ranking.
Let's look at some of MSU's most recent 5th place or worse teams -
2012 - 40-24 (16-14), 1-2 in Regional
2013 - 51-20 (16-14), CWS Finals
2017 - 40-27 (17-13), 0-2 in a Super
2018 - 39-29 (15-15) 7th place, 2-2 CWS
2024 - 40-23 (17-13), 2-2 in Regional

From being on this board since day 1, I can tell you that we had a whole lot of posters wanting to fire Cohen during both those 2012 and 2013 seasons. His decisions suck, he over thinks, we have no power, our pitching is for shit, we had no talent, he cussed too much, AND HE BUNTED!!!!!!! Then, for some reason they coddled Cann's cahones all season while he took the Defending SEC Champs and the SEC Hit King and finished 5th, had to go to Hardy St. High for a regional and then got spanked in the Super by LSU (also finished with a worse record than this year's team). But, now - all that is "our best period of baseball EVA!!!!" - but somehow this past season is far inferior??? I just don't get it.

The impact of injuries is about position and timing. Losing Nate Dohm for most of the season is probably a 5 game swing for us just in SEC play, maybe more across the season. It also has a trickle down effect throughout the rotation and the bullpen. Some teams overcome it some don't. We didn't in 2022. We did this season in my mind - but it still has it's impact. Losing a position player is much easier to overcome. You may not get the same production from the replacement, but you also have 8 other offensive players to spread the production too. None of those things are something a coach can control or honestly truly mitigate. You just absorb it and try to battle through it. Keyboard jockeys want to make it seem like a video game where you just plug someone else in. Baseball doesn't work like that.

You hit the nail on the head. The goalpost movers HATE Lemons and manipulate history to fit their agenda. Bottom line is, whatever excuse you use, LEMONS HAS A NATTY. Cholk doesn't. Cohen doesn't Cannizaro doesn't. Henderson doesnt. GET OVER IT. Chris Lemons is an MSU baseball GOD