Baseball game

[msstate7]

Fitts not looking good

[maroonmania]

Yep, here we go again, another starting pitcher in trouble.

[msstate7]

Good recovery. Really wanna get 5 innings out of fitts. Our starting pitching has to be better this year

[maroonmania]

Nice recovery, certainly helps when you don't walk or hit people.

[Todd4State]

Nice recovery, certainly helps when you don't walk or hit people.

If our pitchers are getting beat because people are hitting them, I can tolerate that a LOT better than walking or hitting people.

[Will James]

Rea up with no on, two out. Why our first four last night is the correct lineup

[msstate7]

Our offense seems to be overmatched. Not good...

[Will James]

College umpires still suck. 5" off the plate is a strike if it hits the mitt.

[msstate7]

College umpires still suck. 5" off the plate is a strike if it hits the mitt.

Then that should be where our catcher lines up.

[Todd4State]

Rea up with no on, two out. Why our first four last night is the correct lineup

Yep. A lot of difference between hitting with two outs and no one on and on outs and no one on.**

[msstate7]

For a team with little or no power, we sure strikeout a lot

[Saltydog]

with the exception of Rea and a few of our pitchers...

[MarketingBully01]

For a team with little or no power, we sure strikeout a lot

What I want to know is where is Reid Humphries? Can we put him at the DH or somewhere? Did he not Do well in the scrimmages or something? We need some kind of spark on offense. This lineup he put out there today has no power and screams small ball.

[Saltydog]

small ball team......Hell, we're just plain ole small.......

[War Machine Dawg]

Humphries must have kicked Cohen's dog or something. Shirley he'll play tomorrow.

Really love what I'm seeing from Fitts. Good movement and pounding the strike zone. He could be our horse to eat up innings the way Graveman did last year.

Our offense is depressing so far. It shouldn't take us 4 innings to get a hit on WCU's #2 starter. We'll get better, but it's damn depressing right now. But this is what Cohen does. Everyone is going to play early and get their chance to win a job. It's essentially Spring Training except the games actually count. But I totally understand why it drives us crazy. Hard to argue against the results, though.

[Will James]

Yep. A lot of difference between hitting with two outs and no one on and on outs and no one on.**

Maximizing his runners on base is a bad strategy**

[msstate7]

Nice to see vickerson with a clutch hit

[Coach34]

Score?

[Todd4State]

Maximizing his runners on base is a bad strategy**

Last time I checked, if no one is on the only way you can "maximize your runners" is to hit a home run.

[Todd4State]

Score?

3-0 MSU.

[War Machine Dawg]

Score?

3-0 good guys in the 5th. Brown & Vick had RBI hits.

[Todd4State]

Humphries must have kicked Cohen's dog or something. Shirley he'll play tomorrow.

Really love what I'm seeing from Fitts. Good movement and pounding the strike zone. He could be our horse to eat up innings the way Graveman did last year.

Our offense is depressing so far. It shouldn't take us 4 innings to get a hit on WCU's #2 starter. We'll get better, but it's damn depressing right now. But this is what Cohen does. Everyone is going to play early and get their chance to win a job. It's essentially Spring Training except the games actually count. But I totally understand why it drives us crazy. Hard to argue against the results, though.

Probably some hangover from last night. We still took better at bats the first time through the order and now we are about to get into their bullpen. Fitts has given up a few hits- but he has gotten more people out. I hope Woodruff is taking notes.

[War Machine Dawg]

Last time I checked, if no one is on the only way you can "maximize your runners" is to hit a home run.

Exactly. But we're arguing with a guy who lives and dies with sabermetrics.

[bully99]

That's what Cohen has mostly recruited the past few years, small punch an Judy hitters.

[Todd4State]

Damn it. Almost every run we've allowed this year, we've just given it to them for free.

3-1 MSU.

[Todd4State]

Exactly. But we're arguing with a guy who lives and dies with sabermetrics.

Live by the stat, die by the stat.

[MarketingBully01]

Damn it. Almost every run we've allowed this year, we've just given it to them for free.

3-1 MSU.

3 of their 4 runs they have scored I'd say. The hit batsman the walk of Woodruff and the strike out wild pitch special of Fitts. But to Fitts' credit he has pitched pretty well.

[Will James]

Armstrong....

[MarketingBully01]

Armstrong....

That pulled the first baseman off the bag. Saw it. Was not a double play bad call by the ump. Should be 4-1 MSU.

[bully99]

Hasn't Cohen generally gone to matchups in his career. Strange he has done it much in first two games.

[smootness]

That's what Cohen has mostly recruited the past few years, small punch an Judy hitters.

Cohen is always very forward-thinking in his recruiting. He knew college baseball was moving to a lot of small-ball, so that's what he recruited. The fact that he's gone after guys like Garner, Collins, Humphries, Swinarski, and Vallot recently tells me we'll probably see some easing of the BBCOR stuff and some increase in the effectiveness of power hitting in college baseball soon.

[bully99]

Announced attendance 9,187-anybody guess the actual.

[Drugdog]

Favor to ask; watching on Hailstate.
Can someone give a lineup roster with numbers Please. Thanks!!

[jbjones]

Cohen is always very forward-thinking in his recruiting. He knew college baseball was moving to a lot of small-ball, so that's what he recruited. The fact that he's gone after guys like Garner, Collins, Humphries, Swinarski, and Vallot recently tells me we'll probably see some easing of the BBCOR stuff and some increase in the effectiveness of power hitting in college baseball soon.

You are likely on to something. Humphries just gave one a serious ride over the left field fence...It was a bit too far left, but still...the announcers made it sound like it was nearing the TVA building across 82.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

My boy Reid bringing the boom. How close was that foul ball to being fair? Couldn't tell from where I'm sitting, but it looked close

[smootness]

Yeah, he definitely killed that. I got excited when I saw the RF turn.

[MarketingBully01]

The ump gave that pitcher 6-12" more on the plate. Those two strikes Humphries didn't swing at were not strikes. This ump has had a terribly inconsistent strike zone. Just was bad

[MarketingBully01]

About 20 feet or less but if it was straightened up would have gone out to straight away center.

[Todd4State]

Ding, ding, ding!

[Coach34]

Score?

[jbjones]

3-1 Dawgs. Lindgren in. 2 on, 1 out.

[MarketingBully01]

Score?

3-1 us but WCU has 2 on and 1 out.

[jbjones]

Check that pitcher...I think Jacob is in the midst of a mound meeting.....

[jbjones]

RHP Brown in.

[MarketingBully01]

Check that pitcher...I think Jacob is in the midst of a mound meeting.....

Yeah, Lindgren has to pitch better then he did if he wants any time in middle relief. Two walks and one strike out.

[Esmerelda Villalobos]

Showing, once again, why will james' boy should never see the field again

[jbjones]

K for Preston Brown. Good job by the Sophomore.

[jbjones]

CT makes a routine catch to retire the side, 3-1 Dawgs... we're headed to the 7th...bottom of the 7th that is.

[Todd4State]

CT makes a routine catch to retire the side, 3-1 Dawgs... we're headed to the 7th...bottom of the 7th that is.

Preston Brown was clutch right there.

[MarketingBully01]

K for Preston Brown. Good job by the Sophomore.

Brown gets out of the inning 3-1 Dogs to the bottom of the 7th. Here is an idea for Cohen. Start Humphries at third and play. Detz as DH. That puts another power hitter in the lineup. He needs to make that happen. Detz is okay at third and consistant but he doesn't have the defensive range of most third basemen. I think Humphries gives us a better chance there.

[jbjones]

Preston Brown was clutch right there.

Absolutely. I was wanting to see his stuff this year. Young guy...glad he got some work early.

[jbjones]

Detz is okay at third and consistant but he doesn't have the defensive range of most third basemen. I think Humphries gives us a better chance there.

Didn't Detz have the best fielding avg in the Conference (or Nation?) at 3rd last year? I want to say it was around .9<something> ?

[Coach34]

Thx for updates guys

[MarketingBully01]

Didn't Detz have the best fielding avg in the Conference (or Nation?) at 3rd last year? I want to say it was around .9<something> ?

We struggled at third last year because we had two problems. One we had a consistent third baseman who would not make errors but DID not have good range at third. Then we would put Sam Frost out there and he had excellent range but got errors because he would over throw to first. When you let balls go by that they consider hits but most third basemen could get to, it's not going to hurt your fielding percentage. That is why I think Detz is a better DH then 3rd base guy. I think Humphries fits best at third because he is a great fielder as well as great hitter.

[smootness]

Didn't Detz have the best fielding avg in the Conference (or Nation?) at 3rd last year? I want to say it was around .9<something> ?

I don't know, but he was talking about range, and I generally agree. Detz is sort of a Jeter-like defensive player. Hit it to him, he'll make the play. Make him move much, and it may get through.

[smootness]

Bases loaded, 2 down in the bottom of the 7th...Armstrong up, I think?

[bully99]

Can we not do any better than Armstrong

[MarketingBully01]

Bases loaded, 2 down in the bottom of the 7th...Armstrong up, I think?

Armstrong grounds out to end the inning 3-1 going into the top of the 8th.

[MarketingBully01]

Can we not do any better than Armstrong

Move Humphries to third and let Detz DH....problem solved.

[Todd4State]

I don't know, but he was talking about range, and I generally agree. Detz is sort of a Jeter-like defensive player. Hit it to him, he'll make the play. Make him move much, and it may get through.

You've never seen Derek Jeter play in person.

[Todd4State]

Move Humphries to third and let Detz DH....problem solved.

Yep. I've been this since July.

[MarketingBully01]

Yep. I've been this since July.

I agree with you. If you are going to play Britton at short, you have to have Humphries at third and Detz at DH otherwise your lineup is going to be very Arkansasish from last year.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Yep. I've been this since July.
Me too, I'm really hoping that happens tomorrow

[MarketingBully01]

Me too, I'm really hoping that happens tomorrow

Holder in and a strikeout going into bottom of the 8th Dogs 3-1. :)

[CrazyEyeKilla]

Holder came in with an inherited 3-2 count.

[smootness]

You've never seen Derek Jeter play in person.

I'm not sure what you mean. I actually have seen him in person, but regardless, he doesn't have very good range. He used to be a solid defensive player but even in his prime, I would have taken a whole lot of SS over him.

[jbjones]

WCU bringing in their 7th pitcher of the game....Dang. I didn't realize we ran through that many.

[CrazyEyeKilla]

Bases loaded 1 out. Come on Rea!

[MarketingBully01]

Holder came in with an inherited 3-2 count.

Bases loaded with Rea up just one out....I'd like to see a grand slam right here...come on Rea! Make it happen!

[jbjones]

Wes!!! Knocks in 2. 5-1 Dawgs!!!

[MarketingBully01]

Wes!!! Knocks in 2. 5-1 Dawgs!!!

Pirtle singles and bases loaded again. They are bringing in their 8th pitcher...

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Pirtle's walkout song is sweet. Cracks me up watching the entire stadium do their arms up and down.

[jbjones]

6-1. Walked a run in. Doesn't get any easier than that. Good Lord, ANOTHER pitcher?

Edit: Yep, that's the 9th one. I guess being down is helping the staff to really put a good assessment on their bullpen. Not a bad time to do it, I reckon.

[Esmerelda Villalobos]

6-1. Walked a run in. Doesn't get any easier than that. Good Lord, ANOTHER pitcher?

9th pitcher

[MarketingBully01]

6-1. Walked a run in. Doesn't get any easier than that. Good Lord, ANOTHER pitcher?

Who do we start tomorrow? We should blow them out. They have two good starting pitchers and that's it.

[jbjones]

Who do we start tomorrow? We should blow them out. They have two good starting pitchers and that's it.

During the rather short pre-game yesterday, Jim talked with Butch. I seem to recall him giving a rough outline of the weekend starters. I can't even come close to remembering what that was. We know Woody and Fitts started, I just can't remember the next guy.....

[MarketingBully01]

During the rather short pre-game yesterday, Jim talked with Butch. I seem to recall him giving a rough outline of the weekend starters. I can't even come close to remembering what that was. We know Woody and Fitts started, I just can't remember the next guy.....

I'd like to see Hudson. I'd also like to see Humphries get a shot at least at DH tomorrow. We need another power bat in the lineup. 6-1 going into top of the ninth.

[jbjones]

6-1 Dawgs,Final. Awesome. Good job from the pitching staff. Got some bats going as well. Nice job all around.

[Schultzy]

Bracewell was announced earlier this week as the third starter I think. He deserves a chance as a starter. And by the way, it's past time to start thinking of Mitchell as a weekend starter, who cares about velocity if you're a bonafide stopper.

Big Preston Brown fan after tonight, not scared to throw strikes with men on base. He obviously trusts his stuff.

Reid Humphries fan too, when the ball jumps off the bat like that you force feed him at bats.

Umps squeezed us and widened the zone for them. A check swing strike on Armstrong was ridiculous as well.

ETA: Western Carolina's number two starter has good stuff. They are gonna be tough for whoever has to deal with them in a regional somewhere.

[MarketingBully01]

Bracewell was announced earlier this week as the third starter I think. He deserves a chance as a starter. And by the way, it's past time to start thinking of Mitchell as a weekend starter, who cares about velocity if you're a bonafide stopper.

Big Preston Brown fan after tonight, not scared to throw strikes with men on base. He obviously trusts his stuff.

Reid Humphries fan too, when the ball jumps off the bat like that you force feed him at bats.

Umps squeezed us and widened the zone for them. A check swing strike on Armstrong was ridiculous as well.

ETA: Western Carolina's number two starter has good stuff. They are gonna be tough for whoever has to deal with them in a regional somewhere.

The ump gave the pitcher an extra wide zone against Humphries as well. Those balls he laid off were 5-7 inches off the plate. They really weren't close. Bracewell is a good pick. I like the way he competes. I'd like to see Humphries start somewhere tomorrow. He is too talented to not start on this roster somewhere.

[jbjones]

Bracewell is a good pick. I like the way he competes.

Yeah, I wanna say that Ben was the other pitcher mentioned. I was drinking a lot during the pre-game/game, so I can't remember all that well.

[Will James]

Showing, once again, why will james' boy should never see the field again

So woodruff shouldn't either

[Esmerelda Villalobos]

So woodruff shouldn't either

Yup. Both have no gnads.
Million dollar arms that cant pitch.
I can out shoot any player on our basketball team. I cant play sec ball though.

[Lefthandersrule]

Showing, once again, why will james' boy should never see the field again

So I guess Woody and Lingo should just retire?! Lingo's misses were over the plate but about one or two inches low last night. I guess he should have brought the ball thigh high and let them hit it into the lights. The ump squeezed him. No runs scored. But maybe, by your standards, he should never see the field again. Now by your thoughts, who gets benched for the rest of the season because they have not produced with runners on? Small sample of production by everyone so far. It's two games into the season.

[CadaverDawg]

If I've learned anything during the Cohen era, it's never to say "________ should never see the field again". Bret Pirtle, Chad Girodo, and several others have made me look dumb during his tenure. Not saying Lingo and Woody are going to turn in to Girodo by year end....but they both have more talent than Girodo did, and we see how important it was that we didn't "never let him see the field again".

[MarketingBully01]

So I guess Woody and Lingo should just retire?! Lingo's misses were over the plate but about one or two inches low last night. I guess he should have brought the ball thigh high and let them hit it into the lights. The ump squeezed him. No runs scored. But maybe, by your standards, he should never see the field again. Now by your thoughts, who gets benched for the rest of the season because they have not produced with runners on? Small sample of production by everyone so far. It's two games into the season.

Woodruff didn't miss by much for most of Friday. The ump squeezed him on some of his pitches. Plus on an 0-2 count he tried to jam the batter inside and hit him. That kind of set the tone for the first two innings for Woody. Jamming these guys on the inside turned out to not be a good idea because they crowd the plate. Woody will be fine moving forward. As we found out though, going away from these batters works better. I think we blow them out today.

[Lefthandersrule]

Woodruff didn't miss by much for most of Friday. The ump squeezed him on some of his pitches. Plus on an 0-2 count he tried to jam the batter inside and hit him. That kind of set the tone for the first two innings for Woody. Jamming these guys on the inside turned out to not be a good idea because they crowd the plate. Woody will be fine moving forward. As we found out though, going away from these batters works better. I think we blow them out today.

I agree Woody will be just fine. All the guys will.

[maroonmania]

I will say one thing about this WCU ballclub. We've got nothing on them when it comes to beards. Looks like we are playing an Amish team.