MSU vs Marshall Game Thread

[smootness]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-UOIciCAAAhcfz.jpg

Obviously continuing to rest Rea and Smith. Interesting to see Gridley continue to get time, and a bit weird to see Holland at 1B.

[confucius say]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-UOIciCAAAhcfz.jpg

Obviously continuing to rest Rea and Smith. Interesting to see Gridley continue to get time, and a bit weird to see Holland at 1B.

Rain going to delay?

[It_Could_Happen]

I would bet there's no more than 200 in attendance.

[smootness]

They're on the field now, and it doesn't look to be raining, though it is really cold.

BTW, check out the hailstatebb twitter page to see how quick Lovelady pops from his stance. Extremely impressive.

[It_Could_Happen]

Anyone else having trouble with the live feed on sec network +?

[smootness]

I was. I exited and went back in, and it's fine now.

Good start for Brown. Allowed a weak base hit and got down 3-0 to the next batter, but battled back for the K to end the top half.

[BiscuitEater]

Watching on WatchESPN and it looks really, really cold. Good news though ... good seats are available.

[smootness]

Apparently Brown allowed two hits but picked the first runner off 1st.

[smootness]

Apparently the ESPN feed is a good bit behind; the twitter account is updating well before.

But two weak grounders to SS, a weak flyball to LF, and a Humphreys walk, and it's 0-0 after 1.

[smootness]

Brown's breaking ball is killing them; they're chasing everything in the dirt.

[smootness]

Lovelady with a perfect throw to 2nd to gun down the runner to end the top of the 2nd. 2 Ks from Brown, bloop hit to CF.

[smootness]

Another hit for Robson. Good grief. Followed by an easy steal of 2nd.

Gridley moved him to 3rd with a grounder, but terrible AB by Vickerson and a pop-up from Britton stranded him there. Still 0-0 after 2.

[maroonmania]

Man I can't believe Vickerson took 3 strikes without even swinging with a man on 3rd and 1 out. We fail to score.

[msstate7]

Britton not helping his case for 3b

[maroonmania]

Britton not helping his case for 3b

Yea, but he's still our "best infielder" according to some of our board experts.

[smootness]

Single, SB, double to start the 3rd for Marshall. 1-0.

Another hit, 2-0. Ugh. Followed by another SB and a walk.

Brown is struggling. They've stopped swinging at balls in the dirt, but he keeps throwing them. His pitch count is already climbing.

[preachermatt83]

Get somebody else at 3rd

[preachermatt83]

Where's spruill? Get him in the game

[preachermatt83]

Ross is warming up.

[preachermatt83]

Gonna withhold judgement on Preston. It's really hard to pitch when it's this cold.

[smootness]

Gonna withhold judgement on Preston. It's really hard to pitch when it's this cold.

Definitely. I'm not worried, we just need to start hitting the ball and win this game.

[maroonmania]

Nice play by Gridley. Inning could have been even worse.

[smootness]

Fantastic play by Gridley to end the inning after a Brown K. 2-0 Marshall.

Gridley looks like he's going to be a really good player for us.

[preachermatt83]

Way to battle back Preston.

[preachermatt83]

I wish Britton would perform at the plate in a game the way he does in BP. His raw power is incredible but he looks lost at times at the plate

[preachermatt83]

Good grief

[justwin]

Yea, but he's still our "best infielder" according to some of our board experts.

You gotta admit.. that was a nice Roger Dorn Oley on that last one.

[smootness]

Britton is quickly letting us all know why he hasn't played much. His swing just isn't very good.

[preachermatt83]

Man that breaking ball this guy is throwing is just hanging up there.

[maroonmania]

This Marshall pitcher not having much trouble with the cold. Of course, he's probably used to it.

[preachermatt83]

This Marshall pitcher not having much trouble with the cold. Of course, he's probably used to it.

Yea, it was 5 degrees at marshall yesterday. Lol

[preachermatt83]

Holland and Reynolds both are gonna be good hitters. The problem with them both right now is that they pull out with their hips.

[preachermatt83]

I'm wanting to see more of Rooker.

[maroonmania]

Yea, it was 5 degrees at marshall yesterday. Lol

Biggest difference in the game so far. Our players are out there all bundled up with face covers on while Marshall's players are out there playing like its just any other regular day.

[mparkerfd20]

Preston is starting to settle down a little now. Looking good atm.

[smootness]

Preston is starting to settle down a little now. Looking good atm.

Yeah, that was a good, quick inning.

Have to have the bats pick up now.

[smootness]

Humphreys with a 2B to start B4. He's got pretty good speed. That ball didn't even make the warning track, and he was in 2nd standing up easy.

[mparkerfd20]

Nice patience on something other than a breaking ball by Humphreys. Got the 2 bagger.

[preachermatt83]

Crap. Running at 2nd with no outs and we won't do nothing with it.

[mparkerfd20]

This ump has a very high strike zone. Downside is he isn't calling anything low.

[preachermatt83]

Dang it

[smootness]

This ump has a very high strike zone. Downside is he isn't calling anything low.

This is apparently a focus for umps this year to help negate the changes in the ball...which makes absolutely no sense to me.

Breaking balls that the catcher catches at the letters are not strikes.

[mparkerfd20]

This is apparently a focus for umps this year to help negate the changes in the ball...which makes absolutely no sense to me.

Breaking balls that the catcher catches at the letters are not strikes.

That's just ridiculous. Clear strikes are balls now.

[preachermatt83]

That should have been called a balk. He picked up his front foot and put it back down after coming set.

[preachermatt83]

Come thru here Vick!!!

[smootness]

We've had a guy on 3rd with one out and a guy on 2nd with no outs and couldn't advance either one. We're popping everything up.

2-0 Marshall after 4.

[preachermatt83]

Re freaking diculous

[mparkerfd20]

He didn't. Not all that surprised.

[mparkerfd20]

With high strikes the tendency is to pop-up. Get used to it unfortunately.

[preachermatt83]

Time to start pinch hitting when we get a runner ISp. Rea, Rooker, and Smith can handle a few innings.

[maroonmania]

Vickerson IS Mr. Fly ball, he was last year and it looks like nothing has changed. At least with the new balls he might get a few out of the park.

[mparkerfd20]

I don't think Heck even tagged that guy, but I'll take it.

[smootness]

If Vickerson is Mr. Fly Ball, then Britton is Mr. Weak Grounder. Yikes.

[msstate7]

What's up with volume difference between commercials and live action on the hail state app?

I'm listening with headphones while doing some drywall work at my house. Jim comes thru at a nice volume and then the commercials sound like a pantera concert.

[smootness]

RBI double by Holland brings home Heck after a HBP. 2 outs. Come on, Humphreys!

[justwin]

If Vickerson is Mr. Fly Ball, then Britton is Mr. Weak Grounder. Yikes.

More specifically, Britton is Mr. 1-3 putout. Dude is 2-2 today, and he has to have a NCAA record.

[smootness]

Good AB by Humphreys, but I'd almost rather him let loose on one of those high breaking balls given the way the rest of the lineup is hitting.

[smootness]

More specifically, Britton is Mr. 1-3 putout. Dude is 2-2 today, and he has to have a NCAA record.

Yeah. Again, his swing is just bad. Just flails at the ball with one arm and tops everything.

[preachermatt83]

I'm getting sick and tired of Reynolds

[smootness]

Reynolds down swinging. 2-1 Marshall after 5.

[smootness]

I'm getting sick and tired of Reynolds

I'd be ok with Holland at 3rd and Gridley at 2nd once Rea is back. Or even without him; you can put Rooker at 1st.

Or Humphreys at 3rd, and you can have Robson, Smith, and Brown/Vickerson in the OF, though I doubt they do that.

[preachermatt83]

Some of our righties just need to yank one of those high breaking balls. The wind is blowing out to left. Just get one up and give it a ride.

[preachermatt83]

I'd be ok with Holland at 3rd and Gridley at 2nd once Rea is back. Or even without him; you can put Rooker at 1st.

Or Humphreys at 3rd, and you can have Robson, Smith, and Brown/Vickerson in the OF, though I doubt they do that.

I agree

[preachermatt83]

If Rea can swing a bat I'd let him take one for a ride.

[preachermatt83]

Good Lord get Britton out of the game.

[smootness]

Ugh. We need to go ahead and put Rooker in at 1st and move Holland to 3rd.

[maroonmania]

Man, another E on Britton.

[preachermatt83]

These games may not seem important now but come may looking back these are the games that determine weather or not u host.

[preachermatt83]

Ugh. We need to go ahead and put Rooker in at 1st and move Holland to 3rd.

Or spruill.

[smootness]

Absolutely. We need another 4-0 weekend.

[smootness]

I don't know about Spruill, I'm not that high on him. We need Holland's bat in the lineup.

[preachermatt83]

What the freaking crap. Britton wasn't even at third to get the throw from lovelady.

[preachermatt83]

I don't know about Spruill, I'm not that high on him. We need Holland's bat in the lineup.

Rynolds is DHing. We could dh holland.

[preachermatt83]

Wonder why Cody brown not playing?

[smootness]

Rynolds is DHing. We could dh holland.

Oh, good point.

Or Holland to 2B, Humphreys to DH, Reynolds to 3B, and put Cody Brown in.

[smootness]

Big K from Brown. Make it 2 Ks. Huge pitching to end the threat there.

2-1 Marshall, going to B6.

[preachermatt83]

Preston is battling. Impressive.

[Five-tool Poster]

What a gutsy performance by Preston Brown.

[preachermatt83]

Smith holding a bat and got his jacket off.

[smootness]

Beautiful bunt single by Robson to start the 6th. Man, he is good.

[preachermatt83]

Fastest man alive- Robson.

[smootness]

Smith holding a bat and got his jacket off.

Nice! Just don't get hurt.

[preachermatt83]

What a gutsy performance by Preston Brown.

Amen.

[smootness]

Robson is instant offense. Another SB.

[preachermatt83]

Get him to 3rd somehow

[preachermatt83]

Don't pull back on a bunt with a pitch that close.

[preachermatt83]

WTG Gridley!!! I think we have found out 2b

[smootness]

Gorgeous piece of hitting despite already having 2 strikes trying to bunt. RBI double, tied up 2-2.

I had a feeling about Gridley, but I figured it would take him a couple years. I never thought he'd come out of the gates like this.

I think Heck and Holland have to play every day, and Gridley is quickly putting himself in that same group.

[justwin]

I'd be ok with Holland at 3rd and Gridley at 2nd once Rea is back. Or even without him; you can put Rooker at 1st.

Or Humphreys at 3rd, and you can have Robson, Smith, and Brown/Vickerson in the OF, though I doubt they do that.

I think we should plug Reynolds at 3B, leave rest of INF intact - Heck, Holland, and Rea. Then, you can get Rooker & some others some DH cuts.

Yeah, Reynolds K'ed in last AB, but that was a good AB. Eight pitches, drove count full, and got rung up on a nasty offspeed that everyone else would've gone down on, too. You just got to credit Marshall pitcher there. Before that, though, Reynolds had a ground out & pop out. He is at least making contact & driving the ball, and seems to go to the plate with the intention of actually trying to get a hit.

I would also put Cody back in RF. He just has a knack for getting on base and making things happen..

[Smitty]

Glad we ****ed up bunting there. Another stupid time to try. Great 2B. Watch us bunt here though.

[preachermatt83]

This guy throwing meat!! We bout to get all over him.

[Smitty]

Runner moves to 3rd without bunting! Always good when Cohen is saved from himself.

[preachermatt83]

I think we should plug Reynolds at 3B, leave rest of INF intact - Heck, Holland, and Rea. Then, you can get Rooker & some others some DH cuts.

Yeah, Reynolds K'ed in last AB, but that was a good AB. Eight pitches, drove count full, and got rung up on a nasty offspeed that everyone else would've gone down on, too. You just got to credit Marshall pitcher there. Before that, though, Reynolds had a ground out & pop out. He is at least making contact & driving the ball, and seems to go to the plate with the intention of actually trying to get a hit.

I would also put Cody back in RF. He just has a knack for getting on base and making things happen..

So u would have Gridley and spruill on the bench. Makes sense to me***

[preachermatt83]

Rooker gonna send one for a ride here. Watch. IF he don't walk

[smootness]

This pitcher looks 'interesting'.

[preachermatt83]

Well look what I say

[smootness]

Rooker gonna send one for a ride here. Watch. IF he don't walk

Not quite, but I'll take it. RBI single from Rooker, 3-2 State.

[preachermatt83]

This pitcher looks 'interesting'.

You misspelled "awful". Lol.

[preachermatt83]

Please pinch hit for Britton

[preachermatt83]

Especially if ur gonna give them one out bunting.

[justwin]

So u would have Gridley and spruill on the bench. Makes sense to me***

No, continue to platoon both.

[preachermatt83]

It's 2-0. Don't bunt.

[preachermatt83]

PLZ don't let Britton hit

[Smitty]

Damn.. Gonna keep this game close instead of busting it wide open.

[preachermatt83]

Spruill hitting.

[justwin]

Please pinch hit for Britton

Wish granted.

[preachermatt83]

Way to hustle spruill.

[smootness]

2 on, one out, top of the order up. Time to get a cushion here.

[preachermatt83]

Wish granted.

Thank goodness.

[preachermatt83]

2 on, one out, top of the order up. Time to get a cushion here.

Yup

[preachermatt83]

This guy throwin even more meat than other guy.

[smootness]

The lineup is already starting to take shape. When healthy, Heck, Holland, Humphreys, Collins, Rea, Robson, and Smith are all guys who have to play every day.

After that, Vickerson and Brown should platoon, Gridley and Reynolds should platoon, and Rooker should see some time at 1B and DH. Then Spruill, Britton, Lovelady, etc. are your subs.

[preachermatt83]

As cold as it is and how long this half inning has lasted and brown nearing the top of his pitch count anyway I don't look for him to come out for the 7th.

[preachermatt83]

The lineup is already starting to take shape. When healthy, Heck, Holland, Humphreys, Collins, Rea, Robson, and Smith are all guys who have to play every day.

After that, Vickerson and Brown should platoon, Gridley and Reynolds should platoon, and Rooker should see some time at 1B and DH. Then Spruill, Britton, Lovelady, etc. are your subs.

Very soon u will be way more confident in spruill and Gridley.

[smootness]

Very soon u will be way more confident in spruill and Gridley.

Maybe on Gridley. I doubt it on Spruill.

Regardless, there's no way you can say either is a 'must play' guy right now. I think you do have to keep giving Gridley ABs to see if he can keep it up, but the first 7 have all proven themselves at this point, I think. Those guys aren't coming out except to rest.

[preachermatt83]

Hit scores two here holland

[preachermatt83]

If we can get to Reid here he will send one deep. Watch

[preachermatt83]

Way to be thinking spruill.

[War Machine Dawg]

Score?

[smootness]

Wow. Bad strike 3 call from the ump, but it doesn't matter. Throw to 1st is a bad one, two runs score.

5-2 State, 1 on, 2 outs for Humphreys.

BTW, this catcher can not hold onto the ball. Been doing it all game, and it finally helped us.

[preachermatt83]

Haha. This is the worst catcher I've ever seen.

[Smitty]

Whew caught a break. Come on Hump send one!

[preachermatt83]

Almost. Lol.

[smootness]

Humphreys got a hold of one, but not quite enough. Good catch by LF.

5-2 State after 6.

[smootness]

It seems obvious at this point that C34 is going to be unbelievably wrong about Humphreys this year. He said he would hit .220-.230.

[smootness]

Mitchell in for the 7th. Great job by Preston Brown tonight.

Hopefully Mitchell only goes 1 or 2 and will be available again tomorrow.

[preachermatt83]

Ross "fireballer" Mitchell pitching now.

[preachermatt83]

Mitchell in for the 7th. Great job by Preston Brown tonight.

Hopefully Mitchell only goes 1 or 2 and will be available again tomorrow.

Amen

[msstate7]

It seems obvious at this point that C34 is going to be unbelievably wrong about Humphreys this year. He said he would hit .220-.230.

Certainly looking that way. Hopefully he doesn't crash as the pitching gets better

[preachermatt83]

It seems obvious at this point that C34 is going to be unbelievably wrong about Humphreys this year. He said he would hit .220-.230.


Reckon he will ever admit it? Jk Coach.

[justwin]

The lineup is already starting to take shape. When healthy, Heck, Holland, Humphreys, Collins, Rea, Robson, and Smith are all guys who have to play every day.

After that, Vickerson and Brown should platoon, Gridley and Reynolds should platoon, and Rooker should see some time at 1B and DH. Then Spruill, Britton, Lovelady, etc. are your subs.

I gotta feeling we'll see a RF platoon of Cody & Smith, once he returns from injury, and Vick will go back to the bench. I'd like to see Gordon get some DH ABs as well, but Rooker still needs to be your DH.

What about Waddell backup 1B?

[smootness]

Cohen seems to love Smith. I think he'll play every day.

[smootness]

Mitchell is just ridiculous.

[preachermatt83]

What Reynolds bunting tgere for? Weird.

[War Machine Dawg]

It seems obvious at this point that C34 is going to be unbelievably wrong about Humphreys this year. He said he would hit .220-.230.

Coach usually knows his football and baseball, but he's had a couple of bad misses. Hell, he's still beating the "Renfroe can't hit for average/won't play in MLB" drum.

[smootness]

Robson. Wow.

[I seen it dawg]

God Robson sucks

[preachermatt83]

Man that was a heckuva play but NOWAY he's throwing out Robson there.

[smootness]

I love Robson hitting where he is right now, but I think you have to move him up pretty soon if he keeps this up.

Robson-Heck-Holland-Humphreys would work for me.

When Collins comes back, you can go Robson-Heck-Collins-Humphreys-Holland.

[justwin]

What Reynolds bunting tgere for? Weird.

Yeah. Especially, with Robson on deck who can lay down the sac bunt, or even get you a bunt single..

[msstate7]

I love Robson hitting where he is right now, but I think you have to move him up pretty soon if he keeps this up.

Robson-Heck-Holland-Humphreys would work for me.

When Collins comes back, you can go Robson-Heck-Collins-Humphreys-Holland.

I like that too...

L
R
L
R

[mparkerfd20]

Robson is running away with my favorite player this year ans it ain't even close.

[smootness]

Robson. Again, instant offense. Another SB, took 3rd on a bad throw.

[smootness]

Robson is running away with my favorite player this year ans it ain't even close.

He's quickly going from perceived bust and afterthought to a potentially high draft pick.

[msstate7]

Robson is running away with my favorite player this year ans it ain't even close.

He's fun. Don't make him your favorite until Collins gets back though. Collins is gonna rake

[Smitty]

The two folks in the bleachers must have leprosy

[msstate7]

Robson. Again, instant offense. Another SB, took 3rd on a bad throw.

Can he become this year's much faster version of Frazier and pirtle (hit machines)?

[Mjoelner34]

I love Robson hitting where he is right now, but I think you have to move him up pretty soon if he keeps this up.

Robson-Heck-Holland-Humphreys would work for me.

When Collins comes back, you can go Robson-Heck-Collins-Humphreys-Holland.

I'd keep Robson in front of Rae. If he's on base, Rae won't see a low outside curve all year unless they want Robson standing on 2nd.

[oldwave]

I'd keep Robson in front of Rae. If he's on base, Rae won't see a low outside curve all year unless they want Robson standing on 2nd.
^ This

[preachermatt83]

Dang Cody got wheels.

[smootness]

I'd keep Robson in front of Rae. If he's on base, Rae won't see a low outside curve all year unless they want Robson standing on 2nd.

Ok, Robson-Rea-Heck-Collins-Humphreys-Holland.

[preachermatt83]

I'd keep Robson in front of Rae. If he's on base, Rae won't see a low outside curve all year unless they want Robson standing on 2nd.

No doubt.

[smootness]

Yeah, Holland doesn't need to play 1B again.

[preachermatt83]

Holland is not a first baseman. At all. Lol

[preachermatt83]

Yeah, Holland doesn't need to play 1B again.

Beat me to it. Lol.

[preachermatt83]

Bet we get a DP here.

[War Machine Dawg]

You jokers need to learn to post the score more often. It's as bad as trying to listen to the game with Jim in the booth. Gotta listen 4 innings to get a score. Half inning ends, post the score.

[smootness]

I've been updating a good bit but missed the last inning, sorry. It's 6-2 State in the 8th.

[sandwolf]

6-2 State, 1 out in the top of the 8th

[preachermatt83]

Well spruill has a cannon.

[smootness]

Mitchell shockingly induced a bunch of grounders in the 8th. 6-2 State on to the bottom of the 8th.

[Martianlander]

Need a run or two then more outs. Three outs that is.

[preachermatt83]

You jokers need to learn to post the score more often. It's as bad as trying to listen to the game with Jim in the booth. Gotta listen 4 innings to get a score. Half inning ends, post the score.

Lol. Sorry buddy.

[preachermatt83]

Stupid turf

[smootness]

Whattheseth Heck with a 1-out single in B8.

[preachermatt83]

Horse crap call. He was safe.

[preachermatt83]

Maybe Luke can finally do something here

[smootness]

We need Collins and Rea back to give Humphreys something to swing at.

I like his patience, though.

Nevermind, this guy's just wild.

Bases juiced for Robson. Uh oh.

[preachermatt83]

6-2. Going to 9th

[smootness]

Robson with the K. Didn't see that coming.

[sandwolf]

Marshall has back to back singles to start the top of the 9th.....we answer with a 6-4-3 double play. 2 down with a runner on 3rd.

[sandwolf]

Ball game. 6-2 final.

[smootness]

Ross Mitchell did Ross Mitchell things. Game over, 6-2 win.

[Martianlander]

Nice win-just need to work on the errors-3 for the game. Other than that looked good.

[maroonmania]

I'm liking this team. I also like the new baseballs. They are making to make the game a lot more enjoyable to watch.

[Martianlander]

Thanks for the good thread guys.
Martianlander

[smootness]

Nice win-just need to work on the errors-3 for the game. Other than that looked good.

2 were due to Holland playing 1B, though. I thought our defense looked ok.

[Todd4State]

Nice win-just need to work on the errors-3 for the game. Other than that looked good.

Easy fix- sit Britton and play Rea at first.

[Todd4State]

I like that we manufactured runs to win rather than just relying on home runs like last week. Like someone said, the lineup is taking shape. I like a lot of what I am seeing. Preston was better today and that was good to see. The runs he allowed were indirectly because of the defense. We're taking much better at bats in general than we did last year.

[smootness]

I like that we manufactured runs to win rather than just relying on home runs like last week. Like someone said, the lineup is taking shape. I like a lot of what I am seeing. Preston was better today and that was good to see. The runs he allowed were indirectly because of the defense. We're taking much better at bats in general than we did last year.

Even last weekend, all the HRs came in one game, although we did benefit quite a bit from errors and mistakes by the opponent.

We had 5 BBs and 4 Ks, and on the season we now have 36 BBs and 27 Ks. Very, very good.

[preachermatt83]

I'm liking this team. I also like the new baseballs. They are making to make the game a lot more enjoyable to watch.
Agreed on both accounts.