Lineup for tonight against Little Rock

[MetEdDawg]

Lots of changes in the bottom:

Mangum - CF
Westy - SS
Allen - 1B
Mac - RF
Foscue - 3B
Hatcher - DH
Jones - C
Landon Jordan - 2B
Rowdey Jordan - LF

Interesting lineup. Like seeing Rowdey back in and hope him sitting got him a chance to regroup.

[Dawgcap]

Hopefully he can get a few hits tonight. Maybe the same as a shooter in basketball missing everything until he hits a free throw. He needs something to jump start him.

[Saltydog]

strikes.

[TNDawg35]

That looked better after an ugly start... 1 pitch away from getting out of this.

[Saltydog]

Cerantola has really good stuff. He's still learning to pitch but he's going to be really good in time.

[TNDawg35]

Welp. Time to see How mentally tuff we are and fight back into it...

[Skydawg1]

A 30 minute (and counting) T1st. Wow.

[magrooder]

Just gotta go out and score some runs. No sweat.

[Activated Alpha]

A 30 minute (and counting) T1st. Wow.

Against Ark-little rock nonetheless

[MarketingBully]

Sucks how a pitcher can screw you in this game.

[99jc]

We're gonna win but damn what a shitty start. We will score at least 10 runs tonight.

[magrooder]

Just like that, we are back where we started. Now shut'em down and keep scoring.

[TNDawg35]

Nice answer. New ballgame. Now the question becomes who do you throw to finish this game? We play tom also.

[99jc]

UAB beating Auburn 4-0 in the 3rd

[MaroonFlounder]

I just got home. Who started this shit on the mound?

[99jc]

I've played a lot of baseball in my life if I was coaching I'd start cerentola against Samford

[mparkerfd20]

Cerantola. Eagan is as bad if not worse in the 2nd

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

We're gonna win but damn what a shitty start. We will score at least 10 runs tonight.

Might need more than 10 the way things are going.

[MaroonFlounder]

I had to google UALR.

Former Bulldog catcher Chris Curry is their head coach, and he came to beat us.

[Percho]

how did these two get on base

[MaroonFlounder]

The most MSU thing in the world would be......

We battle our way up to #2 in the country, and lose to a Sunbelt team.

[99jc]

One of those games where the pitching is just shit for both teams to start. We have more depth we will win.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

how did these two get on base

Both were either walked or hit by pitch.

[99jc]

We've hit 3 batters and 3 walks so far.

[Percho]

they just answered. hit first two

who wouda thunk it

[99jc]

The most MSU thing in the world would be......

We battle our way up to #2 in the country, and lose to a Sunbelt team.

We will not lose this game be patient grasshopper

[MaroonFlounder]

The guys that wanted Cerantola to be the Sunday starter can STFU now.

[Percho]

That's baseball

Ron Polk or somebody!

[Dawgcap]

The guys that wanted Cerantola to be the Sunday starter can STFU now.

He may not end up being the Sunday starter but it was 1 inning. Shit happens

[Anonymous]

Anyone know if Kale Breaux is still an arm option?

[99jc]

The guys that wanted Cerantola to be the Sunday starter can STFU now.

Who the hell wanted him to start on Sunday's?

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Is Plumlee supposed to start tomorrow?

[MarketingBully]

Why did we schedule two games in a midweek between two SEC series?

[Dawg2003]

At this rate, the game will last 5 hours.

[Activated Alpha]

That's baseball

Ron Polk or somebody!

Only state could load the bases loaded and manage to get 0 or 1 runs out of it

[MaroonFlounder]

SR said Mangum was credited with a Hit on that grounder deep to short. I thought it would be a fielder's choice

[Dawgcap]

Why did we schedule two games in a midweek between two SEC series?

I heard an explanation early by Lemonis but I think the gist is he wanted to get the 2 mid week games done early.

[Dawgcap]

Looked at the schedule. We have 1 midweek game the rest of the season with 2 of the last 3 weekend series with no midweek games

[yjnkdawg]

Anybody else have the picture flicker (where you can't even watch it) on WatchESPN. Mine has done that since the FL series. It may just be an AT&T Uverse issue again. Prior to then it was good HD quality.

[Dawgcap]

Mine has been good the whole time. Signed with directv account on my ipad

[BayouDawg]

I really like Smiths breaking pitch

[chef dixon]

Their pitcher is licking the hell out of every damn finger after every pitch. Dude needs to chill out

[99jc]

Lemon needs to get off his ass and start challenging some of these close plays.

[Dawgcap]

Lemon needs to get off his ass and start challenging some of these close plays.

Agree but with no one out why go there?

[99jc]

Rowdy needs to start hitting

[Dawgcap]

Big at bat for Rowdy. 2 on 1 out

[99jc]

Rowdy is killing us

[Dawgcap]

Balk. 3-2 count

[maroonmania]

Dang, make the first out at home plate and Rowdy should not even be in the lineup. Pathetic.

[Dawgcap]

That’s a struggling hitter. Weak pop out

[Saltydog]

Boy, Rowdey still struggling with another weak pop up. He's showing no signs of pulling out of it either.

[99jc]

Magnum what else

[maroonmania]

That’s a struggling hitter. Weak pop out

Its ALL on Lemonis at this point for putting him in the lineup. He's an automatic out at this point. Headed for below .150.

[chef dixon]

I just want to say that Jake seems that he will obliterate this SEC hits record

[Dawgcap]

Its ALL on Lemonis at this point for putting him in the lineup. He's an automatic out at this point.

At this point yes but he has to give him tonight to work out of it maybe tomorrow but at some point it’s time to pull the plug. And yes before Friday.

[bulldogcountry1]

Dang, make the first out at home plate and Rowdy should not even be in the lineup. Pathetic.

You just have to wonder why they keep sending him out there. What?s even worse is that he?s a switch hitter. He?s struggling and then has to switch sides every 1 or 2 ABs.

[Dawg2003]

When was the last time Rowdey got a hit?

[maroonmania]

At this point yes but he has to give him tonight to work out of it maybe tomorrow but at some point it’s time to pull the plug. And yes before Friday.

I thought we pulled the plug last Sunday but I guess not. He never hits anything on a line. Its either popups or ground balls.

[Homedawg]

I just want to say that Jake seems that he will obliterate this SEC hits record

Jake breaking the record isn't in question barring injury. It's whether he stays ahead of duplantis or not. The length of post season could be huge in that regard

[bulldogcountry1]

Hatcher should be in LF, and Gibert or Jones should be DH.

[Dawgcap]

You just have to wonder why they keep sending him out there. What?s even worse is that he?s a switch hitter. He?s struggling and then has to switch sides every 1 or 2 ABs.

Yep. I think Lemonis thought he could find his way out of this but At this Rowdy is in turbulent water and doesn’t know where the top of the water is. He’s drowning, time to pull him out and save him for another day.

[Dawgcap]

Nice job by Smith.

[skadoosh14]

Anyone know what MacNamee's walk out song is?

[maroonmania]

Nice job by Smith.

Yep, Smith looks really good. Starting to think he might can help on some SEC weekends down the line.

[Dawgcap]

I think you let Rowdy have 1 more swing tonight. Maybe tomorrow for an at bat if not time to promote a backup and see how they handle it.

[Dawgcap]

My reason is you give him the last 2 at bats to show you believe in him. If he doesn’t produce with a couple hard hit balls you promote a guy who is fired up for his opportunity with 2 at bats against Samford.

[99jc]

I think you let Rowdy have 1 more swing tonight. Maybe tomorrow for an at bat if not time to promote a backup and see how they handle it.

I would play him against Samford for sure if he goes ofer sit his ass no doubt.

[99jc]

I think he needs 1 big hit and his confidence will return. He looks like a lost puppy right now.

[Dawgcap]

I agree. After 1 maybe 2 at bats against Samford it’s ti. Dude is too talented not to give him 2-3 more at bats but Lemonis May shut him down tonight. I can see coaching this both ways. Rowdey is freakin talented it’s tough to give up on him but at some point it’s time.

[99jc]

Auburn up 11-4 on UAB now

[99jc]

Landon Jordan ain't exactly lighting it up either

[99jc]

Rowdy At least he made good contact

[99jc]

We can't bitch anymore tonight the fat lady's singing.

[Mjoelner34]

1. Mangum is scary!
2. Rowdy should be pulled now to give Hatcher or Cumbest time in LF.
3. If Rowdy gets an at bat tomorrow, start him at DH and give him a couple of chances while letting Hatcher or Cumbest get more time in the field.
4. Mangum is scary!

[Dawgcap]

Rowdy At least he made good contact

Much needed. Look I know it may time to sit him but I always had an issue with sitting Gordon last year after a couple bad outings. Trust the talent because they get better with confidence from the coaches.

[99jc]

Every SEC team tonight has either won or is winning big right now.

[Lord McBuckethead]

You just have to wonder why they keep sending him out there. What?s even worse is that he?s a switch hitter. He?s struggling and then has to switch sides every 1 or 2 ABs.

He doesn't have to just tell him to stay on the right side and lets swing it

[99jc]

If that speed gun is accurate one of Rileys pitches was clocked at 57 and then he throws 87

[I seen it dawg]

Any chance of a score report?

[Lord McBuckethead]

Rowdy At least he made good contact

It was a flare. Good for him getting a bigger part of the barrell on it. He just looks like he is hesitant to swing it. I say, if you are going to play him make sure you tell him to look for line drives and swing it like you want a spot.

[Dawgcap]

Remember our thought process about baseball last year?

[99jc]

Any chance of a score report?

15-4 state

[I seen it dawg]

Lol Shit reading the thread i thought we were losing

[Lord McBuckethead]

15-4 dawgs. Top 8.

[99jc]

It started out bad Cerntola was awful tonight only last 2/3 of an inning

[Lord McBuckethead]

Much needed. Look I know it may time to sit him but I always had an issue with sitting Gordon last year after a couple bad outings. Trust the talent because they get better with confidence from the coaches.

Yeah, I agree but you have to sit him down and tell him to chill out. You're our guy. Figure this shit out and play ball.

[Dawgcap]

At this point last year we were like 11-10. We had many struggling. Give a few of these guys a break. Trust a coaching staff who trust the guys they trust

[BiscuitEater]

The most MSU thing in the world would be.....

Actually.. 'most' MSU thing is 'message board' fans losing their shit in the ~ 2nd inning against little rock!

[99jc]

I knew we would win but walks and hits batsmen drive me insane

[Lord McBuckethead]

Surely you tell Mangum to square one up here and get the cycle, right?

[Lord McBuckethead]

Why does Rowdy pull his damn elbows in so far. Stop dancing back there and load up. Dang man.

[mparkerfd20]

Bye Rowdy. Hit the cages for a month or 2.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Wow. Now thats a wild pitch.

[Lord McBuckethead]

15-4 dawgs going into the top 9

[Dawgcap]

Bye Rowdy. Hit the cages for a month or 2.

I disagree. You give him 2-3 more swings tomorrow. If he is doing what you want as a coach and you see his work in practice you give him that.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Ballgame.

[CadaverDawg]

If we can get Rowdey (or whoever in his place) hitting around .250 or better, this lineup will not have many/any holes. Our top 5-6 guys are super tough outs right now. Mangum, Westburg, Allen, Macnamee, Foscue, and now Hatcher the way he's hitting....damn. We just need some table setters in that bottom 3, some guys willing to extend at bats and run up pitch counts, and find ways on base so that top 6 can mash.

Now that Hatcher has become a mainstay, we just need to figure out the Rowdey situation, and sure up 2nd base and Sunday pitching, and we'll be set. Damn this bunch is solid

[MoreCowbell]

Anyone know what MacNamee's walk out song is?

It?s Griz I think but not sure which song

[MarketingBully]

It?s Griz I think but not sure which song

It’s Thief by Ookay 35 or 36 seconds in...

[MoreCowbell]

It’s Thief by Ookay 35 or 36 seconds in...

Man I am off tonight. I am a DJ too lol

[Dawgcap]

If we can get Rowdey (or whoever in his place) hitting around .250 or better, this lineup will not have many/any holes. Our top 5-6 guys are super tough outs right now. Mangum, Westburg, Allen, Macnamee, Foscue, and now Hatcher the way he's hitting....damn. We just need some table setters in that bottom 3, some guys willing to extend at bats and run up pitch counts, and find ways on base so that top 6 can mash.

Now that Hatcher has become a mainstay, we just need to figure out the Rowdey situation, and sure up 2nd base and Sunday pitching, and we'll be set. Damn this bunch is solid
I totally agree. And if we can get Rowdey to the 250 mark we can be special. We are badass where we are but at some point others will have a slump. It happened last year but it was all at the same time. We are 8-9 wins better this year vs last. It’s time for the weak links to produce. With our pitching we are mighty salty but we have to battle through the inevitable slump every team faces. Battle and put ourselves in position to do something special. I trust where Lemonis is taking us

[MarketingBully]

Man I am off tonight. I am a DJ too lol

No worries, it?s a very bizarre one and I had to research myself last summer when we made the run in order to download it. It?s a very interesting song to say the least.

[Dawgcap]

No worries, it?s a very bizarre one and I had to research myself last summer when we made the run in order to download it. It?s a very interesting song to say the least.

Did you check out the schedule? I love what Lemonis did getting our midweek games in early. He is coaching to the tournament

[Dallas_Dawg]

No worries, it?s a very bizarre one and I had to research myself last summer when we made the run in order to download it. It?s a very interesting song to say the least.
Are you sure it's not Return of the Mack? One hit wonder in about summer 97

[Todd4State]

If we can get Rowdey (or whoever in his place) hitting around .250 or better, this lineup will not have many/any holes. Our top 5-6 guys are super tough outs right now. Mangum, Westburg, Allen, Macnamee, Foscue, and now Hatcher the way he's hitting....damn. We just need some table setters in that bottom 3, some guys willing to extend at bats and run up pitch counts, and find ways on base so that top 6 can mash.

Now that Hatcher has become a mainstay, we just need to figure out the Rowdey situation, and sure up 2nd base and Sunday pitching, and we'll be set. Damn this bunch is solid

The easiest thing to do is just play Hatcher in LF and let someone like Gilbert, Landon Jordan, Hayden Jones, etc. DH. Gunner Halter has been OK at second and certainly hasn't been as bad a hitter as I thought he would be. Sunday pitching is interesting but I think Keegan still has it for at least the next four weeks. It's obvious that Cerentola isn't ready. Maybe he can start against Valley next week and make some adjustments and then maybe start against ULM or come out of the bullpen against ULM and make some strides.

Also- Dustin Skelton has had a good year so far and that makes us solid 1-7 at least.

I think we got better tonight. They probably sounds like hyperbole but we found out that Brandon Smith can help us out and maybe he's a darkhorse option as the Sunday guy? Certainly another quality guy out of the bullpen. Self has looked better. Bryce Brock did well and is yet another LH option out of the bullpen. We got down 4-0 and we came back pretty easily on a team that we should hit well against. A lot of times teams get down early and put pressure on themselves and have to battle and sometimes lose. That really didn't happen to us tonight at all. And we didn't have to use Barlow, Leibelt, Colby, or Cole to keep them at bay. We basically beat them with freshmen and a guy that was struggling previously. On top of that- this is coming off of just being rated #2 in most polls across the country. Which to me would have added to the pressure of being down early to a Sun Belt team with a losing record.


And we hit up and down the lineup pretty much except for a couple of guys.

[Jarius]

The easiest thing to do is just play Hatcher in LF and let someone like Gilbert, Landon Jordan, Hayden Jones, etc. DH. Gunner Halter has been OK at second and certainly hasn't been as bad a hitter as I thought he would be. Sunday pitching is interesting but I think Keegan still has it for at least the next four weeks. It's obvious that Cerentola isn't ready. Maybe he can start against Valley next week and make some adjustments and then maybe start against ULM or come out of the bullpen against ULM and make some strides.

Also- Dustin Skelton has had a good year so far and that makes us solid 1-7 at least.

I think we got better tonight. They probably sounds like hyperbole but we found out that Brandon Smith can help us out and maybe he's a darkhorse option as the Sunday guy? Certainly another quality guy out of the bullpen. Self has looked better. Bryce Brock did well and is yet another LH option out of the bullpen. We got down 4-0 and we came back pretty easily on a team that we should hit well against. A lot of times teams get down early and put pressure on themselves and have to battle and sometimes lose. That really didn't happen to us tonight at all. And we didn't have to use Barlow, Leibelt, Colby, or Cole to keep them at bay. We basically beat them with freshmen and a guy that was struggling previously. On top of that- this is coming off of just being rated #2 in most polls across the country. Which to me would have added to the pressure of being down early to a Sun Belt team with a losing record.


And we hit up and down the lineup pretty much except for a couple of guys.

I'm pretty sure Hatcher struggled in LF last year, if I'm remembering correctly. I would put him at first and TA in left. Rowdy has to sit at this point. Having an elite defensive left fielder is not important enough to keep a guy batting .150 in the lineup.

[Todd4State]

I'm pretty sure Hatcher struggled in LF last year, if I'm remembering correctly. I would put him at first and TA in left. Rowdy has to sit at this point. Having an elite defensive left fielder is not important enough to keep a guy batting .150 in the lineup.

That's true but Hatcher did OK in left field against Florida and I think the current staff is better about coaching defense than the staff last year. I would be fine with Tanner in LF and Hatcher at first but it seems like Lemonis is probably going to go with Hatcher in left field of Rowdey sits.

[MetEdDawg]

That's true but Hatcher did OK in left field against Florida and I think the current staff is better about coaching defense than the staff last year. I would be fine with Tanner in LF and Hatcher at first but it seems like Lemonis is probably going to go with Hatcher in left field of Rowdey sits.

In the SEC you need hitters, especially on Friday and Saturday. Hatcher is the obvious choice to be in the lineup right now. He's hitting better by a lot and we need that against these SEC teams that can pitch.

[Tbonewannabe]

I'm pretty sure Hatcher struggled in LF last year, if I'm remembering correctly. I would put him at first and TA in left. Rowdy has to sit at this point. Having an elite defensive left fielder is not important enough to keep a guy batting .150 in the lineup.

Rowdy is struggling worse than Alexander did last year only LA was a plus defender at SS. Rowdy seems to be getting under the ball really bad. It seems like everything he hits is a shallow pop up. Did he work on his swing to elevate balls in hopes of hitting more HRs? I don't know enough to diagnose his swing but it seems like he would be better off working on leveling his swing.

[Turfdawg67]

Lol Shit reading the thread i thought we were losing

Yep... not much to bitch about after the first inning so every other post was about Rowdy.

[Anonymous]

That's true but Hatcher did OK in left field against Florida and I think the current staff is better about coaching defense than the staff last year. I would be fine with Tanner in LF and Hatcher at first but it seems like Lemonis is probably going to go with Hatcher in left field of Rowdey sits.


Opportunity cost makes hitting way more important, there is way more benefit from having a marginally better hitter than a marginally better fielder. However, in some ways, its more difficult to teach someone defense. With hitting you can always put in more work, always get more at bats, always improve, and for this reason hitting coaches are insanely important. Some aspects of fielding just come naturally to players, and practice doesn't always close the gap. It's like teaching someone to run, for the most part, it happens organically and you've been doing it your whole life. It's what makes me nervous about guys who struggle fielding ground balls, or fly balls for that matter. At this level that isn't happening due to a lack of practice, which means it's likely going to keep happening.

The odd thing about this situation, is they know what Rowdey is capable of. If he turns it around he is the best option, and that ceiling is something you aren't getting if the next guy up isn't as good in the field. It's early in the season and they still have time to try to get the highest potential out of the position, it's just a question of how long they think they can give it until they have to turn to the next option.

[Jarius]

I am so proud for Rowdey getting those 2 hits against Samford. I really hate talking bad about him because you can't find anyone that will say a bad word about the kid's work ethic and attitude. I would love to be wrong about him needing to sit and for this to propel him to getting out of his funk.