Here's what it is going to take to win a National Title this year

[Todd4State]

Ginn needs to be his normal self for at least five innings. Realistically speaking. Then go Leibelt, Colby, and Gordon.

On Friday as I have said I agree with Lemonis about not using Small. The reason is if we play Vandy they will probably go with their three and then use Fellows if we have to play Saturday. I would rather match Small up with Fellows. So, I would go with Cerentola on Friday. It's a roll of the dice. Sure. But that's what we're going to have to do to win and we're going to have to hope the dice land in our favor. We're going to need a miracle performance from someone likely this day. If it blows up in our face it blows up in our face.

On Saturday if we pull off a minor miracle I go back to Small as stated above.


Then on to the championship series after we do the unbelievable.

Plumlee, then Ginn, and then Small. In that order.

NO BARLOW! STOP IT LEMONIS! Seriously, how many times does this guy have to walk people and get shelled before he loses trust? His ERA right now 17ing 6.00. That's the worst on the team by far. Except for Bryce Brock who is a freshman that didn't pitch much. It's almost a run worse than anyone else on the team that's a regular pitcher. It's ridiculous.

[CadaverDawg]

I agree with you except for a few things.....

1) Since Lemonis isn't going to pitch Small Friday, I might consider a 2 headed monster of Brandon Smith THEN Cerantola on Friday....However, if we could somehow beat Louisville without having to throw Cole, we could ask Smith & Cerantola for a few innings each and then let Cole get us 5-6 innings potentially Friday. Would at least give us some more options.

2) Got to include Self in that last paragraph. But I couldn't agree more about Barlow....if Barlow & Self was the plan, we'd have been far better off keeping Plumlee in. If you go anybody other than Plumlee there, it's Colby to get a K. Worst coaching move of the year...horrible time for it.

Just find a way to get to Saturday. Get to Saturday and all bets are off

[HermanBoone]

I love the idea of starting Cerantola on Friday. If he stays around the zone and avoids giving free passes he will be dominant. I also like our chances in Small vs Fellows round 2.

However, I don?t see how you think we could go plum, ginn, small in the finals? That would be 4 days rest for ginn so unless he only throws 50-60 pitches tonight, I highly doubt they?ll bring him back on 4 days rest. Small would be on 3 days rest, so no chance he pitches at all in finals.


Ginn needs to be his normal self for at least five innings. Realistically speaking. Then go Leibelt, Colby, and Gordon.

On Friday as I have said I agree with Lemonis about not using Small. The reason is if we play Vandy they will probably go with their three and then use Fellows if we have to play Saturday. I would rather match Small up with Fellows. So, I would go with Cerentola on Friday. It's a roll of the dice. Sure. But that's what we're going to have to do to win and we're going to have to hope the dice land in our favor. We're going to need a miracle performance from someone likely this day. If it blows up in our face it blows up in our face.

On Saturday if we pull off a minor miracle I go back to Small as stated above.


Then on to the championship series after we do the unbelievable.

Plumlee, then Ginn, and then Small. In that order.

NO BARLOW! STOP IT LEMONIS! Seriously, how many times does this guy have to walk people and get shelled before he loses trust? His ERA right now 17ing 6.00. That's the worst on the team by far. Except for Bryce Brock who is a freshman that didn't pitch much. It's almost a run worse than anyone else on the team that's a regular pitcher. It's ridiculous.

[Buddy]

I love the idea of starting Cerantola on Friday. If he stays around the zone and avoids giving free passes he will be dominant. I also like our chances in Small vs Fellows round 2.

However, I don?t see how you think we could go plum, ginn, small in the finals? That would be 4 days rest for ginn so unless he only throws 50-60 pitches tonight, I highly doubt they?ll bring him back on 4 days rest. Small would be on 3 days rest, so no chance he pitches at all in finals.

Agree. The way I see it we've basically got two choices:

1) Play to get to the finals with little chance to win it all. We do this by pitching Small on Saturday which takes him completely out of play for the finals.

2) Play to set yourself up for the finals with little chance to get there. We do this by saving Small for next week and hope our bullpen can beat Vandy.

I prefer #1.... I'd much rather make the finals and have a chance to win it all than not make it at all. This is where being in Bracket 1 and playing our first game on Saturday
would have helped. That would have given Small another day of rest.

[MetEdDawg]

Ginn needs to be his normal self for at least five innings. Realistically speaking. Then go Leibelt, Colby, and Gordon.

On Friday as I have said I agree with Lemonis about not using Small. The reason is if we play Vandy they will probably go with their three and then use Fellows if we have to play Saturday. I would rather match Small up with Fellows. So, I would go with Cerentola on Friday. It's a roll of the dice. Sure. But that's what we're going to have to do to win and we're going to have to hope the dice land in our favor. We're going to need a miracle performance from someone likely this day. If it blows up in our face it blows up in our face.

On Saturday if we pull off a minor miracle I go back to Small as stated above.


Then on to the championship series after we do the unbelievable.

Plumlee, then Ginn, and then Small. In that order.

NO BARLOW! STOP IT LEMONIS! Seriously, how many times does this guy have to walk people and get shelled before he loses trust? His ERA right now 17ing 6.00. That's the worst on the team by far. Except for Bryce Brock who is a freshman that didn't pitch much. It's almost a run worse than anyone else on the team that's a regular pitcher. It's ridiculous.

This is the exact scenario I posted yesterday for both this round and the championship series and I'm in total agreement with you.

It's a crappy situation. Had Cerantola done more of yesterday's stuff over the last 3 months we might feel better. But it's the situation we are in and when you come out of the losers bracket you have to do things you aren't comfortable with. The pitcher with the best stuff and best chance to save arms and beat Vandy out of our available options is Cerantola.

Small might only pitch once. That's ok. Good saying oh he didn't go hard his first start or other bull crap don't know his arm. None of you have talked to him and know his situation. That's why I trust Lemonis.

[smootness]

You can't pitch Ginn Thursday then Tuesday, and you can't pitch Small Saturday then Wednesday.

Our best chance is to throw Smith today, Small Friday, then Ginn Saturday. Since we are throwing Ginn today, it is still to throw Small Friday, then go Smith on Saturday.

[msstate7]

You can't pitch Ginn Thursday then Tuesday, and you can't pitch Small Saturday then Wednesday.

Our best chance is to throw Smith today, Small Friday, then Ginn Saturday. Since we are throwing Ginn today, it is still to throw Small Friday, then go Smith on Saturday.

I like your "best chance" line up. Takes guts though... we could go home without ever using ginn

[bulldogcountry1]

What’s even worse is that Barlow has a 6 ERA as a matchup guy. He only gets put into specific situations where the numbers say he has an advantage, and he still has a 6 ERA.

Lemo hitched his wagon to him, and we lost the opportunity to get other guys the experience as the season went on.

[Scared_Hitless]

Colby White should have been brought in when Barlow was. Other than that I cant fault Self he got his DP ball Allen made a bad play. But we were here the last two years. We had to win 4 straight to win the FSU regional we did it. We had to win 4 straight to win the Hattiesburg Regional in 17. Now I understand none of those teams were Vandy, but we are gritty and have the make up to make it happen.

It will come down to pitching if we win today with Ginn, go Small Friday and hitch your wagon to Cerentola for Saturday if he is electric you have a shot. If he is bad have Cole Gordon ready at the start of the game.

[smootness]

I like your "best chance" line up. Takes guts though... we could go home without ever using ginn

Doesn't matter. The question is if you want to win, or if you want to say you used everybody. If you want to win, put yourself in the best position to do that.

[Todd4State]

If Lemonis will not pitch our best on short rest at some point he will never win a National Title here unless we sweep through the winner's bracket. If we truly want to win we need to stop taking the high road all the time. There is no sportsmanship or class trophy.

And every other coach in this tournament will be pitching guys on short rest. So save the Skip Bertman stuff. I'd like for Ron Polk to have one of his five National Titles.

We can afford to pitch guys on short rest because we have no more games after this. They will have all offseason to rest and guys like Small will also be allowed to rest in the offseason which happens all the time to pitchers that have teams that go this deep in college.

[Todd4State]

Colby White should have been brought in when Barlow was. Other than that I cant fault Self he got his DP ball Allen made a bad play. But we were here the last two years. We had to win 4 straight to win the FSU regional we did it. We had to win 4 straight to win the Hattiesburg Regional in 17. Now I understand none of those teams were Vandy, but we are gritty and have the make up to make it happen.

It will come down to pitching if we win today with Ginn, go Small Friday and hitch your wagon to Cerentola for Saturday if he is electric you have a shot. If he is bad have Cole Gordon ready at the start of the game.

Absolutely right about Colby White. If we get eliminated this year that move will be talked about for years.

[The Federalist Engineer]

What’s even worse is that Barlow has a 6 ERA as a matchup guy. He only gets put into specific situations where the numbers say he has an advantage, and he still has a 6 ERA.

Lemo hitched his wagon to him, and we lost the opportunity to get other guys the experience as the season went on.

"Left Handed Specialist" - With 6.00 ERA and .444 on-base-percentage that's wild

[TNDawg35]

Why not Ginn today, Brandon Smith Friday, and Small Sat. Then I’d go Plum 1st game, and then why not throw Gordon 2nd game. Then if it came to a game 3 in the shop series, Small is gonna nut up and pitch. There is no way he will not want the ball...

[CadaverDawg]

As much as I'm behind the team and think it's possible to come back...I also am having a tough time not feeling like we blew our chance with poor pitching moves yesterday. And now I feel like we're continuing the bad pitching moves into who's starting the losers bracket games, and making it tougher to actually have a shot at winning the damn thing from the losers bracket. It would be great if Lemonis and Foxhall could show us something that tells us they have a plan for winning the thing, not just winning one more. Pitching Ginn today and Small Saturday is not even taking a potential Championship Series into account. I guess they're just hoping to find a way to get to that series, and if we have to use our 3, 4, & 5 starters so be it. And who knows, with Vandy being the toughest team in the tournament, maybe that's why they're wanting to fire our best bullets at them bc we feel more confident winning a potential game vs Michigan with a Cerantola than vs Vandy. But if that's the case, why bring in Barlow and Self against them yesterday? So many confusing decisions and frustrating moves....I guess there's no sense in analyzing it to death, just see what they do and hope for the best. It's just tough to do that when Omaha chances with teams of this talent are so hard to come by.

[CadaverDawg]

Why not Ginn today, Brandon Smith Friday, and Small Sat. Then I’d go Plum 1st game, and then why not throw Gordon 2nd game. Then if it came to a game 3 in the shop series, Small is gonna nut up and pitch. There is no way he will not want the ball...

That could be what they're thinking, and if Small can go in game 3 of the championship I could live with that scenario. Would be a tall task for Smith to beat Vandy, but somebody has to step up or this is all a moot point anyway

[preachermatt83]

I think if we win, I’d start Cole tomorrow.

[Todd4State]

That could be what they're thinking, and if Small can go in game 3 of the championship I could live with that scenario. Would be a tall task for Smith to beat Vandy, but somebody has to step up or this is all a moot point anyway

Don't be surprised if we start Keegan James if we get to Friday.

[ShotgunDawg]

Don't be surprised if we start Keegan James if we get to Friday.

He left the game with a blister. I can't imagine it heals by Friday

[CadaverDawg]

Don't be surprised if we start Keegan James if we get to Friday.

I doubt it. Blister plus several pitches. Even scarier, don't be surprised if we have to start James in the Natty Series if we make it bc we burned Small on Saturday. Yikes

That being said, I'd take it right now if it meant us being in that series....bc anything can happen once you get there

[HermanBoone]

If Lemonis will not pitch our best on short rest at some point he will never win a National Title here unless we sweep through the winner's bracket. If we truly want to win we need to stop taking the high road all the time. There is no sportsmanship or class trophy.

And every other coach in this tournament will be pitching guys on short rest. So save the Skip Bertman stuff. I'd like for Ron Polk to have one of his five National Titles.

We can afford to pitch guys on short rest because we have no more games after this. They will have all offseason to rest and guys like Small will also be allowed to rest in the offseason which happens all the time to pitchers that have teams that go this deep in college.

Asking Small to come back to pitch on three days rest while making his third start in a week and a half is a little bit absurd, unless you plan to only let him only go 2-3 innings. Even then, that is a bit much. Ginn is a different story given his arm trouble over the last two months or so. You're way off base on your Lemonis comments acting like he won't pitch who he needs to pitch to win.

I hope we can get 7 innings out of Ginn tonight, then go with maybe 1 inning from Liebelt and 1 inning from Colby. Friday night, give Cerantola the ball and see what he can do. If he gives you 3-4 innings and game is tight, then bring in Cole and let him go and see if he can finish it out. Saturday, start Ethan Small and follow him with Liebelt, Colby, and whoever else.

You've got to do everything in your power to advance to the finals. I will take my chances with a beat up pitching staff against either team from the other side.

[smootness]

If Lemonis will not pitch our best on short rest at some point he will never win a National Title here unless we sweep through the winner's bracket. If we truly want to win we need to stop taking the high road all the time. There is no sportsmanship or class trophy.

And every other coach in this tournament will be pitching guys on short rest. So save the Skip Bertman stuff. I'd like for Ron Polk to have one of his five National Titles.

We can afford to pitch guys on short rest because we have no more games after this. They will have all offseason to rest and guys like Small will also be allowed to rest in the offseason which happens all the time to pitchers that have teams that go this deep in college.

Why pitch Small Saturday instead of Friday? If it's Friday, he gets 4 days of rest before both starts. If it's Saturday, he gets 5 days of rest and then only 3. Makes no sense. Ginn would have to come back on 3 days rest as well, and that's just not ever happening.

I agree with your overall premise, but starting Small Friday is the move, not Saturday.

[Homedawg]

Why pitch Small Saturday instead of Friday? If it's Friday, he gets 4 days of rest before both starts. If it's Saturday, he gets 5 days of rest and then only 3. Makes no sense. Ginn would have to come back on 3 days rest as well, and that's just not ever happening.

I agree with your overall premise, but starting Small Friday is the move, not Saturday.

And that's the problem, today will be Ginn's only time to pitch even if we get lucky enough to get to the CS. I guess there is an outside shot we could see him next wed if we were to get there. So if we do get lucky and get there, basically no small and no ginn. No shot........................

[smootness]

And that's the problem, today will be Ginn's only time to pitch even if we get lucky enough to get to the CS. I guess there is an outside shot we could see him next wed if we were to get there. So if we do get lucky and get there, basically no small and no ginn. No shot........................

Yep. That's why I wanted Small Sunday, Ginn Tuesday (which became Wednesday and makes it all tougher), Small Friday, then Plumlee-Ginn-Small in the CS. And if we had to play Thursday and/or Saturday, that's when you throw some other guys.

I was told, 'Just win and it will work itself out.' Well yeah, it always works itself out if you just win. But you have to go in with the best plan you can, and avoiding pitching Small Friday would absolutely not be the best plan.

[HermanBoone]

If Lemonis will not pitch our best on short rest at some point he will never win a National Title here unless we sweep through the winner's bracket. If we truly want to win we need to stop taking the high road all the time. There is no sportsmanship or class trophy.

And every other coach in this tournament will be pitching guys on short rest. So save the Skip Bertman stuff. I'd like for Ron Polk to have one of his five National Titles.

We can afford to pitch guys on short rest because we have no more games after this. They will have all offseason to rest and guys like Small will also be allowed to rest in the offseason which happens all the time to pitchers that have teams that go this deep in college.

So, you expect Ethan Small, who threw over 100 pitches Sunday night. Bringing him back Saturday is fine, but to criticize Lemonis for not bringing him back on 3 days rest for the finals, making his third start in a week and half, is absurd. Amazing you would expect Ginn to also come back on 3 days rest given his arm issues the last month or so. I'm sure we would attract some real top end pitchers knowing that our head coach would abuse them come post season.

We have to do whatever it takes to advance to the Championship Series, nothing else matters at this point. We have put ourselves in the loser's bracket, so you don't have the luxury of making easy pitching decisions.

This makes the most sense to me:
Tonight- JT Ginn -hopefully we get a solid 6-7 innings from him, then bring in best available in pen, other than Cole. (matched up against Louisville Sunday guy)
Friday - Cerantola/Brandon Smith/Cole Gordon (matched up against Vandy's Sunday guy)
Saturday - Ethan Small, then best available in pen (matched up with Drake Fellows)

Monday - Plumlee
Tuesday - Cerantola/Brandon Smith/Cole/Keegan
Wednesday - Ginn possibly

Michigan/Texas Tech is not nearly as talented as Vanderbilt, and if TT advances then their pitching will be in just as bad of shape as ours. If we win tonight, then you've got to treat the two games with Vandy as the Championship Series.

[Homedawg]

I don't think small threw over 100. I could be mistaken.
I went back and looked, he threw 102

[BrunswickDawg]

I don't think small threw over 100. I could be mistaken.
I went back and looked, he threw 102

102

[Backspin]

This entire thread is about pitching but if timely hitting and infield defense (3 physical errors and several bad mental errors) don't improve it won't matter who toes the rubber.

[dawgs]

If Lemonis will not pitch our best on short rest at some point he will never win a National Title here unless we sweep through the winner's bracket. If we truly want to win we need to stop taking the high road all the time. There is no sportsmanship or class trophy.

And every other coach in this tournament will be pitching guys on short rest. So save the Skip Bertman stuff. I'd like for Ron Polk to have one of his five National Titles.

We can afford to pitch guys on short rest because we have no more games after this. They will have all offseason to rest and guys like Small will also be allowed to rest in the offseason which happens all the time to pitchers that have teams that go this deep in college.

Yep, and it's not like we'd bring small or ginn back expecting 7+ innings either. They'd probably be limited to 4-5 innings tops realistically speaking too. And if it'd basically be their between starts bullpen session. You see it all the time with guys in the postseason, both college and MLB. 1 shortened start on short rest at the end of the season ain't killing anyone's arm if they haven't been abused all season or making multiple short rest starts over the postseason.

Basically, there is less than 0% chance a healthy small wouldn't start at least a potential game 3 of a natty series.

[CadaverDawg]

If we win tonight, then you've got to treat the two games with Vandy as the Championship Series.

I agree with this.

[basedog]

Forget all this chatter/discussion about coulda, woulda, shouda and let's worry about winning tonight. Then after we win tonight let's talk/chatter/discuss who's up next.

One pitch, one inning, one game at a time, why worry about tomorrow when we have today to take care of biz, Just saying.

I like our chances tonight, but I think timely hitting is the key, watching the games it's been about pitching, not hitting so for in all games played.