Quote Originally Posted by Johnson85 View Post
All of this is why you don't give up on Cerantola without trying him in different roles. His mental problems are likely to get worse if he is a closer, but they're mental problems, they're not always predictable. And I would say you are also wrong about needing to win games now. The objective is to win games in June. You have to win enough games to get to June, but giving Cerantola a few chances to figure it out in different roles is not likely to be the difference between us playing in June or not, and if he figures it out, it will be a major difference for us in June. Have to at least try if he doesn't figure things out as a starter in the next few weeks.
Cerantola is going to be a fine, fine middle inning guy for us. He pitched in Omaha and did a good job versus Vandy in Relief. He did have a good statistical game starting vs Oregon State, too. But Middle Relief is prolly his best role and it's an important one. No need for him to be a stressed starter when Firstoe and Harding can do it so well. Next starter is probably Stone Simmons who was Furman's Friday night guy on Opening Day as a True Freshman. Coach Polk said (paraphrased), He's very good pitching at 95-96, when he goes beyond that, the control is not the same.

This was Cerantola's first inning versus the Beavers....

Oregon State 1st - McDowell walked (3-1). McGarry struck out swinging (1-2). McDowell advanced to second on a wild pitch. McDowell advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ober walked (3-2). Claunch struck out swinging (0-2). Dukart struck out swinging (3-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Thats about as exiting and nervous as a No Runs, No Hits, and No Error inning can be.