What a depressing series ...

[Barton Hills]

I'm still in shock over the weekend. What a frustrating 3 days. KSU played great, and credit to them, but essentially we **** the bed.

- We couldn't display ANY power, even with 40 MPH winds howling out all weekend.

- Our usually clutch pen just simply did not get it done all series.

- We struggled to get clutch hits with runners in scoring position.

And to think, we were 2 plays away from taking 2 of 3 ... Tant's DP with bases loaded and one out, and the Etier play at the plate yesterday.

One last thing I have to get off my chest ... if we have a guy hitting around .170, who has to bunt to try to get on with one out and nobody on in the last inning of a curfew game, why is he at the plate?

I hope this series didn't squash the chance of a Super in Austin.

 

[accuratehorn]

Baseball can be a cruel game. You hit four balls hard in one inning, three go right at the defense, the one that got through only leaves a guy stranded at second. The opponents gamble on playing the outfielders close in, with a gale wind blowing out, and we can't lift hardly any flyballs over their heads.
Well, tomorrow's another day, Scarlett.
We need to step it up, though, if we are going to go very far in postseason play.
This team could go all the way, or they could be out in regional play. Will it come together at the right time?

 

[PitchingGuru]

Our bullpen is being but to the task. Although Dicharry didnt have many innings, he did pitch 3 days in a row. Wood had 3 appearances and 6.2 innings which trailed only Ruffin who had 7 IP. That included 2/3 of an inning in relief. Jungmann pitched on consecutive days and had 5.1 IP.

 

[ephorn4]

I agree that was a depressing series. Every time we would get a lead or tie it up, KSU was up there hitting another shot out or getting their lead-off guy on base.

I am a bit concerned that we are falling into the same pitching pattern/problem we have had the last few years with relievers. We use the same 2 people (this year 3) every time. This leads to tired arms in the post-season.

This is the same pattern we have seen the last few years with Krebs, Boone, etc.

 

[314]

I agree. I haven't posted here in about 2 years and I came back to gauge the mood.

 

[torre]

I counted 11 stolen bases by KState. We have been "exposed." Also, agree with Ephorn on pitching. We used only 6 pitchers; Discharry pitched in all 3 games, Jungmann 2 in a row. Not good for arms of 18/19 year olds.

With that said, the team fought every inning and did not quit. As Augie says, "Baseball is a cruel game."

 

[scottsins]

the stolen bases are a huge concern for me. any opposing coach that doesn't basically send every runner is not doing his job. Neither Preston or Rupp can seem to get anyone out.

I would note that the runners seem to be getting ridiculous jumps, so it is not all on the guys behind the plate at all, in my opinion.

 

[PitchingGuru]

Wood pitched 3 days in a row also and multiple innings. Not good on his arm either.Also, agree with Ephorn on pitching. We used only 6 pitchers; Discharry pitched in all 3 games, Jungmann 2 in a row. Not good for arms of 18/19 year olds.

 

[torre]

Guru - Totally agree on Wood. I only mentioned the freshmen because of their age and the fact their young arms haven't been "taxed" to warming-up and pitching consecutively. Ruffin, as you probably know, had a shoulder injury last year as a freshman.

Wood, the warrior, has a rubber arm apparently. I respect him.

 

[warrior]

I agree very disappointing and depressing.

 

[Truck's Son]

KSU owns us.

 

[goosehorn]

Nice to see you back 314.

The sad thing was me sitting at my computer and watching the Rice game and the entire KSU series from my computer. If I were paid $10 an hour just for my time spent watching us play frustrating baseball I'd have enough money to buy really cheap car that would not pass emission standards. If I were to have spent that time working out, I would be so buff.

I can't imagine what it was like to be there for that. Phooey.

 

[cochamps]

Re: the pitching - our starters need to give us more innings. If they can't, we need to change to the freshmen. One way or the other, we need to get more innings from starters so that we don't keep using the same pitchers every day.
That probably means leaving starters in through more jams too.

 

[ephorn4]

Agreed - Its time to give one of the freshman a look at a starting role. I would start with Taylor and see how it goes. I've seen comments from him where he refers to being comfortable as a starter.

I'm not sure we can allow the pitchers to work through more jams with our hitting all season.

With all that said, I believe we are still in decent position for a regional/super if we do our work over the next two weeks and win the series with Baylor and A&M. Neither of those teams have the offensive firepower of KSU or OU.