Baseball - 4/1 vs Mercer

[DecaturJacket]

I've been waiting for this thread to get started so that I can make this statement...I hope that we give Vahn Lackey a day off from behind the plate. He has been scuffling at the plate recently (10 for 45 - .222 AVE since the Virginia Tech series, and only 1 XBH the entire month of March), but that's somewhat expected when you have him catch 13 straight games as he has.

Lackey had a good night, but I'm a little disappointed we didn't give him a break. Getting Shoush the start a DH was cool and good to get him more experience, but I'd much rather have a fresher Lackey. Then we left him in longer than I thought we would considering the 8 run first inning. He did look good at the plate and hit his second homerun, but again I'd rather have him fresher later in the season. And again get Rogers more than the two at bats he got.

Also, man I hope that meant we've seen the last of the Riley Sunday experience at least for a while.

 

[DecaturJacket]

They said he had surgery on his big toe. And then something along the lines of "should be back in late May". We really need Geisler to get going.

Goose's bat still just looks really slow. I'm not sure if it's timing or strength, but he looks late on almost everything.

 

[Techcaster572]

Mercer is a very good baseball team.

Now 19-11 with an impressive road win at FSU 9-3.

They are 2-1 against Quad 1&2 teams with their only loss coming at Tech.

Is it beating a top 10 team. No but Tech jumped up two spots in RPI to 16 at home (where you get fewer rpi points) demonstrating that it's a solid win.
This is now the 7th time this year this team has run ruled an opponent including 3 times against ACC opponents.

Don't sleep on Stanford.
I predicted that Tech would go 3-1 this week as I just feel that they have something to prove.

Coach Ramsey was very outspoken and coaching his tail off last night. Whether the committee wants to admit it or not, He is our NEXT coach imo.

If Riley can ever get control of his stuff, we are a legit host team. He hit the gun last night at 98 mph. I still contend that he is a better fit for the pen as I'd give swygert, ballard, or chicoli the sunday nod if the staff is not willing to move Paden or Patel to a starter's role.

I'd also point out that they have three former tech transfers on their team including a very highly regarded recruit, Michael Graziano.

I was actually a bit concerned playing Mercer than Stanford cause it just had that aura of playing a solid team in the state of Ga that is lightly regarded. I'm not underestimating Stanford. They beat Puke and Uncheat but last night's game felt like a classic trap game and the Jackets just came out and took care of business.

When Tech got up 8-0 in the first, they kept attacking and being aggressive.

I just continue to feel that this team is built differently.

Only time will tell but I was very impressed last night as my son and I were at the game.

Also, my son is a freshman declared to Buzz last night that he's coming to Tech and wants to play for Coach Ramsey. It was a very happy moment for Pops!

 

[Eli]

Okay yes it is impressive but I more meant it's not a statement win.

Midweek games are not easy. Texas lost to Texas State last night who is 13-15. Our statement wins will come. This team is damn good and the youngest in the ACC..

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Solid O as usual, just raping other teams when we should. Even had the 18-2 against a good Clemson team. Swygert had great control with no BB or HBP in 3.0. And great to see 7 pitchers. All but 2 had 0 ER. This is a deep as I can ever remember our pitching. (Had food poisoning last night so Stanford thread will be out a bit later.)

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Midweek games are not easy. Texas lost to Texas State last night who is 13-15. Our statement wins will come. This team is damn good and the youngest in the ACC..

Not that I don't believe you, but what is the source that we are the youngest team in the ACC? Broadcast?

Agree we are damn good. With the portal and NIL, college baseball is more talented at the top than ever I think.

 

[Ramble1885]

Midweek games are not easy. Texas lost to Texas State last night who is 13-15. Our statement wins will come. This team is damn good and the youngest in the ACC..

I agree with the last part

this is Hall's best team in maybe over a decade.

 

[Eli]

Not that I don't believe you, but what is the source that we are the youngest team in the ACC? Broadcast?

Agree we are damn good. With the portal and NIL, college baseball is more talented at the top than ever I think.

ACC network broadcast stated we had the top ranked offense in the ACC and the youngest in the ACC. I haven’t researched it but also I’ve yet to see a team starting 4 freshmen on any given night.

 

[Techcaster572]

I'd also point out that we are undefeated in midweeks so far this year.
That goes a long way in securing a host bid.

Midweeks are important. Not the end all be all but Win conference series and midweek games and you are likely in a good position to host.

 

[Northeast Stinger]

Impressions:

This Burress kid might turn into something

We have good speed on the bases.

This is a very young team with lots of room to grow.

I still have no idea what a college strike zone is.

 

[Techcaster572]

I saw Kent last night in the bullpen wearing shorts.
Seems to echo the sentiment that Coach made in pregame before the Clemson series that he will be out "awhile"

Tech is pretty cagey about injuries, but it appears like we likely won't see him for a while whatever that means.

Really hope the kid can make it back soon as his lefty bat (avg .415) makes us absolutely lethal offensively.

Get Giesler back and there wouldn't be a hole anywhere in the lineup.

 

[DecaturJacket]

Not that I don't believe you, but what is the source that we are the youngest team in the ACC? Broadcast?

Agree we are damn good. With the portal and NIL, college baseball is more talented at the top than ever I think.

ACC network broadcast stated we had the top ranked offense in the ACC and the youngest in the ACC. I haven’t researched it but also I’ve yet to see a team starting 4 freshmen on any given night.

Our normal lineup when Schmidt is healthy:

C - Sophomore
1B - Sophomore (without Schmidt I think we're settled at playing Goose her now, so Senior)
2B - Freshman
SS - Junior
3B - Sophomore
LF - Freshman
CF - Sophomore
RF - Junior
DH - Senior (Sophomore here most often when Goose is at first)

FRI - Sophomore
SAT - Junior
SUN - RS Sophomore (change is a coming hopefully though)

It's a hard thing to research quickly, but I mean I can't imagine there being many other teams starting this many freshmen and sophomores. Only 2 seniors (only 3 upperclassmen) getting any playing time at all on offense really - Goose and Waugh.

 

[Ramble1885]

Impressions:

This Burress kid might turn into something

We have good speed on the bases.

This is a very young team with lots of room to grow.

I still have no idea what a college strike zone is.

if you thought the college strike zone was bad I'm happy the Braves poor play has prevented some of y'all from watching the MLB...

 

[Techwood Relict]

Tech jumped up two spots in RPI to 16 at home (where you get fewer rpi points) demonstrating that it's a solid win.
This is now the 7th time this year this team has run ruled an opponent including 3 times against ACC opponents.

I enjoyed watching a no pressure win.

 

[Northeast Stinger]

if you thought the college strike zone was bad I'm happy the Braves poor play has prevented some of y'all from watching the MLB...

But those umps are being bad in a polished, professional kind of way. When amateurs try to do it they make you laugh rather than rage.

 

[MWBATL]

If Riley can ever get control of his stuff, we are a legit host team. He hit the gun last night at 98 mph. I still contend that he is a better fit for the pen as I'd give swygert, ballard, or chicoli the sunday nod if the staff is not willing to move Paden or Patel to a starter's role.

Riley has the stuff to be the lights out 9th inning closer. IFF he can get his control…..

 

[MWBATL]

I still have no idea what a college strike zone is.

Neither do college umps…..

 

[Northeast Stinger]

Neither do college umps…..

THAT’S the response I was digging for.

 

[DecaturJacket]

Riley has the stuff to be the lights out 9th inning closer. IFF he can get his control…..

I'd argue that you don't even have to have great control to be a lights out 9th inning closer. Wildness is much more effective towards the end of games than it is in the beginning.

 

[MWBATL]

I'd argue that you don't even have to have great control to be a lights out 9th inning closer. Wildness is much more effective towards the end of games than it is in the beginning.

Not if it results in BBs and HBPs…..you do NOT want your closer putting runners on base for free...