Oxford Regional

[4shotB]

The old axiom was that good pitchers respond to how the ump is calling the game and adjust accordingly. The only problem I see with that now is that, at the college level, there are a lot of good pitchers who don’t have the variety of pitches in their tool bag to be able to successfully shift away from their strengths and get outs.

I watched the bottom of the 9th of the OSU - Uga game. Their first reliever who gave up the first hit and then the following game tieing HR only threw fastballs. The announcers said that he threw them 95% of the time based on the data they had. When he was pulled after those two batters, they said that all he threw to those two batters were fastballs. No mixing of speed even, they were all 94 mph each and every time. You can get away with that in Little League and maybe HS, but not at this level. they can all hit fastballs, especially when they are expecting one. Got to mix it up as you say.

 

[g0lftime]

Our team ERA was actually 3rd in the ACC this year. We pitched very well but Jones and Paden blew up in the postseason which is something they had not done the whole year. Had they pitched like they were capable of, we'd be in a super regional right now but it is what it is.

Didn't we have an advantage with our weaker ACC schedule. May have helped our era some. Just seemed a lot of high scoring games.

 

[Shanna]

It depends on what happens in the draft to me. We lose Paden, Patel, and Swygert for sure. Jones has a chance to get drafted as does Stanford imo based off of their pure stuff. If one or both of them come back, the staff looks more complete to me. Of course, I am saying this without knowing who transfers out or who transfers in but as of right now, we should have McKee, Spivey, Campbell, Barfield, Ballard, Gaudette, Chicoli, Royer, Hernandez, Buursema, Shouse, Blakeley, and Lankie coming back on the staff. That is a group with very good stuff but only a handful are proven. We are going to need 3-5 of them to step up which I think they are more than capable of doing.

Royer in portal. More to come too.

 

[GT Bravo]

Royer in portal. More to come too.

I imagine a good number of conversations are being had about players' expectations and futures. With very few graduating and the incoming class, it is best to quickly give those who might have a better opportunity elsewhere as much time as possible to shop themselves. I remember this last year, as well.

 

[Eli]

Royer in portal. More to come too.

Disappointing to hear for Royer.

 

[THWG]

Didn't we have an advantage with our weaker ACC schedule. May have helped our era some. Just seemed a lot of high scoring games.

It probably did a little but we also faced some very good hitting teams in the ACC and held them down. For example, the 2 one hitter games against Louisville. We also were able to hold Georgia and Auburn in check with their high octane offenses. Overall, I would say the pitching was much improved this year but still has some improvement to do.

 

[stinger78]

It probably did a little but we also faced some very good hitting teams in the ACC and held them down. For example, the 2 one hitter games against Louisville. We also were able to hold Georgia and Auburn in check with their high octane offenses. Overall, I would say the pitching was much improved this year but still has some improvement to do.

Maybe they just ran out of gas?

 

[THWG]

Maybe they just ran out of gas?

That's honestly what I'm thinking on Paden since he hasn't pitched in 2 years and maybe with Patel too because this was by far his highest innings total. Jones was just bad luck imo against Murray State and Clemson.

 

[DecaturJacket]

Jones was just bad luck imo against Murray State and Clemson.

3 BB, 4 HBP in 3.2 IP over those two games ...

Brady had moments all season where he wasn't able to throw strikes. He started the season that way and he ended it the same.

He hit 6 batters in his last 3 games (8.2 IP)

 

[Home Park Jacket]

Just got back from Oxford. A couple of items - I was truly awed by the atmosphere of their baseball stadium. A pressure cooker, and the fans put a lot of pressure on the opposing team. We are at an extreme disadvantage by not playing in those atmospheres during the regular season. Very small outfield dimensions, field is sheltered by wind and ball carries well. I am truly amazed by the amount of $ their program raises. Went to the diamond club for 2 games and there's a different kind of fan up here vs. in the cheap seats. Disappointed, but glad we went. I recommend following this team to visiting stadiums. It changes your prospective.

 

[THWG]

3 BB, 4 HBP in 3.2 IP over those two games ...

Brady had moments all season where he wasn't able to throw strikes. He started the season that way and he ended it the same.

He hit 6 batters in his last 3 games (8.2 IP)

In the Clemson game though, he looked fine until Baker didn't get the tag down. After that he imploded and that tag would have gotten us out of the inning. And in the Murray State game, he got a lot of ground balls but they were seeing eye singles. He wasn't dominant by any means, but I thought he pitched better than his final line both games.

 

[DecaturJacket]

In the Clemson game though, he looked fine until Baker didn't get the tag down. After that he imploded and that tag would have gotten us out of the inning. And in the Murray State game, he got a lot of ground balls but they were seeing eye singles. He wasn't dominant by any means, but I thought he pitched better than his final line both games.

I mean that's baseball. Errors get made. That play wasn't an error, nor even that egregious. It was unfortunate, but not a terrible baseball play.

He never really had control in the Murray State game.

Honestly, Brady had some good games this season, but I always felt uncomfortable with him out there if the game was close. There were many instances where he lost control seemingly out of nowhere. It didn't seem to be tied to plays or fatigue. It would just happen.

I realize he got the ACC accolade, but I'd rather have Tate or Jaylen out there in a big game.

 

[GT Battle Ax]

Just got back from Oxford. A couple of items - I was truly awed by the atmosphere of their baseball stadium. A pressure cooker, and the fans put a lot of pressure on the opposing team. We are at an extreme disadvantage by not playing in those atmospheres during the regular season. Very small outfield dimensions, field is sheltered by wind and ball carries well. I am truly amazed by the amount of $ their program raises. Went to the diamond club for 2 games and there's a different kind of fan up here vs. in the cheap seats. Disappointed, but glad we went. I recommend following this team to visiting stadiums. It changes your prospective.

To me, this is the biggest difference between SEC and ACC ball. Outside of Mizzou, it almost seems like environments like that are the norm in the SEC and the exception in the ACC. As a result, the media will continue to hype up the SEC since their fans care more about baseball, which will improve their ratings, and the ACC will continue to be shafted. Tech not hosting a regional this year is just another result of this

 

[L41k18]

To me, this is the biggest difference between SEC and ACC ball. Outside of Mizzou, it almost seems like environments like that are the norm in the SEC and the exception in the ACC. As a result, the media will continue to hype up the SEC since their fans care more about baseball, which will improve their ratings, and the ACC will continue to be shafted. Tech not hosting a regional this year is just another result of this

1. The ACC is not getting shafted. At some point you have to win championships. 1 in 60 years won't cut it. Maybe things change this year.

2 I do however agree that stadium size and attendance can be one of the factors in borderline hosting decisions. The committee wants to showcase the best environments when it can. 12K stadium filled to capacity vs 3.7K maybe or maybe not filled can make a diffference.

 

[Bogey]

Hernandez is so talented I can't really tell what his best position is, 2nd base or OF. Wherever is he projected to play professionally is where we should strive to play him next year for his own development.

 

[ibeattetris]

Ole Miss getting demolished

Coulda/woulda/shoulda

 

[stinger78]

1. The ACC is not getting shafted. At some point you have to win championships. 1 in 60 years won't cut it. Maybe things change this year.

2 I do however agree that stadium size and attendance can be one of the factors in borderline hosting decisions. The committee wants to showcase the best environments when it can. 12K stadium filled to capacity vs 3.7K maybe or maybe not filled can make a diffference.

Most college baseball stadiums are in the 3.5K to 5K range. The two MS stadiums are quite abnormally sized. MSU is 15K and Miss is 12K.

 

[Golden Tornadoes]

Ole Miss getting demolished

Coulda/woulda/shoulda

It’s like death by a thousand papercuts when facing Murray State. Or death by a thousand up-the-middle singles. Their offense is just tearing up this regional.

 

[CEB]

It’s like death by a thousand papercuts when facing Murray State. Or death by a thousand up-the-middle singles. Their offense is just tearing up this regional.

Bat speed, launch angles, exit velocities… oh wait, just put the ball in play.

 

[L41k18]

Most college baseball stadiums are in the 3.5K to 5K range. The two MS stadiums are quite abnormally sized. MSU is 15K and Miss is 12K.

My point was comparing Tech & Ole Miss since many felt Ole Miss got the host spot Tech deserved.