#22 Notre Dame Outlasts Vols, 3-2, in 12

[VN News]

UT senior Zack Godley fired a career-high 8.1 innings but it wasn't enough as No. 22 Notre Dame outlasted the Vols, 3-2, in 12 innings at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

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Discuss.

 

[BigOrange51]

We have to learn how to win these games. Too many left on base through 9. Too much playing with fire after that. Great job shutting it down in 10 and 11 but you can't survive that inning after inning with freshmen on the hill. Godley deserved a W.

This can't be acceptable for this program. Nick Williams needs to be the anchor he's called upon to be. I really think inherited runners scored is a huge stat for relief pitchers (along with unearned runs), and Nick has not come up huge in that department this year. That said, over 100 pitches through 8 for Godley, I don't know why Williams doesn't get the ball to start the 9th in a save situation. That's why you have a closer. The simple fact that its not his ball almost by default implies a lack of trust.

I'm afraid this team isn't willing to go all the way to get what they want. Our older guys have to be the guys willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to get in the win column. They have to instill that will into these young kids. We have to get these freshmen mentally tough. First, though, they have to understand that this is unacceptable.

Its going to be a long year and these kids are going to grow up a lot in the coming months. I hope we don't dig too big of a hole in conference and RPI that we can't climb out once we have figured some of this out. In 2 months, this really could be a very dangerous team.

 

[RollerVol]

We have to learn how to win these games. Too many left on base through 9. Too much playing with fire after that. Great job shutting it down in 10 and 11 but you can't survive that inning after inning with freshmen on the hill. Godley deserved a W.

This can't be acceptable for this program. Nick Williams needs to be the anchor he's called upon to be. I really think inherited runners scored is a huge stat for relief pitchers (along with unearned runs), and Nick has not come up huge in that department this year. That said, over 100 pitches through 8 for Godley, I don't know why Williams doesn't get the ball to start the 9th in a save situation. That's why you have a closer. The simple fact that its not his ball almost by default implies a lack of trust.

I'm afraid this team isn't willing to go all the way to get what they want. Our older guys have to be the guys willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to get in the win column. They have to instill that will into these young kids. We have to get these freshmen mentally tough. First, though, they have to understand that this is unacceptable.
Its going to be a long year and these kids are going to grow up a lot in the coming months. I hope we don't dig too big of a hole in conference and RPI that we can't climb out once we have figured some of this out. In 2 months, this really could be a very dangerous team.

I hear you but I can't help but think "what older guys"?
You mean the ones from JC?
This only starter from last year's team is Wilcox.
GO VOLS!

 

[BigOrange51]

I hear you but I can't help but think "what older guys"?
You mean the ones from JC?
This only starter from last year's team is Wilcox.
GO VOLS!

Unfortunately, you're right. Of people playing everyday, if its not Will Maddox, which I think it is and I think he does well to lead by example, then it goes to the JUCO guys. If its not the JUCO guys, it then falls on the coaching staff. At this point I think "the older guys" are the coaching staff. I don't know how this loss felt to most of the team, but it should be gut wrenching. I wasn't there so I can't say, but listening to Serrano's comments, I think he did make it clear to his guys that this will not cut it. We are not in the business of moral victories. I have tremendous faith we will figure this out eventually. I hope its sooner rather than later.

 

[RichRollin]

We have to learn how to win these games. Too many left on base through 9. Too much playing with fire after that. Great job shutting it down in 10 and 11 but you can't survive that inning after inning with freshmen on the hill. Godley deserved a W.

This can't be acceptable for this program. Nick Williams needs to be the anchor he's called upon to be. I really think inherited runners scored is a huge stat for relief pitchers (along with unearned runs), and Nick has not come up huge in that department this year. That said, over 100 pitches through 8 for Godley, I don't know why Williams doesn't get the ball to start the 9th in a save situation. That's why you have a closer. The simple fact that its not his ball almost by default implies a lack of trust.

I'm afraid this team isn't willing to go all the way to get what they want. Our older guys have to be the guys willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to get in the win column. They have to instill that will into these young kids. We have to get these freshmen mentally tough. First, though, they have to understand that this is unacceptable.

Its going to be a long year and these kids are going to grow up a lot in the coming months. I hope we don't dig too big of a hole in conference and RPI that we can't climb out once we have figured some of this out. In 2 months, this really could be a very dangerous team.

Unfortunately losing games like this is part of the process of learning to win games like this for a young team. I know it sounds crazy or moral victory-ish, but the team is young. Serrano has made a good career winning games like this, so I'm not gonna foolishly blame him (not that you are). I'm gonna chalk it up to youth. That being said, this team will be beastly by this time next year. We will be winning these games and series in the near future. Just gonna have to be patient....which is something I am not the best at, LOL.

 

[BruinVol]

Nick Williams has 10ks in 8inn and only 2 walks with a 1era. Inexcusable that he isn't on the mound to start every 9th inn in a save opportunity. Two games have been lost by not taking advantage of one of the few strengths this team has with its roster. Very poor decisions IMO and the results prove it.

 

[KnoxBound]

Unfortunately losing games like this is part of the process of learning to win games like this for a young team. I know it sounds crazy or moral victory-ish, but the team is young. ...

I also am trying to stay positive but I think the chalk it up to youth excuse is wearing thin. This is a D1 school. These players were recruited to come here because Serrano felt they were better than the "Older Guys" he let go or the "lucky" few he did keep on the roster but now doesn't even play them. You can't have it both ways. He chose to fill the roster with guys he could mould so in my opinion he needs to own that decision. They are not losing because they are young, they are losing because they are not getting hits at key times, are giving away runners with poor baserunning choices, giving up too many hits on the wrong pitch selection, and making unacceptable fielding errors like dropping pop flies or throw downs. The same reasons every team loses. It's not about age - it's about coaching decisions.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

are you serious? theres like 70% freshman out there, probably more. youth is a completely valid reason for some of these mistakes and loses right now.

 

[BigOrange51]

are you serious? theres like 70% freshman out there, probably more. youth is a completely valid reason for some of these mistakes and loses right now.

Agreed. Youth is a reason to have patience. But you have to catch this stuff early. Again, I don't know how the group responded to the loss last night, but if it didn't piss them off, we are fighting a losing battle. Losing is contagious. We can't let this young group be okay with losing to a better team. This is the SEC and we should be able to beat anyone in the country. Losing will happen but with such a large group of young kids, we have to instill a killer instinct in them, an unwillingness to give in, ever. Hopefully they already have it and its just youth that is showing its ugly face. These tough games can really teach us a lot as long as we have the right attitude.

I know Serrano is one step ahead of me. I hope he didn't have to say much to the kids last night, because it was obvious how much that loss stung him in his interview.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

no one knows what goes on in their heads and lockerroom other than the players and staff. to speculate this early is just irresponsible.

 

[KnoxBound]

well look at todays lineup...seems like Serrano is trying to cut back on the youth factor. The only Freshman in the lineup today is Simcox and Houser at DH. Should be interesting to see.

 

[Burger]

Unfortunately losing games like this is part of the process of learning to win games like this for a young team. I know it sounds crazy or moral victory-ish, but the team is young. Serrano has made a good career winning games like this, so I'm not gonna foolishly blame him (not that you are). I'm gonna chalk it up to youth. That being said, this team will be beastly by this time next year. We will be winning these games and series in the near future. Just gonna have to be patient....which is something I am not the best at, LOL.

The 2012 Oakland A's did really bad in the first two months. Everybody learns from beatings. They need to keep believing in themselves though. Baseball is psychological.

 

[RichRollin]

I also am trying to stay positive but I think the chalk it up to youth excuse is wearing thin. This is a D1 school. These players were recruited to come here because Serrano felt they were better than the "Older Guys" he let go or the "lucky" few he did keep on the roster but now doesn't even play them. You can't have it both ways. He chose to fill the roster with guys he could mould so in my opinion he needs to own that decision. They are not losing because they are young, they are losing because they are not getting hits at key times, are giving away runners with poor baserunning choices, giving up too many hits on the wrong pitch selection, and making unacceptable fielding errors like dropping pop flies or throw downs. The same reasons every team loses. It's not about age - it's about coaching decisions.

He's rebuilding the program for crying out loud. Most of the older guys he let go from last year were not upper tier SEC players. Many of the players he brought in are, they're just young. A young guy here and there is one thing. An entire roster of youngsters is another. You know I laughed at Dooley when he made the comment about year zero. But after watching Serrano last year, it was literally a year zero being that he granted the scholly offers that Raleigh's pathetic ass had handed out. So in essence Serrano's first recruiting class was composed of many of Raleigh's guys. This was his first year of his guys. It's just gonna take time whether you like it or not. Todd Raleigh is the baseball version of Dooley...and Dooley can recruit better.

I do know this...if UT fans don't give Serrano time to do it his way, UT fans don't deserve success in any sport. He's the best, most proven coach we have on the hill besides the Weakleys.

On the flip side...if UT fans DO in fact give him time, once he builds it, it will be here to stay. It might not be as fast as our younger generation of "fans" want it to be. But I swear once he gets it built, we'll be good every single year.