MTSU at Tennessee Game Thread - 6PM

#177
#177
Thanks vol66, NCV67, txbo, OldTimer, and all others involved in the making of this great show...:rock:...:salute:

GO BIG ORANGE!
 
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#178
#178
Freeman sounds like a good guy...sense of humor...I'll say this, the message about these mid week games has been heard loud and clear.
 
#180
#180
We have got to win some sec games... Beating these mid major teams doesn't do anything for us, if we are just going to win one out of three against sec teams
 
#181
#181
vol4life03 said:
We have got to win some sec games... Beating these mid major teams doesn't do anything for us, if we are just going to win one out of three against sec teams
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It's true but losing home midweek games is a killer for your RPI and for a team like us...and you'll probably laugh at me, but here goes...for us to make a regional we have to finish somewhere around .500 in SEC play and we have to have a very high RPI and SOS. It's going to be tough sledding but...

Auburn finished 13-17 in SEC play but their RPI was 26 and their SOS was 4. They made a regional.

So your point is fair and correct, we can't simply avoid being swept, we do actually have to win some SEC games AND we have to win the midweek games so our RPI is not wrecked...CDS references a game that cost us 30-40 points in the RPI a couple of years ago...so while winning these mid week games doesn't help us much, losing them can be disastrous if you are a bubble team.

And let's face it, that's about the best we can hope for with how things have gone thus far.
 
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#182
#182
vol4life03 said:
We have got to win some sec games... Beating these mid major teams doesn't do anything for us, if we are just going to win one out of three against sec teams
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We've won 2, could've won 4 or lost all 6 with a hit or there on either side. As banged up as we are I'm just hoping we don't get swept. If we can keep it together we will win a few series.....I'm not to concerned yet.
 
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#183
#183
One more thing on that subject...for pitchers, midweek games are confidence builders or killers, hopefully Freeman is feeling good about right now and young Zach Reid knows what he needs to work on, but it didn't cost us anything for him to get the experience.THAT's been an issue in the past.
 
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#184
#184
vol66 said:
It's true but losing home midweek games is a killer for your RPI and for a team like us...and you'll probably laugh at me, but here goes...for us to make a regional we have to finish somewhere around .500 in SEC play and we have to have a very high RPI and SOS. It's going to be tough sledding but...

Auburn finished 13-17 in SEC play but their RPI was 26 and their SOS was 4. They made a regional.

So your point is fair and correct, we can't simply avoid being swept, we do actually have to win some SEC games AND we have to win the midweek games so our RPI is not wrecked...CDS references a game that cost us 30-40 points in the RPI a couple of years ago...so while winning these mid week games doesn't help us much, losing them can be disastrous if you are a bubble team.

And let's face it, that's about the best we can hope for with how things have gone thus far.
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I will never laugh at you vol66.. I respect your opinion not to many baseball guys around lol ... I guess I just get the most frustrated when I watch us demolish the mid major teams and then when we play sec teams we struggle! Ole miss is a good team and we just couldn't keep up with their pitching, which is understandable but Alabama was a beatable team they lost to UAB before they smashed us in the two games that mattered!! And the east is tough so we have to win sec games when we can because Florida is nasty and so is vandy!! I just want us to compete in the east and win a couple in the sec tournament this year instead of one and done!
 
#186
#186
Highlights, yes they had cameras running but no live stream...

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE_KmSgibUo[/YOUTUBE]


Postgame with CDS

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z02NMVcGMsw[/YOUTUBE]


Eric Freeman

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyevABMqA2M[/YOUTUBE]


Nick Senzel

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WScHSdFH_Bc[/YOUTUBE]
 
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#187
#187
OldTimer said:
Highlights, yes they had cameras running but no live stream...


Thanks OT. So the freshman is starting tomorrow, looking forward to that. That was the first I heard about Martin being out a couple of weeks with tendinitis, did I miss something the last couple of days?
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#188
#188
vol4life03 said:
I will never laugh at you vol66.. I respect your opinion not to many baseball guys around lol ... I guess I just get the most frustrated when I watch us demolish the mid major teams and then when we play sec teams we struggle! Ole miss is a good team and we just couldn't keep up with their pitching, which is understandable but Alabama was a beatable team they lost to UAB before they smashed us in the two games that mattered!! And the east is tough so we have to win sec games when we can because Florida is nasty and so is vandy!! I just want us to compete in the east and win a couple in the sec tournament this year instead of one and done!
Click to expand...

Man, I understand, I really do. I think you have nailed it and there might be some who aren't happy with me saying this but here goes...

Eric Freeman is a capable pitcher against MTSU. Our lineup can hit to death the mid major pitching we have faced.

If Andy Cox and Hunter Martin can't be SEC starters then we're left with a bunch of young guys that can perform in the mid week but not on the weekends.

Look at the SEC only stats and we have a 6.58 team ERA, that means we have to score 7-8 runs a game and not commit errors on defense just to be in the game.

CDS is fighting for the job and he is, in addition to being the HC, he's the pitching coach and he will have to turn this around or he's gone. Simple as that.

That sounds harsh and I'm well aware of the injuries and I've never seen a coach or team have more bad luck...but Hart didn't hire him, he didn't extend him and I've seen, and you probably have too, this movie before.
 
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#189
#189
vol66 said:
Man, I understand, I really do. I think you have nailed it and there might be some who aren't happy with me saying this but here goes...

Eric Freeman is a capable pitcher against MTSU. Our lineup can hit to death the mid major pitching we have faced.

If Andy Cox and Hunter Martin can't be SEC starters then we're left with a bunch of young guys that can perform in the mid week but not on the weekends.

Look at the SEC only stats and we have a 6.58 team ERA, that means we have to score 7-8 runs a game and not commit errors on defense just to be in the game.

CDS is fighting for the job and he is, in addition to being the HC, he's the pitching coach and he will have to turn this around or he's gone. Simple as that.

That sounds harsh and I'm well aware of the injuries and I've never seen a coach or team have more bad luck...but Hart didn't hire him, he didn't extend him and I've seen, and you probably have too, this movie before.
Click to expand...

Years ago a friend was going through a rough patch and came to me with a serious question. After listening to him, I asked him, "you want me to sugar coat it or tell you the truth". It was hard to say and hard for him to listen but I told him the cold hard truth.......

Spot on post 66 and you didn't sugar coat it!
 
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#190
#190
Thanks for posting the videos OT...Hunter Martin out for 2 weeks with tendinitis...the hits keep coming...geez louise...
 
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#191
#191
OldTimer said:
Years ago a friend was going through a rough patch and came to me with a serious question. After listening to him, I asked him, "you want me to sugar coat it or tell you the truth". It was hard to say and hard for him to listen but I told him the cold hard truth.......

Spot on post 66 and you didn't sugar coat it!
Click to expand...

I take no joy in it and I'd like to see him remain here. I believe we have to make a regional for him to keep the job and I hope he finds a way and I will be behind him and them every step of the way.
 
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#192
#192
Senzel is something else to watch play. He's so much fun to watch & keep up with on this team. He can hit & field the ball so well. Probably end up being 1st team All SEC for sure & possibly honorable mention All-American overall. He will probably be 2nd or 3rd team All-American if we can somehow pull off a solid season in the SEC.
 
#193
#193
tonybologna said:
Senzel is something else to watch play. He's so much fun to watch & keep up with on this team. He can hit & field the ball so well. Probably end up being 1st team All SEC for sure & possibly honorable mention All-American overall. He will probably be 2nd or 3rd team All-American if we can somehow pull off a solid season in the SEC.
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Honorable mention my ass, if he kicks into gear like last summer he'll be one of the first five players drafted. :p

I agree with your point though, people need to get out and see this kid before he's gone. If Benito can cover the one hole and VJax can cover the four spot...watch out.
 
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#194
#194
vol66 said:
Man, I understand, I really do. I think you have nailed it and there might be some who aren't happy with me saying this but here goes...

Eric Freeman is a capable pitcher against MTSU. Our lineup can hit to death the mid major pitching we have faced.

If Andy Cox and Hunter Martin can't be SEC starters then we're left with a bunch of young guys that can perform in the mid week but not on the weekends.

Look at the SEC only stats and we have a 6.58 team ERA, that means we have to score 7-8 runs a game and not commit errors on defense just to be in the game.

CDS is fighting for the job and he is, in addition to being the HC, he's the pitching coach and he will have to turn this around or he's gone. Simple as that.

That sounds harsh and I'm well aware of the injuries and I've never seen a coach or team have more bad luck...but Hart didn't hire him, he didn't extend him and I've seen, and you probably have too, this movie before.
Click to expand...
Me and you see eye to eye... Serrano is another reason I am frustrated. When was hired I was so excited for baseball again! And he's had 5 years to build this team and its still just middle of the pack! You don't even have to be elite at hitting in this league to win!! You just need great pitching and a solid defense that doesn't make mistakes! He has improved hitting and our defense is solid but the pitching is just not what it should be for five years of recruiting. If you watch these other teams they have guys that are tall and big and can bring the ball down hill. They had speed and control and I don't think Serrano likes the bigger pitchers for some reason. He likes the guys with more control and pitch variance.. And in this league you can't win every game with Greg Maddox you got to have some randy Johnson as well!! Go vols
 
#195
#195
vol66 said:
Honorable mention my ass, if he kicks into gear like last summer he'll be one of the first five players drafted. :p

I agree with your point though, people need to get out and see this kid before he's gone. If Benito can cover the one hole and VJax can cover the four spot...watch out.
Click to expand...

Scout had an article this week where two bloggers were debating over who would be the first player drafted. One of them was saying it was Nick Senzel.

Oh, and I don't think Serrano will be fired regardless of how this season plays out. UTAD thinks of it as "only baseball" and Dave is well respected in national amateur baseball circles and has represented the University well (except in postseason). Basically, I don't think the UTAD will want another coaching search this year.
 
#197
#197
Backwards K said:
Scout had an article this week where two bloggers were debating over who would be the first player drafted. One of them was saying it was Nick Senzel.

Oh, and I don't think Serrano will be fired regardless of how this season plays out. UTAD thinks of it as "only baseball" and Dave is well respected in national amateur baseball circles and has represented the University well (except in postseason). Basically, I don't think the UTAD will want another coaching search this year.
Click to expand...

I hope he gets another couple yrs.
 
#198
#198
Backwards K said:
Scout had an article this week where two bloggers were debating over who would be the first player drafted. One of them was saying it was Nick Senzel.

Oh, and I don't think Serrano will be fired regardless of how this season plays out. UTAD thinks of it as "only baseball" and Dave is well respected in national amateur baseball circles and has represented the University well (except in postseason). Basically, I don't think the UTAD will want another coaching search this year.
Click to expand...

I've seen that, about Nick going as high as #1...the consensus is Top 5.

I'm basing my thoughts on CDS this way...they didn't extend him and if they want to keep him they will now have to and a one year deal is going to be harmful to recruiting, which for 2017, 2018 has been at a standstill for at least a couple of months. The hay is in the barn for 2016, as much as it can be in college baseball, so we're okay there and I appreciate CDS getting a class of that caliber and that size even though he may not be around to coach them.

I have given some thought to the fact that CDS has changed up his staff, that he hadn't stood pat and now with Thomas and Slim some of these guys that haven't done much like Moberg and Lance are contributing. Couple that with all the bad luck Westphal, Kyle, and now R. Jackson and H. Martin...maybe...and because in the other areas like grades and relationships, people don't care much about that, he's repaired those things...maybe they see enough to give him a little extra time.

Everyday on talk radio here in Knoxville they are asking the very question, and based on the tone, seems like folks are ready for a change. They feel they have been patient and by today's standards I reckon they are right.

And...if the AD's attitude is that blasé, then we have a bigger problem on our hands.
 
#199
#199
vol4life03 said:
Me and you see eye to eye... Serrano is another reason I am frustrated. When was hired I was so excited for baseball again! And he's had 5 years to build this team and its still just middle of the pack! You don't even have to be elite at hitting in this league to win!! You just need great pitching and a solid defense that doesn't make mistakes! He has improved hitting and our defense is solid but the pitching is just not what it should be for five years of recruiting. If you watch these other teams they have guys that are tall and big and can bring the ball down hill. They had speed and control and I don't think Serrano likes the bigger pitchers for some reason. He likes the guys with more control and pitch variance.. And in this league you can't win every game with Greg Maddox you got to have some randy Johnson as well!! Go vols
Click to expand...

Well...we don't see eye to eye exactly. I do agree that after 5 years, I would put it this way, we should have more DEPENDABLE pitching. That is CDS' wheelhouse after all.

We have some big pitchers, the guy that started yesterday, Eric Freeman is 6-5 200 or so and was big coming out of high school. Whether due to injury or what not, this is the first we're seeing of him and he's a redshirt sophomore. Quint Robinson is 6-4 215, for whatever reason, looks like he will be on the same type path...Lipinski is 6'2, Kane is 6'4 JUCO guys brought in specifically to replace the two HS pitchers we lost to the draft. Andrew Lee was a big kid. I wouldn't exactly call Hunter Martin or Zach Warren small...If you throw Kyle Serrano and Warren out of the mix...who has the hottest fastball on the team? Will Neely. He's 5-11, 160.

So, I disagree with that aspect.

We'll see a 6-2, 180 true freshman get the start tonight, excited to see what Alex has got...wait...listen to what he's got. Thanks UT!
 
#200
#200
vol66 said:
Honorable mention my ass, if he kicks into gear like last summer he'll be one of the first five players drafted. :p

I agree with your point though, people need to get out and see this kid before he's gone. If Benito can cover the one hole and VJax can cover the four spot...watch out.
Click to expand...

I said honorable mention ONLY because of where we might be as a team in the standings. That does go a long way sometimes when there is consideration for All-American status for a player.
 
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