The Official #1 Tennessee @ Kentucky Thur-Sat Game Thread (Thur. 7PM EST SEC NETWORK) (Fri. 6:30PM EST SEC NETWORK+) (Sat. 2PM EST SEC NETWORK +)

[cobbwebb0710]

Personally, I think we’re so good, we dropped a game on purpose, to ensure we get Kentucky in Hoover.
CTV is playing chess, while the rest of the league is playing tiddlywinks.

GBO!!

 

[VolPack22]

That would be me, and saying “not good” is not singling him out given that literally everyone but Ortega was not good.

He got on base half time, only struck out once, and scored 1 of our 2 runs. I’d say that’s better than not good. Whenever half your plate appearances end with you getting on base then you are still helping your team.

 

[Titan05]

That's the game. It happens. Just hope we're getting it out of our systems now and not in the tournament.

Baseball is so unpredictable and games like last night are why the overall #1 seed rarely wins it all. Crazy, heartbreaking sport.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

What a fun weekend of SEC baseball, coming up!
Things could really start to get crazy after this weekend.
GBO!!

 

[arkyvol]

Bad nights for bats. We left a ton of runners on base. All is well. It's baseball. We should win the next two. Nothing to see here.

One hit over the last 10+ innings. It's a tribute to the Vol pitching that it wasn't a blowout. Most of those stranded runners were walked on to base. One of our two runs was walked in. I hope to God that goes down as the worst offensive showing this year.

 

[gnm53108]

I’m gonna steal the Indians idea. Think I’m going with Pepper Fire instead of kfc. Hopefully that’ll get our bats going.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Crazy amount of walks, numerous runners LOB, terrible hacks at the plate, Gilbert hitting a shot into a perfect shift, Beck just feet shy of a multi dong game. I just want to know which one of you angered the baseball gods yesterday?!
Come clean and all will be forgiven and we’ll take the next 2 in Lexington.
GBO!!

 

[vol66]

Countdown 9.5 hours! Legoooooooooooooo!!!

How we doing today people?

 

[taylorvol]

Baseball can be a funny sport sometimes. I can remember in 2017, which was Coach Serrano’s last year we went 7-23 in the SEC that year. We were horrible. We went down to Gainesville that spring and won 2 out of 3 from Florida. They just went on to win the National Championship. That just proves no matter how good you are you can have a bad game or series. The good thing about it? We have 2 games left. The series hasn’t been finalized yet. I like this teams ability, at least historically, to bounce back. New day new game. Let’s get it. #GB️

Well stated. To use a football analogy, the #1 football team in the SEC would beat the last place team 10 out of 10 times, baseball is more like 7 out of 10 times. Two completely different games with different outcomes and requires adjusting expectations (Even for this elite team). Go Vols!

 

[vol66]

Crazy amount of walks, numerous runners LOB, terrible hacks at the plate, Gilbert hitting a shot into a perfect shift, Beck just feet shy of a multi dong game. I just want to know which one of you angered the baseball gods yesterday?!
Come clean and all will be forgiven and we’ll take the next 2 in Lexington.
GBO!!

My fault.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Countdown 9.5 hours! Legoooooooooooooo!!!

How we doing today people?

Anxious to get this day/week over with! I’m ready to settle in with some cold miller lite and watch some baseball!
I had to dip out on our Vols last night and go to bed. I hated to miss the end but 4:30 came early this morning!
I’ll make up for it tonight.
GBO!!

 

[cobbwebb0710]

My fault.

GBO!!

 

[taylorvol]

One hit over the last 10+ innings. It's a tribute to the Vol pitching that it wasn't a blowout. Most of those stranded runners were walked on to base. I hope to God that goes down as the worst offensive showing this year.

Our pitching was strong—can’t imagine a better bullpen in college baseball. Also, hard to get hits when KY was walking so many batters. They were effectively wild.

 

[Sam I Am]

Ahh....well. There is only one thing to do today for the boys, and that is to "flush it" and take care of things tonight.

"Baseball" showed up tonight. I have been wondering when it would. Teams have games like this all the time in baseball.
Things just don't go your way, or what have you. Bad game. Period. Flush it. Play better today.

Watching 3rd strikes with bases juiced does, and always has concerned me. I'd sit Luc the rest of the weekend and put Burke in just to send a message or two to the fella's. Luc is mature/been around long enough to handle it. Plus, would probably welcome it. Just my opinion.

 

[cardvolfan]

To me, our hitting last night reminded me somewhat of the Tennessee Tech game. Swinging at too many pitches out of the zone. These hitters, rightfully so, get antsy because they want to do damage with the bat. When pitch after pitch sails out of the zone, the natural inclination is to swing at anything that looks like it’s going to be close. Patience will be key again tonight, because I would imagine UK is not going to be getting the ball over again tonight.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Baseball is so unpredictable and games like last night are why the overall #1 seed rarely wins it all. Crazy, heartbreaking sport.

Don’t inject reality into the worlds of our fickle Johnny-come-latelies who think losing an SEC game for the 3rd time (1st on the road) on May 5th is “pathetic,” “embarrassing,” and “inexcusable.”

They’re bound and determined to revel in negativity at this point. No amount of reason is going to change that.

 

[NighthawkVol]

To me, our hitting last night reminded me somewhat of the Tennessee Tech game. Swinging at too many pitches out of the zone. These hitters, rightfully so, get antsy because they want to do damage with the bat. When pitch after pitch sails out of the zone, the natural inclination is to swing at anything that looks like it’s going to be close. Patience will be key again tonight, because I would imagine UK is not going to be getting the ball over again tonight.

Kentucky used its best pitchers last night. Tennessee should put up some runs tonight.

I’m also interested in seeing who Tennessee has available, given that we used 6 pitchers last night. Guessing Dollander may stack with Tidwell for a 5 inning/4 inning combo. Assuming we don’t go 13 again.

If they use more than those 2, Kirby is the only regular who didn’t pitch last night, although Mabrey didn’t throw many pitches at all. After them, you start getting into the rarely used/midweek guys like Evans, Fanning, and Smith.

Edit: After checking the box, it looks like Mabrey and Joyce threw the fewest pitches with 11 each.

 

[cardvolfan]

Kentucky used its best pitchers last night. Tennessee should put up some runs tonight.

I’m also interested in seeing who Tennessee has available, given that we used 6 pitchers last night. Guessing Dollander may stack with Tidwell for a 5 inning/4 inning combo. Assuming we don’t go 13 again.

If they use more than those 2, Kirby is the only regular who didn’t pitch last night, although Mabrey didn’t throw many pitches at all. After them, you start getting into the rarely used/midweek guys like Evans, Fanning, and Smith.

Yes, Tony specifically mentioned Dollander last night, so I would be shocked if your Tidwell/Dollander prediction doesnt happen. He also threw a few clues out there that Joyce might very well be in play. I do love our depth.

 

[AllThingsTN]

Good game wildcats. I’m really looking forward to tonight. Let’s tie up the series.

 

[AllThingsTN]

Good game wildcats. I’m really looking forward to tonight. Let’s tie up the series. I might look at Saturday tickets in Lexington. Never been to a game there.

Oops…

 

[MAD]

Good morning Volnation.
Today is a new day.
WGWTFA

 

[taylorvol]

Ahh....well. There is only one thing to do today for the boys, and that is to "flush it" and take care of things tonight.

"Baseball" showed up tonight. I have been wondering when it would. Teams have games like this all the time in baseball.
Things just don't go your way, or what have you. Bad game. Period. Flush it. Play better today.

Watching 3rd strikes with bases juiced does, and always has concerned me. I'd sit Luc the rest of the weekend and put Burke in just to send a message or two to the fella's. Luc is mature/been around long enough to handle it. Plus, would probably welcome it. Just my opinion.

No offense but sitting Luc would be ridiculous. He’s only one of 3 players with a hit last night. He also had a walk and a hard liner to 3rd. You dont bench your veteran 1B who’s a team leader on the field and in the clubhouse. Team will regroup and play hard. Off nights happen but CTV will not overreact or panic.

 

[txbo]

unfortunately agree...exposed... here goes...Ivexsaid it GeForce n ill reiterate it....this team can't seem to bunt runners into scoring positions, or bunt very well while leaving16 or more runners on base tonight..something to ponder...its been a fun, lovely regular season watching balls launch out of the park. Been easy to forget that bunting is a vital part of the game when hitting alot of home runs during the season but I'm telling you the game always comes down to being able to execute bunting and proper base running when in a close game....I love to watch the long ball go out of the park but a team must have a short game as well...swinging for the fence, then fussing and walking to the dugout...looks ugly...what if coach does this when a team is having an off night hitting...bunt left, right, sacrifices, try too steal second base, use the ole squeeze play...where was that strategy forgotten? So so spoiled by the long ball...imo id have the team take pepper before every game the rest of the season and start bunting during remaining games occasionally to learn how for the regionals, otherwise get ready to be a spectator during Omaha...and brag about how many HR was hit in 2022 as "the bunt" is the difference in winning/losing a one run ballgame or using when a team is not hitting...you must try something else besides swinging then sitting down in dugout batter after batter....anyway just my opinion and thanks guys for such a great time this year watching as a Vols fan....darn it the long ball has spoiled me too!!

We lose when we bunt.

 

[taylorvol]

I’d love to know the stats for successful sacrifice bunts in college baseball on natural grass vs. artificial. I bet it’s drastically in favor of natural grass. With that said, Hoover and Omaha are natural grass.

 

[VolPack22]

Kentucky used its best pitchers last night. Tennessee should put up some runs tonight.

I’m also interested in seeing who Tennessee has available, given that we used 6 pitchers last night. Guessing Dollander may stack with Tidwell for a 5 inning/4 inning combo. Assuming we don’t go 13 again.

If they use more than those 2, Kirby is the only regular who didn’t pitch last night, although Mabrey didn’t throw many pitches at all. After them, you start getting into the rarely used/midweek guys like Evans, Fanning, and Smith.

Edit: After checking the box, it looks like Mabrey and Joyce threw the fewest pitches with 11 each.

Mabrey, Joyce, and Kirby will definitely be available for at least an inning. Gotta hope Blade gives us 5 strong innings, then Dollander can give us another inning or 2. That would leave 2 or 3 innings for the bullpen guys, which they should be able to manage. Then Game 3 would be a game that you hope Beam can go 6, 7 would be fantastic. Zander could give us an inning, and then you could just go with whoever thinks they are good to go.