Last night was perfect example of how important a sac bunt can be. Vols couldn't,execute with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs. With good bunt, we have 2nd and 3rd. Auburn then has to decide if they walk the next guy to set up potential DP or a force at home. They didn't have to make that choice and we ended up with a shorter inning, and 1 run.
Auburn gets leadoff on, sacrifices successfully. We intentionally walk to set up DP, putting another potential run on base( right strategy, but a chance you take). Runner scores and then the bomb, which included the walked batter scoring. Point is they extended the inning and made TN play to their advantage.
If CTV is going to call for sacrifice blunts, he needs to MAKE it a practice priority or at least call for it with the right players to execute successfully. We don't know if Ortega has shown he can get a bunt down, but he disnt execute last night and it cost at least 1 extra run. With that extra run, AU does not bunt their runner over being down 2 or more and giving up an out, because they would need more than 1 to tie.
I'm not saying Ortega should have been asked to bunt. If you are going to play small ball, you have to execute and make sure you work on that skill.
Sorry for the long post.
