Vols Drop 11-4 Decision at MTSU

[VN News]

Middle Tennessee State scored early and often on Tuesday, plating five runs in the second and three more in the fourth en route to an 11-4 victory over Tennessee at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

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Discuss.

 

[trbonevol]

This is the sign of a team that is done. Season really ended with losing to Vandy. The team is improved, but a performance like this is a step back. It will be interesting to see how they respond against Arkansas. If I were to bet it would be a Fri. win with a Sat. and Sun. loss.

 

[real orange]

I just got home from the game and I was embarased. None of the players looked like they wanted to be there. After the seventh inning playing of God bless America, one of the coaches started screaming into the dougout saying those of us that love our country come out and show respect for our country. Most of the players had stood on the foul lines while the song was played but evidently not all partisipated. This was embarasing to me also. Did any one else notice this?

 

[vol66]

I wasn't there...CDS looked and sounded pretty p'od....got a feeling a house cleaning is coming. If they gotta teach players how to respect our flag, doesn't say much for the players. I chalk it up to the season being over, just a bad taste in my mouth about that flag thing, if true.

 

[real orange]

I agree a house cleaning is coming.

 

[cwells52]

CDS was pretty hot over that effort and I'm sure I would have been as well from the sounds of it....If it's true that all the players didn't come out for the playing of God Bless America, I am truly ashamed.

 

[ShowmeVols]

Just curious as to what outcome he expected when he stuck an unprepared freshman outfielder on the mound. Whatever he was trying to accomplish, he sure wasn't signaling to his team that he was serious about winning the game.

 

[etmVol]

I may be in the minority here, but I never understood the widespread addition of God Bless America during the 7th inning (and in many cases, replacing Take Me Out to the Ballgame).

As a ballplayer, I stood sans hat/catcher's skully and focused on the flag and what it stood for during the playing of the national anthem - but once the game started, my focus was on the game. I was never a fan of trying to bring back my focus to the flag and what it stood for during the game.

Again, while I may be in the minority here, I personally do NOT have a problem with players not 'participating' in God Bless America during the 7th inning as long as they were not disrupting those who were. Now if it were given national anthem status or played directly before or after the Star Spangled Banner prior to the game, I would change my tune, but GBA is NOT our national anthem, and the 7th inning stretch is NOT the time to play a national anthem.

As for CDS cleaning house, I would be surprised if there were not a handful of transfers or other changes after this season. The only reason they haven't happened yet is because CDS needed enough players to fill out a roster, and he couldn't do that all in the class he just brought in. I haven't kept up with recruiting, but I wouldn't be surprised if CDS picked up more than a couple JUCOs to go along with next year's freshmen to offset the future departures/changes.

 

[BruinVol]

Just curious as to what outcome he expected when he stuck an unprepared freshman outfielder on the mound. Whatever he was trying to accomplish, he sure wasn't signaling to his team that he was serious about winning the game.

Exactly! Hypocritical to question the players when he made such a decision

 

[DeerPark12]

After the seventh inning playing of God bless America, one of the coaches started screaming into the dougout saying those of us that love our country come out and show respect for our country. Most of the players had stood on the foul lines while the song was played but evidently not all partisipated. This was embarasing to me also. Did any one else notice this?

I wasn't there, so I didn't see it, but this would have been the first time an opposing team has played God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch this year. A lot of pro teams do it, but not college.

I'd say it's possible, if not likely, that some team members were not aware of what was going on when they started playing it. If this was a home game where it was something that they had done all season, I could see the issue, but it's quite possible it took some guys by surprise.

Just curious as to what outcome he expected when he stuck an unprepared freshman outfielder on the mound. Whatever he was trying to accomplish, he sure wasn't signaling to his team that he was serious about winning the game.

I disagree. The team is desperately short on arms and is one day away from starting a series against a top-25 team. The kid was outstanding on the mound in high school and had thrown well in bullpen sessions leading up to the start. Serrano said in the pre-game interview that he was only looking for 2 innings out of Allen. He got one and part of another.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

Just curious as to what outcome he expected when he stuck an unprepared freshman outfielder on the mound. Whatever he was trying to accomplish, he sure wasn't signaling to his team that he was serious about winning the game.

Midweek games are the time to develop arms. Obviously it's a unusual situation given he hasn't thrown in a game all year, but I can almost bet that he threw during fall and threw some bullpens during the season.

As deerpark said, they are short on pitching and SEC games are a lot more important than midweek games. Serrano wasn't giving up on the game, he trying to find lightening in a bottle because he is in a tough spot with pitching.

 

[BruinVol]

Midweek games are the time to develop arms. Obviously it's a unusual situation given he hasn't thrown in a game all year, but I can almost bet that he threw during fall and threw some bullpens during the season.

As deerpark said, they are short on pitching and SEC games are a lot more important than midweek games. Serrano wasn't giving up on the game, he trying to find lightening in a bottle because he is in a tough spot with pitching.

He did not pitch in the fall and only threw his first bullpen last week I am told. Also i was told by a scout that He was a good high school pitcher that no college thought could pitch at the next level much less the SEC.

 

[ShowmeVols]

Midweek games are the time to develop arms. Obviously it's a unusual situation given he hasn't thrown in a game all year, but I can almost bet that he threw during fall and threw some bullpens during the season.

As deerpark said, they are short on pitching and SEC games are a lot more important than midweek games. Serrano wasn't giving up on the game, he trying to find lightening in a bottle because he is in a tough spot with pitching.

You would lose that bet. They posted all the scrimmage innings during the fall and pre-practices, and Allen was never on the list.

Also, once you're mathematically eliminated, you're playing only for pride, and the SEC games are no longer more important.

Resting the pitching staff isn't a credible explanation, either. Thanks to Saberhagen's complete game and Williams' quality start on Saturday, they only used six pitchers all last weekend. Several guys were fresh, and anyone who threw an inning or two last night would be ready again by Saturday.

By starting Allen, he announced to the world that he doesn't trust the back of his pitching staff and is no longer invested in developing them. It was purely a symbolic act.

He might have been hoping Allen would be effective enough to make the Raleigh-recruited pitchers look bad in comparison. But it's laughable to assert it was a serious attempt to maximize victories.

 

[DeerPark12]

He did not pitch in the fall and only threw his first bullpen last week I am told. Also i was told by a scout that He was a good high school pitcher that no college thought could pitch at the next level much less the SEC.

So? God forbid we try something different in the last week of the season when everything has gone wrong recently.

And the starting pitcher making his first appearance has no bearing on whether or not the team hits or defends. Allen starting didn't cause Conner Stevens to give up a 3-run bomb or 3 more runs the next inning.

It seems like you've questioned nearly every Serrano decision all season long. I don't get it. He's tried to piece together a season the best he could with EXTREMELY limited pieces.

 

[ShowmeVols]

He's tried to piece together a season the best he could with EXTREMELY limited pieces.

I agree with that. I think now, however, he is laying the groundwork for massive cuts.

I do feel sorry for the kids who aren't SEC caliber players but who did come in good faith, did their best, and now have to find other schools.

 

[DeerPark12]

I agree with that. I think now, however, he is laying the groundwork for massive cuts.

I do feel sorry for the kids who aren't SEC caliber players but who did come in good faith, did their best, and now have to find other schools.

I don't think that was ever a big question. You have a lot of in-state guys that are getting little or no scholarship money already, so while some may have to find other places to play if they wish, they're not losing a ton financially. Lot of lottery scholarship guys on the roster this year.

I'm not going to go through and name who I think is and isn't safe, but you graduate 3 position starters, the rest of your lineup is probably coming back. In-season attrition has knocked out some pitchers that wouldn't have returned. There is a junior graduating early. There are guys that haven't played much and don't feel particularly wronged by it.

I'll say this for Serrano and staff. They have continued to coach every player on the team, even the guys not playing. That's not something the last staff made a habit of. Guys that leave for lack of PT will go to their next stop better than when they got here.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

You would lose that bet. They posted all the scrimmage innings during the fall and pre-practices, and Allen was never on the list.

Also, once you're mathematically eliminated, you're playing only for pride, and the SEC games are no longer more important.

Resting the pitching staff isn't a credible explanation, either. Thanks to Saberhagen's complete game and Williams' quality start on Saturday, they only used six pitchers all last weekend. Several guys were fresh, and anyone who threw an inning or two last night would be ready again by Saturday.

By starting Allen, he announced to the world that he doesn't trust the back of his pitching staff and is no longer invested in developing them. It was purely a symbolic act.

He might have been hoping Allen would be effective enough to make the Raleigh-recruited pitchers look bad in comparison. But it's laughable to assert it was a serious attempt to maximize victories.

I was just guessing on the fall and bullpens, but there's so much that goes on with a college baseball team that unless you were with the coaching staff, we'll never know why they decided to try this. If any pitcher takes offense to this, then maybe they should go, they've all had their opportunities during the season. You have no idea what he was trying with Allen pitching and to assume he no longer wants to coach part of the pitching staff is ridiculous.

Also, once you're mathematically eliminated, you're playing only for pride, and the SEC games are no longer more important.

So it's not important to play for pride? It's ok just to go out their and get beat? Midweek games are the perfect time to try new ideas, especially with the position UT is in.

 

[BruinVol]

So? God forbid we try something different in the last week of the season when everything has gone wrong recently.

And the starting pitcher making his first appearance has no bearing on whether or not the team hits or defends. Allen starting didn't cause Conner Stevens to give up a 3-run bomb or 3 more runs the next inning.

It seems like you've questioned nearly every Serrano decision all season long. I don't get it. He's tried to piece together a season the best he could with EXTREMELY limited pieces.

Deer I have questioned 3 major issues this season .

1) Zajac starting his career in the Saturday game vs Kentucky after a 3 game winning streak. Was that a decision that deserved to be questioned?

2) The running game. Does the succes rate in stolen bases suggest the strategy is all good or open for debate?

3) and then this issue.


DS is doing as good of job as anybody would do under the circumstances but that doesn't shield him from legitimate questions

 

[Volman09]

I was there, while the game itself wasn't much to watch my girlfriend caught a foul ball it made her night

 

[Roustabout]

UT has a baseball team?

 

[vol66]

Generally, I try to stay out of baseball debates. I played little league, so I'm not real qualified. Not to mix baseball and football, but when Saban took over at Bama, he didn't ask the fans for patience, he asked them to be positive. That's what we need to do here, jmo.

 

[DeerPark12]

Deer I have questioned 3 major issues this season .

1) Zajac starting his career in the Saturday game vs Kentucky after a 3 game winning streak. Was that a decision that deserved to be questioned?

Serrano had planned on having Zajac in the rotation from the fall. He was injured for the early spring. The plan was for him to get some work against FIU that Wednesday, but it didn't work out with the way that game played out.

For a team that was still looking for a #2 starter at the time, I don't think it was unreasonable to send out someone that he had expected to be in that spot. Kentucky also didn't have any film on him. Zajac didn't perform badly, allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, and gave up only 3 hits in 2 2/3 innings. They were hopeful he could go 4 innings that day.

It's not as if losing that game started a downturn. Lost the Saturday and Sunday games to Kentucky, but then won 7 games in a row including sweeping Alabama and winning the opener at USC.

For the majority of the year, the pitching has been the strength. Tough on pitchers when you only score 2 runs a game.

2) The running game. Does the succes rate in stolen bases suggest the strategy is all good or open for debate?

There have been times that it has been very effective. Its success has also been marred by missed signs, failed execution, etc. The system won games early this year, and was responsible for the wins over Kentucky and Florida.

I think there have been times when the system has worked very well as far as getting guys on base and advancing them to scoring position. Look at our hit and baserunner totals, they're pretty good, even during this losing streak. But the thing that has been missing is that key hit with 1 or even 2 outs. That's been the failing on offense this season. When we've gotten the key hit or even sac fly, we've won those games. That's been the disappointment. And we're not good enough on offense to overcome recent pitching struggles.

I think a lot of the offensive problems is the lack of competition for positions. There is zero depth on this team. They're fortunate that there wasn't an injury or two on defense, they would have been in real trouble.

3) and then this issue.


DS is doing as good of job as anybody would do under the circumstances but that doesn't shield him from legitimate questions

My thoughts on 3 are earlier in the thread. It was a bit of a miracle/false hope that they were where they were at the midpoint of the season. They never responded to the Godley injury.

But going into next year, the weekend rotation of Godley and Nick Williams is going to give this team a chance to win every series, especially if they find someone to start on Sundays.

 

[BruinVol]

Serrano had planned on having Zajac in the rotation from the fall. He was injured for the early spring. The plan was for him to get some work against FIU that Wednesday, but it didn't work out with the way that game played out.

For a team that was still looking for a #2 starter at the time, I don't think it was unreasonable to send out someone that he had expected to be in that spot. Kentucky also didn't have any film on him. Zajac didn't perform badly, allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, and gave up only 3 hits in 2 2/3 innings. They were hopeful he could go 4 innings that day.

It's not as if losing that game started a downturn. Lost the Saturday and Sunday games to Kentucky, but then won 7 games in a row including sweeping Alabama and winning the opener at USC.

For the majority of the year, the pitching has been the strength. Tough on pitchers when you only score 2 runs a game.




There have been times that it has been very effective. Its success has also been marred by missed signs, failed execution, etc. The system won games early this year, and was responsible for the wins over Kentucky and Florida.

I think there have been times when the system has worked very well as far as getting guys on base and advancing them to scoring position. Look at our hit and baserunner totals, they're pretty good, even during this losing streak. But the thing that has been missing is that key hit with 1 or even 2 outs. That's been the failing on offense this season. When we've gotten the key hit or even sac fly, we've won those games. That's been the disappointment. And we're not good enough on offense to overcome recent pitching struggles.

I think a lot of the offensive problems is the lack of competition for positions. There is zero depth on this team. They're fortunate that there wasn't an injury or two on defense, they would have been in real trouble.




My thoughts on 3 are earlier in the thread. It was a bit of a miracle/false hope that they were where they were at the midpoint of the season. They never responded to the Godley injury.

But going into next year, the weekend rotation of Godley and Nick Williams is going to give this team a chance to win every series, especially if they find someone to start on Sundays.

Good post! I don't want to come across as a poster that is anti DS because that isn't the case. His hands are seriously tied. I do enjoy debating certain decisions made in a game that is perhaps the easiest one to second guess.