orangecat92

announcer talking about obstruction, huh? He didn't block the base with his foot.

Faltine is fired up.

gut check time for Q.

I think they're showing him because he's done. I can hope.

Trying to remember what this reminds me of....I think it reminds me of the Central Regional Final game at Disch-Falk when the little left-hander tied us up all game and they won 2-1 or something. late 80s. I just don't feel it with this team. But, the good news is everybody is due. And this inning should be the VA pitchers' last inning.

...hey my dad got us a double, so there is that. And a run!

My dad is calling for a Kennedy home run. I agree.

Hansen hanging in there. If we're serious about winning this game, it happens either this inning or next. Virginia is not going away.

Yes, it is the McDonald world of SEC or my Alaskan Minor League and we're just living in his world.

Time for the bullpen to warm up.

I guess they postponed the game for me. I am sitting at gate one of Love Field, and the SWA flight was delayed before the game was delayed as well. Flying to Austin, boarding is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. We probably arrive Austin at 8:00 p.m. Arrive at parents home around 8:40 p.m. which means I will get to see at least half the game. Btw, is that a good omen? Gate ONE! I mean gate WON! Hook 'em

I don't give Vandy much of a chance against N.C. State. We could easily have an all-ACC final. It would make heads explode all over Bristol.

I bought an all regional ticket in Austin one year for a six-team regional. I think this was one of the Larry Coker years. He was the UH pitcher with a rubber arm. He needed 0 rest. It was great for a 20something kid. I attended every game. I can't imagine anybody over the age of about 45 attending every game in a six-team regional. I wonder if that is why they stopped, because of the older fans?

can you feel the extras coming?

wow 5 and 2/3 with a certain 0... and then a HBP? He must be at the end of his rope.

Do you want your closer to gain every advantage possible as he comes into a tight situation Thursday night or not? Feeling comfortable in the environment is a very important part of performing in any venue, any occupation. The outcome of the game was 99% not in doubt. The future is the unknown.

I am not making myself clear. Nixon is the one who needs a warmup inning in Omaha, before he has to come in on Thursday evening with the bases loaded and the tying run on 2nd base. Had he pitched the one inning today, he would have felt very comfortable in the environment. Meanwhile, by the time we get to Thursday all of the batters for all of the teams are used to the ballpark. The exceptionally smart coach is a coach who can prepare his team for future situations while at the same time winning the present game. Witt is not available for an unknown number of games, but would have been available sooner had he not pitched the ninth. Nixon is available Thursday and would have still been available Thursday if he had pitched today. Nixon will be available Thursday, Friday, etc. for one inning, because he is the closer. My position is that the exceptional coach could have preserved more of Witt for future games while at the same time making the transition much easier for Nixon in his first game out of the pen. I am an optimist, we are going to a Friday game for sure. I am not giving Pierce an F, simply a missed opportunity, call it a B+ instead of an A. It doesn't make much difference, unless Nixon comes out cold on Thursday or Friday night and has trouble. If Nixon has trouble on Thursday or Friday, we're almost certainly done.

not committing on a starter to make it harder for the opponent. They know who the starter is.

If this was at Disch-Falk and middle of the season I would be incorrect. But, this is Omaha, and I am right for another reason. Unless the closer in question has pitched in Omaha before the huge crowds and is 100% familiar with the mound and surroundings, then he needs a chance to get adjusted to the surroundings. Every park has its little idiosyncrasies. I don't think Nixon has pitched in Omaha before a huge crowd before, so he needed to come out to pitch the ninth to get used to the surroundings before he is thrown into the fire on Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday.

How the heck do I, who haven't watched but one game all season, know that the middle reliever is the middle reliever for a reason and the genius in Omaha wearing the university colors does not? There is a reason he is not the closer. If he were the closer, of course he would be expected to pitch the ninth. I don't care if Witt throws a double play grounder right now. It was the wrong call to send him out for the ninth.

pull him. omen.

Nixon time. 56 pitches for Witt? perfect. 4 run lead, great for Nixon to get accustomed to the park.

Come on ESPN, how many times has Tenn. been behind by four runs this year. We're dying to know.

oooh, ouch! That casts a bit of a shadow on the situation tomorrow.

Wow, look out for that tree!!!!! Goodbye Arizona. I now expect Stanford to win their bracket.