Had Enough

Yeah, I know. We have a considerably more capable staff than people give us credit for having. Obviously each guy is not on every day. I think KState rallied down big on us, but there was a big assist or two defensively. Lots of guys can and have gotten outs. And we have some decent arms yet to go. DP will choose based on matchups

Absolutely. I thought using Andre for 2+ innings was a poor choice in game 1too. Since the first week of the season, how often have we given up 13 runs?

No in the alternate bold strategy offered up, he hasn’t pitched yet.

Except you still have at least 1 more of Grubbs and LBJ. Maybe both. So when I say we’re in the same place, that’s because we’re down to 3 teams and a maximum of 3 games. But make no mistake about it, our staff is in as bad a condition as it could be at this stage of the tourney. Imagine Grubbs going against ULs #2 tomorrow then we have LBJ going against the Ags #2 or #3. That’s a significant shift in odds of winning those two games. Now you’ve got Hurley or Ace versus the Ags #3 or some dude that’s only started 3 or 4 games. Anyway I’ll be done with it.

The goal is to win the regional. That’s exactly right. We did almost pull off this game, but that still leaves us with limited options for game 3 and game 4, if need be. Gage could come back. Andre could as well, but that’s hope that they’re effective. Grambling being a non-competitive 4 seed changes the dynamics. A top flight, amongst the best in the country lefty is a tough matchup and also changes the dynamics. The Aggies #2 and 3 starters give up 3 and 4 more earned runs a game than Prager. We could go #3 or #4 or #5 against UL and still have a chance to win. But if we lose, it truly was no big damn deal. As it stands now, we’re in an incredibly tight spot because our pitching is taxed. And we’re still in the same position had we lost game 1 and won game 2.

That strategy was offered up on this very board. Save your arms for games 3, 4 and 5 and the winners bracket game eat up arms while the loser gets Grambling. If Ace and Hurley can be on, there’s a chance but not sure what you do in that third game, if it comes to that.

Y’all ever heard of a guy by the name of Paul Skenes? You might look and see which team was the last to rough him up in the postseason.

Guaranteed one of the top 48 teams in the country.

Should never happen to one of the most storied programs of the past 10 years.

Uh yeah. It’s as close to a free game as you’ll get. It’s a poor choice if we blow our bullpen in game 1 and lose. Bo&w could give you a chance on the mound versus Grambling.

Hookem, any idea on the final post season roster? Cody-Cody-Cody!!!!!!

Seems as though there was plenty of bitching last year too.

You better resign yourself to the fact that great pitching staffs will look different than they once did. This is not the gorilla ball era like the late 90s, but there’s ton of hitting. It’s more skilled with more legit power and depth. Arkansas gives up the fewest runs per game. At 4 per game. In that top 45, there are a bunch of smaller conference teams like Lamar. A Lamar that lost 2 of 3 to TAMUCC. That ERA puts us in the top 15% of the country. I think if you go runs given up over ERA, we are even better.

This is the stuff I just don’t know. I can see dysfunction to an extent. Their celebrations on the field seem natural giving the appearance of some camaraderie. And also, has the culture changed in one year? Hard to believe there is no coaching of the pitching from Pierce at all. Are we implying that someone else is doing it or they are all left to their own vices? There’s growth and production from some guys so it doesn’t make total sense.

College baseball standards. Only 7 of the teams on this list are in regionals. Notice the lack of SEC and ACC teams on the list. Yet they have the lions share of the top 8 seeds, the regional host sites. One of those names had a coach that left for an ACC program. Why? It’s a shift in paradigm. Competitive advantages beyond just being a northern school. We can have a standard but realize that’s a very different era. I’d be surprised if UConn dominates women’s basketball again. OU softball, we shall see. Once competition enters the arena, it becomes difficult to maintain. It’s a bit like saying a team ERA of 4.00 is crappy. Understand the environment. And understand that we negate one advantage other programs beginning next year. Here are the DI college baseball programs with the most Men's College World Series titles: USC has won 12 Men's College World Series championships LSU is alone in second with seven after winning the title in 2023 Texas follows with six Arizona State has won five Arizona, Cal State Fullerton, Miami and tied with four Minnesota and Oregon State have each won three Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Stanford, Oklahoma, Michigan and California have each won two

I believe that first two and out was Augie. Pre SEC and ACC takeover. Pierce is pretty much what he is. I’d say he’s good but not great. He has had success though. Perhaps not quite to the desired level that we hope, but next year the field levels out a bit. The on field performance warrants another year. Don’t take that to mean I think he’s special, but truth is that Augie in game wasn’t either. It’s the behind the scenes stuff that’s more concerning or actually leads to speculation. If CDC determines, he needs to go, fine.

Sorta my point. If he’s not on equal footing with those programs, how do you compare?

What changed your mind on winning it all? Heres a big consideration. The SEC runs over everyone. Is it an advantage to be in the SEC? From a recruiting standpoint, an excitement standpoint, a benefit of the doubt standpoint? Because if that matters and I believe that it does, then it improves his chances.

Their level of competition was far different. They also were far better at getting to the CWS than winning it with Texas, only winning it what 15% of the time? I haven’t put the numbers to it, but I believe Texas is probably #3 in terms of kicking out top baseball tslent these days, which I’m not sure has always been the case. Overall, there’s far more talent in players and coaches now. You are correct that what Pierce inherited 8 years ago doesn’t matter now. There was no portal, no NIL so what he did inherit was limited and wasn’t going to turnover immediately. Appearing in 50% of CWS is an incredible standard. One that in my opinion is not likely to hold over the long term.

Hey Fletcher can you tell me which Texas coach took over the team with the lowest winning percentage from the prior staff in the previous season? Current coaches, not historically speaking.

My guess is that you’d take a regional win anyway you get it. 3-0 would be great. I don’t need style points. Just advance.

I’d say Lummus or Hamilton is fine. We’re not throwing the game. If you get into the 6th and we’re ahead or tied, maybe close, then you can play accordingly. The worst thing we can do is chase game 1 and lose it and have 3 guys burned or mostly burned.

As I’ve thought more about it, DP has the opportunity to make the ballsiest move of all time. And piss many of you off. This regional could go anywhere from 3 to 5 games for the winning team. The Aggies are better. They aren’t going to blow a top arm in game 1. Grambling lost by a combined 47-3 versus the Pigs and LSU. Both games ended after 7. We are likely better off losing game 1 than game 2. Lose game 1, and you get Grambling. They gave up 10 or more runs 21 times against the number 274th schedule. 20 runs 5 times. If we hit, and we should, then any arm we throw should be sufficient. ULaLa will have used their top 2 guys. The Aggies will have used their top guy. We need to win 4. We will likely need to beat them twice whether it’s winners bracket or losers bracket. Go Cody Howard. If he somehow comes thru, you’ve still got your top 3 starters plus Hurley. If we lose, we have a winnable game and should be able to piece together and preserve our staff. So our choice versus ULala #3 or Aggies #2. Our least likely win is versus Aggies #1. It will never happen, but if Pierce is going down, it might as well be in flames.

Don’t worry when you get older stuff like this is less memorable. Some stuff seems like yesterday but not all of it.

Interestingly enough. ULaLa lost to Houston Christian, which was probably our easiest game of the year. They also were 0-2 in their conference tourney. They did sweep Tx St though.