Wheat Shockers at Rainbow Warriors

[KC Shox]

Who doesn't like their former name? Anyway, a brief outlook of our next opponent. They are currently playing Cal State Fullerton in a 4-game series and have lost the first 3. Assuming they lose again to them today, they will be 11 and 13. A win, and they are .500 when we face them.

The only common opponent is Oregon, in which they split a 4-game series with, just like us. Like Oregon, they do not hit very well but do have solid pitching. Their overall team batting average is .248 and they lack power, hitting only 7 HRs this year. They are also worse defensively than we are if you can believe it. Their team fielding average is .961 compared to us at .964.

None of their top 5 pitchers appear to be 'punchout artists' as they do not have equal to or more K's per innings pitched. This will be interesting to see if that changes given the proclivity our team has in striking out of late. In addition, none of their top 5 pitchers have double figures in walks allowed, whereas our Top 4 guys do.

This series may be a duplicate of the Oregon one. Similar in defense, pitching and hitting. Current RPI's, Hawaii 111, the Shox 70. Hawaii's best wins are Oregon (2x) and Texas once.

I truly believe the Shox can take 3 of 4 from these guys. If they play like they did against Oregon, then I will be overjoyed with a split.

Lastly, the Shocker's record over the past 18 games is 10 wins and 8 losses.

[Shocker85]

The Rainbows were indeed swept by Fullerton.

Records:
WSU 17-8
Hawaii 11-13

RPI (warrennolan.com)
WSU 67
Hawaii 113

WSU rotation will be the same as the Oregon series: Kelley, Smith, Flynn, Lowell.

Wed. through Sat. game times (all CDT) are 11:35pm, 11:35pm, 11:35pm, and 5:05pm ... a little late for this geezer on workdays. I hope I get a nice surprise with my morning coffee the rest of the week.

--'85.

Edit: Revised Saturday start time.

[tru2thaduce]

Games on.I think I will take in a few innings then hope for good news in the morning.

[WuDrWu]

COB drives in 2 with a single in the first 2-0 good guys.

[WuDrWu]

TK gives up 1 in the 2nd. 2-1 Shocks after 2.

[JaminShock]

TK pitches out of a jam in the 3rd- still 2-1 after 3. TK has 6 K's so far.

[KC Shox]

It's 2 am and I'm still sweating bullets on whether we can hold a one run lead. TK sure doesn't get much offensive help does he.

[KC Shox]

2:30 am and I can't take it anymore. Freakin walks are killing this team. WTF! Tied up going into the tenth. Freakin ridiculous we can't close this game out.

[WuDrWu]

Well that sucks.

Leading 5-2 in the bottom of the 5th, Hawaii parlays 2 infield singles, 3 walks and 2 wild pitches to cut the lead to 5-4. Talk about death by paper cut.

Shocks pretty much returned the favor, stretching the lead to 7-4 behind a bunt single, steal, wild pitch, steal and a single.

Hawaii cut it to 7-6 in the 6th, then tied it in the 9th off Cale Elam with a walk, walk, sac bunt, sac fly. That is so disgusting.

Lost it in the 12th on a walk, error (on a made to order double play ball). With 1st and 2nd second and no outs, a sacrifice fly moved the runners up, and intentional walk loaded the bases and a slow roller that the Shocks couldn't turn 2 on ended the game.

Hawaii tied it and won it without the benefit of an actual hit.

Simply can't let that happen.

[SB Shock]

You guys are hardcore.

I tried staying up but could only make it to the third inning before giving it up. Glad I didn't because I would really be in a grumpy mood this morning.

Death by papercuts seems to be the motto of this program.

[Ta town]

I seriously can't pay attention to this team any longer. I can handle listening to beat downs but all season long it's been walks and errors and I can't...rather my blood pressure can't handle that anymore.

Just going to have to look at box scores I think.

After the two super regional appearances I thought this team was back on track. It's now experienced it's worst period under Gene. The last two and a half seasons have been full of bone headed plays and limp bats.

Gene better do something quick because every program is moving forward and wants to win and another year or two of this and this program will disappear to total mediocrity.

[Shocker85]

Without any analysis, the walks seem to be piling up, however, looking back on the last two seasons doesn't show a dramatic difference (a bit higher this year, but less than 1/2 BB per game).
YEAR BB/9IP
2009 3.31
2010 3.36
2011 3.75

Even looking at individuals, particularly the starters, their historical numbers are comparable. Some a little better, some a little worse. What seems to be really hurting is BB at critical times in games, often followed by mis-plays/errors. K/BB is down some just below the desired 2:1 ratio. Jordan Cooper was a beast in that category (91/20).

Side note: team hits/9IP is significantly lower this year:
YEAR H/9IP
2009 9.1
2010 9.7
2011 7.2

This teams inability to score runs in bunches is its real downfall. The hitters in the middle of the order aren't hitting the ball for extra bases. Most SLG% are WAAAAY below last year's performances. Blame the bats or blame something else. This team's hitting so far is in the realm of the 2009 team - not good by any measure. I just don't think the guys are aggressive enough at the plate and I think the scouting report on the Shox says in bold print at the top "Throw the first pitch for a strike, they won't swing". The hitters are constantly behind in the count (especially the middle of the order), and strike out FAR TOO MUCH.

One thing that is obvious, this team needs to score first:

Record when trailing after: 
Innning  1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8  
W-L     1-3  3-4  3-4  2-4  1-5  1-6  1-7  1-6

Hall, Coy, Springer, and O'Brien need to step it up, it's their jobs. The infield defense is HORRENDOUS. I was pretty optimistic early, but my optimism is fading. The Oregon series was a debacle. Poor defense, ZERO clutch hitting, and crucial pitching mistakes made the Shox look like dopes at times. All four games should have been wins - Oregon is not that good.

--'85.

[1972Shocker]

I agree that this was another game where the Shockers totally gave the game away with poor play and perhaps a lack of mental toughness and discipline.

Makes you wonder if the program has simply become spoiled and feeling entitled.

I don't think anyone mentioned Walker Davidson getting kicked out of the game in the top of the 6th. Josh Halbert replaced Walker in the bottom of the inning. With one out a little bloop just made it over Josh's head. The way Shane described it Josh took a bad approach or got a bad jump and perhaps implied Walker normally would get to that ball. The runner was one of two to score in the sixth with 2-out. And then, of course, the big error on Josh on the DP ball in the 12th. Thank you, Walker.

Not sure I would include Chris O'Brien in the group that needs to step it up though. Seems like he is one of the few guys who is carrying his share of the load.

Power numbers are going to be down this year, but doesn't seem like we are even squaring that many balls up overall.

At this point we seem to be on a similar path to last year. A pretty average college baseball team.

[jdmee]

2:30 am and I can't take it anymore. Freakin walks are killing this team. ####! Tied up going into the tenth. Freakin ridiculous we can't close this game out.

KC we have all questioned your fandom. We have all given you a hard time for your "negative" attitude toward the Shocks. But this should put all questions to rest. How many "real" Shocker "fans" were up at 2:30 in the morning listening to our beloved Shocks?

:yahoo:

[SubGod22]