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Final series of the season. Weather may be dicey. Senior night FRIDAY before the 6pm start. Lots of student athletes to recognize. Would be really nice to have a good crowd. I'm sure these kids would like to experience what ShockerNation can be after a year of Covid.
No way to sugar coat our opponent. The Tigers are not good. Outside of super sophomore Hunter *******, Memphis is not good and they have almost no pitching. Their team ERA is a balloonish 6.73 and they have nobody that could remotely be considered an ace. A couple of short term guys, Takoda Metoxen (16 appearances 21.1 innings, 3.38 ERA .247 BA) and Walker Brockhouse (16 appearances 30.0 innings 4.40 ERA .198 BA & 9 wild pitches) are the only 2 pitchers with an ERA under 5.00.
They do strikeout a good number (380 in 50 games compared to 356 in 47 for the Shocks ) but they walk a ton (233 vs 155).
Not surprisingly they don't field it all that well either. .969 on the year (Shocks are a solid .977). Their opponents, interestingly enough, field it worse at .958 which I attribute to an overall relaxing because the opponents expect to win and aren't as sharp (Conference only opponents field a horrid .955)
Other hitters that can cause problems are Alec Trela (swings for the fences with a .220 average, 8 doubles and 9 home runs and 71 strikeouts!). Ian Bibiloni .259 9 double 2 HR and 24 RBI is probably their 2nd best hitter.
Carson Stinnett got the ball first last week against Houston and gave the Tigers 8 strong innings only giving up 2 earned. I assume we'll also see Blake Wimberley (6.71 ERA .311 BA) and Chris Durham (6.37 & .326) start.
A quick comparison to underscore how under-appreciated Ross Cadena has been this year:
Covid sophomore Hunter ******* for Memphis was the 2021 Preseason AAC POY. He was everything for Memphis as a freshman in 2019. On everyone's AA team. Led the team in everything and did everything.
He's having a very good year, especially considering he's getting no help and everyone can pitch around him.
.309 BA (1.059 OPS, next highest is .698) 33 runs, 55 hits, 17 home runs, 42 RBI all lead the team. 9-9 stealing a base. Fields .978 and has thrown out 20 of 50 attempted base stealers. Has 8 passed balls. Wears a chart on his arm.
Ross Cadena
.286 BA (.759 OPS) 36 runs, 46 hits, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs & 24 RBIs. 8 HBP and only has struck out 23 times. 1-1 stealing a base. Fields .994 and has thrown out 14 of 38 ASB. Has TWO passed balls. TWO. Calls his own game.
Ross has been spectacular this season. Sure he doesn't hit for the power of a *******, but defensively he's been a stalwart.
Shocks will likely stay with Jace, Liam, Preston and Stroh. Stay focused and build momentum for Florida where we need to win to keep playing.
WSU will benefit greatly from getting Garrett Kocis back to full status. If he returns to the .340 10 HR guy he was before he got hurt, the Shocks could be dangerous in Florida.
Let's go Shocks!
No way to sugar coat our opponent. The Tigers are not good. Outside of super sophomore Hunter *******, Memphis is not good and they have almost no pitching. Their team ERA is a balloonish 6.73 and they have nobody that could remotely be considered an ace. A couple of short term guys, Takoda Metoxen (16 appearances 21.1 innings, 3.38 ERA .247 BA) and Walker Brockhouse (16 appearances 30.0 innings 4.40 ERA .198 BA & 9 wild pitches) are the only 2 pitchers with an ERA under 5.00.
They do strikeout a good number (380 in 50 games compared to 356 in 47 for the Shocks ) but they walk a ton (233 vs 155).
Not surprisingly they don't field it all that well either. .969 on the year (Shocks are a solid .977). Their opponents, interestingly enough, field it worse at .958 which I attribute to an overall relaxing because the opponents expect to win and aren't as sharp (Conference only opponents field a horrid .955)
Other hitters that can cause problems are Alec Trela (swings for the fences with a .220 average, 8 doubles and 9 home runs and 71 strikeouts!). Ian Bibiloni .259 9 double 2 HR and 24 RBI is probably their 2nd best hitter.
Carson Stinnett got the ball first last week against Houston and gave the Tigers 8 strong innings only giving up 2 earned. I assume we'll also see Blake Wimberley (6.71 ERA .311 BA) and Chris Durham (6.37 & .326) start.
A quick comparison to underscore how under-appreciated Ross Cadena has been this year:
Covid sophomore Hunter ******* for Memphis was the 2021 Preseason AAC POY. He was everything for Memphis as a freshman in 2019. On everyone's AA team. Led the team in everything and did everything.
He's having a very good year, especially considering he's getting no help and everyone can pitch around him.
.309 BA (1.059 OPS, next highest is .698) 33 runs, 55 hits, 17 home runs, 42 RBI all lead the team. 9-9 stealing a base. Fields .978 and has thrown out 20 of 50 attempted base stealers. Has 8 passed balls. Wears a chart on his arm.
Ross Cadena
.286 BA (.759 OPS) 36 runs, 46 hits, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs & 24 RBIs. 8 HBP and only has struck out 23 times. 1-1 stealing a base. Fields .994 and has thrown out 14 of 38 ASB. Has TWO passed balls. TWO. Calls his own game.
Ross has been spectacular this season. Sure he doesn't hit for the power of a *******, but defensively he's been a stalwart.
Shocks will likely stay with Jace, Liam, Preston and Stroh. Stay focused and build momentum for Florida where we need to win to keep playing.
WSU will benefit greatly from getting Garrett Kocis back to full status. If he returns to the .340 10 HR guy he was before he got hurt, the Shocks could be dangerous in Florida.
Let's go Shocks!
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