WSU @ Jax College Baseball Classic

[Cdizzle]

Hard to 2nd guess the pitching decisions. Suspect we have 1 real reliever and he was spent by the rain delay. After that none of us and probably none of the coaching staff have a great idea what they have at this point.

It's worth remembering the other team is trying too. And probably a team with a Top5 offense. That got help from 3 errors and an absolute horseshit balk call.

I agree without the rain delay I think we walk away with that one. At some point moral victories have to turn into actual victories, but I'm not sure that time is 4 games into a regime change. Would be fun though.

[Kung Wu]

Hard to 2nd guess the pitching decisions. Suspect we have 1 real reliever and he was spent by the rain delay. After that none of us and probably none of the coaching staff have a great idea what they have at this point.

It's worth remembering the other team is trying too. And probably a team with a Top5 offense. That got help from 3 errors and an absolute horseshit balk call.

I agree without the rain delay I think we walk away with that one. At some point moral victories have to turn into actual victories, but I'm not sure that time is 4 games into a regime change. Would be fun though.

For 8.5 innings it was an actual victory.


ARG ARG ARG ARG

[wushark]

jeez

[Stickboy46]

Just saw the video of the error in the 8th .. woof .. should have been a routine play that was rushed.

[Shockm]

Maybe you can be our SS

Ironic that the Parker kid resides from the state of Virginia. I don’t know if he had too much of a stake in winning this game (the stage might have been too big for this time, and he wasn’t ready). Were there kids he grew up with on Va. ?

His bio bio states that he is a nationally ranked defensive SS so the plays should have been routine.

https://goshockers.com/sports/baseba...arker-jr-/7595

[WuDrWu]

Ok, I'm going to try and not beat a dead horse here. It's one game, and it's baseball. I'm guessing due to the unique access that not many were able to watch the game. I watched until the late rain delay, so I missed bottom 8 to finish on tv. Only caught on the radio.


Not exactly sure what to take away from this...for 7+ if you didn't know, I think you would have to assume we were the ranked team. We belong, we act like we belong and for the most part, we played like it.

In the 1st, catcher's interference, HBP, K, HBP and they're loaded for Seth. He hits a ground ball kind of in the wrong spot, almost anywhere but right where it's hit and it's a FC at worst (for us) and we're on the board with 1st and 3rd still. However, Virginia turned it but Seth is called safe at 1st. Full stop. The video feed was average at best. But the 1B ump when making the call DEMONSTRATIVELY waved both arms to his side, indicating the first baseman was off the bag. Even with the poor quality, it's crystal clear he's off the bag. Now, the question becomes does he reestablish his foot on the bag before Seth gets there. I don't know what views they had that we didn't, but there's absolutely no effing way that call gets reversed. Does he retap his foot near the bag? Yes. Does he in fact touch the bag? There's NO way it's definitive. But they reverse the call, no run scored, inning over. I'm unhappy, to say the least. Also, not a great AB for Seth, given the circumstances. That happens. Overturning the call should not have happened.

Caden was dealing. Looked great but the first batter hits one to DPJ who cuts it off beautifully then absolutely throws the ball into the ground, not even close to the 1st baseman. I mean 30 feet bounced it and he threw from at 2nd....it was awful and unfortunately, a sign of things to come. Still, no damage there.

In the 2nd Gus goes the other way, and he scores on a single and we lead. Nothing cheap about it. Then, helped by a bit of a baserunning mistake but a really good defensive throw that turns a double play, Caden has a shut down 2nd.

Virginia ties it in the 4th and DPJ promptly unties it in the 5th with a bomb. We thought it was a double in the corner but he got it elevated more than it appeared off the bat and it sailed out of the stadium very quickly. Camden blisters one into the gap and their starter is done. Jordo hits one that looked like would find left field, but they made a good play and frankly, almost doubled up Camden going to third on a 5-3-5 play. He wasn't out, but it was probably a baserunning mistake. Callahan singles him home and we're up 3-1 and in control.

Caden gives up a 2 out double but 2Ks and it's another shutdown inning after we score. 3-1.

Gus gets a 1 out double in the 6th, DPJ does not have a good at bat with 1 out and Jaden is stranded.

Things started to unravel a bit in the 6th (started in the 1st). Caden gets the first out K, then induces a ROUTINE ground ball to short, and DPJ spikes it again. And again, we aren't talking about either a difficult play (expect to make that play 100 out of 100 times) or one that ended up close. Was it Chuck Knoblauch that lost the ability to throw the ball to 1st? It wasn't quite that bad, but it wasn't far off either. To be honest, I was STUNNED we didn't replace him right then. I understand there's a lot at play, he's talented, young, you don't want to destroy him, but he was not in his right mind and it was clear. I was dead certain that he would be replaced in the next inning (not wanting to take him out in the middle of the inning). Now, it looks like we'll be ok because Caden has his A game, gets a K for out 2. Then they call a balk that frankly I didn't see and (reading the room) I don't think Shane saw it and maybe Denning didn't either but I get the feeling they didn't like the call (just me listening to them) but it was a bs call. Runner goes to 2nd and of course, promptly scores on a single that we kick a bit and blow any chance to throw out the runner. 3-2. Caden gets his 3rd K of the inning and we're on to the 7th.

We go quickly in the top of the 7th and to everyone's surprise, Caden is out to work the 7th sitting on 100 pitches or so. He gives up a lead off single but immediately is erased on a DP that we manage to turn this time, thank God, as we've made no defensive changes. Grrrr An HBP ends Caden's day, Caleb arrives and gets the out we need. We're set to win with Anderson looking good.

Mo singles and Seth moves him over with another single. Only a Randy Young gets to 3rd on that so no biggie and I'm fine with not pinch running for Mo there. He's too good behind the plate defensively in this situation to PR for....however, I'M NOT OK not bunting them over. 1 run there IS GYNORMOUS. DWill Ks where he absolutely has to get the guys over, Gus hits into a FC and DPJ, who inexplicably is still in the game, strikes out badly to end the threat.

The sky opens and the game is delayed. The cynic in me says if the score is 3-2 Virginia, the game is called. It is not. I have to leave and will listen only when it restarts.

Unfortunately for us, the delay wastes Caleb. Talented FR Dobbs in to pitch to one batter, gets the job done. Adler, gives up a single, then a k. 2 out runner at 1st. Another single and it's 1st and 3rd but still 2 outs. Another routine grounder to short and it's error #3 and the game is tied. NO IDEA why a defensive change wasn't made. The young man is uber talented and I believe he's going to be great, but right now he's fielding .625 and they aren't tough calls. Adler hits a guy to load them, clearly rattled at the error, but then gets a ground ball to get out of it.

2 walks but sandwiched by 3Ks and we're trying to extend the game now. A single and a sac bunt and the winning run is on 2nd with 1 out and Adler is done. HH is on. He gets a K, they IW Godbout to get the matchup they want and HH gets a fly ball to get out of it...on to the 10th.

Seth Ks then DWill obliterates one and we go to the bottom of the 10th to win it. 4-3

Now we make the defensive move (2 errors too late imho). Our IF is juco, FR, FR, juco. I'm surprised HH is out there. Certainly he's not overtaxed yet, but still....(I know, hindsight is 20-20). Walk. Now I'm sure he's coming out. Nope. We get their AA to flyout. Ok, 1 down. Let's do this. Single. Crap. 1st and 3rd. Double play ends it. HH is clearly rattled. Hits the next guy. OK HH IS CLEARLY RATTLED GET HIM OUT OF THERE. Ball 1 not close. Ball 2 not close. Mo goes to the mound. Grooves a FB and it's game over.

We belonged with these guys, a team that's been to Omaha 2 of the last 3 years. We're not there yet and we have a lot of maturing to do. And I HOPE we learn from this game.....all of us. We should be 4-0.

Auburn scored 1 in the 6th, 3 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to beat Iowa 7-5. Both teams walked 6 and K'd 12. Auburn got a run courtesy of back to back walks in the 3rd, then a run in the 6th thanks to a walk and an error. Homer, walk, homer nets them 3 in the 7th, then in the 8th homer, single, walk, sac, sac gets them an insurance run. DO NOT GIVE THEM FREE RUNS TOMORROW. They're 4 and 0 now. Hosted last 2 seasons. Go Shox.

[WuDrWu]

Hard to 2nd guess the pitching decisions. Suspect we have 1 real reliever and he was spent by the rain delay. After that none of us and probably none of the coaching staff have a great idea what they have at this point.

It's worth remembering the other team is trying too. And probably a team with a Top5 offense. That got help from 3 errors and an absolute horseshit balk call.

I agree without the rain delay I think we walk away with that one. At some point moral victories have to turn into actual victories, but I'm not sure that time is 4 games into a regime change. Would be fun though.

Excellent points. So far at least, our pitching is light years beyond where I thought we'd be.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

IF we are the team we showed against Virginia, I feel bad for Auburn.

Today we not only continue to get to show where we are talent wise, but we get a mental test as well. Are we still thinking about the one that got away, or are we focused on winning the next two.

[WuDrWu]

https://twitter.com/JaxCBC/status/1761238339493990462

Good stuff from 'Skip.

[Kung Wu]

Aww they said first pitch at 12 on the radio.

[WuDrWu]

Aww they said first pitch at 12 on the radio.

Sorry, meant to post that. Game moved back one hour because everything was so late last night.

[Kung Wu]

Sorry, meant to post that. Game moved back one hour because everything was so late last night.

Whaaatever. In what quatrain did you devine that information Nostradamus???

[ShockerFever]

Good start. Setting the tone right out of the gate.

[WuDrWu]

Man, Tommy is struggling with the zone in his first 2 starts. Definitely hosed on the 2 strike call before giving up the double then lost Irish when full and not close.

He's not going to be around long falling behind every batter, especially these guys.


After a visit gets a strike, and then 2-2. Get one out here and maybe will be ok. JUST freaking missed and it's full. Damn his zone is tight.....loses him and it's loaded with no out. Boy, Tommy making it tough on himself.

Big guy sat dead read and you just KNEW that was coming. Sat there, and destroyed it. And I mean DESTROYED it.

Just have to settle down and pitch now Tommy.

Going to have to get someone up. Tommy missing his spots and hard and straight won't fool these guys especially after seeing Iowa's ace who was 100+ last night.

After getting a strike, I thought the guy offered at ball one but it's not called. Then Tommy throws it into the bullpen and it's runner on 3rd now still nobody out. Balk. 5-0.

Can't imagine things getting a lost worse....but it's early. Also, probably going to have to see Tommy out of the pen for a bit going forward until he gets things figured out. Finally an out. Let's get out of the inning and get to work.

Tommy throws 3 good FBs for out 2. Good job Tommy. Now finish the inning.

Misses first pitch on one really really close. I hope they have the same zone. Base hit. Runner on 1st and 2 outs and the Tigers turnover the card, batting around in the 1st inning. Tommy needs to get this guy right now. Flyout and mercifully the inning is over.

Be patient guys, long day and the zone is small.

[ShockerFever]

Alright. Let’s try to salvage it on Sunday.