WSU vs Long Beach State

[1972Shocker]

That was one of the least exciting series wins over a name team I can remember. Just ugly baseball by one or the other team most of the weekend. Glad the Shox played only 1 game of ugly. Both squads must be feeling like a sweep was right there if they play even remotely cleanly all weekend. College baseball is like that though. To be Top 25 you have to be good and not screw up very much. To be a winning team contending for a league title and post-season berth you mostly just have to not screw up very much.

Getting this done with a group of neve have beens (the Shocks return no one who received All-Conference recognition last year). juco transfers and and freshman with collective D-1 experience that you need a fine tooth comb to find against a pretty decent schedule make this start to the season a very positive one from my perspective.

Last year the Shocks had the AAC Player of the Year (Brock Rodden), the Newcomer Pitcher of the Year (Grant Adler), three other AAC All-Conference 1st teamers (Clark Candiotti, Chuck Ingram, and Payton Tolle), two 2nd team All Conference selections (Jace Miner, Kyte McDonald), plus two players on the All-Freshman team (Jack Little and Nate Snead). Only Brock Rodden completed his eligibility. Put that in your pipe and smoke it and little wonder Shocker fans were very apprehensive coming into the season.

The question now is can the Shocks not only sustain their current level of play but continue to grow and develop. But this group of coaches and players have certainly answered the opening bell about as well as could be expected.

[1972Shocker]

[WstateU]

HCBG really speaks well... very refreshing.