If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
For all of the negativity associated with this season, and after having to have their backs against the wall since the opening day loss, the boys some how have got it to a winner-take-all game for an NCAA Regional, something that this program has been sorely missing for almost 4 years.
Illinois State drilled us on our home field in 2011 to get the berth. Time for PAYBACK.
Deuces Valley.
... No really, deuces.
________________
"Enjoy the ride."
Possible that Mr. Mucha gets MVP of the tournament? The guy is playing out of his mind this weekend.
Let me say that it is very exciting to see this much excitement about Shocker baseball the past couple of days. Not because I have been doling out loads of support all season like a few of you (I haven't), but because it feels good to have the positivity surrounding a program that hasn't performed up to our (or their own) expectations the past few years. No one enjoys losing and we've found a way to get it done...
The wild pitch proved that having Dearman bunt was the right strategy. Had the runners remained at 1st and 2nd the middle infielders would have been pinched up the middle at double play depth and Bayliff's single may not have got through. It wasn't the strategy that way bad but the execution.
Possible, 1972, although Green's ball up the middle managed to sneak through.
My point was to scoff at those who figure that all you have to do as a coach / manager is to push the standard buttons, like get a couple of guys on and sacrifice regardless of whether it makes sense given the hitter-pitcher matchup. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't -- and, on the other hand, sometimes when you do what seems to make sense (and by the way, I agree that it made sense for Dearman to bunt, ideally for a hit), it doesn't work as you'd hope, but it doesn't matter anyway. Baseball requires some thinking rather than just armchair button-pushing followed by second-guessing when things don't go the way one would like, and it also requires some luck now and then.
Regardless, a great win for the Shocks today. One more to go and both Brummett and Gardner may get another chance this year. Elam needs to find his command and step up tomorrow, because IlSt will have an outstanding pitcher ready to go, and Brandon Peterson may not have much gas left in his tank.
There is nothing standard about bunting for a base hit in that situation. The by the book play would have been a straight sacrifice. Bunting for a hit makes it a little more difficult to make sure the bunt is properly placed. Fortunately for the Shocks the INS pitcher took care of that failure to execute and the Shockers were able to cash in when given the opportunity.
Comment