WSU vs. Arkansas, REGIONAL Game Thread 2 PM CST on ESPN3

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

NICE!!!

[MadaboutWu]

That's a nice way to break up a no-hitter!

[GoShockers89]

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[GoShockers89]

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[AndShock]

That is embarrassing.

[GoShockers89]

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[Shoxfan11]

Wow! What a way to get out of the inning!

[GoShockers89]

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[WSUwatcher]

The answer was - bunt and get nothing. I hate, hate, hate using bunts to do anything but get one run late in a close game or bunt for hit to catch the defense off-guard.

+ many, Royal. I like giving away free outs as much as you do. Hope you don't get attacked by all the Gene-bashing second guessers who love the sacrifice because they assume that when executed it always leads to a positive result.

Really, of course, the problem is that Gene forgot to tell Harbutz to put the ball in play. You'd think that after all these years of coaching, especially with a guy who has struggled in that situation all season even though he's finally heated up lately, Gene would know better. Coach him up, #10! Or let's get Hooper in here -- he'd know what to tell Harbutz in that spot. Yeah, that's it: get Hooper in here!

[GoShockers89]

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[SB Shock]

The answer was - bunt and get nothing. I hate, hate, hate using bunts to do anything but get one run late in a close game or bunt for hit to catch the defense off-guard.

It is amazing the number of people who thing bunting is an effective strategy. There is plenty of analysis of baseball stats that show that bunting actually decrease your chances of winning a game. Bunting is only warranted late in the game when you only need 1 run - and is dependent on the hitter (e.g. you don't bunt with your best hitter coming up).

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

yeah bunting is about as awesome as a poopy flavored lollipop.
Christ when did Gene turn into Trey Hillman

[GoShockers89]

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[Shoxfan11]

What an inning by Ladwig.

[AndShock]

Ladwig is in the zone.


I have no problem with bunting in that situation earlier. Obviously it didn't work out and ended up being the worst decision possible, but I think you can at least make an argument either way.