Shocks at New Mexico

[Slalomshocker]

Well in the 6th someone actually decided they should swing the bat...and then with bases loaded and threatening to get back in it we send Troutwine to the plate on a passed ball....he was out by 4 steps. Can't make bad decisions when you are already grasping at thin air.

[shockfan89_]

Stephenson had to go...period. It was a sinking ship. Butler doesn't appear to be the answer, but just because he sucks doesn't validate the idea to keep Stephenson. That is just ridiculous.

No, but it means Hooper could have been hired to replace him and Stephenson could have retired and we wouldn't have had to buy out his contract. Poor decision to fire him the way it happened and an even worse decision not to allow him to help choose his successor.

[Slalomshocker]

I was not on a side of the Gene argument. I don't necessarily think it was a bad thing that a new man was placed in charge. However I think the demand that it be 'outside the family' is part of the reason we are seeing what we are seeing. Hooper or Standiford should have been the head man. .500 ball would look outstanding right now, that's all i know.

[Shockers5150]

Depressing.
Another crap year, likely. But I'll go to games hoping for the best

[Cdizzle]

Depressing.
Another crap year, likely. But I'll go to games hoping for the best

We throttled up to 85 and cruised pas 'likely' about 5 days ago.

[shockfan89_]

I too will be at every game I can. I love college baseball. After last year I didn't think it could get much worse before it got better but this past week has been hard to stomach!

[SHOXAAC]

No, but it means Hooper could have been hired to replace him and Stephenson could have retired and we wouldn't have had to buy out his contract. Poor decision to fire him the way it happened and an even worse decision not to allow him to help choose his successor.

Oh, I agree with Hooper, or Standiford should have been the choice. Gene had to go...period. Some think Gene earned the right to go on forever. He was a legend in his day, no doubt. However, allowing a human being without the gene (pun intended) of realizing when it's time to go to take the program into deep dark depths is irresponsible.

[SHOCKvalue]

I saw Mean Gene picking out TP at Costco a few months ago. He asked my opinion on the house brand product. I'm guessing he was looking for a cost-effective manner in which to decorate Sexton's house on a night shortly thereafter.

The initial two sentences in the above are actually true, believe it or not. Serious as death.

[Cdizzle]

Why is it more irresponsible to let someone who built something potentially run it into the ground than to bring in someone else to do it?

Seems to me that even with lower talent from the end of his run, the fewer of Gene's players we have on the roster, the worse the record looks. I'm not big on coincidences.

[shockfan89_]

The baseball IQ may be the hardest thing to take the past few years. There are some young guys with talent, but someone has to coach them to make better decisions!

[SHOXAAC]

Why is it more irresponsible to let someone who built something potentially run it into the ground than to bring in someone else to do it?

Seems to me that even with lower talent from the end of his run, the fewer of Gene's players we have on the roster, the worse the record looks. I'm not big on coincidences.

You know where it was going with Gene...fire sale. There is the hope with a new coach to turn things around. We have lived it in basketball. We never would have gotten Gregg without some of the failures before him.

[Slalomshocker]

Did Billy Butler get signed on as the hitting coach? Lay off the first 2 fastballs in the zone and flail at the next breaking pitch. Rinse. Repeat. Shocks gave away 2 at bats that really frustrated me. The Eaton 3 pitch strikeout that was absolutely horrendous effort, and the Redding bunt where he ended up getting hurt. Down 6-0 with 2 outs...not a bunt situation. Comes back to bite them in the end, tying run came to the plate. Struck out swinging at a curve in the dirt....the 3rd consecutive curve in the at bat. From a pitcher that is known to rely on the curve....

[WstateU]

Down 4-0 today in the 3rd. I have no words, at this point.

Tall guys...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lHcEWhbQkEg

[Ashockalypse]

I couldn't agree more. Gene was, is, and always will be, WSU baseball. Those that wanted Gene gone, don't know baseball. He built Shocker baseball from nothing and should have been allowed to coach this team as long as he wanted to. Stephenson was the heart and soul of this program and the way that he was run out was unacceptable. I think this is just a bit of Karma coming back to bite us now.

It's not that they just don't know baseball, they don't know sports. Successful coaches know how to get players to have a win only mentality. Stephenson and Marshall are two such coaches. Those people aren't everywhere so you don't let your proven winner go unless you have a better replacement. I am quite sure we would trade the last two years for the two preceding. It is also not helping that the architect of our tradition is currently an outsider.

[1972Shocker]

And a perfect example was that AB by Eaton. Did. Not. Compete.

Keenan Eaton has struck out 9 times in 17 at bats. Dayton Dugas is a perfect 5 for 5.

Troutwine has struck out 15 times in 25 at bats.

Chase Rader has struck out 7 times in 15 at bats.

And the toughest portion of the schedule is still in front of us.

Not to mention that our weekend rotation sucked this weekend.

I guess it is still early but can anyone see a reason or a catalyst for things to turn around? I can't say that I do at this point.

Shocker softball may be the better entertainment value this spring.