Almadenmike
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
C-USA Standings, after Thursday's games:
USM 14-8
UCF 13-9
Rice 13-9
Memphis 14-10
ECU 12-10
UH 12-10
Tulane 11-11
Marshall 6-16
UAB 5-16
(Correction, as OWLmanz said, UH is also 12-10. C-USA site has the Coogs at 11-10.)
(This post was last modified: 05-17-2013 12:17 AM by Almadenmike.)
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05-16-2013 09:58 PM |
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OWLmanz
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
UH is also 12-10
One possible scenario is a three-way tie between RICE / S. Miss and UCF. Even then RICE should get the nod by having won more conference series??
Even better would be for RICE to win out and UH beat S. Miss twice more!! We would lose a tie-breaker with UCF due to our series loss to them, so we need ECU to beat them at least once!!
A little TOO EXCITING coming down to the last series of the year with so many scenarios. We should have SWEPT some of the series to settle the issue earlier. GO OWLS!!
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05-16-2013 10:31 PM |
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I45owl
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Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
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05-17-2013 04:05 AM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
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05-17-2013 08:17 AM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
??? Yes, great pitch location, BUT in that situation (runners on 2B and 3B, no outs, and with two strikes on you), you simply have to protect the plate and swing at anything remotely close to the strikezone. Again, you have to change your approach at the plate when you fall behind in the count. In that situation, Michael's job was to put the ball in play-- any where.
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05-17-2013 08:19 AM |
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Antarius
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
Congrats to Zech Lemond on the school record!
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05-17-2013 08:25 AM |
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13thOwl
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 08:19 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
??? Yes, great pitch location, BUT in that situation (runners on 2B and 3B, no outs, and with two strikes on you), you simply have to protect the plate and swing at anything remotely close to the strikezone. Again, you have to change your approach at the plate when you fall behind in the count. In that situation, Michael's job was to put the ball in play-- any where.
If he played major league ball, he *might* have been able to foul that pitch off. I was standing top of the aisle with Dr, Disch and we both mentioned what a great pitch that was and that it was next to impossible to even foul that pitch off. Great, great location.
You are talking theory, sure put the ball in play. I am saying that there was no way he was going to put that actual pitch in play. In fact, I don't think he could have fouled it off either.
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05-17-2013 08:31 AM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 08:25 AM)Antarius Wrote: Congrats to Zech Lemond on the school record!
The one concern I have heading into the conference tourney and (hopefully, the) post-season is that The OG has not used Zech during the year the way he used Duffey, Cingrani, CSC and Aardsma-- all of whom were workhorses, who would routinely be called upon 3 times per week. Consequently, when we got to the post-season, they were accustommed (and had the built up arm strength) to pitch just about every game. Zech is our one lock-down arm out of the bullpen (though Blake Fox has certainly contributed big time and been a second reliable option) this year...and unlike the past two seasons when we had a luxury of 3 - 4 quality bullpen arms each year, as we go into "must win" post-season play mode, he's the only bullpen arm we have to get the critical late out (particularly if we are in a situation where we really need the strikeout; e.g., runner on 3B with less than two outs). My guess is that The OG will be calling upon Zech on a more frequent basis from here on out, and I just hope he can maintain his effectiveness with the increased workload, given he has not built up to it so far this season.
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05-17-2013 08:38 AM |
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Fort Bend Owl
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
How many pitchers can we reliably count on these days for the postseason run? Four starters for now (AK, Simms, Stephens and then either McCanna or McDowell), and then maybe 6 more in the pen (Lemond, Fox, the other Mc, and then I guess Spurlin, Rutter and Dittman)?
That's probably enough arms to get us through extended tournaments, assuming all of them are on the top of their game.
It was nice to AK's control possibly come back to him last night after a shaky start. We absolutely need him to be accurate to have any shot in the postseason. His stuff isn't the question - just his command.
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05-17-2013 08:58 AM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 08:58 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote: How many pitchers can we reliably count on these days for the postseason run? Four starters for now (AK, Simms, Stephens and then either McCanna or McDowell), and then maybe 6 more in the pen (Lemond, Fox, the other Mc, and then I guess Spurlin, Rutter and Dittman)?
That's probably enough arms to get us through extended tournaments, assuming all of them are on the top of their game.
It was nice to AK's control possibly come back to him last night after a shaky start. We absolutely need him to be accurate to have any shot in the postseason. His stuff isn't the question - just his command.
I'd argue that at this point, the only guys we can "reliably count on" are Kubitza (but only if he's throwing strikes), Simms, Stephens, Lemond and Fox. I think (hope) Ditman, Spurlin and McNair can all contribute in a limitted, situational basis, but none can be counted upon to give us more than one effective inning. Again, this doesn't mean that don't have the talent or stuff to contribute more, but based on YTD results, we certainly cannot count on it. McCanna and McDowell will be used at the #4 and #5 starters, and in long/middle relief. Both have been woefully inconsistent all year long-- great at times, and batting practice pitchers (or wild) on other occassions. With regards to Rutter, his stuff is filthy, nasty, but....unless and until he proves he can throw strikes, I just cannot see The OG going to him at this point. Let's hope he can get his mechanical issues worked out over the Summer and Fall Ball, so he can come back in 2014 and be one of our bullpen anchors. (BTW, I also have high expectations that Matt Ditman, with one full year of pitching under his belt, will be a real forth next season. His curveball is a lights out pitch if he can control it.)
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05-17-2013 09:08 AM |
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grol
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
Drove home to Wimberley, caught the last half of the game on TV. Wish they were all on TV...
Good win, Owls!
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05-17-2013 09:27 AM |
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Tomball Owl
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
Yep! That's what I was thinking. He fooled Aquino on that pitch and that's his job. That wasn't the only instance of him catching a corner in a 2 strike situation. I believe he also caught Ratterree looking as well on a pitch that looked like it had our batter fooled.
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05-17-2013 10:12 AM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 10:12 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote: (05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
Yep! That's what I was thinking. He fooled Aquino on that pitch and that's his job. That wasn't the only instance of him catching a corner in a 2 strike situation. I believe he also caught Ratterree looking as well on a pitch that looked like it had our batter fooled.
nm
(This post was last modified: 05-17-2013 10:31 AM by waltgreenberg.)
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05-17-2013 10:30 AM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 10:12 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote: (05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
Yep! That's what I was thinking. He fooled Aquino on that pitch and that's his job. That wasn't the only instance of him catching a corner in a 2 strike situation. I believe he also caught Ratterree looking as well on a pitch that looked like it had our batter fooled.
Ratterree was up in a very different situation, with 2 outs and nobody on base. In Aquino's situation (2 strikes, runners on 2B and 3B, nobody out), you simply have to change your approach at the plate so you at least "waste" such a well-located pitch. You cannot allow yourself to be totally fooled in that situation. Sorry, I just disagree with the comment that it was located such that it was almost impossible to foul off. Really-- a ball that hit the corner of the strikezone is impossible to get the bat on if that's all you're trying to do? Don't buy it. I'll agree that it was located such that it was nearly impossible to get good wood on the ball and hit hard, but that's a totally different story.
(This post was last modified: 05-17-2013 10:31 AM by waltgreenberg.)
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05-17-2013 10:30 AM |
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Antarius
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 11:31 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 09:30 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: Game Ball #3: Could have easily gone to Keenan Cook (1-2, sac fly, BB, HBP, run scored, RBI), but
Walt, seems you always announce the runner-up for Game Ball #3, thus giving a de facto Game Ball #4. Why not just give four?
There could be a runner up to game ball 4 as well. So on and so forth.
I jest.
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05-17-2013 12:43 PM |
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Tomball Owl
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 10:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (05-17-2013 10:12 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote: (05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
Yep! That's what I was thinking. He fooled Aquino on that pitch and that's his job. That wasn't the only instance of him catching a corner in a 2 strike situation. I believe he also caught Ratterree looking as well on a pitch that looked like it had our batter fooled.
Ratterree was up in a very different situation, with 2 outs and nobody on base. In Aquino's situation (2 strikes, runners on 2B and 3B, nobody out), you simply have to change your approach at the plate so you at least "waste" such a well-located pitch. You cannot allow yourself to be totally fooled in that situation. Sorry, I just disagree with the comment that it was located such that it was almost impossible to foul off. Really-- a ball that hit the corner of the strikezone is impossible to get the bat on if that's all you're trying to do? Don't buy it. I'll agree that it was located such that it was nearly impossible to get good wood on the ball and hit hard, but that's a totally different story.
And how could a pitcher allow a batter to put a bat on the ball with 2 strikes and runners in scoring position? Isn't it the pitcher's job to miss the bats while hitting the corners?
Even professionals get caught guessing wrong sometimes. And let's please remember that these are only college players, good ones, but still college players.
In Aquino's defense, he had already hit three balls hard down the 3B line earlier in the evening. He may very well have been thinking the pitcher wouldn't come inside again with the 3rd baseman in and off the line.
I'm with 13th on this one. Tip your hat to the Marshall pitcher and be happy we won the game.
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05-17-2013 01:18 PM |
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Steven Herce
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 10:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (05-17-2013 10:12 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote: (05-16-2013 11:25 PM)13thOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 08:58 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote: Aquino Ks looking on inside pitch. He was looking away
That was the definition of a pitchers pitch. You gotta tip your hat to the Herd pitcher.
Yep! That's what I was thinking. He fooled Aquino on that pitch and that's his job. That wasn't the only instance of him catching a corner in a 2 strike situation. I believe he also caught Ratterree looking as well on a pitch that looked like it had our batter fooled.
Ratterree was up in a very different situation, with 2 outs and nobody on base. In Aquino's situation (2 strikes, runners on 2B and 3B, nobody out), you simply have to change your approach at the plate so you at least "waste" such a well-located pitch. You cannot allow yourself to be totally fooled in that situation. Sorry, I just disagree with the comment that it was located such that it was almost impossible to foul off. Really-- a ball that hit the corner of the strikezone is impossible to get the bat on if that's all you're trying to do? Don't buy it. I'll agree that it was located such that it was nearly impossible to get good wood on the ball and hit hard, but that's a totally different story.
I once stood on the pitcher's mound at Pirate City in Bradenton, FL with an L-screen between me and the batters and was asked to throw full-speed, full-arsenal batting practice to a number of major league hitters including Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson and Benito Santiago. I wasn't the only one, obviously, just part of the routine of spring training. I was instructed to throw whichever pitches I wanted with the caveat that I signaled to the batter what I was throwing. In that context, with zero game pressure and with the batter knowing what was coming more than a few hitters who are likely better than Aquino and Ratteree (or at least more experienced - no offese to either) failed to make contact on some pitches (others were hit quite hard).
It really, seriously, honestly, truly, unquestionably isn't as easy as you think it is, Walt.
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05-17-2013 01:19 PM |
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OptimisticOwl
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RE: Rice vs. Marshall (Thursday Game 1)
(05-17-2013 12:43 PM)Antarius Wrote: (05-17-2013 11:31 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote: (05-16-2013 09:30 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: Game Ball #3: Could have easily gone to Keenan Cook (1-2, sac fly, BB, HBP, run scored, RBI), but
Walt, seems you always announce the runner-up for Game Ball #3, thus giving a de facto Game Ball #4. Why not just give four?
There could be a runner up to game ball 4 as well. So on and so forth.
I jest.
Yep. So, why not issue a GB to all who deserve one?
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05-17-2013 03:16 PM |
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