(05-13-2014 09:53 PM)pueo99 Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 09:47 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  6 extrabase hits (including a HR and triple) and just 3 runs. The story of the season. Incredibly inefficient offense that is prone to striking out with a runner on 3B with less than two outs when putting the ball in play-- anywhere-- will usually bring the run home.

so jump off the bandwagon...you can get back on later.

Come on already. YOU know darn well I'm not jumping off the bandwagen, and never have. Just extremely frustrated at the way we've beaten ourselves and given away games repeatedly against the better teams we've played this year. Losing "cleanly" one can accept much more easily, but when we lose we are typically beating ourselves....and if we hope to advance deep into the post-season this pattern simply has to stop.

Great atmosphere for the game . I'm glad the weather held up. UH was due to out play Rice 1 year out of 15. Wish you guys the best the rest of the way . I hope the next time the teams meet is in Omaha. I hope this puts the cherry on the Coogs resume for hosting. Our 3B Connor Hollis played out of his mind tonight.

Joseph Duarte ‏@Chronicle_Owls
Rice coach Wayne Graham on season sweep to Houston: “For whatever reason we played our worst baseball this season against Houston."

(05-14-2014 12:12 AM)grol Wrote:  Joseph Duarte ‏@Chronicle_Owls
Rice coach Wayne Graham on season sweep to Houston: “For whatever reason we played our worst baseball this season against Houston."

Not just against UH but most of the marquee games as well. In those games that are attended by national baseball media or closely watched by them we have played our poorest ball, losing 2/3 at Minute Maid (following last year's 0/3) to UT and Tech (yuk), bad home loss to UT (UT isn't the UT of old but it still garners national attention), three badly played games against UH, and a loss to A&M. No wonder that in spite of our top ten RPI we have found ourselves consistently in the 10-20 range in the polls where perception plays a big part. I don't think we would have gotten a national seed this year unless we had won out and there had been some bad stumbling by other teams...just don't have that "national seed" look to the writers and selection committee.

Lets hope for a good draw as a Regional selection and pairing with a national seed. I still would prefer not to go to LaLa.

(05-13-2014 10:04 PM)Mademen Wrote:  Great atmosphere for the game . I'm glad the weather held up. UH was due to out play Rice 1 year out of 15. Wish you guys the best the rest of the way . I hope the next time the teams meet is in Omaha. I hope this puts the cherry on the Coogs resume for hosting. Our 3B Connor Hollis played out of his mind tonight.

Congrats to the Coogs. Apparently the "Cooging It UP" monster found the wrong dugout this year.

(05-13-2014 09:56 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 09:53 PM)pueo99 Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 09:47 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  6 extrabase hits (including a HR and triple) and just 3 runs. The story of the season. Incredibly inefficient offense that is prone to striking out with a runner on 3B with less than two outs when putting the ball in play-- anywhere-- will usually bring the run home.

so jump off the bandwagon...you can get back on later.

Come on already. YOU know darn well I'm not jumping off the bandwagen, and never have. Just extremely frustrated at the way we've beaten ourselves and given away games repeatedly against the better teams we've played this year. Losing "cleanly" one can accept much more easily, but when we lose we are typically beating ourselves....and if we hope to advance deep into the post-season this pattern simply has to stop.

Quite frankly, given the inconsistent play, I would not anticipate an advance deep into the post-season. The team has played inconsistently all year and I would not expect it to change now. But it is baseball, and anything can happen, however improbable.

(05-14-2014 10:19 AM)Ranger Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 09:56 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 09:53 PM)pueo99 Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 09:47 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  6 extrabase hits (including a HR and triple) and just 3 runs. The story of the season. Incredibly inefficient offense that is prone to striking out with a runner on 3B with less than two outs when putting the ball in play-- anywhere-- will usually bring the run home.

so jump off the bandwagon...you can get back on later.

Come on already. YOU know darn well I'm not jumping off the bandwagen, and never have. Just extremely frustrated at the way we've beaten ourselves and given away games repeatedly against the better teams we've played this year. Losing "cleanly" one can accept much more easily, but when we lose we are typically beating ourselves....and if we hope to advance deep into the post-season this pattern simply has to stop.

Quite frankly, given the inconsistent play, I would not anticipate an advance deep into the post-season. The team has played inconsistently all year and I would not expect it to change now. But it is baseball, and anything can happen, however improbable.

Well, we've won 2 out of every 3 for the year and a bit better than that (72% if I'm doing my math right) on the weekends when we've used our best pitchers. The performance has varied from game-to-game, but it is sport. It happens. And we are still winning at a pretty high clip.

It is unfortunate that we couldn't have picked off some more of these marquee mid-week games. It is the difference between us being a national seed and a regional host right now. We've played poorly defensively in those games and the injuries to Stephens and Lemond have affected our pitching depth.

If Lemond can come back and help in the bullpen, I think this team can get to Omaha.

Seeing as how the Astros have been using the "tandem starter" piggyback system in the minor leagues to some level of success, it had me thinking about the postseason this year when (if) Lemond comes back.

It seems to me like we have 3 capable starters (or you can argue 2 and then 2 inconsistent ones...Duplantier and McDowell) and 3 capable relievers who all can pitch more than 3-4 innings. Having 3 horses out of the bullpen really gives us some options.

While I doubt we would have a set pairing system in place, it is fun to think about. Pairing them, the starter needs to go 6 and the reliever 3 (or even 5 and 4) and we are home free. Say we pair McCanna & Ditman, Fox & Lemond, and Duplantier/McDowell and Teykl (obviously all interchangeable). Having three capable bullpen guys who can all step in after the starter is done really gives us options.

If Lemond is back, we are not going to run out of pitchers. Say McCanna goes 5 and Ditman goes 4 in Game 1. You would think our bullpen would be shot after burning Ditman and Fox and Starter No. 3 would have to carry us. But with 2 more guys who can go multiple innings, we really have a bevy of options. Then if a starter does go deep into a game, we have a more rested bullpen ready to give em hell.

I don't know if we have ever had anything like the bullpen options we will have this year. I like our odds to beat just about anyone in a Regional and Super Regional setting if those guys are on their games.

(05-14-2014 10:19 AM)Ranger Wrote:  But it is baseball, and anything can happen, and often times does.

FIFY

(05-14-2014 11:57 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Seeing as how the Astros have been using the "tandem starter" piggyback system in the minor leagues to some level of success, it had me thinking about the postseason this year when (if) Lemond comes back.

It seems to me like we have 3 capable starters (or you can argue 2 and then 2 inconsistent ones...Duplantier and McDowell) and 3 capable relievers who all can pitch more than 3-4 innings. Having 3 horses out of the bullpen really gives us some options.

While I doubt we would have a set pairing system in place, it is fun to think about. Pairing them, the starter needs to go 6 and the reliever 3 (or even 5 and 4) and we are home free. Say we pair McCanna & Ditman, Fox & Lemond, and Duplantier/McDowell and Teykl (obviously all interchangeable). Having three capable bullpen guys who can all step in after the starter is done really gives us options.

If Lemond is back, we are not going to run out of pitchers. Say McCanna goes 5 and Ditman goes 4 in Game 1. You would think our bullpen would be shot after burning Ditman and Fox and Starter No. 3 would have to carry us. But with 2 more guys who can go multiple innings, we really have a bevy of options. Then if a starter does go deep into a game, we have a more rested bullpen ready to give em hell.

I don't know if we have ever had anything like the bullpen options we will have this year. I like our odds to beat just about anyone in a Regional and Super Regional setting if those guys are on their games.

Three years ago we had the four horsemen in the bullpen: Wall, Simms, Duffy and Cingrani...and the year before that you had Gonzales as the fourth reliever and "swing" starter. Two years ago we had Simms, Duffy, Chargois and Lemond.

We simply do not have the depth this year, what with Rutter's injury, and Smith, McCarthy and Orewiler being inconsistent at best since the first month of the season. Thank heaven (and credit to Trevor Teykl and the coaching staff) Teykl found his form an confidence after an inconsistent first several outings, and blossomed into a legitimate stopper. IMO, if Lemond does come back with his old form, Ditman moves into the #3 or #4 starter role for the post-season. McDowell is too hittable (especially against post-season caliber teams), and Duplantier is prone to a sudden loss of control at some point during the game resulting in a walkathon. We just need to hope our three starters can each give us 6 - 7 quality innings per outing. Duplantier moves to the #4 starter role for the regionals (and Omaha, if necessary)....and we need to pray we stay in the winners bracket in both the CUSA tourney and regional round.

(05-14-2014 10:11 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(05-14-2014 12:12 AM)grol Wrote:  Joseph Duarte ‏@Chronicle_Owls
Rice coach Wayne Graham on season sweep to Houston: “For whatever reason we played our worst baseball this season against Houston."

Not just against UH but most of the marquee games as well. In those games that are attended by national baseball media or closely watched by them we have played our poorest ball, losing 2/3 at Minute Maid (following last year's 0/3) to UT and Tech (yuk), bad home loss to UT (UT isn't the UT of old but it still garners national attention), three badly played games against UH, and a loss to A&M. No wonder that in spite of our top ten RPI we have found ourselves consistently in the 10-20 range in the polls where perception plays a big part. I don't think we would have gotten a national seed this year unless we had won out and there had been some bad stumbling by other teams...just don't have that "national seed" look to the writers and selection committee.

Lets hope for a good draw as a Regional selection and pairing with a national seed. I still would prefer not to go to LaLa.

Hello, my name is 13th and I am a College Baseball addict. I watch waaaaay too much college baseball on TV or in person. One of the reoccurring themes that the experienced coaches echo time and time again is that the team(s) that the think are certain to reach Omaha rarely do, but the team(s) they really doubt will make it are the team(s) that end up in Omaha.

This team is a very interesting team to me. It has warts. Graham has done a great job hiding or mitigating the showing of those warts to the extent that the team is considered pretty good looking. This team has more ways to win a regional or a super regional, in my opinion, than many previous year's teams. One guy on offense can turn things around in a hurry. Likewise, there are several pitchers with the potential to shut anyone down. I am not looking for the return of any additional players. Will they get to Omaha? I don't know, but I will be watching and rooting for them. I don't think you will out talent any of the other 63 teams, but you have the potential to be greater than the sum of the individual parts. Good luck and enjoy!

Are there any donuts and coffee? On TV there is always donuts and coffee at these meetings...

(05-13-2014 10:04 PM)Mademen Wrote:  Great atmosphere for the game . I'm glad the weather held up. UH was due to out play Rice 1 year out of 15. Wish you guys the best the rest of the way . I hope the next time the teams meet is in Omaha. I hope this puts the cherry on the Coogs resume for hosting. Our 3B Connor Hollis played out of his mind tonight.

Coogs kicked ass. Congrats. Rice will return the Glove of Love to its rightful place in Reckling next year.

(05-14-2014 01:34 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-14-2014 11:57 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Seeing as how the Astros have been using the "tandem starter" piggyback system in the minor leagues to some level of success, it had me thinking about the postseason this year when (if) Lemond comes back.

It seems to me like we have 3 capable starters (or you can argue 2 and then 2 inconsistent ones...Duplantier and McDowell) and 3 capable relievers who all can pitch more than 3-4 innings. Having 3 horses out of the bullpen really gives us some options.

While I doubt we would have a set pairing system in place, it is fun to think about. Pairing them, the starter needs to go 6 and the reliever 3 (or even 5 and 4) and we are home free. Say we pair McCanna & Ditman, Fox & Lemond, and Duplantier/McDowell and Teykl (obviously all interchangeable). Having three capable bullpen guys who can all step in after the starter is done really gives us options.

If Lemond is back, we are not going to run out of pitchers. Say McCanna goes 5 and Ditman goes 4 in Game 1. You would think our bullpen would be shot after burning Ditman and Fox and Starter No. 3 would have to carry us. But with 2 more guys who can go multiple innings, we really have a bevy of options. Then if a starter does go deep into a game, we have a more rested bullpen ready to give em hell.

I don't know if we have ever had anything like the bullpen options we will have this year. I like our odds to beat just about anyone in a Regional and Super Regional setting if those guys are on their games.

Three years ago we had the four horsemen in the bullpen: Wall, Simms, Duffy and Cingrani...and the year before that you had Gonzales as the fourth reliever and "swing" starter. Two years ago we had Simms, Duffy, Chargois and Lemond.

We simply do not have the depth this year, what with Rutter's injury, and Smith, McCarthy and Orewiler being inconsistent at best since the first month of the season. Thank heaven (and credit to Trevor Teykl and the coaching staff) Teykl found his form an confidence after an inconsistent first several outings, and blossomed into a legitimate stopper. IMO, if Lemond does come back with his old form, Ditman moves into the #3 or #4 starter role for the post-season. McDowell is too hittable (especially against post-season caliber teams), and Duplantier is prone to a sudden loss of control at some point during the game resulting in a walkathon. We just need to hope our three starters can each give us 6 - 7 quality innings per outing. Duplantier moves to the #4 starter role for the regionals (and Omaha, if necessary)....and we need to pray we stay in the winners bracket in both the CUSA tourney and regional round.

I think you have a good point. There was not a lot of depth. Then we lost Stephens and Lemond (for at least part of the year.) That is why I think this could be WG's greatest coaching performance He simple does not have the depth and breadth of talent that he had in the past, and yet he has done so well with this team.

(05-14-2014 03:00 PM)Ranger Wrote:  

(05-14-2014 01:34 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-14-2014 11:57 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Seeing as how the Astros have been using the "tandem starter" piggyback system in the minor leagues to some level of success, it had me thinking about the postseason this year when (if) Lemond comes back.

It seems to me like we have 3 capable starters (or you can argue 2 and then 2 inconsistent ones...Duplantier and McDowell) and 3 capable relievers who all can pitch more than 3-4 innings. Having 3 horses out of the bullpen really gives us some options.

While I doubt we would have a set pairing system in place, it is fun to think about. Pairing them, the starter needs to go 6 and the reliever 3 (or even 5 and 4) and we are home free. Say we pair McCanna & Ditman, Fox & Lemond, and Duplantier/McDowell and Teykl (obviously all interchangeable). Having three capable bullpen guys who can all step in after the starter is done really gives us options.

If Lemond is back, we are not going to run out of pitchers. Say McCanna goes 5 and Ditman goes 4 in Game 1. You would think our bullpen would be shot after burning Ditman and Fox and Starter No. 3 would have to carry us. But with 2 more guys who can go multiple innings, we really have a bevy of options. Then if a starter does go deep into a game, we have a more rested bullpen ready to give em hell.

I don't know if we have ever had anything like the bullpen options we will have this year. I like our odds to beat just about anyone in a Regional and Super Regional setting if those guys are on their games.

Three years ago we had the four horsemen in the bullpen: Wall, Simms, Duffy and Cingrani...and the year before that you had Gonzales as the fourth reliever and "swing" starter. Two years ago we had Simms, Duffy, Chargois and Lemond.

We simply do not have the depth this year, what with Rutter's injury, and Smith, McCarthy and Orewiler being inconsistent at best since the first month of the season. Thank heaven (and credit to Trevor Teykl and the coaching staff) Teykl found his form an confidence after an inconsistent first several outings, and blossomed into a legitimate stopper. IMO, if Lemond does come back with his old form, Ditman moves into the #3 or #4 starter role for the post-season. McDowell is too hittable (especially against post-season caliber teams), and Duplantier is prone to a sudden loss of control at some point during the game resulting in a walkathon. We just need to hope our three starters can each give us 6 - 7 quality innings per outing. Duplantier moves to the #4 starter role for the regionals (and Omaha, if necessary)....and we need to pray we stay in the winners bracket in both the CUSA tourney and regional round.

I think you have a good point. There was not a lot of depth. Then we lost Stephens and Lemond (for at least part of the year.) That is why I think this could be WG's greatest coaching performance He simple does not have the depth and breadth of talent that he had in the past, and yet he has done so well with this team.

A lot of guys really stepped up and developed into key contributors. Most of us expected Ewing to have a breakout season, Hoelscher to hit .300+, and Reeves has hit everywhere he's been (including his Freshman year at Arkansas)...but Fox, Ditman, McCanna, and Trevor Teykl have all exceeded expectations on the mound, and Connor Teykl, McDowell and Kirby Taylor have all given us a lift offensively. If we're going to make noise in the post season, Stainback has got to come out of his prolonged slump, and Aquino has to continue to hit the way he has the past 5 games.

The team is good enough to make it to Omaha if a few guys get hot at the right time but inconsistent enough to struggle in a regional, especially if we lose one of the first 2 games. It will be exciting to follow the team as always and hope for the best. Very likely the team will be hosting a regional, hopefully the committee gives us a fair draw. Would be great to beat a bunch of Texas-based teams at home and that would be nice for attendance, but better win if that is the situation, as pride would be on the line!

(05-14-2014 04:06 PM)mrbig Wrote:  The team is good enough to make it to Omaha if a few guys get hot at the right time but inconsistent enough to struggle in a regional, especially if we lose one of the first 2 games. It will be exciting to follow the team as always and hope for the best. Very likely the team will be hosting a regional, hopefully the committee gives us a fair draw. Would be great to beat a bunch of Texas-based teams at home and that would be nice for attendance, but better win if that is the situation, as pride would be on the line!

Hey, as long as Rice doesn't lose any more games, there's no telling how far they could go. It's when they lose that they get in trouble.

(05-14-2014 05:33 PM)I45owl Wrote:  Hey, as long as Rice doesn't lose any more games, there's no telling how far they could go. It's when they lose that they get in trouble.

If the Owls don't lose any more games, then the OG will have his second National Championship at Rice University.

But let's take them one at a time starting with LA Tech tomorrow night.

(05-14-2014 01:34 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Thank heaven (and credit to Trevor Teykl and the coaching staff) Teykl found his form an confidence after an inconsistent first several outings, and blossomed into a legitimate stopper.

I wish Trevor and Connor had gone to UH like their Daddy, a former Coog OL. But it's nice to see them doing well.

By the way, what's Skyler trying to do here? Stay classy.

(05-14-2014 05:33 PM)I45owl Wrote:  Hey, as long as Rice doesn't lose any more games, there's no telling how far they could go. It's when they lose that they get in trouble.

Since our presumption is winning, whereas losing is an aberration, all we really need is: consistency!

(05-14-2014 01:44 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(05-13-2014 10:04 PM)Mademen Wrote:  Great atmosphere for the game . I'm glad the weather held up. UH was due to out play Rice 1 year out of 15. Wish you guys the best the rest of the way . I hope the next time the teams meet is in Omaha. I hope this puts the cherry on the Coogs resume for hosting. Our 3B Connor Hollis played out of his mind tonight.

Coogs kicked ass. Congrats. Rice will return the Glove of Love to its rightful place in Reckling next year.

They have owned us....we're too inconsistent..