I like watching college baseball played on the highest level. Tonight's game (without the home runs) could have been played in Omaha. Rice did not look out of place. I keep hearing of this scary juggernaut that is Aggie baseball. I saw a good club that I would love to match up with in a super regional. Props to A$M, they won. Frankly the stats that Walt and the SEC network kept advertising belonging to the Ags overstate their team's ability in my opinion. Good not great team. Beatable at their park, but Rice didn't get it done during its annual midweek chance. I could find a position for several of their players on my team. Respect yes, fear no.

They're deep and talented, but so is Rice. Close game.

If it could have been like this...

On the positive side, second consecutive strong start from Austin Orewiler. We just did not catch the breaks this game-- Tristan Gray just missed HRs twice (he also hit a laser line out to 2B), and Teykl once, and Kirby's double play ball in the 8th not only just missed getting through up the middle (really nice reaction play by pitcher), but he just missed beating out the throw at 1B (which would have scored a run). The Aggies were absolutely flawless defensively, with 3 - 4 web gem caliber plays; we were solid defensively, with a couple outstanding plays, but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

(04-07-2015 10:09 PM)13thOwl Wrote:  Respect yes, fear no.

Short and succinct. I admire their team because they are just solid - hitting, pitching, defense, with consistency, from what I could see. I did not see any obvious weaknesses, but at the same time, I think Rice can beat them.

They may not be the most elite team of all time, but they've definitely earned being this year's #1 to date. They showed every bit of it yesterday, and we still went blow for blow with them at their park. Great as it would have been to win that one, it was one you just tip your cap and move on. If we can play like we did last night the rest of the way, we'll be in great shape to make a strong postseason run.

I thought the days of celebrating moral victories were over. Good game, we hung in there, played well - but we lost. I am not happy. Grumpy, to be sure, a tad bashful, maybe even in the opinions of some here, a little bit dopey. But damn sure not happy.

(04-08-2015 08:41 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I thought the days of celebrating moral victories were over. Good game, we hung in there, played well - but we lost. I am not happy. Grumpy, to be sure, a tad bashful, maybe even in the opinions of some here, a little bit dopey. But damn sure not happy.

I don't see it that black and white. Each year you get a different mix of players with different strengths and weaknesses. You basically play 56 games to find the best 48 teams and 16 other automatics. The 56 games are used to get people in a position of success and growth. You hope you have improved and have skills honed enough to get hot and win enough to continue to play in the post season environment. You keep playing until a champion is crowned.

During the 56 there are chances to see how you are measuring up. By all accounts Rice should have been routed by the 27 Yankees, err Aggies at their home field. In my opinion they compared nicely with the edge in hitting with power going to the Ags. Making a regional (NCAA tournament equivalent) is now so commonplace it is expected. Rice has firmly established itself in college baseball as a top program. With that said, some years trips to Omaha (Elite Eight equivalent) are more realistic than others.

BTW, I am Grumpy also. I really wanted a win in Collie Station.

(04-08-2015 08:41 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I thought the days of celebrating moral victories were over. Good game, we hung in there, played well - but we lost. I am not happy. Grumpy, to be sure, a tad bashful, maybe even in the opinions of some here, a little bit dopey. But damn sure not happy.

It's also the season to be sneezy.

(04-08-2015 08:08 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  On the positive side, second consecutive strong start from Austin Orewiler. We just did not catch the breaks this game-- Tristan Gray just missed HRs twice (he also hit a laser line out to 2B), and Teykl once, and Kirby's double play ball in the 8th not only just missed getting through up the middle (really nice reaction play by pitcher), but he just missed beating out the throw at 1B (which would have scored a run). The Aggies were absolutely flawless defensively, with 3 - 4 web gem caliber plays; we were solid defensively, with a couple outstanding plays, but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

I understand your opinion but respectfully disagree. A$M got extra base hits due to power, while Rice got extra base hits due to hustle...and that was the difference in the ball game.

The only question I have is Coach Graham sometimes use the squeeze bunt. I wonder why not this game. I do not think I saw it used this year yet. Maybe our bunting is suspect?

(04-08-2015 09:17 AM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 08:08 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  On the positive side, second consecutive strong start from Austin Orewiler. We just did not catch the breaks this game-- Tristan Gray just missed HRs twice (he also hit a laser line out to 2B), and Teykl once, and Kirby's double play ball in the 8th not only just missed getting through up the middle (really nice reaction play by pitcher), but he just missed beating out the throw at 1B (which would have scored a run). The Aggies were absolutely flawless defensively, with 3 - 4 web gem caliber plays; we were solid defensively, with a couple outstanding plays, but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

I understand your opinion but respectfully disagree. A$M got extra base hits due to power, while Rice got extra base hits due to hustle...and that was the difference in the ball game.

(04-08-2015 08:08 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  ... but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

I was there looking straight at the play for the stands along the 3rd base line. Banks shot was a hit not a "ruled a hit". The ball was smoked and took a wicked, late high hop on Ford, who is lucky to still have his teeth.

Could Ford or any college 2B have made the play? Given 10 chances exactly the same, maybe once or twice, but only by chance.

Please get off of Ford's back about this one play.

(04-08-2015 09:17 AM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 08:08 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  On the positive side, second consecutive strong start from Austin Orewiler. We just did not catch the breaks this game-- Tristan Gray just missed HRs twice (he also hit a laser line out to 2B), and Teykl once, and Kirby's double play ball in the 8th not only just missed getting through up the middle (really nice reaction play by pitcher), but he just missed beating out the throw at 1B (which would have scored a run). The Aggies were absolutely flawless defensively, with 3 - 4 web gem caliber plays; we were solid defensively, with a couple outstanding plays, but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

I understand your opinion but respectfully disagree. A$M got extra base hits due to power, while Rice got extra base hits due to hustle...and that was the difference in the ball game.

+1

(04-08-2015 10:28 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  The only question I have is Coach Graham sometimes use the squeeze bunt. I wonder why not this game. I do not think I saw it used this year yet. Maybe our bunting is suspect?

(04-08-2015 09:17 AM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 08:08 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  On the positive side, second consecutive strong start from Austin Orewiler. We just did not catch the breaks this game-- Tristan Gray just missed HRs twice (he also hit a laser line out to 2B), and Teykl once, and Kirby's double play ball in the 8th not only just missed getting through up the middle (really nice reaction play by pitcher), but he just missed beating out the throw at 1B (which would have scored a run). The Aggies were absolutely flawless defensively, with 3 - 4 web gem caliber plays; we were solid defensively, with a couple outstanding plays, but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

I understand your opinion but respectfully disagree. A$M got extra base hits due to power, while Rice got extra base hits due to hustle...and that was the difference in the ball game.

My memory is not to be totally relied upon since I missed several innings, but my memory was that Rice got down the bunts it attempted yesterday. I do not think Rice's bunting is suspect. It is not the best thing the Rice hitters do, that would be taking aggressive swings that result in hard hit balls.

If you are talking about when Rice had runners on 1st and 3rd and one out later in the game, the pitcher made a great play on a comebacker resulting in the double play. Even with A$M making a good play, Taylor just barely missed beating out the relay. I don't remember who was on third at the time.

(04-08-2015 11:19 AM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 10:28 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  The only question I have is Coach Graham sometimes use the squeeze bunt. I wonder why not this game. I do not think I saw it used this year yet. Maybe our bunting is suspect?

(04-08-2015 09:17 AM)13thOwl Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 08:08 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  On the positive side, second consecutive strong start from Austin Orewiler. We just did not catch the breaks this game-- Tristan Gray just missed HRs twice (he also hit a laser line out to 2B), and Teykl once, and Kirby's double play ball in the 8th not only just missed getting through up the middle (really nice reaction play by pitcher), but he just missed beating out the throw at 1B (which would have scored a run). The Aggies were absolutely flawless defensively, with 3 - 4 web gem caliber plays; we were solid defensively, with a couple outstanding plays, but we couldn't make the play on a hard hit grounder (ruled a "hit") in the ninth...and that was the difference in the ball game.

I understand your opinion but respectfully disagree. A$M got extra base hits due to power, while Rice got extra base hits due to hustle...and that was the difference in the ball game.

My memory is not to be totally relied upon since I missed several innings, but my memory was that Rice got down the bunts it attempted yesterday. I do not think Rice's bunting is suspect. It is not the best thing the Rice hitters do, that would be taking aggressive swings that result in hard hit balls.

If you are talking about when Rice had runners on 1st and 3rd and one out later in the game, the pitcher made a great play on a comebacker resulting in the double play. Even with A$M making a good play, Taylor just barely missed beating out the relay. I don't remember who was on third at the time.

It was Charlie Warren on third who reached base on a ... wait for it...bunt single ... and moved to 3rd on Connor's single. The Aggie pitcher made a great instinct play on the ball hit by Kirby and never hesitated in turning to throw to 2B to start the DP. Even the Aggies around me thought he maybe should have come home as Charlie broke immediately when the ball was put in play. If Kirby beats the throw to 1st or the ball deflects off the pitcher's glove rather than him making a clean grab, we've got a different ball game. But he made the play and the Ags won a hard fought game. Congrats to them.