Walt told me he wouldn't be able to put together a preview for the season-ending LaTech series ... so I thought we ought to at least have a pre-series thread.

Games are scheduled to begin at (Central times):

1) 6 p.m. Thursday
2) 6 p.m. Friday
3) 1 p.m. Saturday

Hopefully the Owls will bounce back with passion and competence.

I noticed in a CUSA Talk thread on this past weekend's baseball games some discussion of the Bulldogs' coaches' and team behavior in their series @USM.

Here's a summary from this post (http://csnbbs.com/thread-779791-post-132...id13267213)

Quote:

(05-16-2016 06:56 AM)southernmiss4ever Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 06:18 PM)eaglenjxn Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 03:57 PM)southernmiss4ever Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 01:47 PM)EagNBran Wrote:  I get that it's a strategy, but all weekend Tech has taken timeouts every other batter. I understand wanting to get to the pitcher, but at one point, it's extending the game far too long and it's just annoying. Is it legal? Sure. Is it how you should play the game? No. It makes the team look bad. Maybe I'm overthinking things, but not many teams think highly of those who do this strategy.

It made me think that the coaching staff thought they were out-matched from the get-go, and was trying to find every "mental" advantage possible.

I believe the HC for LA Tech had a "discussion" with the home plate umpire no less than 5 times during the game today.

Definitely don't want to see them in the tourney.

I got to see today's game at the Pete. I retract my skepticism about our fans' statements on LT's team.

Prefacing by saying that I personally did not mind it, but Tech's team has an edginess and certainly utilizes some gamesmanship that will rub opposing teams and fans the wrong way. They aren't breaking any rules and if an opponent can't keep their cool in dealing with it, that isn't Tech's problem.

Robinson did a good job of coming out to the mound and keeping our freshman pitchers calm today during those timeouts.

I have watched a lot of college baseball and I have never seen a player get in an umpire's face the way one of the Washburn kids did today. Absolutely shocked he wasn't tossed. Was it a bad call? Probably for the strike three....but you don't try to show up an umpire by flipping your bat away two times in a row before he makes his call. You definitely don't follow that by charging up to the umpire's face and yelling at him.

That said, this is coming from a USM fan who does not like our team's "jokey" demeanor during games that can often look like it is showing up opponents. Kind of surprised there wasn't an incident this weekend between the two teams.

Tech has a tough team and I suspect that Goff is building something that will have to be reckoned with in the future (if not now). Happy to get that series win and hope we don't see them again.

...

...

I was listening to the Sunday broadcast and John Cox was getting agitated with what La Tech was doing. That NEVER happens with John. But you could tell he just wanted to personally tell the La Tech HC to "sit down and shut up".

Given that this year's Owls seem to have some disappointing/let-down/low-energy games ... and that this series will be important to both us and the Bulldogs -- and in their park ... I'd hope that the players are prepared for LaTech's players and coaches trying to distract and irritate them and to extract leverage on the umps. I'd expect that the OG would have pre-game discussions with his players and the umpires aimed at reducing the success of any undue Bulldog shenanigans.

Go Owls!! Sweep this week's Rumble in Ruston!

From what I've heard (and not just from USM fans last week), LaTech's myriad of distractive and intimidating tactics make what Arizona did to us the opening series of the year look feable. Quite honestly, it's amazing the umps and opposing coaches have allowed them to continue such bush league and unsportsmanlike behavior through this point in the season...and playing in Rustin, we can assume the umps will let them get away with it this weekend even if The OG warns the umpire grew beforehand.

After a truly miserable week on the field-- with 3 beat downs in the last four games played, we have totally lost our momentum and mojo; particularly the pitching staff. With so much on the line this weekend, and playing in such a hostile environment against a team that will likely try to use every bush league gimmick available, we'll see what the team is made of. Can we right the ship as quickly as began taking on water? Pride up, Owls.

(05-18-2016 07:48 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  From what I've heard (and not just from USM fans last week), LaTech's myriad of distractive and intimidating tactics make what Arizona did to us the opening series of the year look feable. Quite honestly, it's amazing the umps and opposing coaches have allowed them to continue such bush league and unsportsmanlike behavior through this point in the season...and playing in Rustin, we can assume the umps will let them get away with it this weekend even if The OG warns the umpire grew beforehand.

After a truly miserable week on the field-- with 3 beat downs in the last four games played, we have totally lost our momentum and mojo; particularly the pitching staff. With so much on the line this weekend, and playing in such a hostile environment against a team that will likely try to use every bush league gimmick available, we'll see what the team is made of. Can we right the ship as quickly as began taking on water? Pride up, Owls.

I think I've established myself as being about as impartial as a fan can be. I dismissed the USM fans that I saw posting on Friday and Saturday but then I saw it for myself on Sunday. Unreal.

It is absolutely Bush league....but like I said, disciplined teams should handle it. I suspect a Wayne Graham-coached team will not lose their cool over it. Disciplined is not a word I would generally use to describe our teams, and it sounded like it really got to them on Friday.

There was a lot of chirping from the dugout. The stall tactics, referenced above, were the big thing. They like stepping out of the box on big pitches and will take their time getting back in the box. Their coach will get after the umpires, especially on balls and strikes. I suspect that the crew last weekend really had no idea how to handle the situation and lost control of things, though. As I said above, the way that player got in the umpire's face: Something I've never seen at a college game. And for him not to get kicked out?!

I'll put it this way: If it didn't go against my own team's interest, I would be pulling for Rice to beat the absolute hell out of them this weekend. Even then, part of me would be a little satisfied if you did.

That said, they play REALLY hard, which you have to respect. Half of the lineup and the Sunday pitcher played at the same JUCO, which was the National Runner-Up two years ago and went 43-7 last year. They've played together a while, they are used to winning, and they are good players.

I don't think there are any big prospects at the next level on the team. Lunceford, the third baseman, really stood out to me having seen him in JUCO and last weekend. Good frame, good power, makes really good contact. He might be a mid-level prospect next year. Otherwise, probably in the same vein as our players--tough, gritty players who are productive at the college level. They are well-coached during the game. Goff seemed to be one step ahead of Berry all series (though USM fans don't think much of Berry's in-game coaching).

They seemed to barrel up pretty much everything. We were a leaping grab by our third baseman to rob a double from them breaking the game open on Saturday. If not for that play, I think they take they take the series. That said, big difference between our staff and your's.

This might not be their year.....but I'm not looking forward to dealing with them next year.

Tonight's weather could be iffy but the rest of the weekend should be fine. It wouldn't surprise me if we have to play all 3 games on Friday and Saturday.

(05-19-2016 06:53 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Tonight's weather could be iffy but the rest of the weekend should be fine. It wouldn't surprise me if we have to play all 3 games on Friday and Saturday.

as long as the rain isn't too much, the game should be able to get played today since Tech has a turf field

LaTech comes into the series with an overall 34-16 record (20-5 home, 16-11 CUSA, 5-3 vs.. Top 50, 10-8 vs. Top 100, #47 RPI, #39 IOSR, #123 SoS). They're 16-4 in their last 20 games....and again, note their 20-5 record at home. Here's their schedule and results to date...
http://warrennolan.com/baseball/2016/sch...siana-Tech

They're hitting .286/.390/.425 as a team, with 32 HRs, 115 doubles/triples, 45 sac bunts, 77-105 SBs and averaging 6.2 runs per game. Everyone bunts and everyone steals bases.

They are very disciplined and patient hitters, as reflected both in their high OBP and the fact they've received 30 more free passes (BBs, HBPs) than times they've struck out. (Conversely, we've struck out 65 more times than we've received free passes and, hence, our woeful .339 OBP.) They're averaging less than 5 strikeouts per game, which is extremely low. If our pitching staff cannot pound the strike zone and consistently get ahead in the count it's going to be a very long and frustrating weekend, especially with their ultra-aggressive small ball game.

They have posted a well above-average .975 fielding percentage, with only one player with more than 6 errors (their SS with 16 errors on the year).

And their pitching may not be elite, but it's solid and above average: 3.58 ERA, .244 BAA, 2.4 K:BB ratio, 1.33 WHIP. They have a stud closer with elite stats that are superior to what Otto's were before his past week of horrors-- Sr RHP Adam Adkins: 20 app, 5-0, 9 saves, 35.2 IP, 0.76 ERA, .178 BAA, 8 BBs, 45 Ks).

Here's their individual and team stats: http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-bas...mcume.html

BTW, LaTech didn't play a midweek game, so they're well rested and their entire pitching staff will be available and at full strength.

And the Bulldogs may have extra motivation, as both Baseball America and D1baseball now have LaTech making the NCAA field. A series win against us could seal such a spot.

We'll want a series win or sweep to improve our chances of hosting.

Go Owls!!

Here's the LaTech game notes for the series...

http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-bas...16aab.html

Tonight's pitcher...

Phillip Diehl (RS Jr, LHP): 12 starts, 4-4, 64.0 IP, 4.42 ERA, .293 BAA, 23 BBs, 71 Ks

Yep, another southpaw, but this time one that appears to be a hard thrower.

(05-19-2016 09:29 AM)Almadenmike Wrote:  And the Bulldogs may have extra motivation, as both Baseball America and D1baseball now have LaTech making the NCAA field. A series win against us could seal such a spot.

We'll want a series win or sweep to improve our chances of hosting.

Go Owls!!

I'm not sure we host even if we sweep and win the regular season conference championship. At this point, I think we need to win both the regular season and conference tourney championship. In other words, i think we're hitting the road.

(05-19-2016 09:32 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(05-19-2016 09:29 AM)Almadenmike Wrote:  And the Bulldogs may have extra motivation, as both Baseball America and D1baseball now have LaTech making the NCAA field. A series win against us could seal such a spot.

We'll want a series win or sweep to improve our chances of hosting.

Go Owls!!

I'm not sure we host even if we sweep and win the regular season conference championship. At this point, I think we need to win both the regular season and conference tourney championship. In other words, i think we're hitting the road.

Agreed that it's dicey. But BA is still predicting we host.

The rationale, from their article posted yesterday:

Quote:• Several other changes among the hosts, with LSU and Cal State Fullerton—along with Virginia—replacing Arizona, Oklahoma State and Washington. Almost like clockwork, the Titans have put their foot down on the rest of the Big West, opening up a three-game lead at 14-4 in the league after last week’s series win at UC Santa Barbara. The Titans’ RPI (28) isn’t in lock range yet, but if they can finish off a regular-season title—they do have a tough series left at Long Beach State—that should do enough to boost it to where there’s no doubt about their chances. And as we’ve noted often throughout the season, there are very few viable hosting candidates in the West, so the Titans’ candidacy looks that much better if they can finish well.

After settling on the Titans, we were left with four teams for two spots—LSU, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Rice. The Tigers easily have the best RPI of the group at No. 10, but their other separators were their 14-7 record away from home and their 17-10 SEC record. LSU only has one marquee series win—taking two of three at home against Vanderbilt—but it’s got another chance this weekend with Florida coming to Baton Rouge. Even if LSU were to lose two of three, an 18-12 SEC record and possible top-10 RPI would be too much to pass up, no matter how loathe the committee might be to give a host to a fifth- or sixth-place team. Vanderbilt is part of the discussion as well, especially if it can sweep Auburn (very possible) this weekend to finish 18-12 and if LSU were to lose the Florida series. The Commodores are No. 9 in the RPI, but the head-to-head loss to LSU is problematic, unless they can finish ahead in the standings and/or beat LSU in the SEC tournament.

Our other three contenders are all lower in the RPI, with Arizona 23, Oklahoma State 25 and Rice 30. Despite having their RPI, we decided to go with the Owls. Rice is in second place in a strong Conference USA and could yet win the regular-season title, as they’re just a half-game behind Southern Miss. Even if they do wind up in second, their series at Louisiana Tech this weekend would give them a solid RPI boost if they can win it. Oklahoma State, on the other hand, is coming off a series loss to Oklahoma—not an at-large caliber team—and is just 13-17 against the top 100. Plus their series at home against RPI No. 199 Kansas this weekend won’t do anything to help them, and losing even one game would ding their RPI further.

Arizona still has an argument with its 8-8 top 50 record and 21-13 top 100 record, but the Wildcats have lost two of their last three series and sit in third place in the Pac-12 at 15-12 in the league, with a road trip to Oregon coming up this weekend. The real problem is that the Wildcats have lost head-to-head against both of the teams ahead of them, 15-9 Utah and 14-10 Washington—the Huskies wrecked their own hosting chances by losing their series to Washington State last weekend—as well fourth-place Arizona State (13-11). Their best series wins in conference play are Cal and Oregon State, neither of which look as good as they did at the time. The Oregon series will be Arizona’s last in conference play, while the rest of the league has two series left. If they can beat the Ducks to finish at least 17-13 and get enough favorable results elsewhere to land at least a second-place finish, then their hosting chances get a lot better. But if they land in third or worse, especially since they’d be finishing behind teams that aren’t even in the hosting picture, it’s very doubtful they’d be rewarded.

I got to attend the Sat game of La Tech at Southern Miss. The Tech batters crowd the plate and look to get hit by pitches. During the Sat game, they had 3 batters hit by pitch to go along with a walk and 1 basehit that led to 3 runs in an early inning. (I'm almost positive that the last hit batsman was strike on the inner 3rd part of the plate.) After that inning, they did not score a run the rest of the series. On Sunday, they did not have a runner get past 2nd base.

I think Tech will have trouble scoring runs against Rice if the Rice pitchers keep their emotions in check and throw strikes. Tech is a gritty team that plays very hard. If they are your team, you love the fight, determination, and willingness to do whatever they can to give themselves a chance to win. However, as the opponent, it grates on your last nerve and can be very frustrating to watch.

http://www.d1baseball.com/weekend-previe...e-weekend/

Nice write up here.

Any boots on the ground in Ruston? Looks as though storms will hit just about 6:00 tonight.

(05-19-2016 03:12 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  http://www.d1baseball.com/weekend-previe...e-weekend/

Nice write up here.

Really a profile on LaTech. Their LHP tonight throws low 90s, but has a wipe out slide which could be VERY tough on our left-hand laden lineup. And their stud closer throws from a three-quarter arm angle (vs. the typical over the top delivery).

Also note the 19 newly added JUCOs on the roster (as Mike alluded to in his original post).