Alright well since I fear this won't get done ill roll up the ole chain mail and knock it out...

The Owls come into Irvine this weekend with a less than desirable 0-3 record along with a postponed game against Sam Houston State. While the Owls didn't look horrible, it is clear we have some things to work on and it's still early. Spoke with a regional scout and asked what (he/him/his) thoughts were on the team. Hitting 40, Fielding 60, Starting Pitching 30, Bullpen 35, all of that being the standard 20-80 scale. On the other hand while the Anteaters boast a 1-3 record I have very little information on Irvine as my scouting report never made it (I believe it to be deep within skid row). Without the report though, it's easy to see that UC Irvine likely has issues with their pitching. In all but the Friday night opener against Fresno State (home of Steven Anthony Lawrence) the Anteaters gave up 6 or more runs in their other 3 games. I would guess they likely have a solid Friday night starter then Johnny Wholestaff throws every other game idk? Either way, I think we could match up well this weekend and get a win or two.

Predictions:
Friday (3-5) L
Saturday (8-4) W
Sunday (7-2) W

Feel free to put your predictions below. Winner gets to write the write up next week.

Our fielding is far better than a 60 on an 80-point scale. Looking forward to finally seeing Roel Garcia on the mound, even if only for 20 pitches tonight. We desperately need him to build arm strength and be a true Friday ace by the start of conference play.

Tonight's going to be rough as we will be facing arguably the best pitcher we'll face all season-- a consensus first team all-american.

(02-21-2020 10:52 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Our fielding is far better than a 60 on an 80-point scale.

Well, it was in the first two games.

There's also the problem of opponents stealing bases at will.

(02-21-2020 10:52 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Our fielding is far better than a 60 on an 80-point scale. Looking forward to finally seeing Roel Garcia on the mound, even if only for 20 pitches tonight. We desperately need him to build arm strength and be a true Friday ace by the start of conference play.

Tonight's going to be rough as we will be facing arguably the best pitcher we'll face all season-- a consensus first team all-american.

Considering 80 is a Gold Glove level rating, I would be hard pressed to say FAR BETTER THAN A 60...

(02-21-2020 11:08 AM)Keyboard Crusader Wrote:  

(02-21-2020 10:52 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Our fielding is far better than a 60 on an 80-point scale. Looking forward to finally seeing Roel Garcia on the mound, even if only for 20 pitches tonight. We desperately need him to build arm strength and be a true Friday ace by the start of conference play.

Tonight's going to be rough as we will be facing arguably the best pitcher we'll face all season-- a consensus first team all-american.

Considering 80 is a Gold Glove level rating, I would be hard pressed to say FAR BETTER THAN A 60...

80 isn't just gold glove, it is hall of fame gold glove. The scouting scale is a bell curve.

60 seems about right. I bet Captain America pitching tonight is not even a 60 for all of his pitches.

(02-21-2020 10:52 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Our fielding is far better than a 60 on an 80-point scale.

That may be a bit hyperbolic. 60 is pretty damned good. Hard to be "far better" than that.

Of course, Walt has never uttered a hyperbolic syllable in his life. j/k

No score thru 2. Garcia 2 IP, 32 pitches.

(02-21-2020 09:36 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  No score thru 2. Garcia 2 IP, 32 pitches.

No hits, no runs, no errors for both teams.

Owls have been 6-up, 6-down.

In B2, Garcia plunked the first two 'Eaters he faced, but got out of the jam. Whew. Garcia's gotten 3Ks, so far, all swinging. Two Owls have wiffed.

DeLeon in to pitch for the Owls in B3, looking to improve on his 13.50 ERA (6 ER in 4 innings vs. UT).

2nd-pitch bloop double ... and then a first-pitch RBI single.

1-0, UCI.

B2, cont'd:

4-3 groundout ... runner to 2nd.

Opposite-field single. RBI.

Single to center ... "lackadaisical throw" into the infield allows the aggressive runner to score all the way from first!! WTF!!!

3-0, UCI

No more damage: K, single (runner to 2nd), K.

3-0, UCI, after three.

"It's getting to the point that I can smell those funnel cakes," said JP's travel sub.

Hopefully, it's getting to the point that the Owl batters get some hits & runs.

T4:

Flush with a 3-run lead, UCI's Denholm pitches 4 straight balls to our leadoff hitter, Comeaux!

Edwards hit a 1-1 pitch: "Laser" liner! "Right into the glove" of the 3rd baseman.

Cruz: F-7 on 2-2 pitch.

Collins: 0-2 pitch ... catcher throws down to second, Comeaux barely back in time. Whew! But he Ks. Sigh.

3-0, UCI ... heading to B4.

B4:

> Leadoff walk. 8-pitch AB, announcer thought the last pitch was a strike. But not called that way.

> The next 'Eater batter popped up a bunt ... not caught ... eventually we're told that it was foul. He lays down the sac bunt sucessfully on the next pitch, however. 1 out, runner at 2nd.

> HBP!!! Grrr. (0-1 pitch) 1 out, runners at 1st & 2nd.

> 2-0 pitch popped up to Cruz down the LF line.

> 3-2 pitch ... "grounder scooped up by Cruz", 6-3 ground out. Whew!!! Dodged some bullets there. WTG!!

3-0, UCI ... after 4.

T5:

Bulman: 2-2 pitch popup to right field.

Gneiting: Announcer said "I want to get that job" ... of a scout holding radar gun behind home plate. Then Gneiting wiffed on a 1-2 pitch.

Hernandez wiffed, fouled off and looked at three strikes from Denholm. Sigh.

3-0, UCI ... heading to B5. (Still a no-hitter ... I say, hoping to jinx it.)

I'm out for a while. Gotta fix some dinner. Go Owls!!! Get some hits, at least!

Looking like we may be no hit again. 9 more outs for Denholm to get.

Owls down 8-0.

An elite pitcher vs. an offense that’s not.

At least Garcia kept the Owls in it for 2 innings. Looking for a hard to find silver lining.

Possibly offended by the PA announcer's butchered pronunciation of his last name, Aaron Bell-oh-REE-er lashes the Owls first hit of the game -- a double to right-center -- with 2 outs in T8!!

That moved Dunlap (who'd walked to lead off T8) to 3rd ... from which he scored on a wild pitch! WooHOO!!!

10-1, UCI.

Comeaux''s 6-3 groundout ends T8. But heck, a hit and a run ... what more could we ask tonight?

Owls finally get a hit, Aaron double, in T8 against UCI relievers. Owls at 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. And a WP scores an Owl run. Rally time! Only down 1-10 with 4 outs left. But ground out ends the threat.

B8:

First pitch HBP. Wow!

But hey, the Owls just wanted to set up the 5-4-3 double play. Oh, yeah!

And a 4-pitch K ends the 8th.

10-1, UCI.

How about a huge rally now in T9 to get some batting/offense practice in advance of winning the Saturday & Sunday games?