ok well at least this game is over. This lineup needs a lot of help

(04-12-2013 09:29 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  WOW.

How many left on base?

Far too many.

Incredibly frustrating.
We used a bunch of pitchers. And it would have worked for us.
But we are lost in a sea of batting inefficiency. No runs. No timely hits or sacrifices.
12 left on base..or thereabouts.
Watched on TV
Glad I wasn't there in person.
Let's load up for tomorrow
Go Owls.

(04-12-2013 09:28 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(04-12-2013 09:23 PM)Ranger Wrote:  

(04-12-2013 09:22 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  Score??

5-1 UCF, B9.

Thanks, but ugh! No wonder no one posted it in the last 50 posts I looked at when I logged in.

Mike, complete inability to score runs. In the early innings, we would have runners on second and third with only one out, and still could not score. We left a huge number on base, and a large proportion of those were in scoring position. Their pitcher was wild and gave up a ton of free passes, at least early, but we could not capitalize.

It's a mental block. The batters are choking with runners in scoring position.

(04-12-2013 09:34 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Mike, complete inability to score runs. In the early innings, we would have runners on second and third with only one out, and still could not score.

Wonder if we would have scored more than 1 run if we had tried to get a hit with 1st and 2nd and no outs. I guess I shouldn't start that debate again. I don't think anybody's opinion is going to change.

Tough one. Fortunately for the now 24-12 Owls, there is a game tomorrow to get back on track.

(04-12-2013 09:39 PM)DFW Owl Wrote:  

(04-12-2013 09:34 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Mike, complete inability to score runs. In the early innings, we would have runners on second and third with only one out, and still could not score.

Wonder if we would have scored more than 1 run if we had tried to get a hit with 1st and 2nd and no outs. I guess I shouldn't start that debate again. I don't think anybody's opinion is going to change.

The issue isn't getting the runners to scoring position. The issue is getting them home. With a runner on third, the batter fails to execute, every time, no matter how many outs. Can't even manage to pop it up. If a popup will score the sac RBI, then sure enough the batter hits a weak grounder. Happened several times just tonight; been happening all season.

With a couple of exceptions, we have the same lineup of hitters this year as we had last year and the results are the same. Maybe we need to give some of the guys on the bench a chance.

(04-12-2013 09:53 PM)Benchwarmer Owl Wrote:  With a couple of exceptions, we have the same lineup of hitters this year as we had last year and the results are the same. Maybe we need to give some of the guys on the bench a chance.

The upcoming midweek against Tex Tech would be an ideal time to try it.

(04-12-2013 09:39 PM)DFW Owl Wrote:  

(04-12-2013 09:34 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Mike, complete inability to score runs. In the early innings, we would have runners on second and third with only one out, and still could not score.

Wonder if we would have scored more than 1 run if we had tried to get a hit with 1st and 2nd and no outs. I guess I shouldn't start that debate again. I don't think anybody's opinion is going to change.

Certainly don't blame people for wondering/asking.

But IIRC, there were innings when we got runners to first early, didn't bunt, and then hit into a DP (How many of those did the other team turn tonight? seemed like at least 3 in the last 5 or 6 IP.

It's frustrating either way, and moreso to Wayne, coaches, players than even to us.

(04-12-2013 09:39 PM)DFW Owl Wrote:  

(04-12-2013 09:34 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Mike, complete inability to score runs. In the early innings, we would have runners on second and third with only one out, and still could not score.

Wonder if we would have scored more than 1 run if we had tried to get a hit with 1st and 2nd and no outs. I guess I shouldn't start that debate again. I don't think anybody's opinion is going to change.

I wondered the same thing at the time. With Matulis wild. why bunt with 2 on and no outs in the first two innings? I thought we had an even chance of getting on without swinging at all.

We also had some crucial strikeouts on 3-2 pitches out of the zone. All around night to forget at Reckling Park.

(04-12-2013 09:33 PM)greyowl72 Wrote:  Incredibly frustrating.
We used a bunch of pitchers. And it would have worked for us.
But we are lost in a sea of batting inefficiency. No runs. No timely hits or sacrifices.
12 left on base..or thereabouts.
Watched on TV
Glad I wasn't there in person.
Let's load up for tomorrow
Go Owls.

The story of the season, except our pitching and defense also let us down tonight.

17 baserunners (9 free passes, 8 hits, 1 double, 2 sac bunts)...14 runners left on base (and it would have been much more save for our hitting into 3 doubleplays against a defense that had turned just 16 DPs over their first 34 games of the season)...10 left in scoring position, with 8 of those in scoring position with less than 2 outs...yet we score but one run, and that run scored on a bases loaded walk. If I didn't witness it myself I would have never thought it was possible...yet, our offense has put up similar numbers with similar inefficient results on a regular basis. It's almost become the accepted norm.

Our backs are really up against the wall now, with UCF going with their ace tomorrow (and one of the top starting pitchers nationally), and most likely another left-hander on Sunday. WE also burned John Simms for 1.2 innings today in a wasted effort (already down 4-1). Somehow, we've got to dig deep and find a way to win the next two games. Let's perservere. Go Owls!

seems odd that suddenly bunting is the thing we do best, offensively.

To channel Bill James, the reason we're a bad clutch hitting team is that we're a bad hitting team.

Our OPS for the season is .705. The Mendoza line equivalent for OPS is probably .700. We have one starter slugging above .361. We do have some decent OBP's, three above .400 plus a .381 and a .361. With that hitting profile, the odds favor bunting a lot.

If we have someone who hasn't been playing who might swing the bat better, now would be an excellent time to play him. I don't know any obvious candidates, but if there are any then they are worth trying.

seems like right now our best offensive weapon is the walk. so mext time we get two on and none out, instead of bunting or swinging, lets try to draw the walk.

Ok, not serious. well, maybe a little.

(04-12-2013 10:43 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  seems like right now our best offensive weapon is the walk. so mext time we get two on and none out, instead of bunting or swinging, lets try to draw the walk.

Ok, not serious. well, maybe a little.

Well, I'd argue that we were taking several pitches that were grooved right down broadway. I can understand-- and even applaud-- taking the first strike against a pitcher that is struggling mightily to find the strikezone, but we took a bunch of grooved pitches for second strikes. As I've argued before, plate discipline and patience does not mean you're no longer aggressive on pitches in your wheelhouse.

(04-12-2013 09:18 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Last year, or perhaps the year before, one poster noted that, in the past, he always expected Rice would win, no matter how bad it got, Rice would pull it out. Speaking of that year's team, he noted that he no longer expected a win. He wanted a win, he hoped for a win, but he did not expect a win. I agreed with his sentiment. I think that sentiment is particularly true this year. As I write, barring a major rally, we are going to lose to UCF, a mediocre team. Too many losses to mediocre teams this year. This game, like many other games, has featured too many players LOB, too many left in scoring position.

since 2002, I have always,ade my Omaha hotel reservations early. after having to cancel them the past four years, this year I decided to wait and see. Still waiting and seeing. getting less and less concerned about the lack.

(04-12-2013 09:35 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  It's a mental block. The batters are choking with runners in scoring position.

To me this choking in these situations does not make sense--- the pressure should be on the pitcher and the defense!!! The hitter should not think that he is in a "pressure" situation where he must come through; on the contrary, relax, let your opponent worry and play instinctively, naturally, let the game come to you.

(04-12-2013 10:34 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  To channel Bill James, the reason we're a bad clutch hitting team is that we're a bad hitting team.

I think Bill James talked about secondary average as the difference between slugging pct and batting average.

coming into tonight it was .072. last year it was .114

Only two Owls have secondary averages of .100--Aquino and Ewing.


EDIT: Just checked and my definition of secondary average is incomplete. James' adds stolen bases and walks.