16-3 in the T9. Error total now at 8. What’s the record for a 9 inning game for the Owls? 9 of the 16 runs are earned.

(02-20-2019 11:09 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  16-3 in the T9. Error total now at 8. What’s the record for a 9 inning game for the Owls?

And that doesn't include the two dropped/flubbed foul pops.

Just an embarrassing loss. Bragga was making a statement by yanking the starters after the top of the 6th inning....and I suspect he's going to let his disappointment known in the lockerroom after this game. And it needs to be done. This team was not mentally in the game from the get-go tonight.

To put it into context, we have eight less errors in the first five games of the season than Janish had during 467 games as a fielder in MLB.

(02-20-2019 11:09 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  16-3 in the T9. Error total now at 8. What’s the record for a 9 inning game for the Owls? 9 of the 16 runs are earned.

The 2017 Baseball Factbook says that in the WG era, the more Owl Errors/Game is 10 ... at UNLV (3/15/97)

16-5 final.

UA - 16 runs, 17 hits, 3 errrors
Rice - 5 runs, 8 hits, 8 errors

In defense of (or maybe solace for) our freshman pitchers, Kumar Rocker, who was first round level talent from HS last year but went to Vandy (because he wants to be top 5 level talent) got bombed in his first start last week; TCU got him for 5 runs in 1.1 innings. It is (no surprise here) very hard to pitch successfully at this level, no matter how hard you threw in HS.

Just when I thought we were about to break into the top 25...

(02-21-2019 09:34 AM)Throwing Chade Wrote:  Just when I thought we were about to break into the top 25...

RUBPA update this morning was an eye sore.

Early season struggles are normal, we will hit our stride.

Will be interesting to see what this team looks like at the end of the year. Will give us a better idea on Bragga's coaching. Concerned with what I've seen so far, at home. We didn't look like we belonged on the same field as Texas or Arizona, and looked about even with Rhode Island. If that's an accurate reflection of this team, we're looking at a steep drop compared to the slow but steady decline of the past few years.

(02-21-2019 09:53 AM)Buho00 Wrote:  Will be interesting to see what this team looks like at the end of the year. Will give us a better idea on Bragga's coaching. Concerned with what I've seen so far, at home. We didn't look like we belonged on the same field as Texas or Arizona, and looked about even with Rhode Island. If that's an accurate reflection of this team, we're looking at a steep drop compared to the slow but steady decline of the past few years.

Nothing steady about last year. Our defense was little league level like it was last night.

This sample size is small. Someone else said this, but a lot of these errors strike me as mental mistakes. As long as we do not let them snowball out of control and persist into conference we will be fine. All teams have growing pains and I would rather have them now as opposed to March/April/May.

We have one the best infield coaches in the country (may very well be the best) - he will get these guys fielding at a high level. As for the outfield, I suspect they will be getting extra fly balls during practice and BP. All good things in due time.

I think (and hope) the infield and outfield defense will eventually improve (although I question whether DiCaprio at first is the best option), but the catching defense is particularly concerning to me. I haven’t seen any D-1 quality backstop play from any of the 3 back there this season. Not only has the blocking been poor, but opponents are 11 for 11 stealing against us. This will only get worse as teams realize they can run at will.

(02-21-2019 01:48 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  16-5 final.

UA - 16 runs, 17 hits, 3 errrors
Rice - 5 runs, 8 hits, 8 errors

8 errors. Gee, That's a lot.

(02-21-2019 10:44 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  I think (and hope) the infield and outfield defense will eventually improve (although I question whether DiCaprio at first is the best option), but the catching defense is particularly concerning to me. I haven’t seen any D-1 quality backstop play from any of the 3 back there this season. Not only has the blocking been poor, but opponents are 11 for 11 stealing against us. This will only get worse as teams realize they can run at will.

IMO, Brandt Frazier is the best defensive catcher. Collins had two batters thrown out at 2B last night if not for an error by Trei and another where the runners slide kicked the ball out of Trei's glove-- both in the same inning!

(02-21-2019 11:26 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 10:44 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  I think (and hope) the infield and outfield defense will eventually improve (although I question whether DiCaprio at first is the best option), but the catching defense is particularly concerning to me. I haven’t seen any D-1 quality backstop play from any of the 3 back there this season. Not only has the blocking been poor, but opponents are 11 for 11 stealing against us. This will only get worse as teams realize they can run at will.

IMO, Brandt Frazier is the best defensive catcher. Collins had two batters thrown out at 2B last night if not for an error by Trei and another where the runners slide kicked the ball out of Trei's glove-- both in the same inning!

He was also slow getting the ball out once and it looked like Bragga was giving him an earful from the dugout for not paying attention.

It looks like Catcher, First Base and Third base are our major. weakness to date. Poor hitting from both and poor fielding. I think some of the pitchers should drop baseball and just get a degree at Rice.

(02-21-2019 11:31 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 11:26 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 10:44 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  I think (and hope) the infield and outfield defense will eventually improve (although I question whether DiCaprio at first is the best option), but the catching defense is particularly concerning to me. I haven’t seen any D-1 quality backstop play from any of the 3 back there this season. Not only has the blocking been poor, but opponents are 11 for 11 stealing against us. This will only get worse as teams realize they can run at will.

IMO, Brandt Frazier is the best defensive catcher. Collins had two batters thrown out at 2B last night if not for an error by Trei and another where the runners slide kicked the ball out of Trei's glove-- both in the same inning!

He was also slow getting the ball out once and it looked like Bragga was giving him an earful from the dugout for not paying attention.

(02-21-2019 11:38 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  It looks like Catcher, First Base and Third base are our major. weakness to date. Poor hitting from both and poor fielding. I think some of the pitchers should drop baseball and just get a degree at Rice.

Poor choice of words.

It's just a game and these are 18-23 year old young men. Give me a break OldOwl. Each guy goes out there and does their absolute best even if the results indicate otherwise.

(02-21-2019 12:03 PM)RiceOwl Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 11:38 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  It looks like Catcher, First Base and Third base are our major. weakness to date. Poor hitting from both and poor fielding. I think some of the pitchers should drop baseball and just get a degree at Rice.

Poor choice of words.

It's just a game and these are 18-23 year old young men. Give me a break OldOwl. Each guy goes out there and does their absolute best even if the results indicate otherwise.

Thank you for saying this. OldOwl should probably stay away from any motivational talks henceforth.

(02-21-2019 12:56 PM)Throwing Chade Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 12:03 PM)RiceOwl Wrote:  

(02-21-2019 11:38 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  It looks like Catcher, First Base and Third base are our major. weakness to date. Poor hitting from both and poor fielding. I think some of the pitchers should drop baseball and just get a degree at Rice.

Poor choice of words.

It's just a game and these are 18-23 year old young men. Give me a break OldOwl. Each guy goes out there and does their absolute best even if the results indicate otherwise.

Thank you for saying this. OldOwl should probably stay away from any motivational talks henceforth.

My thanks as well for your comments. Also many of the players had several tests & presentations due this week. A week where most of them did not get back to rooms until after midnight the last two nights. Not an excuse but just some context. These players absolutely do their dead level best for their teammates, coaches and school while juggling high level academics. Sometimes the results are lacking but other times they are not. I do not think some (on this board) understand how much extra time these players spend working to get better (outside of team practice) all while managing the appropriate time for studies. It is difficult to understand unless you have played the game at this level what is involved. They are still young men learning to navigate the process. Go Owls!!!