The unofficial online home for fans of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Middle relief has long been a thorn in UC's side. We have actually had numerous very good starting pitchers, but the bullpen has tended to blow up a ton of games over the last half decade or so...looks like this year will be more of the same.

Starting pitcher allowed 5 hits and 1 run over 5 innings with 7 KS, the next two innings we gave up 11 runs on 9 hits (4 HRs in there).

Also didn't help that our bats were missing a whole hell of a lot. 17 SOs in 30 ABs for the Bearcats...yikes...

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

I feel bad for UC's baseball program. Every year I hope they get off to a good start and every year they start off the season getting their a$$es handed to them by southern teams that have been playing all winter.

They'll probably lose three of four against Ga St and then have what looks like three sure losses against Florida, so we're looking at 1-6 before they ever play a home game.

Groundhog Day.

(02-18-2023 09:50 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Hey! We win game one today 9-4.

(02-18-2023 03:53 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 09:50 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

(02-18-2023 05:16 PM)bearcat29 Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 03:53 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 09:50 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

Googs has now been at UC for a long time. I’d say his one AAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 was an aberration, not an achievement likely to be replicated. The AAC is a good baseball league but the Big XII will be even better. We should aspire to be middle of the pack or better every year. I would think for potential Ohio and other Midwestern recruits the prospect of playing close to home but also playing in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be more attractive than playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Cincinnati is also a Major League Baseball city. I don’t think that has been successfully utilized as a recruiting tool for UC baseball. Louisville is now a consistent national college baseball power. What do they have that we don’t? If it’s money, now we have more of that.

(02-19-2023 11:55 AM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 05:16 PM)bearcat29 Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 03:53 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 09:50 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

Googs has now been at UC for a long time. I’d say his one AAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 was an aberration, not an achievement likely to be replicated. The AAC is a good baseball league but the Big XII will be even better. We should aspire to be middle of the pack or better every year. I would think for potential Ohio and other Midwestern recruits the prospect of playing close to home but also playing in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be more attractive than playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Cincinnati is also a Major League Baseball city. I don’t think that has been successfully utilized as a recruiting tool for UC baseball. Louisville is now a consistent national college baseball power. What do they have that we don’t? If it’s money, now we have more of that.

Bolded, great post. Though I can't make many games, I've been a season ticket holder for baseball for several years to support the program. UC would seem to have a strong competitive advantage against Great Lakes area schools going into the Big 12. AAC baseball is typically ranked above the B10 and way above the Big East but the brand just never got traction in a decade old conference. Big 12 baseball will turn heads for recruits; if it doesn't it may be symptomatic of other issues hampering recruiting.

Is UC baseball "Day One Ready" for the Big 12? It doesn't seem that way but in fairness this season has just begun.

UC wins 3rd game 6-4, starts the year 2-1......

(02-20-2023 11:28 AM)CincyBro Wrote:  UC wins 3rd game 6-4, starts the year 2-1......

Pretty exciting after what seems like years of getting beaten on a daily basis on those season opening southern tours.

(02-20-2023 02:24 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-20-2023 11:28 AM)CincyBro Wrote:  UC wins 3rd game 6-4, starts the year 2-1......

Pretty exciting after what seems like years of getting beaten on a daily basis on those season opening southern tours.

I always wonder if we'd be better off heading south, but finding some other northern teams to play at a neutral site to start the season. We can't be the only northern team that gets losses early playing southern teams that have had better preseason practice due to the weather.

(02-20-2023 02:36 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  

(02-20-2023 02:24 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-20-2023 11:28 AM)CincyBro Wrote:  UC wins 3rd game 6-4, starts the year 2-1......

Pretty exciting after what seems like years of getting beaten on a daily basis on those season opening southern tours.

I always wonder if we'd be better off heading south, but finding some other northern teams to play at a neutral site to start the season. We can't be the only northern team that gets losses early playing southern teams that have had better preseason practice due to the weather.

I've wondered the same. And do we know if the IPF will have either feasibility or availability for winter/spring baseball training? That could be a game changer too.

I'm among those who believe our baseball program should continue to improve; terrific stadium, a good baseball city, and now a very high profile baseball conference that will provide some exciting new rivalries.

(02-18-2023 03:47 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Groundhog Day.

Oh the irony.

(02-19-2023 11:55 AM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 05:16 PM)bearcat29 Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 03:53 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 09:50 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 07:30 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  The Bearcats started off rough in their first game yesterday at Georgia State. They had a 2-1 lead briefly but relief pitching got off to a very bad start by giving up 11 runs in 2 innings in the 12-2 loss.

Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

Googs has now been at UC for a long time. I’d say his one AAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 was an aberration, not an achievement likely to be replicated. The AAC is a good baseball league but the Big XII will be even better. We should aspire to be middle of the pack or better every year. I would think for potential Ohio and other Midwestern recruits the prospect of playing close to home but also playing in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be more attractive than playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Cincinnati is also a Major League Baseball city. I don’t think that has been successfully utilized as a recruiting tool for UC baseball. Louisville is now a consistent national college baseball power. What do they have that we don’t? If it’s money, now we have more of that.

Louisville has a lot of money. Not only is their baseball good, they have a very good softball program as well. They have the benefit of not having MLB and the NFL so companies aren’t splitting their ad revenue around. It’s going to one spot. Then you throw in you have out of city companies like Kroger being a major partner— Kroger donated $3M to build Louisville’s indoor baseball practice facility.

(02-20-2023 02:36 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  

(02-20-2023 02:24 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-20-2023 11:28 AM)CincyBro Wrote:  UC wins 3rd game 6-4, starts the year 2-1......

Pretty exciting after what seems like years of getting beaten on a daily basis on those season opening southern tours.

I always wonder if we'd be better off heading south, but finding some other northern teams to play at a neutral site to start the season. We can't be the only northern team that gets losses early playing southern teams that have had better preseason practice due to the weather.

We used to do that a lot more often. Looking through the schedules:

In 2022, we played Michigan State in South Carolina in early March.

In 2018, we opened the season versus Cal-Berkeley at University of San Diego (I attended this game).

In 2016, we played WKU in Athens, GA on Feb 26th, then we played a double-header against Ball State in South Carolina the next week.

In 2015, we opened the season against Miami Ohio in Starkville, MS. We played 3 games against Iowa in Emerson, Georgia from Feb 27th-March 1st.

In 2014, we played Missouri and Radford at Wake Forest, then played 2 games against UMass-Lowell at Virginia Tech. All in February.

(02-21-2023 09:52 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(02-19-2023 11:55 AM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 05:16 PM)bearcat29 Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 03:53 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 09:50 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  Ouch.

Traditionally we take a lot of lumps in the early season, especially to Southern programs. But still...11 runs in 2 innings...

Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

Googs has now been at UC for a long time. I’d say his one AAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 was an aberration, not an achievement likely to be replicated. The AAC is a good baseball league but the Big XII will be even better. We should aspire to be middle of the pack or better every year. I would think for potential Ohio and other Midwestern recruits the prospect of playing close to home but also playing in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be more attractive than playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Cincinnati is also a Major League Baseball city. I don’t think that has been successfully utilized as a recruiting tool for UC baseball. Louisville is now a consistent national college baseball power. What do they have that we don’t? If it’s money, now we have more of that.

Louisville has a lot of money. Not only is their baseball good, they have a very good softball program as well. They have the benefit of not having MLB and the NFL so companies aren’t splitting their ad revenue around. It’s going to one spot. Then you throw in you have out of city companies like Kroger being a major partner— Kroger donated $3M to build Louisville’s indoor baseball practice facility.

Hey Kroger - try keeping some of that money home. They are also major donors at UK. Of course this is b/c their CEO is a UK guy.

(02-22-2023 11:06 AM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(02-21-2023 09:52 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(02-19-2023 11:55 AM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 05:16 PM)bearcat29 Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 03:53 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  Bolded, so true unfortunately. To me, this is a pivotal season for the program. I had hoped for a progression from that very exciting (and experienced) team that earned the NCAA bid. Instead, it's been mixed results at best. And of course Big 12 baseball will be incredibly challenging.

Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

Googs has now been at UC for a long time. I’d say his one AAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 was an aberration, not an achievement likely to be replicated. The AAC is a good baseball league but the Big XII will be even better. We should aspire to be middle of the pack or better every year. I would think for potential Ohio and other Midwestern recruits the prospect of playing close to home but also playing in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be more attractive than playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Cincinnati is also a Major League Baseball city. I don’t think that has been successfully utilized as a recruiting tool for UC baseball. Louisville is now a consistent national college baseball power. What do they have that we don’t? If it’s money, now we have more of that.

Louisville has a lot of money. Not only is their baseball good, they have a very good softball program as well. They have the benefit of not having MLB and the NFL so companies aren’t splitting their ad revenue around. It’s going to one spot. Then you throw in you have out of city companies like Kroger being a major partner— Kroger donated $3M to build Louisville’s indoor baseball practice facility.

Hey Kroger - try keeping some of that money home. They are also major donors at UK. Of course this is b/c their CEO is a UK guy.

Kentucky and Louisville get Kroger money because the CEO is a graduate of Kentucky he grew up in Pineville Ky. So the Kroger money goes to Kentucky schools in spite of the two markets are smaller then Cincinnati.

(02-22-2023 11:26 AM)kyucat Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 11:06 AM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(02-21-2023 09:52 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(02-19-2023 11:55 AM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(02-18-2023 05:16 PM)bearcat29 Wrote:  Goggs was able to navigate X to post season play. I would think with a better conference, bit bigger budget that he would be able to do the same for UC.

Googs has now been at UC for a long time. I’d say his one AAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 was an aberration, not an achievement likely to be replicated. The AAC is a good baseball league but the Big XII will be even better. We should aspire to be middle of the pack or better every year. I would think for potential Ohio and other Midwestern recruits the prospect of playing close to home but also playing in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be more attractive than playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey. Cincinnati is also a Major League Baseball city. I don’t think that has been successfully utilized as a recruiting tool for UC baseball. Louisville is now a consistent national college baseball power. What do they have that we don’t? If it’s money, now we have more of that.

Louisville has a lot of money. Not only is their baseball good, they have a very good softball program as well. They have the benefit of not having MLB and the NFL so companies aren’t splitting their ad revenue around. It’s going to one spot. Then you throw in you have out of city companies like Kroger being a major partner— Kroger donated $3M to build Louisville’s indoor baseball practice facility.

Hey Kroger - try keeping some of that money home. They are also major donors at UK. Of course this is b/c their CEO is a UK guy.

Kentucky and Louisville get Kroger money because the CEO is a graduate of Kentucky he grew up in Pineville Ky. So the Kroger money goes to Kentucky schools in spite of the two markets are smaller then Cincinnati.

Also, why the hell does Kroger need to advertise in the market where its HQ is located?