Oy, it wasn't easy, but the Aggies are on their way to Omaha after a 15-9 win last night. Ever seen 9 runs scored in an inning with only 2 hits (and both by the same player?) before? Well it happened last night. Oregon coach hung his pitcher out to dry... leaving him in way too long. But then if you saw his bullpen, you kinda get it. Turns out Oregon had some good starting pitching, but not much behind it. So the CWS will be an ACC vs SEC affair. Who has the upper hand will be determined tonight as NC State and UGA face off for the final slot. My Aggies are limping in. We lost our best player to a broken ankle, and last night our #2 starter went out after less than a dozen pitches with what is thought to be a ligament problem that will likely see his season ended. Need next man to step up, but at this level of competition that's asking a lot. At least we made the show - twice now in 2 years with Coach Schloss... I think we'll keep this guy around.
Georgia got the grease going in their pitchers gloves and are on to the CWS. Cinderella Evansville going home, Vols to the CWS.
Saw an article on LSU baseball where they are expecting to have a major roster rebuild through the portal, non-productive players will be encouraged (read forced) into the portal to open slots for better players. I'm sure NIL money will be a carrot held out to players to encourage them to choose Baton Rouge.
Been kinda busy this weekend, so haven't commented yet. So far... this is an amazing CWS. All 4 opening games have been one run affairs with serious dramatics in each. 3 walk-offs to start, and (thankfully for me!) an un-walkoff late last night as the Aggies held off the Gators for a 3-2 win. The first elimination game is today, followed by the first winners bracket game tonight. The Aggies face Kentucky tomorrow night, and the Gators will play NC State in the early game.
To elaborate on the "un walkoff" comment. In the 9th last night with one man on a UF batter thought he gave the Gators the lead. Fortunately for my side, all 6'5" of Big Jace was in RF for the Aggies...
The Gators stay alive today beating NC St 5-4. Another great game with a lot of good pitching, and a couple of bombs when the pitchers did make mistakes. So far this CWS has been stellar. I sure would like the Aggies to break that streak tonight and clobber Kentucky, but I expect it'll be another nail biter.
Well the Aggies kinda answered my call beating UK 5-1. Unfortunately it appears we've lost another star to injury. Big Jace (made the HR save in previous pic) came up lame with a hamstring issue. We finished the game with two infielders playing center and left field. Thank goodness they get a day to rest. Coach Schloss is pulling rabbits out of hats at this point for a line up...
FSU handles North Carolina today, and will face Tennessee to see who advances to the champ game. Storms in Omaha have postponed the UK/Florida game until 10 tomorrow morning. Weather permitting, the winner will face the Aggies tomorrow night to decide who advances.
More often than not a team that explodes like FL did fizzles in the next game. I could be wrong. We’ll see.
Even with Chris Cortez not finding the strike zone that was some serious pitching. Aggies move to final against Tennessee with a 6-0 shutout. WHOOP!!
Only played them in the SEC tourney, which was a loss 4-7. But I don't put a lot on that game. With a national seed locked up, they weren't playing for anything. I think the biggest factor could be if Jace L is playing or not. He was an obvious liability in the field last night... a kid got a double off him that probably would have been an out with Jace at 100%. If he can't run, they need to sit him. It was also affecting his batting, and on the bases he's a liability as well...