MSUBulldog2010 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 3 minutes ago, Wcchaingang said: But Vandy has another #1 arm waiting to go. If it goes to game 3 I will take Rocker against anyone State throws out there. Every team has 1, #1 and I like MSU's #1 vs. any other #1 in the country game in and game out. State will still have the ability to throw their #2 from the bench should State's #1 struggle which isn't likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wcchaingang Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 10 minutes ago, MSUBulldog2010 said: Every team has 1, #1 and I like MSU's #1 vs. any other #1 in the country game in and game out. State will still have the ability to throw their #2 from the bench should State's #1 struggle which isn't likely. Most teams do only 1 #1. But Vandy actually has 2 guys that are #1’s. Rocker was the Friday night guy all year. And him and Leiter were tit for tat all year. The only way MSU would have an advantage on starting pitching would to start Bednar tomorrow against I’m guessing Little from Vandy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSUBulldog2010 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Wcchaingang said: Most teams do only 1 #1. But Vandy actually has 2 guys that are #1’s. Rocker was the Friday night guy all year. And him and Leiter were tit for tat all year. The only way MSU would have an advantage on starting pitching would to start Bednar tomorrow against I’m guessing Little from Vandy. I'm not sure Bednar has had enough rest to go tomorrow. The #1 available to State as the head coach determines. Edited June 29, 2021 by MSUBulldog2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wcchaingang Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 IMO States best chance was to steal game 1 and force Vandy to bring Rocker on short rest for 2 and if they win it you would have Bednar going against a #3 for title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg83 Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 For Game 1, your only chance to beat Leiter was for MacLeod to be good. Instead he probably had the worst start of his career. I hate that a good pitcher like MacLeod is going to end his college career on such a sour note, because when he was on he could be REALLY good. But he had a fairly inconsistent year and then his last three starts went very very poorly. It’s a shame that this will probably be what people remember him for, he had a way better career than the last few weeks would suggest. So yeah clearly State is in a tough spot right now. I have no idea on what Harding and Bednar’s availability is and not the nearest clue who gets the start tomorrow. The way I see it, three things have to go State’s way for them to come back and win these next two games. 1. Bullpen has to be elite. Tonight was actually very good after the first inning. Vandy has not been great offensively. Must keep the ball in the strike zone and force them to beat you, can’t give up all the freebies like tonight. I’m almost certain you’ll see Sims at some point tomorrow, perhaps in an extended role. Other guys have to step up too, can’t expect Sims to go win two games in two days for you all by himself. 2. State has to hit Vandy well tomorrow. I’m not expecting Rocker to start until Wednesday if needed. You have to get runs tomorrow against Little or Reilly. State has struggled at the plate in Omaha, tomorrow needs to be a good day offensively. 3. If you get to Wednesday and are facing Rocker, you just have to hope and pray he’s a little off on short rest. I hate to say it but you’re probably not beating that guy with a championship on the line... IF HE IS AT FULL STRENGTH. If he’s a lesser version of himself then you might have a chance. But obviously that’s a huge if. State has to make it to Rocker before they do anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldogs4 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 We all knew coming in to this three game series that Vandy had a decided advantage and we had an uphill climb. That said, we are still more than capable of winning the next two games. Last night we had a couple of smashes go right at somebody that turned into DP’s. Those balls find holes then the game is potentially much tighter and the crowd becomes a factor. Not saying we win last night as the first inning was just an absolute killer but it could have gotten closer. As 83 noted, we have to score some runs tonight and continue to play solid defense. Pitching wise. Our games we have lost have been because of BB/HBP. Throwing strikes is the key. We will see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg83 Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 It was always going to be a major challenge to beat a fresh Leiter without Bednar available. You can make a very valid argument I think that it’s better to lose the way State did than lose a close 3-2 game where you burn through some major bullpen bullets. Clearly you would’ve preferred a win but in baseball I think a blowout loss can be better than a close loss many times. Helps you preserve some key pitchers. On a similar note, I’m not really sure why Vandy extended Maldonado like they did with a big lead. Throwing your best bullpen arm 46 pitches in Game 1 when you had a big lead was a really odd decision to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wcchaingang Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 35 minutes ago, Dawg83 said: It was always going to be a major challenge to beat a fresh Leiter without Bednar available. You can make a very valid argument I think that it’s better to lose the way State did than lose a close 3-2 game where you burn through some major bullpen bullets. Clearly you would’ve preferred a win but in baseball I think a blowout loss can be better than a close loss many times. Helps you preserve some key pitchers. On a similar note, I’m not really sure why Vandy extended Maldonado like they did with a big lead. Throwing your best bullpen arm 46 pitches in Game 1 when you had a big lead was a really odd decision to me. My guess is Corbin wanted to kill any momentum State might could have gotten going forward. State has had some late inning rally’s and even if you don’t pull it out it could lead to something the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSTSatchmo Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Right. I think it showed how important game 1 was for Vandy and their concern for how State has been rallying late. I thought it was interesting that the announcers said Vandy had to win game 1 to win the series, but it wasn’t as inportant for State to win game 1. I kind of disagree with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wcchaingang Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 27 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said: Right. I think it showed how important game 1 was for Vandy and their concern for how State has been rallying late. I thought it was interesting that the announcers said Vandy had to win game 1 to win the series, but it wasn’t as inportant for State to win game 1. I kind of disagree with that. Yea to me it is backwards. State really needed game 1 to put pressure on Vandy. If it goes to 3 a rocker and Bednar will be a good one but Rocker will have that extra day of rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldogs4 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Obviously tonight is it. But if we find a way to win tonight, I believe we will beat Rocker tomorrow night. I just have that feeling. He is a great pitcher but he has some vulnerable outings this season. Harding is going to have to pitch his best game of the year and preferably get us 5-6-7 good innings. Vandy is great at taking advantage of mistakes. Sounds easy but throwing strikes and making the plays in the field is paramount to keeping them at bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSTSatchmo Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 27 minutes ago, Bulldogs4 said: Harding is going to have to pitch his best game of the year and preferably get us 5-6-7 good innings. That will be tough considering he just pitched Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg83 Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 (edited) I think today is kind of a push but if it goes to Game 3 it’s hard to say it wouldn’t be advantage Vandy with Rocker throwing. You’re talking about one of the best postseason pitchers in college baseball history. Only thing that might change that is if State was somehow able to win today without extending Sims, that seems fairly unlikely though. You’d also have to hope that Rocker is a little off on shortened rest, and it would be his third start in a week and a half so it’s not out of the question. Gotta win tonight first. Edited June 29, 2021 by Dawg83 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wcchaingang Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 The kid Vandy is throwing is young and raw but he is the next in a long line of Vandy 1st rounders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1nglewing Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 35 minutes ago, Wcchaingang said: The kid Vandy is throwing is young and raw but he is the next in a long line of Vandy 1st rounders. A little wild with his fast balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wcchaingang Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 13 minutes ago, s1nglewing said: A little wild with his fast balls Yea he is very raw. But he is only 17 and should have been in high school this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSTSatchmo Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Great job by Johnson and Harding, especially with a few days rest. I know Rocker is almost untouchable, but it’s huge that State was able to get the bats going and gain some confidence. In contrast, I believe Vandy has just 6 hits since the first inning last night. Tomorrow night should be a classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg83 Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 Tonight went as well as it possibly could have for State. Win the game and not use Sims at all? You take that every day. I expect Sims and Bednar to account for the majority of the game tomorrow, but you very well may need at least one other guy to bridge the gap. You know you have a big challenge with Rocker, lay off the slider. Easier said than done but it’s the key to getting to him. Should be an incredible atmosphere, I’ve been in Omaha the last two days and scrambling to find tickets now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldogs4 Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Well this is it guys. This is what this team has been playing for all year. Forget the last two games. I am sure both teams have flushed those and are looking forward to tonight. I would expect this one to be a one run game that comes down to the wire. 3 keys for State (and this is not anything new) 1. Throw Strikes 2. Continue to play solid defense 3. Work the counts at the plate, lay off the slider and keep the bats hot from last night. Obviously, much easier said than done. But I like our chances. This is what makes baseball great. We have to beat their best and they have to beat our best. Let’s Go Dawgs!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpikeboy2 Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 I like our chances tonight. Win or Lose it has been great. But I really hope we win. lol One thing I don't think people are really talking about is that Vandy hasn't hit the ball well really all CWS. We gifted them 7 in the 1st and thats really been the story for them. They have only 6 hits in like 16 innings or something of that nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSTSatchmo Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) Huge game by Bednar. Shaky start and just kept getting better. They couldn’t have played better defensively either, and clutch hits by several different guys. Dominant performance. Edited July 1, 2021 by MSTSatchmo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg83 Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 What a night. So happy for the longtime MSU fans that have endured so much over the years. This was a very good team all year that, while not perfect and while they had some notable bumps in the road, they were always better than they got credit for. And the ceiling was always very very high, just needed to be peaking at the right time. They did just that and had to go through a gauntlet from the Super Regionals on to get the long awaited title. Legendary performance by Will Bednar. And so many others had great tournaments too. Chris Lemonis has proved himself to be among the elite coaches in college baseball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unionman76 Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 who is leading the convoy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldogs4 Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 WOW is all I can say!!!! So proud of this team that persevered throughout a difficult season and endured some low points that were painful. Being swept at home by Arkansas, losing 2 of 3 to Mizzou at home, completely tanking at the SECT that was balanced by a number of highs!!! I said during the season that experience was one of the most important factors of success and that was instrumental in the team winning through out the year. That was very apparent in the CWS this year. No way we win this year had this been our first rodeo. The fact it was third trip in a row was very important. After the first inning on Monday, we outscored Vandy 23-3. Just complete domination for the last two games. The fans. What can you say? The fans helped will this team to a championship. Vandy must have felt like they were in tsunami on Tuesday and Wednesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1nglewing Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 I heard the ratio of State to Vandy fans was about 15:1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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