College Baseball Season

[Dawg83]

52 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

College baseball fans are some of the most fickle in the world.   
 

Some State fans were blasting Lemonis after last night’s loss.   He doesn’t make good coaching decisions in game and he can’t develop players.   
 

After last night’s OM loss, people were dead set that OM wasn’t hosting a regional and Bianco is done.   They’re about to take a road series in week one.  

You have a lot of people in this state that view baseball through a football lens. Which is not rational most of the time.

 

It’s marathon, not a sprint. And it’s really just about who is playing the best in June, as long as you do well enough in the regular season to make the NCAAT.

 

Ole Miss in prime position right now, State has a lot of work to do. But it’s a long season.

[Bulldogs4]

Tough loss for State after a see-saw back and forth game. Bullpen is a major weakness for State at this point. 
 

Coaching staff is fine. One of my best friends told me all during off-season that this team was going to better than last years team. I tried to caution him that this years team might be more talented but that the season was going to be a struggle (obviously that was way before the Sims/Simmons injuries). 
 

I am older and much more patient than some of our fans (especially younger fans , some who have the patience of a gnat when it comes to college sports). I have faith that this team will improve during the season and that the pitching will as well. A lot of young guys are getting their feet put to the fire and right now many of them are scarred as a result. But they will eventually be the better for it. 
 

Tomorrow is important for State though, 0-3 would be a tough start for the conference season. 1-2 is obviously a bit more manageable. 
 

Ole Miss with a solid opening series 2-1 over Auburn on the road. Any time win 2 of 3 on the road that is a good weekend. 

 

 

[rebmus]

The last three posts are spot on.

Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Baseball fans are definitely the most fickle, getting worked up about a loss here and there. 

Having a great regular season definitely helps your path in the tourney, but being hot in June is what really matters.

 

OM played poorly yesterday, but overall managed a road series win in the SEC which is never easy. I'm glad OM gets to host UT next weekend, it can be argued UT should be the #1 team in the country right now... and IF they sweep South Carolina tomorrow, they may well be #1 going into next weekend. 

 

MSU has shown signs of being pretty good, and signs of folding like a cheap tent. There is talent there and plenty of time to put it together by the time it really matters. 

[s1nglewing]

Baseball parents are the absolute worst. The game is so slow everyone knows (thinks) they are an expert. Why I quit coaching baseball. Got phone calls at home about why so-and-so pitched too long or why little Johnny didn't get to pitch longer. Nope. Guess my skin was too thin. 

[Dawg83]

State dropped a 20 spot in Game 3 to salvage a game this weekend. Honestly you can live with 1-2 on the road most of the time, that applies here too IMO.

 

That said, State hosts Bama next weekend and it’s still early but that feels like a series they really need to win. The Ole Miss-Tennessee series has a chance to be awesome, an argument can easily be made that UT has been the most impressive team in the country so far. But I also feel like Bianco has a knack for winning these kind of big series at home. Should be fun.

[rebmus]

1 hour ago, Dawg83 said:

State dropped a 20 spot in Game 3 to salvage a game this weekend. Honestly you can live with 1-2 on the road most of the time, that applies here too IMO.

 

That said, State hosts Bama next weekend and it’s still early but that feels like a series they really need to win. The Ole Miss-Tennessee series has a chance to be awesome, an argument can easily be made that UT has been the most impressive team in the country so far. But I also feel like Bianco has a knack for winning these kind of big series at home. Should be fun.

MSU absolutely demolished Georgia today. I agree, road series are never easy in the SEC and especially against top 20 ranked teams. Had this series been in Starkville, I figure MSU would have taken 2 of 3. 

I'm curious where UT is ranked in the new poll, they certainly have an argument for being #1. That series in Oxford is pretty huge when it comes to national seeding at the end of the season... assuming one of those two teams doesn't go through a big slump during the regular season which is entirely possible. 

 

[rebmus]

Unranked A&M took 2 of 3 at #13 LSU this weekend. That wasn't what anyone expected. 

 

[Bulldogs4]

State had an uncharacteristic bad day in the field on Saturday that was costly. Obviously the wind was treacherous and made for some difficulties.

 

But not making a couple routine plays costs us about half a dozen runs and ultimately the victory.

 

Another day and another lesson learned. Hopefully, the Sunday game will be a turning point and we will see better performances going forward.

 

UT-OM is going to be a great series and the atmosphere should be electric all weekend. Tennessee seems to be getting uppity these days so maybe OM can shut them up for a few days with a series win or sweep. 

[rebmus]

2 hours ago, Bulldogs4 said:

 Hopefully, the Sunday game will be a turning point and we will see better performances going forward.

 

I'm curious to see how MSU plays over the next few weeks. I've kept saying the talent is there, they just can't seem to put it all together just yet. Sunday COULD be the game where they put it all together and the season turns around. 

 

 

[Dawg83]

On 3/21/2022 at 6:44 PM, rebmus said:

I'm curious to see how MSU plays over the next few weeks. I've kept saying the talent is there, they just can't seem to put it all together just yet. Sunday COULD be the game where they put it all together and the season turns around. 

 

 

Depends on what you mean by “turns around”. I just don’t see the depth on this team to be more than a 2 or 3 seed in someone else’s Regional, not to mention they’re behind the eight ball a bit in terms of resume right now.
 

The Sims and Simmons injuries were game changers in a big, bad way. I know they started slow even before that disastrous weekend in New Orleans where the injuries happened and they blew those leads, but they still had one of the highest ceilings in the country at that point. Now I feel like the ceiling is more the Top 20ish range instead of the Top 5.

 

Maybe they get hot in June and go on another deep run, crazier things have happened. But I think this team is a 13 to 15 SEC win team that will be a playing postseason baseball away from Starkville this year. Doesn’t mean there’s no path back to Omaha, just gonna be a lot harder.

[rebmus]

The depth certainly took a hit with Sims/Simmons. 

IF MSU plays better, I still think they have the talent to be a strong 2 seed or maybe even host a regional. Kinda of like you... top 20ish but I think they still COULD end up top 15ish. 

There certainly is little margin of error, pretty much need to sweep the rest of the midweek games and pick up 16-17 SEC wins. I wouldn't bet on that happening, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if it does happen. 

Being a mid 2 seed or high 3 seed is probably the best prediction right now. I lean towards MSU ends up a high 2 seed, around #18-19. 

[Dawg83]

Tennessee drilled Ole Miss in Game 1, just an ambush from the word go. Highlight of the game was Kiffin throwing a golf ball for the ceremonial first pitch. LOL.

 

State with a dramatic walk off win over Bama to open that series. It was 5-1 Bama in the 7th, State tied it on a homer with two outs in the 9th, and then walked it off in the 10th. Much needed W for the Dogs.

[Bulldogs4]

Tennessee is good but that game seemed one of those blips that happen occasionally.

 

State with one of its classic comeback wins. 83, I agree it was a much needed win and good to see. And This team has not had any comeback wins this year, too my knowledge.Hopefully another good sign that the season is turning around for the better. 

[Dawg83]

I will admit to being skeptical about Tennessee this year, thought last season might have just been a one hit wonder. But they appear to be one of the elite teams  again this year. Series certainly not over but that was quite a statement.

 

It also appears that the preseason concerns about OM’s starting pitching may be coming to fruition.

[Dawg83]

Man, another dramatic win for State. Scored 4 runs in the 9th to win 8-7. I don’t think Bama is very good (and for the life of me can’t figure out their bullpen management this weekend) but State had to have at least two wins this weekend and they’ve got it, with a chance to sweep tomorrow.

[Dawg83]

Tennessee has looked like the best team in the country this weekend. Loaded offense and premium pitching talent, too. It’s early but they look like a slam dunk Top 8 seed unless they just fall apart for some strange reason. Perhaps the No. 1 overall seed.

 

OM’s offense is better than they’ve shown this weekend but consider me very skeptical about this team’s pitching.

Edited March 27, 2022 by Dawg83

[pancho]

States Pen was weak today. Can't just keep thinking the bats will win it in the 9th everyday.  Ole Miss needs to go back to square 1 and find a starting pitcher.

[rebmus]

9 hours ago, Dawg83 said:

Tennessee has looked like the best team in the country this weekend. Loaded offense and premium pitching talent, too. It’s early but they look like a slam dunk Top 8 seed unless they just fall apart for some strange reason. Perhaps the No. 1 overall seed.

 

OM’s offense is better than they’ve shown this weekend but consider me very skeptical about this team’s pitching.

Yep. I've been saying for weeks that this OM team can hit most teams but I wasn't sold at all on the pitching. UT definitely has had an argument to be #1 for a few weeks, they made a HUGE statement this weekend by sweeping Ole Miss at Ole Miss. 

Ole Miss will still win a lot of games and most likely be a regional host. I'm not so sure this OM team will be a national seed. 

 

As stated earlier in the thread, Bama isn't that strong of a team. Still, that was a nice series win for MSU. MSU is trending in the right direction. 

[MSTSatchmo]

Takes from week 2.  
 

Tennessee must be really, really, very good.  

 

The fact State struggled with Bama (probably should have actually been swept) is not a good sign. 

[Dawg83]

19 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

Takes from week 2.  
 

Tennessee must be really, really, very good.  

 

The fact State struggled with Bama (probably should have actually been swept) is not a good sign. 

I’ve still got some major concerns about State, specifically related to the bullpen. Those two comebacks kinda masked the fact that State’s pen had a pretty brutal weekend. But I’m not going to nitpick a series win too much. Don’t think it matters a ton how you win, just that you won. Style points matter less in baseball than any other sport.

 

I mean obviously at this point expectations for State have to be adjusted from what they were in the preseason. But I think you can live with 3-3 after those two series. They’ve kept the pace they need to keep to make the postseason and that’s all that really matters in the regular season for a team who probably doesn’t have a great chance of hosting.

[Bulldogs4]

Tennessee is really good. But it is a long season. 
Arkansas swept State early last year at Dudy Noble. So all is not lost for Ole Miss despite the disappointing weekend.

 

Lost in the weekend is that Bama is improved from the recent years. It was a good weekend overall for State but as we know the bullpen is a major weakness. Although today the hitting did not give us a chance anyway. Scoring 2 runs is not going to win many Sunday games. It might win you a Friday night game occasionally but that is about it. As I mentioned before State is going to play a lot of 1 run games this year. The season will be determined how we fare in those games.
 

A sweep this weekend would have been nice though. But 3-3 after two weeks is not bad. 

[Bulldogs4]

I know that it is routine these days but the three day attendance figures were tremendous 

Ole Miss - 33K total

State - 37K total

 

Of course the weather was beautiful and the UT-OM series was huge. And then anytime Bama and State play it is going to be hard fought regardless of the sport. 

 

 

[Dawg83]

State has a somewhat big midweek game against Memphis and then they’re in Fayetteville next weekend. That could be a buzz saw, and you’re probably relatively pleased if you just win one game there.

 

OM is at Kentucky next weekend, sneaky tough series on the road. Would not shock me if UK took two at home, though I think OM is likely the better team.

[rebmus]

5 minutes ago, Dawg83 said:

State has a somewhat big midweek game against Memphis and then they’re in Fayetteville next weekend. That could be a buzz saw, and you’re probably relatively pleased if you just win one game there.

 

OM is at Kentucky next weekend, sneaky tough series on the road. Would not shock me if UK took two at home, though I think OM is likely the better team.

Road series are never easy in the SEC. OM needs to pick up a series win after getting swept at home. Kentucky is one of the few SEC teams that make that somewhat possible. 

 

Very tough weekend ahead for MSU. Arkansas and Tennessee look to be the best two teams in the SEC and maybe in the nation so far. 

[Dawg83]

10 hours ago, rebmus said:

Road series are never easy in the SEC. OM needs to pick up a series win after getting swept at home. Kentucky is one of the few SEC teams that make that somewhat possible. 

 

Very tough weekend ahead for MSU. Arkansas and Tennessee look to be the best two teams in the SEC and maybe in the nation so far. 

TN and AR coming in at 1 and 2 in the D1 poll this morning. Ole Miss fell all the way to 10. State still unranked. Can’t really argue with any of that.

Edited March 28, 2022 by Dawg83