Was this really a CWS team?
Moderators: kerrigjl, BrentVU, jfgogold, NateSY, KarenYates, Vandyman74, roanoke, VandyWhit
- DeefromAtlanta
- Admiral
- Posts: 7980
- Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:50 am
Was this really a CWS team?
Personally, I think this team maxed out. Sure, it would have been nice to get to Omaha, but all things considered - our youth, inconsistent bullpen, Infante's hibernation and Bleday's prolonged absence - made this a pretty good but not CWS worthy team.
Now next year's team has the potential to be special. Our freshmen will be sophomores. Someone will claim third base. Others will emerge from our roster. Infante and Raby will come back to prove their worth. And there's a serious influx of new talent coming in, including much-needed pitching depth and a potential weekend starter in Rocker.
There's definitely a good deal of momentum going into the off-season.
Now next year's team has the potential to be special. Our freshmen will be sophomores. Someone will claim third base. Others will emerge from our roster. Infante and Raby will come back to prove their worth. And there's a serious influx of new talent coming in, including much-needed pitching depth and a potential weekend starter in Rocker.
There's definitely a good deal of momentum going into the off-season.
Last edited by DeefromAtlanta on Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Rear Admiral
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 8:05 pm
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
We certainly weren't going to win the CWS, and a month ago I would have been thrilled to be in Game 3 of the supers at home. That knowledge helps, but today the disappointment is real. Had two shots to walk it off, even after leaving guys on 3rd all night long.
If the bullpen can get some things figured out, and we can find infield defenders, we have a real shot at making a serious run in Omaha the next two years.
If the bullpen can get some things figured out, and we can find infield defenders, we have a real shot at making a serious run in Omaha the next two years.
- DeefromAtlanta
- Admiral
- Posts: 7980
- Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:50 am
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
We left the bases loaded at least three times last night.
For the weekend, we left 35 runners on base. I couldn't find what we did with RISP, but it had to be horrendous.
For the weekend, we left 35 runners on base. I couldn't find what we did with RISP, but it had to be horrendous.
-
- Rear Admiral
- Posts: 1424
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2017 9:50 pm
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
Ray claimed third last night.DeefromAtlanta wrote:Personally, I think this team maxed out. Sure, it would have been nice to get to Omaha, but all things considered - our youth, inconsistent bullpen, Infante's hibernation and Bleday's prolonged absence - made this a pretty good but not CWS worthy team.
Now next year's team has the potential to be special. Our freshmen will be sophomores. Someone will claim third base. Others will emerge from our roster. Infante and Raby will come back to prove their worth. And there's a serious influx of new talent coming in, including much-needed pitching depth and a potential weekend starter in Rocker.
There's definitely a good deal of momentum going into the off-season.
-
- Fleet Admiral
- Posts: 20746
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:31 pm
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
Not to mention that the first-base ump gifted MSU in the first inning, ruling that our hit that was CLEARLY deflected in fair ground by the MSU first baseman, was nevertheless a foul ball. Our runner on third base strolls home easily if that not-very-difficult call is made correctly. If we're properly credited with that one-run, we win by a run in 9 innings.DeefromAtlanta wrote:We left the bases loaded at least three times last night...For the weekend, we left 35 runners on base. I couldn't find what we did with RISP, but it had to be horrendous.
I agree with the overall sentiment, that this VU team's performance over the course of the season did not "warrant" us going to Omaha. But our performance over the course of the Regionals & Super-Regionals, if umped correctly, did.
-
- Vice Admiral
- Posts: 2707
- Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2016 3:43 pm
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 15 times
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
In retrospect, it was a great year for a good (read: not your typical) 2018 team. To be on the brink of missing the NCAA cut altogether, and come within an inning or two of Omaha was a great run.
That said, I never thought we were a serious contender. We are couple of pitchers and a good hitting 1B and 3B (no offense to Harry - he's not a power guy) from being really good. I love our Freshman class.
That said, I never thought we were a serious contender. We are couple of pitchers and a good hitting 1B and 3B (no offense to Harry - he's not a power guy) from being really good. I love our Freshman class.
-
- Vice Admiral
- Posts: 3675
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2016 9:23 pm
- Has thanked: 85 times
- Been thanked: 23 times
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
This nails it for me. After being on the brink of having the season fall apart on a couple occasions, this team really turned it around and I agree, "maxed out" its potential. Looking forward to next season!DeefromAtlanta wrote:Personally, I think this team maxed out. Sure, it would have been nice to get to Omaha, but all things considered - our youth, inconsistent bullpen, Infante's hibernation and Bleday's prolonged absence - made this a pretty good but not CWS worthy team.
Now next year's team has the potential to be special. Our freshmen will be sophomores. Someone will claim third base. Others will emerge from our roster. Infante and Raby will come back to prove their worth. And there's a serious influx of new talent coming in, including much-needed pitching depth and a potential weekend starter in Rocker.
There's definitely a good deal of momentum going into the off-season.
-
- Admiral
- Posts: 6076
- Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 9:46 pm
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
You could make the argument that Miss. State isn't really a CWS team either. They have serious problems with their bullpen. I don't think they'll last very long.
- admin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 8680
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 3:44 pm
- Location: VandyVille
- Has thanked: 59 times
- Been thanked: 23 times
- Contact:
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
Agreed. We and MSU had a shot to slip into the CWS when we probably shouldn't have been there. MSU won't win it but they get CWS No. 10 on their program resume and their players will gain the experience of being there. We'll be a lot better next year.Golddore68 wrote:You could make the argument that Miss. State isn't really a CWS team either. They have serious problems with their bullpen. I don't think they'll last very long.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Don Yates - Publisher, http://www.vandymania.com
Don Yates - Publisher, http://www.vandymania.com
-
- Fleet Admiral
- Posts: 20746
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:31 pm
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
This is entirely true. It added to my frustration, that we didn't quite beat them, the fact that they were at least as undeserving of the CWS as we were.Golddore68 wrote:You could make the argument that Miss. State isn't really a CWS team either. They have serious problems with their bullpen. I don't think they'll last very long.
My daughter-in-law is an OSU grad & big fan, so I will have no problem rooting for the Beavers (unlike last year, when they were not only our SuperRegional opponent, but also lead by an ace pitcher who should never have been allowed to play, by any university.
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
You realize said ace is still OSU's ace this year??vebiltdervan wrote:This is entirely true. It added to my frustration, that we didn't quite beat them, the fact that they were at least as undeserving of the CWS as we were.Golddore68 wrote:You could make the argument that Miss. State isn't really a CWS team either. They have serious problems with their bullpen. I don't think they'll last very long.
My daughter-in-law is an OSU grad & big fan, so I will have no problem rooting for the Beavers (unlike last year, when they were not only our SuperRegional opponent, but also lead by an ace pitcher who should never have been allowed to play, by any university.
"Fight on, my men," Sir Andrew said, "a little I’m hurt but not yet slain. I’ll just lie down and bleed awhile, and I’ll rise and fight again."
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
Mississippi State wasn't a CWS team and we didn't play like we belonged eithewr. However, if you had told me that we had a chance to go to Omaha in the bottom of the ninth in game three of a super regional at home, I would have bet the farm.
-
- Vice Admiral
- Posts: 2513
- Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2016 8:08 am
- Has thanked: 32 times
- Been thanked: 25 times
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
All I can say is that this team would be there if our pitching had performed as well as they had recently. We certainly appeared to mature late in the year and dominated the #6 team on their home field. It would have been a great learning experience for the players and the best talent doesn’t always win the Championship. Oregan St would have been extremely difficult to beat, but I believe we could have presented them with as tough a challenge as anyone in their bracket. As the saying goes, that’s why they play the games. UF, Ark and OSU look to be the best teams, but I believe we could have held our own with the other teams.
- DeefromAtlanta
- Admiral
- Posts: 7980
- Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:50 am
- charlestonalum
- Fleet Admiral
- Posts: 13165
- Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2016 5:37 am
- Location: Charleston, SC
- Has thanked: 101 times
- Been thanked: 81 times
- Contact:
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
judging by the team that edged us out for the CWS - I would say we belonged and if had only scored any of our runners against State we would be in great shape in the CWS: we should be hungry next year, knowing what almost was.
-
- Admiral
- Posts: 9918
- Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 12:29 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 124 times
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
charlestonalum wrote:judging by the team that edged us out for the CWS - I would say we belonged and if had only scored any of our runners against State we would be in great shape in the CWS: we should be hungry next year, knowing what almost was.
Plus what we have coming back and coming in. Can't help but be decided.
- geeznotagain
- Admiral
- Posts: 8877
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:04 pm
- Has thanked: 32 times
- Been thanked: 72 times
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
charlestonalum wrote:judging by the team that edged us out for the CWS - I would say we belonged and if had only scored any of our runners against State we would be in great shape in the CWS: we should be hungry next year, knowing what almost was.
I never thought the hunger in year X because of disappointment/near miss in year X-1 was very relevant. For fans, yes. For teams, not so much. NOTE: I minored in psychology, so this is not just some off-the-cuff, amateurish observation.
-
- Admiral
- Posts: 9918
- Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 12:29 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 124 times
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
I don't know, it sounds like the guys that have announced they are coming back for their senior year are pretty hungry.geeznotagain wrote:charlestonalum wrote:judging by the team that edged us out for the CWS - I would say we belonged and if had only scored any of our runners against State we would be in great shape in the CWS: we should be hungry next year, knowing what almost was.
I never thought the hunger in year X because of disappointment/near miss in year X-1 was very relevant. For fans, yes. For teams, not so much. NOTE: I minored in psychology, so this is not just some off-the-cuff, amateurish observation.
- charlestonalum
- Fleet Admiral
- Posts: 13165
- Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2016 5:37 am
- Location: Charleston, SC
- Has thanked: 101 times
- Been thanked: 81 times
- Contact:
Re: Was this really a CWS team?
Geez, unfinished business is a pretty strong motivator - might have to look this up some more to support my position, but from my English major I remember a very poignant poem by Emily Dickinson
"Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne're succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory,
As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Break, agonized and clear."
"Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne're succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory,
As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Break, agonized and clear."