No single explanation will account for the performance of this team, so I will avoid the one obvious issue that we have with our pitching, something we have not experienced with UL baseball in a long while.
Rushing hitting 250 as our DH in front of a 220 Usher in the lineup is a major problem offensively. It was in full evidence last night in the 2nd inning, and again in the 6th, (bases loaded strike out), when Rushing fails to advance the runners in scoring position.
Opponents have DH that are most productive, and in too many instances we have lost opportunities to remain competitive when falling behind early. No one is going to make up 7, 8 or 9 runs in the 8th or 9th inning; however we had a great chance to close the 3-0 gap in the 2nd inning with runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 out. Usher and Rushing, not unexpectedly, failed to deliver anything. A walk, a base hit was all that was required; instead strike out and a pop-up to end any threat.
I would like to see Usher leading off, and bunting his way on with that speed, and there must be some other option to Rushing as DH???