Just a few quick thoughts about last night

[Seinfeld]

I feel bad for Macleod, and I really hope he can shake whatever is going on. His facial expressions made it seem like he was spooked from the get go, and I swear it was like UVA batters knew exactly what was coming on every pitch. They were all over everything he threw, and he’s just got to get things worked out

So great to see the collective bullpen come through with a huge performance after they’d been been kinda bleh for the last month or two. Really just an incredible job including Sims fighting with all he had even when he was visibly not 100%

Tanner and Rowdy… forget about what happens from hear on out, those guys are bulldog legends. IF this team somehow brings home a title, TA has to be in the discussion for greatest of all time. Just a beyond amazing year

Shout outs to Dubrule, James, and Clark. When frankly even some of our stars could not get anything going, these guys all came up big at different points in the game. Dubrule continues to quietly be an extremely solid middle of the order guy, and he just never tries to do too much. Snag a walk here, put the ball in play there, we’re lucky to have him.

Let’s keep this train rolling!

 

[mdm3045]

Agreed. And regardless of the questionable base running on the Rowdey double, Hatcher had a really solid at bat when he came in for Forsythe. Good moment for him given all that he has had to deal with this year. Really happy for him to have some success in the CWS. Gotta be a confidence boost for him.

 

[Xenomorph]

To win 3/5 from here on there is no scenario in which Macleod doesn't record some outs. We need that guy to bounce back. Eat Cerano's bucket of KFC or go all out and sacrifice the live chicken in the dugout. Whatever it takes.

 

[johnson86-1]

Agreed. And regardless of the questionable base running on the Rowdey double, Hatcher had a really solid at bat when he came in for Forsythe. Good moment for him given all that he has had to deal with this year. Really happy for him to have some success in the CWS. Gotta be a confidence boost for him.

Was his base running questionable? It looked like the outfielder had a play on the ball u til the last second on TV. Not sure what the bad running ‘rules’ are in that situation, but o would have assumed he did exactly right: Go as far as you can while still being able to get back to first if they catch the ball.

 

[Predestined]

Dubrule was key

I know TA gets the glory for the HR, but Dubrule started it all with an 0-2 walk. Then drives in the winning run with great execution. Sits on first pitch pitch fastball outside and goes oppo for the hit.

He isn't getting much play in the stories - understandable with TA, Sims and the pen, but how clutch was he in the 8th.

 

[thekimmer]

You new starting pitcher for the bulldogs.....

Johnny Wholestaff. Seriously though that has to be the strategy if Macleod can't pick up the pieces and his demeanor & the trauma of last night casts serious doubt on that. You just cut out the four run cushion at the beginning of the game by starting Johnson for an inning or two then turn it over to the next guy.

TA took the kill shot but there are so many unsung heroes from last night. Scotty Dubrule is at the top of that list. Huge, huge, huge walk to start the 8th then a huge, huge, huge base hit to score what turned out to be the winning run in the same inning, then a couple of huge plays at second including starting the twin killing that saved a run.

 

[rynodawg]

James was solid on defense, the grounder late in the game that he got on the short hop was not an easy play at all.

 

[Dubs.sixpack]

I think Macleod was spooked against Notre Dame as well but he had decent stuff and got away with some of it. He's been a great arm for us but you can't throw him anymore this year.

 

[patdog]

Yeah, I noticed that too. That was a good play by him. Really, for all the defensive problems we had early, we've been a very good defensive team the last month.

 

[mdm3045]

James was solid on defense, the grounder late in the game that he got on the short hop was not an easy play at all.

And don’t forget about the foul ball that he caught falling into the camera well.

 

[PineGroveBully]

If we can somehow land this plane I’m suggesting a Rowdy/TA statue near T&L of them in midair doing that jumping pseudo bash brother thing.

 

[maroonmania]

I think Macleod was spooked against Notre Dame as well but he had decent stuff and got away with some of it. He's been a great arm for us but you can't throw him anymore this year.

Well, someone will have to be a 3rd starter. If not Mac then I'm not sure who? We are running out of guys to start. We have now put Cerantola and Fristoe on the shelf. If we do the same with Mac not sure who we can turn to? Brandon Smith or Cade Smith? Not a lot of solid options left.

 

[Dubs.sixpack]

Well, someone will have to be a 3rd starter. If not Mac then I'm not sure who? We are running out of guys to start. We have now put Cerantola and Fristoe on the shelf. If we do the same with Mac not sure who we can turn to? Brandon Smith or Cade Smith? Not a lot of solid options left.

I hear ya but I don't think this is a stuff issue. I think this is a mental issue and you don't work through that in Omaha. I'm not 100% convinced you don't run Bednar out there on Friday and try to get 4-6 solid innings from him. He's confident and has a hot hand and 4 days of rest is enough this time of year. Then go to Johnny Wholestaff innings 5-7 and then Sims in the 8th. I don't think you can look ahead in Omaha. You have to treat each game like it's win or go home even when it's not. It's too hard to come out of the losers bracket.

 

[Junction John]

I haven't read down the board, but Preston Johnson deserves some praise too. That guy has been nothing but solid all year, and he comes into a whirlwind situation in his first appearance in the College World Series and quiets the storm. Huge Girodos on that guy. And those two K's with (I think) bases loaded...? Yuuuge.

 

[Junction John]

LALALALA

 

[WhiteShepherd07]

Well, someone will have to be a 3rd starter. If not Mac then I'm not sure who? We are running out of guys to start. We have now put Cerantola and Fristoe on the shelf. If we do the same with Mac not sure who we can turn to? Brandon Smith or Cade Smith? Not a lot of solid options left.

I think we should try starting someone else and bring Mac in relief 3-4th inning. Perfect scenario would be us up 1-2 runs to give the guy some cushion, let him build his confidence back up this way. I’m really nervous his confidence is shot and he knows it. Putting him in as a starter in an even bigger moment from here out would make him even more nervous.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Touché

 

[TankOwens]

your avatar has hypnotized me for years..... I can't not look at it.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

Will the statue out in front of the Dude have TA in the fancy pants?

 

[rynodawg]

Yep, didn’t even think about that one. The game seemed out of hand at the time, but that was against UVA’s best hitter Teel on a 3-1 count, with runners on base. Could have been the game saving play in retrospect.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

Dabrule has that gritty tough to get out mentality. i'm glad he is in the middle of the order, but i wouldn't have minded him being lead off and letting rowdy follow him. He just has a knack for getting on base.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

I thought Hatcher coming in and getting that infield hit was really clutch as well. He's had a rough year but it's nice to be able to pinch hit someone with experience.

 

[AlCoDog]

At the time i kept waiting for him to come up because i felt like he was our only chance not to get no-hit. He has been damn solid all post season.

 

[bully12]

Was his base running questionable? It looked like the outfielder had a play on the ball u til the last second on TV. Not sure what the bad running ‘rules’ are in that situation, but o would have assumed he did exactly right: Go as far as you can while still being able to get back to first if they catch the ball.

What I have not seen mentioned, and what I would really like to know, is what signal the third base coach was giving Hatcher? If he was being held at third, then it's on the runner behind him for not checking up at second. If, on the other hand, Hatcher was being waved home, then it's obviously on him for stopping at third. As in all things, communication is always paramount!!