- Nov 19, 2014
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I agree with you about the pitching. We've had young pitchers come in before and be weekend starters as freshmen who were very successful (Logan Shore & Hudson Randall come to mind). Others who were successful throwing mid-week games their 1st year and then becoming successful midweek starters as sophomores (Alex Faedo, Singer, Kowar). Mace has been our best starting pitcher, but he's more of a Sunday starter than Friday night, IMO. Leftwich took a step back this year and Dyson seems to be a head case who disappeared. defense has been an issue, as you said. We've had an outfielder playing 2nd base because senior captain Blake Reese just couldn't hit and got benched. You have to have McConnell's bat in the lineup, but he's made more errors than we're accustomed at short. Calilao has been OK at first and Acton has been pretty solid at 3rd. Smith is just not a very good defensive player, although he's been better of late than he was earlier. He's obviously the best we've got, though, when you factor in his hitting. You've just got to work with the guys we've got, see who the new recruiting class can contribute right away and maybe bring in a transfer or JUCO guy who is ready for prime time. There were some real talented arms projected as stars in last year's recruiting class, but they've just not performed up to their capabilities.@FireFoley and @Ocalaman,
I've seen young pitching before. I'm not sure youth explains such poor play. You guys have mentioned the issues on defense as well. What can Sully do in the off-season to fix this? Is there anything he can do?
Now who pitches tomorrow? They had Dyson warming up in the bullpen late tonight. I hope like heck that my prediction of the season being over was premature, but they do need to win tomorrow to give them a chance. Incredible tonight, though.
You are right about Pogue. Gators's starting lineup now posted on the Live-Stats section of the Floridagators.com baseball schedule website. O'Sullivan's decisions about who to bring in from the bullpen will be critical. Will need more than 2 runs today.Pogue starts game 3. He had a decent start against USF and then another one against Tinerc, so he has earned another chance. Between you and me, I prefer not to see Dyson on the mound, unless there is no other option.