Just a few thoughts from the weekend series...
*It wasn't exactly a pretty weekend for Tim Tadlock's crew, specifically at the plate, but the Red Raiders saved par by winning two of three against the Roadrunners. That's gonna happen some weekends, specifically early on in the season, so it was good to see the group not panic after blowing it on Saturday in the ninth inning. But again, it is a Tim Tadlock team, so panic isn't really something in their lexicon.
*But before I go into Tech, let me say this: That UTSA team is MUCH better than their record indicates, specifically in the bullpen and at the plate, something Coach Tadlock even alluded to on Sunday afternoon. Muller and a handful of their relievers should be playing for power five programs, and being a school in this part of the world, you're gonna have some hitters. I thought Beam, Markham, and George were especially impressive.
*That being said, there was an element of bad luck at the plate at times, specifically on Saturday. Giovanoni - the UTSA pitcher - had struck out just one Tech batter through the first six innings. Guys were getting plenty of contact, just couldn't get a hit through. On those days, your pitching has to be absolutely on, which Gingery was until his pitch count crept up into the 110s. But with two quick outs and no one on, I can't blame Tadlock and Ray Hayward for wanting to let him earn a complete game with the way he'd pitched his ass off all afternoon. It just blew up on him and the relievers couldn't get the final out.
*Speaking of relievers, they're currently what's going to determine what kind of a postseason this team ultimately has. In both the 2014 and last year's CWS runs, the bullpen is what ultimately helped put the bow on those journeys. They took care of business from the 7th inning on. Right now, while this team has PLENTY of guys with some firepower and fantastic arm talent in the bullpen, each and every one of them is still trying to become consistent. Whether it be Patterson, Mushinski, Quezada, McMillon, or the rest, you still don't know what you're going to exactly get, which is the problem. I think Quezada is the closest to being a consistent factor. If this team is going places, at least a few others have to be able to give you some level of consistency. The talent is there. Just have to learn how to tame it more.
*Tanner Gardner has found himself, folks. He was far and away the best hitter over the weekend, going 4-4 on Friday, getting Tech's only two hits on Saturday, and finishing things off with his signature right center double and walk on Sunday. His resurgence was much needed, so welcome back Mr. Gardner.
*Michael Davis needs to make a sacrifice to the baseball gods, because he's in a blizzardian slump right now. He went 1-9 over the weekend, and while he got a nice RBI single on Friday, he came up goose eggs the rest of the way, including going 0-5 on Sunday and doing largely the same in Houston and against Arizona. He'll get out of it at some point as a vet, but I know it's got to be tough for him right now.
*The musical chairs in the outfield and at DH continues, as Connor Beck, Ryan Long, Cody Farhat, and Grant Little are all still competing for the reps at those three positions. I would image that Cam Warren and Zach Rheams will factor in some way still, too. This is a good problem to have, especially when you see guys like Long and Farhat making the spectacular outfield catches they did on Sunday.
*It was so great to see Davis Martin get back on track on Friday. I think he was still a hair off with his command, but he was MUCH improved. I think he needed an outing like that for his confidence.
*Ryan Shetter was leaving too much up in the zone and his command was off in the first few innings on Sunday afternoon, but he got locked in around the third inning, and he was fantastic after that, striking out 7 of 13 batters at one point. Shetter's continued growth is one of the most encouraging things about this team right now. I think it's going to be very hard for anyone to catch him for that Sunday starter role. He's on track to be one of the best Sunday guys in the Big 12.
*Overall, Tech had one of those tough weekends against a scrappy team that smelled some blood on Friday and clawed and scratched until the final out on Sunday. They'll be better for it, specifically the younger guys.
*It wasn't exactly a pretty weekend for Tim Tadlock's crew, specifically at the plate, but the Red Raiders saved par by winning two of three against the Roadrunners. That's gonna happen some weekends, specifically early on in the season, so it was good to see the group not panic after blowing it on Saturday in the ninth inning. But again, it is a Tim Tadlock team, so panic isn't really something in their lexicon.
*But before I go into Tech, let me say this: That UTSA team is MUCH better than their record indicates, specifically in the bullpen and at the plate, something Coach Tadlock even alluded to on Sunday afternoon. Muller and a handful of their relievers should be playing for power five programs, and being a school in this part of the world, you're gonna have some hitters. I thought Beam, Markham, and George were especially impressive.
*That being said, there was an element of bad luck at the plate at times, specifically on Saturday. Giovanoni - the UTSA pitcher - had struck out just one Tech batter through the first six innings. Guys were getting plenty of contact, just couldn't get a hit through. On those days, your pitching has to be absolutely on, which Gingery was until his pitch count crept up into the 110s. But with two quick outs and no one on, I can't blame Tadlock and Ray Hayward for wanting to let him earn a complete game with the way he'd pitched his ass off all afternoon. It just blew up on him and the relievers couldn't get the final out.
*Speaking of relievers, they're currently what's going to determine what kind of a postseason this team ultimately has. In both the 2014 and last year's CWS runs, the bullpen is what ultimately helped put the bow on those journeys. They took care of business from the 7th inning on. Right now, while this team has PLENTY of guys with some firepower and fantastic arm talent in the bullpen, each and every one of them is still trying to become consistent. Whether it be Patterson, Mushinski, Quezada, McMillon, or the rest, you still don't know what you're going to exactly get, which is the problem. I think Quezada is the closest to being a consistent factor. If this team is going places, at least a few others have to be able to give you some level of consistency. The talent is there. Just have to learn how to tame it more.
*Tanner Gardner has found himself, folks. He was far and away the best hitter over the weekend, going 4-4 on Friday, getting Tech's only two hits on Saturday, and finishing things off with his signature right center double and walk on Sunday. His resurgence was much needed, so welcome back Mr. Gardner.
*Michael Davis needs to make a sacrifice to the baseball gods, because he's in a blizzardian slump right now. He went 1-9 over the weekend, and while he got a nice RBI single on Friday, he came up goose eggs the rest of the way, including going 0-5 on Sunday and doing largely the same in Houston and against Arizona. He'll get out of it at some point as a vet, but I know it's got to be tough for him right now.
*The musical chairs in the outfield and at DH continues, as Connor Beck, Ryan Long, Cody Farhat, and Grant Little are all still competing for the reps at those three positions. I would image that Cam Warren and Zach Rheams will factor in some way still, too. This is a good problem to have, especially when you see guys like Long and Farhat making the spectacular outfield catches they did on Sunday.
*It was so great to see Davis Martin get back on track on Friday. I think he was still a hair off with his command, but he was MUCH improved. I think he needed an outing like that for his confidence.
*Ryan Shetter was leaving too much up in the zone and his command was off in the first few innings on Sunday afternoon, but he got locked in around the third inning, and he was fantastic after that, striking out 7 of 13 batters at one point. Shetter's continued growth is one of the most encouraging things about this team right now. I think it's going to be very hard for anyone to catch him for that Sunday starter role. He's on track to be one of the best Sunday guys in the Big 12.
*Overall, Tech had one of those tough weekends against a scrappy team that smelled some blood on Friday and clawed and scratched until the final out on Sunday. They'll be better for it, specifically the younger guys.
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