The baseball season has halfway come and gone and the conference schedule is heating up. There are mixed emotions when it comes to Gaspard and the state of the baseball program. Talks of the Joe being a field that top recruits don't want to play in, Gaspard is a bad coach, and we can't finish games. Some of those things may be true but you have to deal with what you have. The new renovation I believe will attract more recruits as well as fans.
Now to this years team. It's been and up and down year so far with our record being 16-15, but with the TOUGHEST strength of schedule in the nation, you will take it. We've had bad losses and good wins like most teams in the country, but it's hard not think of what could've been. We beat a really good Houston team on the road, won the series at MSU, beat UF on the road, and gave A&M their first loss of the season. There's nearly always a "but" in every statement and here is mine: BUT we had chances to either sweep or win the series' against A&M, UF, and LSU. Coulda, woulda, shoulda could be said about all three of those series.
The pitching has been up and down this season with mainly the starting pitching being up and the bullpen being down. Gillbeau has been the big bright spot this season taking on the role as the ace. Walters has been a very impressive mid week starter and I believe he should be the Sunday starter. Castillo and Burrows (sometimes) has been the bright spot in the bullpen when it has been a close game, they are the ones we go to first.
This offense has shown to be more explosive than in years past with big innings that put games out of reach, (until the bullpen makes it interesting haha). Avant was thought to be the lead off hitter we have been searching for but he has had an inconsistent freshman campaign so far, but he has shown a lot of promise and will have a strong 2nd half. Mikey White and Casey Hughston have been the bright spot in the lineup, with Hughston being the big surprise. Hughston has hit the ball extremely well especially in clutch situations. The fundamentals of hitting have been the sore spot that has held this team back from multiple wins. Whether it is getting a bunt down, moving a runner over, or simply putting the ball in play. We can all recall a time that one of those three things have cost us a few wins.
Overall, this team is just weathering the storm that is the toughest stretch of games in the country where they have played 3 top 5 teams in consecutive weeks. Bama has a RPI of 29 and ranks 1st in SOS despite the 16-15 record. With the toughest portion of our schedule behind us, I believe we will start seeing us win more series' and start racking up the wins. This team will have their critics and supporters, but all we can do is support OUR team and hope for the best.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Now to this years team. It's been and up and down year so far with our record being 16-15, but with the TOUGHEST strength of schedule in the nation, you will take it. We've had bad losses and good wins like most teams in the country, but it's hard not think of what could've been. We beat a really good Houston team on the road, won the series at MSU, beat UF on the road, and gave A&M their first loss of the season. There's nearly always a "but" in every statement and here is mine: BUT we had chances to either sweep or win the series' against A&M, UF, and LSU. Coulda, woulda, shoulda could be said about all three of those series.
The pitching has been up and down this season with mainly the starting pitching being up and the bullpen being down. Gillbeau has been the big bright spot this season taking on the role as the ace. Walters has been a very impressive mid week starter and I believe he should be the Sunday starter. Castillo and Burrows (sometimes) has been the bright spot in the bullpen when it has been a close game, they are the ones we go to first.
This offense has shown to be more explosive than in years past with big innings that put games out of reach, (until the bullpen makes it interesting haha). Avant was thought to be the lead off hitter we have been searching for but he has had an inconsistent freshman campaign so far, but he has shown a lot of promise and will have a strong 2nd half. Mikey White and Casey Hughston have been the bright spot in the lineup, with Hughston being the big surprise. Hughston has hit the ball extremely well especially in clutch situations. The fundamentals of hitting have been the sore spot that has held this team back from multiple wins. Whether it is getting a bunt down, moving a runner over, or simply putting the ball in play. We can all recall a time that one of those three things have cost us a few wins.
Overall, this team is just weathering the storm that is the toughest stretch of games in the country where they have played 3 top 5 teams in consecutive weeks. Bama has a RPI of 29 and ranks 1st in SOS despite the 16-15 record. With the toughest portion of our schedule behind us, I believe we will start seeing us win more series' and start racking up the wins. This team will have their critics and supporters, but all we can do is support OUR team and hope for the best.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
