One of our signees threw a 4-hit shutout with 10 Ks last night.
http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/spor...offs/698719480
One of our signees threw a 4-hit shutout with 10 Ks last night.
http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/spor...offs/698719480
From top to bottom our pitching staff could be better next year. Only a few needs though, only 6 position starters to replace - 3rd, 2nd, 1st, and all (3) OF positions. Gonna need some Juco studs to overcome that many position player losses BUT if Im a Juco stud and I know I have good chance of starting two years and play in the 6th best conference in the nation - seems like Tech is a no brainer.
Back in the day, Gravy had a pipeline from San Jacinto which was a perennial Juco power. Most of the good team he fielded had 3-4 Juco transfers in starting lineup. Some good ones came through year after year. I know we need to build on HS players and try not to lose our competitive momentum SO next year's recruiting class will need to be strategically balanced.
I think we will be fine on the corners and will have options at 2nd. Obviously replacing the bats of Lunceford and Washam will be tough. We may need an every day catcher. Will Diaz get drafted high enough to leave? Assuming he is healthy Mallard will help us in the OF and at the plate. Do we have him for two more years or did he lose this year? Bates could be starting in the OF now. He did start the first 1/3 of the season. He will be a great one. Jamar may help some in the OF. Hope he can become more than a pull hitter.
I believe we have a pipeline established in Mississippi at Jones, Hinds, and a few others for immediate needs.
IF Diaz doesn't leave through the draft, Tech's defense is solid up the middle, the backbone of all baseball defenses. Catcher, short and CF, with Diaz, Skelton and Bates/J'Mar.
So, with some salty pitchers supposedly (meaning I'm no expert on the new pitchers) coming in, the foundation for a good team is there.
Hamilton has been a stud at C when he has played. ALWAYS comes through with a big hit and very good on defense as well. The pitchers love working with him so we have a more than capable replacement for Diaz. He is almost certainly gone after this season.
Got some help yesterday. Up to 39.
Back at 39 this morning on Warren Nolan
''Don't be a bad dagh..."
Back at 39 this morning on Warren Nolan
''Don't be a bad dagh..."
I, for one, think '06 has a valid concern about our remaining schedule perhaps causing us to slip just far enough to miss the tournament. Perhaps, though, we will play and beat some highly-rated conference foes and get enough of a boost to push us over the top.
Good old Memorial Gym