Yes, me also.
Yes, me also.
Same issue here.
WTG Dawgs! Love the sweeps!
Congrats to the Dawgs on the sweep of Arky St.
That said, I'm concerned that so many of our games are so close. Why is that? It seems like LA Tech plays up or down to the level of their competition. I'd like to see us coast to a few wins simply because we're better than the other team(s).
My perception is that it’s mostly a lack of pitching either through our pitch coaching philosophy or failing in the pitcher’s focus/execution. Far too often we get 2 strikes on the batter then go to teasing the plate trying to get the called K. More often than not we even the count then have to throw at the plate and end up getting hit. It seems like Tech essentially gives the batter a ‘regroup’ couple of pitches instead of challenging them 1-2-3.
Pitching being what it is, a fickled thing of readiness aligned with opportunity, Tech hasn’t been able to put together a solid start, middle reliever(s) and closer. In ever game one or more haven’t efficiently combined for the team effort.
The other factor relevant to pitching success, as much as it shouldn’t be, is inconsistent and just blatantly bad home plate umpiring. I can’t say why exactly, but way more often than not Tech suffers from horrible umpiring. In Ark St game 3 I swear their batters got at least an extra pitch not called a strike in every at bat while Tech had a ball called a strike in almost every at bat. If you were there you know.
Tech has the overall talent to be a very successful and accomplished team. Each man just needs to play up to his potential on a game day basis more so than at moments in the game.
Defense on the left side of the infield is very shakey -
In the second game that should of been a 4-0 or 4-1 win with adequate defense
Didn't stay to finish to watch the final game
If your defense fails to make routine plays your pitching is going to struggle - regardless of the level of ball you play
Here are the positions that I see weak to subpar defensive play at - left field, 3rd, SS and 1st base -
CF, RF, 2nd and C are sufficient
''Don't be a bad dagh..."
Interesting about your analysis about our current issues:
1B was left fielder and moves back late in games for defensive purposes.
LF was DH but they wanted him in lineup and he couldn't play 1B.
SS was 2B but HCLB wanted current 2B in everyday lineup and needed a SS so moved 2B to SS.
3B was shaky last season and remains so.
Only those players listed as sufficient are returning to their position from last season.
Changing positions is not like flipping a switch; hopefully, non-conference game time will have them ready for conference.