If there is any hope

[maverick]

If you listened to yesterday's live from the dugout show you should have a renewed respect for coach Sim. He not only took responsibility for this "funk" the team has been in, but he refused to throw any of his players under the bus.He admitted we didn't properly load up with enough pitchers who can get the job done. All the west coast teams add quality Juco pitchers to their staffs every year.Fresno States' most effective pitcher,Justin Miller is a prime example ( he gave up only 2 hits to Tech). I think we are learning a hard lesson. Anyway.....coach Sim is a standup guy and he deserves to win. I wish the best for him and the team as they turn this season around. GO DAWGS !!!!!

I, too, have faith that the Bulldogs can and will turn this around. As far as Sim taking responsibility, that's admirable, but still a bit concerning. After five years, I would hope he could recognize the talent we have coming back each year--especially since he and his staff recruited them. Personally, I think our pitching staff WILL come around.

If pitching IS the problem, it seems a little late to find some "impact" juco pitchers at this point. Plus, he said himself he has no money left, so I guess he'd have to cut existing players who he apparently believed in, signed, and made certain promises to. Those kids would have to then sit out a year. That's a tough pill to swallow. I'm sure someone will say they SHOULD be cut if they don't perform, but who brought them here in the first place?

[baseballfan]

It is unfortunate that the transfer rules have changed but the team need effective pitching. To jump out to big leads and to loose them due to starters not going long enough and relievers giving up the big leads, it is not good! The defense also needs to step it up and not let the door open as well!

It will depend on who gets drafted out of the Jr group but the way they are performing some will be back that would have been considered....which may not be a bad thing for next year's team.

[hambone29]

Pitching is a problem, but not THE problem. We aren't losing games 15-14; we are getting stomped. Scoring 4 runs in the first and tacking on a run or two in the ninth won't cut it in college baseball. Unless you have Rice's pitching staff from 03-05, you need to score more than 5 or 6 runs just about every game, minus a pitching gem or two. Getting 10-run ruled after 7 isn't just a pitching problem. Anyone that's played baseball on any level knows pitching and hitting feed off each other so when our hitters are going 3 up 3 down, it puts a lot of pressure on the pitching. And another phase that seems to be getting overlooked is our sloppy defense this year. Pitching is only 1/3 of the problem...
And as far as getting rid of some guys to add new guys to the mix...that's sports and that's life. It is a job, and when you are hired and aren't getting the job done, your boss doesn't owe you anything. If someone can be hired that will do a better job than you, then that's what needs to be done. There's nothing wrong with sending some guys to jucos or smaller schools bc they aren't getting it done on the D-I level. Loyalty to players that aren't performing will get a coach fired.

[falcon]

Here is the link for the last 14 games (all conference games). Our overall team era is 9.00.The way many of our games have started out with the pitching staff putting us into large run deficits,it has undoubtedly been the biggest factor we are in this predicament. Granted, there have been quite a few errors that kept us from getting out of jams (leading to a lot of unearned runs).A few of the batting averages have fallen off in conference play. The bat of Kevin Winn has come alive and the emergence of Clint Ewing behind the plate are two encouraging things. http://latechsports.cstv.com/sports/....html#TEAM.MLC

[falcon]

Click on conference -only stats for the above link

[baseballfan]

Great, Fresno just lost last night to Cal Poly, a sub .500 team, Cal Poly is pressing for last place in the Big West!

[SicemDawgz]

I think we can all see that pitching is our weakness this year. Hopefully its a lesson learned for Sim and we can get it done in the future. It was just a major letdown for loyal Tech fans who were finally looking for a bright spot. But we will get over this an live to see a shinier day.

It wasn't just pitching. Our hitting was pathetic this year. I know pitching was subpar, but you dont get the mercy rule evoked when you can hit.