I wouldn't say using a pitcher in Game 2 instead of Game 1 in a double elimination tournament is saving him for the unknown.
Our resume really could use a Top 25/50 win right now, and beating USM in Game 2 may be our only chance to get it. A Nate win vs. USM may be enough to get us an at-large bid.
If we lose Game 1, then Nate is starting the most important game of the season for us the next day in an elimination game.
As you know, I wanted to save Nate for Game 2 before this loss anyway.
You assume we would face USM in game 2. That's an unknown.
He is our best, but he is not a guarantee W.
Even if we had won the series there was not a guarantee of getting an at large. From an RPI stand point we are going to be about where we were last year going into the tournament as the #5 seed. We are lacking a few quality wins that we had last year and the hot streak we were on after sweeping Rice. IMO losing the Middle series will not sour the committee on us unless we go 1-2 in Biloxi.'
I'm sick about the two losses, but more sick about the sloppy play of our offense than what our pitchers did. All those strikeouts...I'll be hearing "swiiiiing and a miss" in my sleep.
Funny! As you know I don't get fired up over leaving runners stranded, but we had way too many strikeouts today and Thursday. Put the ball in play! We also made some base running mistakes that hurt.
I honest feel like our pitching was good enough on Friday. Our best relievers all struggled today. I think they'll be okay...they gotta be.
https://youtu.be/lDK9QqIzhwk
My next week theme song
It doesn't matter can't win a tourney with one pitcher. It's important we get in winners side by winning game 1. Regardless who pitches we will need to score lots of runs. I would pitch Nate Wednesday to give us best chance to win game 1 then come back with Miller game 2. At this point we win we keep playing if not we go home. We still can control our destiny - so let's just hope our pitchers compete & our hitters get hot. Anything can happen in a tournament.