We play Alabama for the right to make the semifinals tomorrow and play Florida in the SEC Tournament. The first game, LSU versus Texas A&M starts at 3 PM CT on the SEC Network. We’ll be on 30 minutes after that game, guessing, without extras, probably 6-6:30 ish. on SEC Network.
Last night was a tough one. We’ve had problems keeping the opposing team from knocking it out of the park in this tournament. I thought Hunter Owen did a good job, David Horn was pretty decent, and Bryce Cunningham pitched well set aside one mistake. Bryce could help us in the Regional next weekend. Still think we’re going to be a national seed and earn a Regional and Super Regional at home. Like us at No.7 or No.8 of the top 8 seeds that host throughout the Regional and Super in order to get to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. But winning today is important.
Today, left handed sophomore Devin Futrell will start for us. Devin has been solid, but has been hit at times by the better hitting teams we’ve faced. He’s a warrior though and will be ready. Futrell is 6-3, with a 3.54 ERA. In 73.2 innings, he’s walked 17 and K’d 63, and has allowed 12 homers, so he needs to keep it in the park today. Only one solo shot today max. Hopefully less. Our offense, led by EBJ, Jonathan Vastine, Davis Diaz and Parker Noland, our best hitters right now, needs to show up and be more aggressive at the plate. Those four are hitting it well. The other guys need to follow their lead. As usual, we need Enrique to get on base and make something happen like he always does. He stole two bags last night and is now 36 of 43 on the season. Really need RJ Schreck to get his bat going. Need his run producing ability. He’s absolutely capable. Need more from Jack Bulger as well at the plate. RJ Austin has been playing well, so no problem with our stellar freshman second baseman.
We haven’t expended a ton of arms, so if Devin can give us 5 or 6, we’ve got Greyson Carter, Grayson Moore, Ryan Ginther and Maldo. JD Thompson, too. Thomas Schultz if necessary as well. I just think we need to do everything we can to win this game to secure a national seed. Very important contest for us.
Alabama will start graduate senior Jacob McNair, most likely. He’s a right hander, who is 6-1 with a 3.39 ERA. In 66.1 innings, he’s walked 14 and struck out 66 and given up 10 doubles, 0 triples and 5 homers.
They hit .299 as a team. Right fielder Andrew Pinckney is stellar, hitting .349 with 16 homers, 54 Ribbies and he’s 7 of 8 on stolen bases. He’s an excellent defensive fielder with a cannon for an arm. He’s a five tool player with speed, defense, hitting, deep ball hitting and run producing. Can’t remember exactly what the 5 tools are, but that’s pretty accurate and he’s got’em.
Their leading hitter is left fielder Tommy Seidl, who hits .364 with 9 long ones and 42 Ribeyes. He’s stolen 8 of 12 bases. Their fielding at a .978 clip. We are hitting .273 as a team, our staff ERA is 4.33 and we’re fielding at .980.
Their staff ERA is 3.90. They took 2 of 3 from us back in early May in Tuscaloosa. They won Thursday, 11-2, we won Friday, 4-1, and they defeated us Saturday, 2-1. They’ve got good pitching, defense and they can hit. We’ve got our hands full.
Golf starts today at 1:30 PM at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona for the Men’s NCAA Championships. We’re playing with UNC and Illinois. Need to get off to a good start today. Hoping Gordon and company can excel.