College World Series

[AU64 10,122]

Not too surprising that the last SEC teams into the tourney are among the first ones out. Bama, UF and Ole Miss gone already. Some people seem to assume that the big name schools get all the best baseball players...but that's not necessarily so. A couple good pitchers can carry a team for a short series.....and they don't have to be 90+ mph either. The curve ball and change-up are still two of the most effective pitches in college baseball. Like in basketball however, some upstarts win their first game but soon they are out. The #1 seeds are mostly holding form and by tonight, the cream will probably have risen to the top.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Am I the only one watching the WCS? You're missing out if you aren't!

MSU and OSU yesterday.....what a great game! MSU won, so the SEC is still going strong.

I watched Louisville and Indiana last night....and Indiana is pretty solid. I like the way they play....nothing flashy. They shut out Louisville and won 2-0.

[WarTiger 4,039]

I've been watching it throughout the whole post season. I'm hoping Indiana, Louisville or UCLA win it all. Actually, anybody NOT in the SEC or ACC. I will never cheer for an SEC team to win anything after the way were were treated in 2010 (and beyond). Indiana definitely looks solid. They torched felony state last weekend. That was a beautiful thing to watch.. #hatefsu.

[AU64 10,122]

Sorry...just can't help it....still gonna pull for the SEC as******* since none of the other schools or conferences stood in our defense either. Big time college sports is dog eat dog and that's life. As for the CWS, gonna watch every game I can.....I'm a college baseball fan and watch about every game that I can on TV during the season....and not just AU. And....like it or not it's a small ball sport now. JP probably had the right idea most of the time but his kids could not execute the plan. Hoping SG can teach the fundamentals and generate some more wins. It's still going to be about bunts, hit and run, stolen bases, stretching doubles into triples and solid defense.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Sorry...just can't help it....still gonna pull for the SEC as******* since none of the other schools or conferences stood in our defense either. Big time college sports is dog eat dog and that's life. As for the CWS, gonna watch every game I can.....I'm a college baseball fan and watch about every game that I can on TV during the season....and not just AU. And....like it or not it's a small ball sport now. JP probably had the right idea most of the time but his kids could not execute the plan. Hoping SG can teach the fundamentals and generate some more wins. It's still going to be about bunts, hit and run, stolen bases, stretching doubles into triples and solid defense.

I agree! Go SEC! It's better for Auburn in the long run.....as far as baseball is concerned...and I can pull for MSU and LSU. Football is a different story. I am now a hater of Dan Mullen's team.

That new park in Omaha is not home-run friendly anyway so being very good and aggressive at small ball is even more crucial. Base running has already been a big factor in the first day of the WCS.

[AU64 10,122]

Belle....ya gotta wonder where other teams find these big pitchers with 95+ mph fast balls. Everyone but AU seems to have a couple of them. Hoping SG will turn some of them up for AU next season. Meanwhile the guy for NC State is just mowing UNC batters down one after another.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Belle....ya gotta wonder where other teams find these big pitchers with 95+ mph fast balls. Everyone but AU seems to have a couple of them. Hoping SG will turn some of them up for AU next season. Meanwhile the guy for NC State is just mowing UNC batters down one after another.

Well....we did have some that were recruited but MLB money came calling. And we had Kendrick who is as good as any pitcher playing in Omaha. I guess he'll take the money and run too. I haven't heard if he decided to leave for MLB or come back to AU.

With the coaching change who knows what's going to happen with our roster.....

What we need is a great pitching coach who can develop talent once it gets to AU. Koger has talent, but nobody knew how to fix his issues this past season, and I am hoping he isn't ruined now. I hate that he struggled so much. Trey Wingenter is a kid I have watched play since he was about 5 years old and he is pretty talented...plus he is a BIG boy. Kendall's rehab apparently isn't complete, but he was very good before the injury. I think Michael O'Neal is good too, but he was let down by the bull pen and by stupid errors so many times. Dedrick is a GREAT closer...tons of talent. We do have a few bright spots...if they stay.

It wasn't always that our starters were that lacking in talent or size anyway IMHO....it's been the inconsistent hitting and unreliable defense that cut them down. That pitcher for Indiana yesterday did not throw heat, and he is not a really big guy IIRC. He was just really good at picking,placing and timing his pitches....he has that instinct, and he obviously got some great development of his skills. Added to that...he had a steady, dependable defensive effort to help him out.

Having rehashed all that....maybe we'll get some big kids from TX and OK that want to play in the SEC. That's why I want an SEC team to win in Omaha.

Dang....NC State is a college baseball machine.

MSU vs Indiana....fascinating match-up! Should be a great game tomorrow night.

What's the word on LSU vs UCLA? I haven't watched UCLA at all.

[AU64 10,122]

UCLA been Omaha three times in last 4 years though I think they were a bit of a surprise to be here this season. Upset Fullerton. They must have good pitching...looked over their schedule and they don't give up many runs.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Thanks 64!

IMHO LSU is the best team in college baseball. But on any given night....

This should be another good game.

[alexava 6,976]

I am MSU bulldogs all the way for a couple more weeks. My first cousin is a LHP for moo st. His name is Chad Girodo. He was drafted by Toronto in the ninth round last week. He played HS ball at Hartselle and did not get much attention from Alabama and less from Auburn. He had two great games this post season against Central Arkansas and Virginia. He was in the bullpen during the last 4 innings vs Oregon ST. We are very proud of Chad. He is a very determined worker, and student. He has his degree in 4 years. He had a down JR season but didn't give up or make excuses, just kept working. Some of his exposure to the pro scouts came in the summers where he played in wood bat leagues all over the country.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Congrats to your cousin! I wish him good luck in Omaha, and good luck in his career in MLB! I'll keep my eye out for him.

LSU and UCLA all knotted up after 7. I am impressed with UCLA's quiet pitcher as much as I hate to admit it. In general, I dislike everything California just on principle.

[AU64 10,122]

UCLA small ball...just keep putting the ball in play and sooner or later the other guys will make a critical mistake. Seems to be working tonight....two REALLY BAD errors committed by LSU allowing two unearned runs to score. That's college baseball these days.

[Mikey 16,781]

I've been watching it throughout the whole post season. I'm hoping Indiana, Louisville or UCLA win it all. Actually, anybody NOT in the SEC or ACC. I will never cheer for an SEC team to win anything after the way were were treated in 2010 (and beyond). Indiana definitely looks solid. They torched felony state last weekend. That was a beautiful thing to watch.. #hatefsu.

That's it for me. Anybody but an SEC team. My two favorites going in are/were Oregon State and NC State. Heart breaker yesterday, OSU was about four feet away from a walk-off win over M$U. Maybe tomorrow the Beavers can pull one out.

[WarEagle10 77]

UCLA small ball...just keep putting the ball in play and sooner or later the other guys will make a critical mistake. Seems to be working tonight....two REALLY BAD errors committed by LSU allowing two unearned runs to score. That's college baseball these days.

Could not agree more. That recipe will win a lot of ball games. The days of playing for the three run bomb are over in college baseball. UCLA and LSU had two outstanding pitchers going tonight. LSU just made more mistakes than UCLA.

[AU64 10,122]

UCLA small ball...just keep putting the ball in play and sooner or later the other guys will make a critical mistake. Seems to be working tonight....two REALLY BAD errors committed by LSU allowing two unearned runs to score. That's college baseball these days.

Could not agree more. That recipe will win a lot of ball games. The days of playing for the three run bomb are over in college baseball. UCLA and LSU had two outstanding pitchers going tonight. LSU just made more mistakes than UCLA.

Coach JP took a lot of heat from AU people over playing this type ball but from a strategy standpoint, he was "up to date" with the game. Unfortunately, his teams could just not execute well enough. Coach Golloway talked about "mental toughness" and we will see if that aspect of the AU game can be improved. I'm not a fan of "small ball" but that's the reality now and I guess we have more of that to look for. IMO there is plenty of room between the pre-2010 days of 17-12 games and all of the 2-1 and 2-0 games we see now for the NCAA to make changes that would put a little more offense in the game. Meanwhile, we can enjoy watching the best "small ball" teams in the country playing for the championship. One thing I can say is that even though I don't have a dog in the fight so to speak, the games are tense because of the recognition that giving up one or two unearned runs is usually the death knell for a team.

[WarEagle10 77]

UCLA small ball...just keep putting the ball in play and sooner or later the other guys will make a critical mistake. Seems to be working tonight....two REALLY BAD errors committed by LSU allowing two unearned runs to score. That's college baseball these days.

Could not agree more. That recipe will win a lot of ball games. The days of playing for the three run bomb are over in college baseball. UCLA and LSU had two outstanding pitchers going tonight. LSU just made more mistakes than UCLA.

Coach JP took a lot of heat from AU people over playing this type ball but from a strategy standpoint, he was "up to date" with the game. Unfortunately, his teams could just not execute well enough. Coach Golloway talked about "mental toughness" and we will see if that aspect of the AU game can be improved. I'm not a fan of "small ball" but that's the reality now and I guess we have more of that to look for. IMO there is plenty of room between the pre-2010 days of 17-12 games and all of the 2-1 and 2-0 games we see now for the NCAA to make changes that would put a little more offense in the game. Meanwhile, we can enjoy watching the best "small ball" teams in the country playing for the championship. One thing I can say is that even though I don't have a dog in the fight so to speak, the games are tense because of the recognition that giving up one or two unearned runs is usually the death knell for a team.

In all honesty, I prefer the style of play it takes to be successful in this new era of college ball. I enjoy watching good pitching and good D, watching a team get a runner on and "producing" a run by great execution, watching a team have to play a solid fundamental game. I hated seeing a pitcher make a quality pitch and have somebody hit the ball out of the yard because of an aluminum bat. In todays game, you have to play quality baseball. Of course I never was a fan of Earl Weaver's philosophy.

[WarTiger 4,039]

I've been watching it throughout the whole post season. I'm hoping Indiana, Louisville or UCLA win it all. Actually, anybody NOT in the SEC or ACC. I will never cheer for an SEC team to win anything after the way were were treated in 2010 (and beyond). Indiana definitely looks solid. They torched felony state last weekend. That was a beautiful thing to watch.. #hatefsu.

That's it for me. Anybody but an SEC team. My two favorites going in are/were Oregon State and NC State. Heart breaker yesterday, OSU was about four feet away from a walk-off win over M$U. Maybe tomorrow the Beavers can pull one out.

Yep, I thought that one was gone. Too bad. First game today doesn't really matter to me who wins. Tonight, I'm definitely wanting Indiana to crush msu. Tuesday's early game is a win/win. Regardless of who wins either an ACC or SEC team will be eliminated. The night game, I'm all for UCLA. (If I remember correctly) They have one of the worst team batting averages ever in Omaha, yet they seem to find a way to win. UCLA got tremendous pitching last night for sure. Great game.

[alexava 6,976]

Ok Chad had a rough start, but hes's dealing it now. Miss. St. got to get bats going.

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

State ties game up in T8 3-3 and still batting with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

5-3 State! 2 RBI single to get two home for Miss St! Going to B8

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Ok Chad had a rough start, but hes's dealing it now. Miss. St. got to get bats going.

He's done a really good job overall. I was feeling for him for a minute there, but he got himself on track. That takes guts.

I am with you on the MSU side. It looks like they may win this one.

[alexava 6,976]

I would love to be able to pile in with my uncle and go to omaha tomorrow. I can't get off work amd my son has at least one more allstar tournament.

[AU64 10,122]

First Game Tuesday gets under way in about a half hour. LSU vs UNC...... the two top rated teams playing to stay in the fight. Should be interesting.

[WarTiger 4,039]

and LSU is DONE....2 and out. I love it. Now we just have to get rid of msu.

[ellitor 34,038]

I wish people would get off their high horse about this. It's no other team's responsibility to stick up for Auburn. In all the history of teams being screwed and dragged through the mud I don't recall any in conference team sticking up for those teams. Outsdie of MSU, and Bama at other times, trying to screw us the SEC schools owe us nothing.