|
UNC
Mar 8, 2011 21:05:20 GMT -5
Post by elonpride on Mar 8, 2011 21:05:20 GMT -5
Guys and gals, it doesn't look like this will be a typical year for our baseball program!!! Even DAVIDSON managed to plate 6 runners across home plate against UNC....we just got blanked 16-0. We all seemingly look forward to this time of year, but this team is not the caliber typical of Elon baseball.
We lost a lot to the draft, but on paper we still have the talent that should be able to compete in these midweek games.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 8, 2011 21:45:53 GMT -5
Post by bballfan on Mar 8, 2011 21:45:53 GMT -5
Combination of poor hitting, errors and walks = loss. This team has talent. It just needs to find consistency.
Seems like coach is still looking for a consistent hitting line-up and fielding line-up.
Seems like when they blow up they go nuclear for an inning and this takes them completely out of the game. Their pitching talent seems to drop off quickly.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 0:25:15 GMT -5
Post by bhill483 on Mar 9, 2011 0:25:15 GMT -5
The talent is there - just needs to be more consistent. UNC has a solid team this year and a loss to them is not a huge deal, though 16-0 is a bit tough to swallow.
However, the team is still 2-2 vs the ACC at this point with 2 against Clemson and 2 against Wake. If they could split Clemson and take both against Wake then its 5-3 vs a power 6 conference. Thats not too atypical of what they have been doing in recent years.
Also throw in a couple games against a good ECU team and another shot at UNCW, which isnt looking bad this year and they can still get some good non-conference wins.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 8:30:40 GMT -5
Post by phoenix3 on Mar 9, 2011 8:30:40 GMT -5
Three hits and two errors=16-0 loss. Again, I can accept that we won't always have a slew of hits, but three?
Was just looking at some team stats:
Team batting average: .260 - 9th in the SoCon. Only UNGC and Davidson are worse.
Runs scored: 107 - 8th in the SoCon. Ahead of ASU, UNCG and Davidson.
Team errors: 22 - Tied for 8th in the Socon with Wofford. Only Samford and Davidson are worse. Samford's pitching is #1 in era.
Team Pitching: 4.49 era - only UNCG is worse.
Granted, we play a tough schedule. The errors are the toughest thing for me to swallow. Very interesting season so far.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 8:55:18 GMT -5
Post by bballfan on Mar 9, 2011 8:55:18 GMT -5
It seems from my casual observation, that the order is filled with singles/gap hitters. Who were probably all home run hitter with BESR bats. The power in the order just isn't there yet. You don't get the sense that the batters that lead off understand that they are table setters. Maybe because there is no real damage being done in the middle of the order yet. It looks like the coach is searching for a productive batting order.
Pritchard seems to be demonstrating some reliable power but to count on the others of diminuative size to hit for power probably isn't realistic over the long haul of the season. I think batting orders are going to start to need to resemble MLB batting orders. Table setters with speed and big boppers in the middle. Swim seems to be well suited as the 3 hole hitter in my opinion.
The team as a whole has very good speed, however you can't steal first base.
Coach seems to be experimenting with things, getting the feel of the team and the effects of the new BBCOR bats. So don't count them out yet.
Pitching beyond the big 3 starters is a work in progress although Whitehead looks like he's just needs time to settle into his role. Others just need regular work, pitching takes longer to develop.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 9:03:56 GMT -5
Post by elonpride on Mar 9, 2011 9:03:56 GMT -5
bballfan,
I'm sure that when the team settles in to the SoCon sked, things will start looking better. But you've got to have a better showing against the ranked teams. We just got 3 hit by UNC with mid week pitching. Not good!
There is a lot left in the season and Kennedy is a good coach, so let's see what happens.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 9:06:54 GMT -5
Post by topher99 on Mar 9, 2011 9:06:54 GMT -5
A mid-week pitcher who was a 19th round pick last year is who they started.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 12:00:21 GMT -5
Post by phoenix3 on Mar 9, 2011 12:00:21 GMT -5
Just to show you how sensitive RPI is to SOS, Elon rose from 66 to 51 by getting a butt kicking by UNC.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 12:12:33 GMT -5
Post by bhill483 on Mar 9, 2011 12:12:33 GMT -5
RPI is going to be very up and down this time of year and SOS is a lot of that early movement. Princeton is RPI #7 with a 1-2 record, but its the #1 SOS.
A lot of people seem down on the team, but I like to stay optimistic. The pitching looks good so far - aside from a couple games, but even a lot of those big numbers come from errors. The big things to improve on are consistent hitting and less errors. I think the bats are gonna give far less homers so the players need to adjust to singles and doubles. Even when we have had big innings so far thats how they have developed more so than homers. Fielding is just concentration in my opinion.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 12:33:56 GMT -5
Post by elonfirefighter on Mar 9, 2011 12:33:56 GMT -5
RPI is 50% your opponents record, so an away loss vs a good team will help RPI, score dosent play into the calc
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 13:02:13 GMT -5
Post by bballfan on Mar 9, 2011 13:02:13 GMT -5
The bottom line is: It's still early. The hitting has been anemic and the pitching depth needs to improve. It would be nice to see less errors. Let's see how this team matures.
|
|
|
UNC
Mar 9, 2011 16:22:38 GMT -5
Post by phoenix3 on Mar 9, 2011 16:22:38 GMT -5
A lot of people seem down on the team, but I like to stay optimistic. The pitching looks good so far - aside from a couple games, but even a lot of those big numbers come from errors. The big things to improve on are consistent hitting and less errors. I think the bats are gonna give far less homers so the players need to adjust to singles and doubles. Even when we have had big innings so far thats how they have developed more so than homers. Fielding is just concentration in my opinion. I agree with everything you said here. I'm not down on the team, just a little disappointed with the stats to this point. I've been an Elon baseball fan since the 70's & I'm not about to stop now. Let's just say I'm looking forward to the improvement as the season goes on as well as our run in the regionals...
|
|