Some thoughts before I head back up to Troy
May 22, 2009
Got home at 2 a.m. in Dothan. Hopefully Troy’s players were in bed by then before today’s 12:30 p.m. elimination game against ULM after the heartbreaking loss to Western Kentucky.
Troy has to win four games in two days or the Trojans’ season is over, most likely. That means 10 pitchers have to throw 36 sufficient innings (I guess that’s the best word to describe it). There are 11 on the 25-man roster and I suppose everyone except Thursday starter Tyler Ray will be available.
It was surprising to see Jason Walls come on in the later part of the game, but I would think he could still start a game today if needed. Head coach Bobby Pierce wasn’t sure who would start vs. ULM, but I’m still guessing Andrew Dickinson or Steven Morelock. Walls or Robby Loew could be other possibilities.
ULM can hit and might have a pitcher who can throw a few innings against a Trojan team that will be reeling after the loss and you have to worry if they will come out flat or not. Two years ago, that happened against South Alabama in an elimination game after losing a late game to UL-Lafayette the night before.
WKU is very good. They’re as good, if not better, than Troy in 2006 offensively. The murderer’s row of Matt Hightower, Wade Gaynor, Chad Cregar and Matt Rice is as good as I’ve seen.
Chris Sorce has dominated everyone he’s faced out of the pen this year except WKU for some reason. He’ll likely be needed tonight and tomorrow as well if Troy’s still playing tomorrow.
Two hitting starts of earlier in the year could find themselves out of the lineup. Michael Precise and Ryan Ditthardt were both pulled midway through the game - Precise after two strikeouts and Ditthardt after he swung at a first pitch with two runners on and no outs (I guess that’s why he got pulled. No word if he got injured). It means you may see more of Daryl Otwell, who did well last night, and potentially Steven Rosado, which would put Miles Hoyle at DH and Chad Watson in LF.
As great as last night’s game was and the one before it between MTSU and ULL, it still confirms what I’ve said about the tournament (and every other tournament in the country) needing to be 6 teams. That means 3 games a day instead of 4 and no one’s playing until 1 a.m. unless there’s been a bunch of rain.
Heard the 2012 tournament will be in the minor league park up in Bowling Green, Ky. Next year it’s up in Middle Tennessee and the year after it’s at ULM. I’m sure it’ll be back in Troy soon. It’s been very well-run. Especially from the hospitality tent, where no one has left hungry. There’s plenty of people who have been responsible for putting on such a great show behind the left field fence for media and hospitality, and they’re a big reason I was excited to get back up early and drive back to Troy. Although, the tournament has been great to watch.
Done rambling. I’ll try not to twitter as much during the games today, but see you at the park.
