I thought the tournament in Atlanta this weekend was very good baseball.  Rhodes did exhibit their newly found (this year) bats and scored something like 35 runs in the 4 games. There is not a hole in the line up, and there is some very good pop to go along with the small ball the team has shown with its speed. The lineup has a very good combination of upper and lower classmen.  While the starting pitching was really good, the depth and quality of the bullpen was evident, too.  Holt (sr), Carden (fr), Babich (so) and Lainoff (rfr) got each game off with solid pitching.  Simmons (sr), Gertz, (jr), Chandler (so), Ungashik (so) finished the games, and there was still some solid arms ready to go.

Of interest, the victory over Emory represented the senior class' 100th victory.  This is a great testamant not only to the team that Cleanthes and Schrier (and Cat) have put together, but a recognition of the program that is in place.  The players this year are having fun.  It's quite evident.

Rhodes just beat CBU 11 to 2 in 33 degree weather and the wind chill in the 20's.  I'm glad I watched it on Live Stats instead of in person.  Babich started and went 3 good IP, and the other starters and then the pen went an inning each.  Good offense for the Lynx, but it's hard to tell on Live Stats how hard they hit the ball.  But, as indicated earlier this team has good pitching and good defense and really outstanding speed.  Chemistry is really good at this point, too.  On to Jackson for a fun weekend series.

Further to an earlier post, if Rhodes can survive its first 20-25 games, they will be battle hardened for the conference schedule.  They play something like 50% of their first 24 games against either ranked or "mentioned" top 30 teams, including: Piedmont,NC Weslayan, Marietta, Denison, Emory, Ripon and WI-Stevens Pointe and Millsaps, plus La Grange, Greensboro, etc. The team has some big shoes to fill, with Beasley, Flanigan, Vanaman, Hurd and Catalanotto having graduated.  But the defense has looked just outstanding this fall and this spring (when its not snowing or too cold), and the pitching, while young, has the best depth ever.  Bullpen is particularly deep, and if the new guys can step up early and gain confidence, the year could be a good one.  But, it is not an easy schedule.  Pitching and defense will determine the season for Rhodes.