BB: ASC: American Southwest Conference

[BigTex]

McMurry has been playing a lot of guys to get experience up since they are such a young team but they have a lot of talent. It will surprise many on how McM can play eventhough their record doesnt show it, but you got to look at who they have played for the first part of their schedule. As far as the pitching goes for McM they have a good staff, young but some of the players can throw. Dakota Smith has been there all four years and is the leader of the whole staff and is a very talented pitcher. The series this weekend will be a real good series and will show what is to come with both TLU and McM. Im going to go with McM to win 2-1 because they are the underdogs and they will come ready to play.

[Ralph Turner]

Welcome to the boards, BigTex.

Glad to have new posters on here.

I am being cautious about my predicition.  They are making too many errors for my taste.  Maybe it is excitement.

[BigTex]

Indeed they are making a lot of errors and that shows the inexperience they have. Guys just getting use to playing, but I have faith in the young guys cause I see a lot of potential when I have seen McM play. McM does buckle down when need to and have improved a lot since their first game. Bats are coming back and knowing what McM has done in the past I imagine they have a set lineup now going into the TLU series. Going to be a great series.....just hope I am able to watch the games online.

[swbaseball3]

Indeed they are making a lot of errors and that shows the inexperience they have. Guys just getting use to playing, but I have faith in the young guys cause I see a lot of potential when I have seen McM play. McM does buckle down when need to and have improved a lot since their first game. Bats are coming back and knowing what McM has done in the past I imagine they have a set lineup now going into the TLU series. Going to be a great series.....just hope I am able to watch the games online.

I am flying down to see the series so I wil make sure the announcers put a shout out to you, Big Tex.  Glad to see you onboard!

Here's what's going to be interesting.  Orosey is 15-1 in his college career.  He is virtually unbeatable and if I'm not mistaken, his only loss is on a 9th inning HR where TLU scored 2 runs for him.  So, it is close to impossible to pick McM in game one...and that will be Dakota's game.

So, what that means is this...the young guys on the bump for McM are going to be the guys that have to sweep on Saturday.  Not saying it can't be done but that's a tall task.  They are hitting .253 as a team with an inordinant number of .250 hitters.  Lots of guys playing and not many jumping to the forefront.

As Ralph pointed out, 38 errors is going to be a killer.  Although errors lead to unearned runs, I am sure that pitchers having to labor is leading to the 7.50+ ERA.

So, I am  not counting Mcm out by anymeans.  They are a good team year in and year out but they have a lot of things to fix before tomorrow.  Listen for that shout out!!

[BigTex]

I agree he has been pretty much unbeatable....but thats why you got to love baseball anyone can win on any given night. Yea they have made lots of errors and that has lead to the high ERA but also the good teams that they played.....I remember going to watch the New Mexico Highlands game and those guys could just flat out hit. Part of it might be the coaching from the new pitching coach and getting adjusted his ways. Im not making an excuses for McM cause that many errors is not acceptable....especially if you want to win against a good team like TLU. In order for McM to win they are going to have to quit making mental mistakes. I have faith in them though and how big of a series this is I bet they are going to come out and play. I will be looking forward to that shout out.

[dp643]

The one stat McMurry cant hide from is the fielding.

But with regards to their team batting average and ERA, the numbers may be skewed. McMurry has played a pretty brutal schedule thus far, and I can safely go out on a limb and say that they have played 2/3 of their games thus far against very quality opponents. They are better at the plate and on the mound than they have shown.

TLU on the other hand has played probably only 2 or 3 games against the same quality of teams that McMurry has in a majority of their games.

IF UofD can win two of three from TLU, Id say McMurry can as well.

[BigTex]

Your very correct on the fielding stats and they have had trouble on that part of it. If they cut out the errors this weekend I believe they will give TLU more than they can handle. McM has had a brutal schedule but I think it will do them good in the end. What are everyone elses picks for the first round of conference play? I think it will be a toss up with HSU vs UMHB this weekend but I will go with HSU....I pick Concordia to win 2-1 against HPU but no little on both of those teams so im just pickin one.....I pick Sul Ross to sweep Schreiner because Sul Ross is just crushing the ball right now.

[swbaseball3]

The one stat McMurry cant hide from is the fielding.

But with regards to their team batting average and ERA, the numbers may be skewed. McMurry has played a pretty brutal schedule thus far, and I can safely go out on a limb and say that they have played 2/3 of their games thus far against very quality opponents. They are better at the plate and on the mound than they have shown.

TLU on the other hand has played probably only 2 or 3 games against the same quality of teams that McMurry has in a majority of their games.

IF UofD can win two of three from TLU, Id say McMurry can as well.

No doubt but there is a big difference...TLU took UofD lightly and with the history of TLU/McM, I can guarantee you that there will be no underestimation going on.

I was sitting next to a few TLU alum this past weekend and the stories that were going around about the brawl at McM a few years back are still fresh in their minds.  My bet, Burnett remembers them too.  He'll have his kids ready.

75 and sunny this weekend.  No excuses for anyone.

[dp643]

Finally some warmer weather. I might actually be able to get out and make some games now. TLU/McMurry and HSU/UMHB will both be dogfights. I expect both series to go 2-1.

Congrats to Joseph Villegas for being named NCBWA National Player of the Week.

http://www.cruathletics.com/news/2010/3/11/BB_0311103252.aspx

[Ralph Turner]

The question of defense is pertinent in light of the recent Sports Illustrated article about defense of the Seattle Mariners as the new trendy "money ball".

[dp643]

TLU looked real impressive today. Big win. 17-3

Orosey looked virtually un hittable on the video. His final stat line was 8 IP, 3 Hits, 0 BB, 14K

[hatbaseball]

McMurry's defensive problems turned what could have been a close game into a blowout.  First a pop-up on the infield that would have been the 3rd out and kept the score at 0-0 is not caught and TLU takes advantage and scores 5 runs in the inning.  Then later a fly ball to center field that would have ended the inning is dropped and TLU again takes advantage and scores 8 runs in that inning.  If McMurry makes those simple plays they can at least have a hope of making a game of it.  Instead it got UGLY.  TLU showed how good they are by taking advantage of both of those.

Of course it may not have mattered because Orosey was awesome as usual.  I saw him pitch last year and thought he looked great.  I must brag that my son was 2 for 3 off him today though.

[Dawgsdad]

I was really surprised to see the final between TLU and McM today! Will be in attendance tomorrow and hope that it's not as one sided as it appeared to be today.  Definitely am missing all the excitement of following the kid and teams around.  Due to a throwing arm injury (shoulder) we're having to take a season off. We hope to be back at it in time to find a new contract for the 2011 season...

On the bright side, I guess it might free me up to get some needed chores done around the old homestead...although, I'd rather be in the stands watching baseball!! I do plan to make the run down to Alpine and catch a weekend of baseball with Jeremy's old team. Great little town, Alpine is, and what a better way to spend a weekend... at the 'best little ball part in West Texas' or so ESPN says...

[Dawgsdad]

Finally some warmer weather. I might actually be able to get out and make some games now. TLU/McMurry and HSU/UMHB will both be dogfights. I expect both series to go 2-1.

Congrats to Joseph Villegas for being named NCBWA National Player of the Week.

http://www.cruathletics.com/news/2010/3/11/BB_0311103252.aspx

Right On dp643, when you look at the number of DIII programs and the number of players in the pool, you realize just how difficult this is to do, let alone, stay that focused at the plate. Congrats to Villegas!

Interesting that a player from Hays HS and Bowie HS (10 miles apart) have achieved this honor in back to back years!  Joseph has always been a great hitter and he very well could repeat again before the season is over - scary!!

[golden_dome]

Tyler Seaman allowed two hits in eight innings tonight in the 8-0 win over LC. He struck out ten with no walks.