BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[108 Stitches]

Trinity threw a combined no hitter today vs Schreiner. Ryan Gray went 7, and three others finished it up. I will say it is a bit unconventional with 12 walks and 1 earned run. Not sure how you throw a no hitter and give up an earned run other than 4 walks. 

http://trinitytigers.com/sports/bsb/2014-15/releases/150308_bb_schu

TU swept Schreiner, as they should have, however Schreiner is a much improved team over last year. Nice to see the progress there.

Elsewhere in the SCAC; TLU took 2/3 from SW, UD was swept by ETBU, Cent took two from Austin and the other games were cancelled. 

[108 Stitches]

For the coming weekend and the kickoff of the SCAC conference play:

SWern: In Tucson for the tournament. Solid games vs MHB, CLU, St Thomas, & Wesleyan.  Good plan for developing the team prior to their first conference games.

Trinity@home vs Cent: Should sweep

TLU@home vs Austin: Should sweep.

Schreiner@home vs Dallas: 2-1 could go either way, but likely Dallas 2-1

[Whatagame]

I couldn't help but notice Trinity was playing Our Lady of the Lake this evening, which naturally brings forth memories of this classic exchange from one of the 20th century cinema's highest achievements......


    King Arthur: I am your king.
    Peasant Woman: Well, I didn't vote for you.
    King Arthur: You don't vote for kings.
    Peasant Woman: Well, how'd you become king, then?
    [Angelic music plays... ]
    King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king.
    Dennis the Peasant: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
    Arthur: Be quiet!
    Dennis the Peasant: You can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
    Arthur: Shut up
    Dennis the Peasant: I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
    Arthur: [grabs Dennis] Shut up! Will you shut up?!
    Dennis: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system!
    Arthur: [shakes Dennis] Shut up!
    Dennis: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!
    Arthur: Bloody Peasant!
    Dennis: Ooh, what a giveaway!

   

[108 Stitches]

The SCAC appears to be getting very competitive.

SW looks like they are having a good trip to Tucson, beating CLU handily 13-0, as well as St. Thomas 13-7. They have a couple more games and then are at Dallas next weekend. They have been my surprise team since the beginning of the season and are living up to what I thought they could do. They lost 2/3 to TLU but should at least make the SCAC tournament and could upset anyone there.

Centenary snuck out a win from Trinity in the last game of the series. Centenary is a better team than their record and will continue to develop, they are a couple of pitchers short of being a very good team. Trinity controlled the game but lost it at the end with some errors, and a crazy pinball play where the ball hit an umpire, however they will not be able to make up for sloppy play come playoffs and if they make it Regionals.  They also seem incapable of bunting late in the game to set up a single run - which amazes me. On the positive side their bats are starting to come around. Their pitching continues to develop nicely and come playoffs they should have a very formidable pitching staff. 

Dallas took 2/3 from Schreiner. Basically any team can throw out a solid pitcher in the first game of a series and pull out a win and it looks like what Schreiner did.

TLU took 2/3 from Austin, the surprise was they lost to Austin in the final game.

Upcoming:

Big series with Trinity at TLU.

Trinity should win 2/3 but it will be a very competitive three games and will have a big impact in SCAC tournament seeding. Looks like the midweek Trinity/CTX game was moved due to weather.

Centenary at Schreiner

Centenary could sweep, but Schreiner has some pitching and could sneak one game.

Austin has a couple of non league games.

SWern at Dallas

SW 2/3 but could sweep. Again Dallas has couple of good pitchers and could sneak a game.

SCAC tournament will likely be:

Trinity
TLU

SWestern
Centenary

Seeding will likely be above but TLU and Trinity could swap, SWestern could move up to 2 if TLU or Trinity falters any.

[108 Stitches]

Weather is going to create havoc on schedules this weekend. Looks like games will be pushed back to Sat.Sunday and possibly Monday.

[Ron Boerger]

Fri/Sat look like total washouts for a good deal of TX/LA.   AC is playing in OK; they might be, well, OK. 

[108 Stitches]

Trinity/TLU games washed out. I believe they are going to try to get them in Sunday/Monday.

Centenary took two from Schreiner.

[BamColt]

Trinity pitching seems to have fallen off a bit, went to the game last night and TLU knocked them around pretty good.
Should be interesting who pulls ahead as it looks to be a horse race between the Bulldogs and Tigers.

[108 Stitches]

The TLU game(s) were a disaster for TU. Pitching was fine actually - it is the strength of the team. They gave up 4 earned runs in the first two games. Speers had 5 errors and two other balls hit over the head of fielders that should have been caught that went for "hits" by the third inning. Nobody can recover from that, actually I just checked the book, he only gave up 1 earned run.  They brought in some of the younger arms that looked good but made  mistakes that young pitchers sometimes make. This freshmen LHP Framton is going to be special, really great stuff, live arm, same with Soph Nelson, also really good stuff, I am actually shocked how deep this staff is, given their top relievers never saw the field. However......

That was the most uninspired play I have seen from Trinity in 4 years. If I was a position player at TU I would be taking a hard look in the mirror and make the decision that when I step on the field. Am going to compete 110% or go do something else. It was pathetic. Where is a Dom Robusto when you need him?

[CAK72B]

It definitely seems likes the errors have been the issue. I mean you can have the best pitching in the world but if the defense can't make the routine play then it really does not matter.

[108 Stitches]

CAK,

At least for this team IMO, it goes beyond "errors", from what I have seen.

For me it is about competing and wanting to be the best you can be EVERY time you step between the lines, actually on EVERY pitch. If you compete and lose then that is OK, as it is not about winning; winning is just the result of competing. (of course with talent)  By competing you attack the ball, you are focused on the situation at hand, and when you do this you create opportunities, for you and all of your teammates. This team has a bunch of great "players" (actually some very talented) however I am not sure how many competitors there are on this team -  actually more importantly warriors, and I have seen NONE of those guys yet. Dom Robusto was not a great player, but he was a warrior; he got more out of his talent than any player I have seen there in four years. On this team there is so much unfulfilled talent it makes me sick to my stomach.

I see players yakking with fans in the stands when they are on deck instead of being focused on what pitches are being thrown in a given count, I see lackadaisical effort running out ground balls, i see goofing around and not paying attention when they are on offense, - be in the game be for crying out loud or go home and let someone else be in the game!!!   I see poor execution on offense, when it is time to hit a GB to the right side DO IT, (particularly then there is a hole the size of the grand canyon!!!)  when you have to get a bunt down DO IT, if you can't than go out and practice until you can, if you can't then I am sure Scannell can find someone who can.

When we get on base we make stupid mental errors - be aggressive, but not stupid. This is not a power hitting team so act like one and execute and make the most of the opportunities. They won't have to score too many runs the pitching on this team will keep them in nearly every game.

On defense attack the ball, don't be on your heels, like some in the infield are. Be focused on every pitch, If you make an error on defense, so what - keep attacking the ball. I NEVER see OFers moving based on the batter size and the count, (except when a coach moves them) they look like little leaguers  not really in the game checking out the bees flying around the daisy's in the OF grass.

This team are not Tigers - they are a bunch of Kittens. I think the fans should start to MEOWing to them from the stands, here... kitty.... kitty.... kitty.  Better yet maybe we should bring juice boxes to them and snack after the game and pat them on the head and say "nice try you'll catch the ball next time".

I could care less if this team loses the next 10 games, it is just the way were are doing it right now that irritates me. I probably should not post this but I am going to any way for  Dom Robusto, and the other TIGER's who have played in this proud program, they can't be a very happy bunch right now if they have watched too many games this year.

OK I am off the box now.

[108 Stitches]

Trinity kills H-S last night, 19-4. 13 runs in the first two innings. Where was that last weekend? Maybe they woke up?

Big series for this weekend

Trinity @ SW - I am not sure here my gut says TU 2 of 3 but this team is an enigma. They could sweep or lose 3 and neither one would surprise me. Should be a hard fought series, SW is a team on the rise.
TLU @  Dallas - TLU should sweep but I think Dallas steals one game. TLU pitching is not that deep.
Cent @ Austin - Cent should sweep
Schreiner @ McMurry - Does not matter

[BamColt]

Trinity looked spooked as TLU the usual selves were jumping up and down acting like maniacs.
I was glad I was able to get out there and catch these two teams play each other. I agree defense killed the Tigers that night, it was beyond bad in that game.

[bzzboyz]

TLU the usual selves were jumping up and down acting like maniacs.

Can you explain what that means?

[bzzboyz]

Crickets.