[sporter]

Thats two runners we've stranded on third. We haven't been hitting well at all this game.

thanks - appreciate any updates you can give

[flamesfilmguy]

Batter interference on winthrop impeded a throwing attempt on a steal Coach for WU comes out and argues. WOW.... Ump double clutches throwing out the WU coach and he stays in the game

[flamesfilmguy]

Niggli throws out his sixth and its 2 outs in the top of the 9th with a runner on first for the eagles.

[flamesfilmguy]

oy... we have a throwing error with two runners on and WU scored 2-1 2 outs still batting in the top of the 9th

[flamesfilmguy]

Pitching change for the flames Josh richardson coming in for the first time in awhile.

[flamesfilmguy]

Richardson gets a fly out and we go to the bottom of the 9th down 1

[flamesfilmguy]

We lose 2-1

[jbock13]

Batter interference on winthrop impeded a throwing attempt on a steal Coach for WU comes out and argues. WOW.... Ump double clutches throwing out the WU coach and he stays in the game

Not only that, but you could hear the words the WU Manager was saying... I know I heard BS a few times lol. Regardless, whether intentional or accidental, he fell over the plate. That's batter interference.

[jbock13]

so far we've put up a 3 spot in the bottom of the 5th, we lead 5 to 0.

[jbock13]

Austin Taylor hits a 3 run homer. We've put up 7 here in the 5th, we lead 9 to 0.

[jbock13]

Matt Williams hits a solo shot, 10-0 LU.

[jbock13]

We add two more,12-0. Still in the 6th.

[BJWilliams]

It was like watching the Amherst-Liberty (Bedford) game last night in the 6th...in that game Amherst sent 15 men to bat, had three doubles, a grand slam, a hit batter and a partridge in a pear tree to score nine runs

[jbock13]

Well... Winthrop puts up 7 in the top of the 7th... 12-7 LU.

[jbock13]

It was like watching the Amherst-Liberty (Bedford) game last night in the 6th...in that game Amherst sent 15 men to bat, had three doubles, a grand slam, a hit batter and a partridge in a pear tree to score nine runs

And it looked like that WU 7th inning didn't it?

[BJWilliams]

Indeed...that is probably one of the downsides to having starters who go the distance so much (I mean Keegan has three complete games in what...his last four outings?)...your bullpen guys dont get any action other than throwing in the bullpen and then sitting back down.

[jbock13]

Liberty gets another safety, LU with the touchdown lead over Winthrop, 14 to 7

[BJWilliams]

Liberty holds and Winthrop is forced to punt...

[jbock13]

Liberty scores another safety! The Winthrop offense cannot seem to move the ball except for the one possession... LU leads 16 to 7 in the 2 minute warning (top 9th).

Check that, LU wins 16 to 7.

[bigsmooth]

i really love seeing how our starting pitching has really come together. i thought last night toman should have pulled niggli after the 8th and let josh finish it off, but fully understand why he did it. the game today with evans it was good to get him out with the big lead so the bullpen could get some work. we really need to save our starters arms, but with our ineffective bullpen i see the need to go deeper with the starters. i guess two schools of thought in regards to pitching. im just glad we won the series, which is always the goal for conference play.

[BJWilliams]

For all of his struggles so far, Forslund had a pretty solid outing today...something he has badly needed.

[olldflame]

Swanson's 9th inning was very encouraging as well. Andy Abrams on the other hand had nothing today.

[BJWilliams]

Abrams has barely pitched at all this year. I mean we are through 25 games and he only has 7 total innings all year (including the rough go of things today). It goes back to what I said a few posts ago...with Evans, Linza and Niggli starting to regularly go 6, 7, 8 or even all nine innings, these guys with the exception of maybe Beakler are really not getting much in game action...they get up and throw in the pen and get live, then they arent used. Its good that our weekend starters are getting things done but these guys like Abrams and Daniel Brown and so forth really arent getting chances to get up on the hill in live action and prove themselves...

[jenkins]

i still dont get why blake is getting hit so hard. He was 92-94 today and stayed down in the zone and they put some great swings on him. Talked to a white sox scout behind the plate and he echoed that sentiment. He throws on a great down hill plane as well and kept the ball low, it's baffling. Blake seems to get frustrated at the Blue's too much tho, if he doesnt get a call he throws the hands up. Abrams is a garbage time guy, so i wouldn't worry about that, pretty sure he wont be getting any more time after this.

talked to winthrops ace's dad today as well, super nice guy. He said WU would lose as many as 12 starters/pitchers to graduation and the draft next year, looks rough.

[sporter]

Agree completely with the comments on the relievers. With Coastal's slight leveling off early on (including losing to UNCA yesterday), and our early season troubles making it very tough for an at-large bid this year, the conference tourney becomes potentially our one realistic way into the Regionals. WIth the number of games in the tourney, we have to have a few of the other guys sharp and ready to go - hard to do when the starters are dealing, but have to find out who the next level is and get them some innings.

Also, about Forslund. One thing a couple of us were discussing yesterday was the increased value the new bats put on pitchers ball movement. WIth the sweet spot of the bat essentially going from 12 inches to 5, a slight cut or run on the fastball becomes much more valuable now than the extra few mph. It is much more difficult for a hitter with this bat to "center" the ball when there is an ever so slight run or cut to it. They may actually welcome the 93 mph "straight" pitch. Haven't seen him pitch live yet so not in any way saying this applies to Forslund and that his ball doesn't move but just something we were discussing in general yesterday that could apply here.