Mrs. Basket Case and I were at the first game yesterday. Got run-ruled, 9 - 1, in the SEC opener. Bad pitching (obviously), and hitting almost as bad. The one run was unearned, late in the game, and had no impact on anything. With one kinda-sorta exception, we never really threatened to score while the game was in doubt.
The exception was almost as frustrating. Left the bases loaded and got 0 runs. It was "kinda-sorta" because the lead runner should have been out. She hit a hard line drive to right field, but right at MSU's right fielder....who inexplicably got her feet tangled up and fell. Ball hit the wall on the fly and the batter had a double. Should have been an error but wasn't scored that way. If the fielder had made the play (as she should have), the bases wouldn't have been loaded later in the inning.
Had several hits, but they were scattered singles and never really amounted to scoring opportunities.
We didn't see the second game, which was back-and-forth ending with an Alabama win. We weren't there, so I can't offer any more. Clearly, however, it was better than the first.
The first game was ignominious start to the SEC schedule, and looked painfully like last year -- except our best pitcher is really a #2, not an ace. We don't have a true #1 pitcher, and it's clear that Murphy doesn't trust the group -- but there's nobody to turn to.
At least one pitcher and several hitters will blossom, or this will be a difficult season.
The exception was almost as frustrating. Left the bases loaded and got 0 runs. It was "kinda-sorta" because the lead runner should have been out. She hit a hard line drive to right field, but right at MSU's right fielder....who inexplicably got her feet tangled up and fell. Ball hit the wall on the fly and the batter had a double. Should have been an error but wasn't scored that way. If the fielder had made the play (as she should have), the bases wouldn't have been loaded later in the inning.
Had several hits, but they were scattered singles and never really amounted to scoring opportunities.
We didn't see the second game, which was back-and-forth ending with an Alabama win. We weren't there, so I can't offer any more. Clearly, however, it was better than the first.
The first game was ignominious start to the SEC schedule, and looked painfully like last year -- except our best pitcher is really a #2, not an ace. We don't have a true #1 pitcher, and it's clear that Murphy doesn't trust the group -- but there's nobody to turn to.
At least one pitcher and several hitters will blossom, or this will be a difficult season.
