What a great day for MSU baseball

[Todd4State]

This regional could not have gone any better for us.

We beat USM in the first game- with Pollorena outdueling a guy that some were calling USM's best pitcher ever. The best part about winning was I know it pissed Rick Cleveland off. But, we made a statement to recruits in Mississippi because that was the second time we beat USM, and we beat their ace. Just like we made a statement beating Mississippi three out of four times this year- these were teams that allegedly "had left us in the dust". It was also great because of the "we beat them 9 out of 10 times comment". Pollorena and Reed were outstanding.

Then, we get to play Austin Peay who had saved their ace. We had the big inning, and we had a true freshman really step up in Evan Mitchell. He basically shut them down, until he ran out of gas in the ninth. But, he saved our bullpen and more importantly got us in the Championship round with two chances to win one. One thing about this game- we beat Austin Peay like we should beat Austin Peay.

Then today- I was glad that we got to play GT because I didn't want to hear about how we got "lucky that we had to beat AP". I wanted GT. I wanted to beat them at their place. I wanted to be the second best team in this tournament because we were the best. Tonight was one of the best games that we played all year. Lots of great hitting all night- we had multiple innings with crooked numbers. Nick Routt pitched his tail off. I think we can expect more of this next year from him. We played with a LOT of confidence- and we played loose and had fun. That goes back to the coaches and also to the players. Congrats to them. They deserve it, and I am very proud of all of them.

It's amazing what happens when you get a bunch of guys that play hard and compete every single play and aren't a bunch of pussies. Going to a SR is huge for us. No matter what happens- but at the same time, we need to go into this with the attitude that we're only two away from going to Omaha aGAIN. This won't be an easy task, but at this point in the year, no opponent is going to be easy.

What's really exciting though- I think we have a LOT more better days ahead.

 

[Off Campus]

***

 

[drt7891]

At the beginning of the season, I wanted us to make the SEC tournament and a Regional. We did that. That was our next stepping stone after last season. Not only did we make a regional, we won the thing (some would argue with a little luck since Ga. Tech lost to AP in their opening game, but a win is a win in my book). Now we can go with confidence into Florida and play hard and try to win the thing, and if we don't, I'm ok with that because we took the next step in building a solid program (so long as we play our hearts out). Don't get me wrong, I will be pulling hard for the Dawgs to win inGainesville, but if we don't I won't bedisappointedin this team one bit. I was scared we didn't have what it takes MENTALLY to win when we needed to, when it's all or nothing, but they proved me wrong this weekend. It's a good day to be a Dawg.

 

[Foronce]

nm

 

[chew1095]

I feel like he can help his draft status by coming back for another year, even though he will be a senior next year. Yesterday was a wonderful glimpse of what Routt is capable of when he is healthy.

Second side bar question: does the weekend rotation next year look like Pollo, Mitchell and Routt? I would think so with Mitchell or Routt pitching Friday/Saturday and the crazy chicken toeing the rubber on Sundays. Just my thoughts.</p>

 

[Todd4State]

Like you said, he could really help himself out by coming back and proving that he is healthy and also refining his new change up.

That rotation could be what we see next year. I still have a lot of faith in Stratton- he is only a sophomore, but at the same time, can you imagine Stratton being our midweek guy? That's definately a good thing in my book. I also think that Daryl Norris, Trevor Fitts, and Jacob Lindgren will compete for spots, and I think that even a guy like Kendall Graveman will get a shot.

One guy that no one talks about is Andrew Busby- but they will also let him have a shot at starting next year as well.

 

[drt7891]

That isn't saying I don't expect us to compete nationally every single year, but as much as this board complained about "well, look what Polk left us" and "we have no starting pitchers" over the last few years, I didn't EXPECT (although, I did HOPE) that we would, as a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, sweep the regional in 3 games the way we did. We won 6 conference games last year and to finish the year the way we are, it is quite obvious we are moving in the right direction.

 

[patdog]

he needs to go pro. He can only hurt himself by coming back. He might move up to a higher round, but he won't have any leverage to negotiate a bonus. Seniors always get shafted on bonuses.

 

[00Dawg]

His last appearance in 2010 was in the first SEC series of the season, and he only appeared in 6 games.

 

[Todd4State]

Routt could get a medical redshirt year.

 

[patdog]

He definitely should come back, unless he just gets a lot better offer than I think he's going to.

 

[pDigital32Dawg]

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Then today- I was glad that we got to play GT because I didn't want to hear about how we got "lucky that we had to beat AP". I wanted GT. I wanted to beat them at their place.</span>

and that is your want to play GT. I understand for bragging purposes and to mute all of the naysayers that we got it easy, but I would much rather have the easiest route any day at this point in the season in baseball and basketball. I knew we were in the driver's seat regardless of who we played since we had 2 chances to win one game, but I would have been much more comfortable playing Austin Peay than GT. But it is all said and done and I am equally as happy as where we stand today.

And this is not a complaint post about the weekend, just a differing opinion of Todd on analyzing postseason opponents.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

In our case, that meant beating GT on their own turf. Sure, I wouldn't have complained if we'd played AP aGAIN. But taking out GT was needed to continue showing the improvement we've seen all season. Now, we need to sack up and find a way to take out FL. If we get they type of pitching in the SR that we did this past weekend, we've got a very good shot at them. They're still the better team, but they aren't unbeatable.

 

[Big Sheep81]

Thank you baseball Pope Cohen.......

 

[boomboommsu]

A guy like Routt could easily get lost in the mix, especially if he's a questionable sign. I really don't think that in this year a team would take him with a high pick and give him all that leverage over his bonus, when there's so much equivalent or better pitching talent without that leverage. He should declare, he'll get drafted really low asa flier, and they'll negotiate heavily. After that, could go either way, really depending on what how that team's high picks negotiate.