So glad that our hitters weren't following this thread and learning that they absolutely cannot swing for the fences in Omaha.
You’re welcome, people. Not only did I not watch, I turned everything off when UVA went ahead and read a book. Glad to do my part
I did my part. Ignored all technology, went to bed at 2030. Awakened at 2230 by my son calling with his excited review of the game. Then I was wide awake watching videos, reading game thread, etc until almost 0100.
I don't know if anyone answered you, but I can tell you how I recall the Earl story. It was many, many years ago. The Gators were at home, rolling over some team whose starting pitcher was named "Earl" something or other. When he finally got pulled out of the game, people on the message board (and perhaps the live crowd too, I don't know) were basically saying that they wanted "Earl" to stay in. Instead, he got pulled, but the next pitcher also happened to be named "Earl" as well. The Gators clobbered him as well. There may or may not have been a 3rd pitcher named Earl in that game. Probably not, but maybe. Anyway, shortly thereafter you start seeing references to "the next Earl" whenever someone was referring to the next opposing pitcher in a game. And here we are today (maybe 10-15 years later?), where every opposing pitcher of the other team is simply "Earl". That's my shot at answering your question. I could be wrong about virtually everything in this recollection, but that is what I think every time I see the reference to Earl on the game threads.
So I notice the way our “big stars” (Wyatt yes, but esp Jac) have been relatively quiet at the plate compared to earlier in the season, and yet they have not sulked, whined or complained but simply went out and did what they could to help their team compete. Jac’s single in the 9th, for example. “Just” a single, no towering home run or anything so dramatic, but it was the winning run in the end.
As big as the HRs were and Jac's single after them, the 3-2 walk by Josh was a truly professional AB.
I do this too sometimes, but after Riopelle's bomb for the winner against AL in Hoover....I decided to stick around for the last 3 outs on this one. Glad I did.
I sure hope no one got hurt in that scrum. Every time I see one I flash back to the OSU kid getting hurt after he housed the opening kickoff against us in Phoenix.