Ongoing UF Baseball Commentary

Reading the front page on GC, sounds like Sully is starting to circle the wagons regarding outside negativity. Seldom is that a good sign.
It is very possible that after winning a title, reaching the peak, the fire/drive to repeat just isn't there. He gets a well deserved raise, a divorce, and now one has to wonder just how locked in is he to the program? He's always been a good recruiter, he seems to say the right things, but has developing players, motivating players become an afterthought as in just going through the motions? We are facing back to back ugly years with really many of the same issues. This year may be worse if one can believe that. With lots of money and somewhat of a job security based on winning one title has Sully gone on autopilot?
It's almost like many pro players who get a huge raise, making millions, once they sign the contract they suddenly become average. Bottom line, something isn't working in the program and UF should not be a middle of the road team when it comes to baseball or any sport.

 

I think Sully is awesome. He is facing some changes. 2020 we were headed for a title. Covid f-d that up. Now UT and UGA are actually good. They used to suck. Along with ARK, Vandy, etc it's a much tougher road. I hope admin stays with him. He's a really good coach. We do need more fire like Singer used to bring. The players have got to step up, grab their balls and play. Period.

 

They need to look across to the other dugout and think "I want to f-ing kill these guys".

 

I am disappointed in the season thus far but for a slightly contrarian view:

2018: UF was the #1 overall tourney seed and made the final four of Omaha.

2019: A rebuild which still made the tourney.

2020: Very promising season against a largely weak schedule.

2021: UF was a top 16 seed and hosted a regional. UF was 17-13 in the SEC. Sure the postseason 2 games sucked. No argument. But the year was fine. By UF’s historical non-Sully years, it was a good year. Top 20ish year of UF history (excluding Sully).

2022: UF is currently 1 game behind the 2017 UF SEC record. Only 1 game.

The last 5 years are all still better than Pat McMahon. They are fine seasons.

Now that said, the defense is trending in the wrong direction. There is ZERO consistency from anyone not named Barco on the mound. And the lineup table setters (#1 and #2) had a combined average close to me prior to yesterday over their last 40ish ABs.

So there is A LOT to be concerned about but it isn’t like UF baseball is in some historical rut. They have just had a really bad last 3ish weeks.

 

2017: 5-4 after 9
2022: 3-6 after 9

with the next 9 against the top 3 teams in the league IMO. Somehow going to have to find a way to win 4 or 5 of them or it’s going to be difficult to find a path to 13-14 SEC wins.

 

This is the same coach that I said I like because he has a lot of fire and the kids take on his persona. Just two weeks ago and even in the past people have questioned and taken shots at him. Now that he is winning big time seems like everybody is seeing his way it works.

 

Being very straightforward. Sully has to make a change at third. Would be Great to see Armstrong get consistent at bats. I’d also like to see Guscette at Catcher and BT at DH. For some reason BT is dropping a lot of balls.

 

My Momma made a great point watching softball. Basically why do we try to strike out/walk everyone. Hightower on the softball team actually lets her infield and outfield help her out!!!!!!!

 

I agree the game is overwhelming Deric. He needs a breather.

 

Strikeouts are fascist.

Crash Davis

 

Stretching for something positive out of this weekend and I'd say the pitching of Sproat and Neely. If those 2 can shore up the starting rotation with a solid 5/6 inn there is hope.

 

The Saturday game didn’t interfere with the Final Four. Does that count as a positive??

 

Not for me. Checked out on basketball awhile back.

 

My son is now 22 and hitting grad school. He says he can play some D but he laughs at the shit Barco throws. He's like 'Dad there is no way I can hit that". We have great players.

 

I keep telling him to walk on

 

None of that made sense. I'm just saying we have good players. As much as I hate losing to uga (lower case intentional) we have alot of talent.

 

Hey folks, rode by the Park on my bike route this afternoon and the batting tunnel was cracking and few guys were throwing on the turf field and I saw Abner walking with Hartman and then in the lot Deric getting in his truck and I yelled out to all- "HANG IN THERE GUYS" with a thumbs up-- and they all shouted back--- 'we will, we will' Man they are a fine group of guys- Hope the leadership emerges from the vets on field and the coaches! Go Gators

 

You go 77!! Kids need to hear that. Key is , still kids. I’m not worried about them. I tend to focus more on leadership when things aren’t going well.

 

Here comes positivity!!!

Let me preface first…..Get by Bethune, as every win will count and we will need 32-33 to get into tourney.
Arkansas-
No dominating pitcher. Their Friday night guy Noland is 4-1 w 3.05 era. Solid but not dominant.
They all hit pretty well but no monster star. “Big Shot” Bobby Moore only at 245. Lanzili a stud but not like Georgia’s lead off guy. Their 2 and 3 are good but not dominant and lack pinpoint control like Noland.
At home w Barco on the mound….. must win hoping for a monster crowd next Thursday night. Win the first one and we can rebuild our mojo. Sproat Coming off of his best performance could be huge in helping us take that second game. But first, we will have to win Thursday night. Win that game Thursday night and I say anything can happen. I would not be shocked at all to see us take two of three from Arkansas next weekend.

One other thing I would say Arkansas‘s nonconference is nothing special and as bad as things are going right now most of us forget we took a series from a very good Miami team and have already beat Florida State once. Those wins will be huge in a committee’s eyes.

 

My prediction on our record is 35-19 or 34-20.

Sec I see 15-15 or maybe 16-14.