IU vs Nebraska and O$U: 5/21 - 5/24/21

[Aaron 4,294]

That felt like pulling teeth again with offense but won this time.  

Will not win any again against Maryland with this performance but at least we have something to feel good about and build on. Bullpen has been terrific recently but only minimal reward. Somehow we hit TJ Brock and Cade Povich this weekend a bit who are two best guys we faced, but no one else. 

[Aaron 4,294]

8 minutes ago, btownqb said:

That was Tank. 

Oops good call. My bad

[Chris007 44,476]

I just don't understand why we don't change the lineup after going several games without scoring many runs. I'm a little bias towards Ethan Vercrumba since he's been a neighbor for many years but don't feel like he got much of a shot this year. You don't get drafted in the top 6 rounds and not be able to play. I understand if you want to go with your guys but dang be flexable. Sorry rant over

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

31 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I just don't understand why we don't change the lineup after going several games without scoring many runs. I'm a little bias towards Ethan Vercrumba since he's been a neighbor for many years but don't feel like he got much of a shot this year. You don't get drafted in the top 6 rounds and not be able to play. I understand if you want to go with your guys but dang be flexable. Sorry rant over

He's been incredible flexible with the lineup.

[Chris007 44,476]

12 minutes ago, btownqb said:

He's been incredible flexible with the lineup.

The player I'm talking about made 4 starts and got 20 AB's. As I told his dad two years ago take the $700K and be coached by professionals. College will always be there.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

33 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I just don't understand why we don't change the lineup after going several games without scoring many runs. I'm a little bias towards Ethan Vercrumba since he's been a neighbor for many years but don't feel like he got much of a shot this year. You don't get drafted in the top 6 rounds and not be able to play. I understand if you want to go with your guys but dang be flexable. Sorry rant over

15 guys with 10 or more starts in the field or DH. Ethan's problem is Colopy, Richardson, and Ashley aren't going to sit and they all play the same position as he does in the field. From what we've seen of Ethan in the field, he has struggled. EV should have an excellent shot at being one of the guys next year.

We also missed out on non conference and mid week games. (not getting into that again, obviously an atrocious mistake by the B1G).. FR like Ethan would have greatly benefited from that.

Just for reference I went through Vandy, Tenn, and Arkansas lineups. Vandy played 2 FR all year essentially in the field or DH.... Those three teams combined to play 3 FR. UT doesn't play any.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

4 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

The player I'm talking about made 4 starts and got 20 AB's. As I told his dad two years ago take the $700K and be coached by professionals. College will always be there.

I know who you're talking about. I don't really think he's deserved more than that though. Especially when you look at every other factor. Non conference and mid weeks would have greatly benefited Ethan.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

Michigan doesn't play a single FR either. I can only remember 1 FR in Nebs order. We start 3 every game, at least... and a fair amount of the time 4 with Tank playing 2nd base recently. Toetz, Fougerousse, and Colopy. 4 FR, 1 SO, 2 JR, 2 SR is our lineup (for the most part). A lot of other schools rolling out 4 or 5 SRs in their starting lineup, right now.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

I think Vecrumba has improved a ton from last season to this one. But for his career he is 8/51 at the plate and his OBP is below .300. It's hard to argue that he has deserved more ABs.

More development and a good summer league showing. I think he can one the guys at DH or OF next season. I feel like Colopy will more to CF. Who knows though.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

51 minutes ago, btownqb said:

15 guys with 10 or more starts in the field or DH. Ethan's problem is Colopy, Richardson, and Ashley aren't going to sit and they all play the same position as he does in the field. From what we've seen of Ethan in the field, he has struggled. EV should have an excellent shot at being one of the guys next year.

We also missed out on non conference and mid week games. (not getting into that again, obviously an atrocious mistake by the B1G).. FR like Ethan would have greatly benefited from that.

Just for reference I went through Vandy, Tenn, and Arkansas lineups. Vandy played 2 FR all year essentially in the field or DH.... Those three teams combined to play 3 FR. UT doesn't play any.

One of those three FR one FR of the year in the SEC.

[ap2345 8,021]

2 hours ago, btownqb said:

15 guys with 10 or more starts in the field or DH. Ethan's problem is Colopy, Richardson, and Ashley aren't going to sit and they all play the same position as he does in the field. From what we've seen of Ethan in the field, he has struggled. EV should have an excellent shot at being one of the guys next year.

We also missed out on non conference and mid week games. (not getting into that again, obviously an atrocious mistake by the B1G).. FR like Ethan would have greatly benefited from that.

Just for reference I went through Vandy, Tenn, and Arkansas lineups. Vandy played 2 FR all year essentially in the field or DH.... Those three teams combined to play 3 FR. UT doesn't play any.

FR have been impacted across all levels of college baseball because of the lack of mid week and non conference games. Coaches are just rolling with the guys that have more of a track record or they think are better in their opinion even if it's wrong. This will likely lead to a lot of turnover all across college baseball this off season. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

3 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

FR have been impacted across all levels of college baseball because of the lack of mid week and non conference games. Coaches are just rolling with the guys that have more of a track record or they think are better in their opinion even if it's wrong. This will likely lead to a lot of turnover all across college baseball this off season. 

I think so too.  Problem is.. I really don't know how we could have avoided it. We play as many FR as anyone. Those 4 or 5 that have a fair amount of starts in the field or DH and then pitching wise, we've thrown 4 FR quite a bit. And I think we have 2 or 3 other FR arms we really like, as well. Bringing in two Top 150 arms next year: Luke Hayden and Ben Hess.

[ap2345 8,021]

1 minute ago, btownqb said:

I think so too.  Problem is.. I really don't know how we could have avoided it. We play as many FR as anyone. Those 4 or 5 that have a fair amount of starts in the field or DH and then pitching wise, we've thrown 4 FR quite a bit. And I think we have 2 or 3 other FR arms we really like, as well. Bringing in two Top 150 arms next year: Luke Hayden and Ben Hess.

I just think it's a problem at all levels this year. Not saying IU could've done anything different. There is going to be a talent log jam for a couple years at least and the limited 20 round draft this year won't help either because there will be extra eligibility guys still hanging around that most years would've been drafted and signed in later rounds. It's better than the 5 from last year but still not great. 

[Chris007 44,476]

3 minutes ago, btownqb said:

I think so too.  Problem is.. I really don't know how we could have avoided it. We play as many FR as anyone. Those 4 or 5 that have a fair amount of starts in the field or DH and then pitching wise, we've thrown 4 FR quite a bit. And I think we have 2 or 3 other FR arms we really like, as well. Bringing in two Top 150 arms next year: Luke Hayden and Ben Hess.

The Hayden and Vercrumba families are good friends. Don't be surprised if Hayden gets a shot at being drafted he takes the money and tries his luck in the pros.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

1 minute ago, Chris007 said:

The Hayden and Vercrumba families are good friends. Don't be surprised if Hayden gets a shot at being drafted he takes the money and tries his luck in the pros.

I mean couldn't fault him. But Ethan's lack of ABs shouldn't play any part in his decision.

[Chris007 44,476]

1 minute ago, btownqb said:

I mean couldn't fault him. But Ethan's lack of ABs shouldn't play any part in his decision.

5-20 this season so can't tell much from that. I think it's 6th or 7th on the team but not enough to tell anything. I think it would be more from what you get told from the coaching staff, to what transpires on the field. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

1 minute ago, Chris007 said:

5-20 this season so can't tell much from that. I think it's 6th or 7th on the team but not enough to tell anything. I think it would be more from what you get told from the coaching staff, to what transpires on the field. 

He's 8 of 51 for his career at the plate.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 9,264]

EV's "FR" year we had Richardson and Dunham in the OF. He wasn't taking ABs from either one of those guys.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 85,247]

Should Sommer be the Friday starter may be a moot point.

From Dustin Dopirak:  Jeff Mercer says Indiana left-hander Tommy Sommer's status is still up in the air because a blister on one of the fingers on his pitching hand. He's generally the Friday starter, but Mercer said he could start, come out of the bullpen, or not be available at all.  Mercer said they've considered all options for shifting the staff. They could move McCade Brown and Gabe Bierman up a day and have a staff day Sunday or have a staff day Friday and keep them in their regular spots. And of course Sommer could still go in his usual spot or he could move back to Sunday to get a few more days rest. Or they could move Bierman up to Friday and keep Brown in his spot. Said everything is on the table and a lot will be determined by what he sees and learns today.

[Aaron 4,294]

10 hours ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Should Sommer be the Friday starter may be a moot point.

From Dustin Dopirak:  Jeff Mercer says Indiana left-hander Tommy Sommer's status is still up in the air because a blister on one of the fingers on his pitching hand. He's generally the Friday starter, but Mercer said he could start, come out of the bullpen, or not be available at all.  Mercer said they've considered all options for shifting the staff. They could move McCade Brown and Gabe Bierman up a day and have a staff day Sunday or have a staff day Friday and keep them in their regular spots. And of course Sommer could still go in his usual spot or he could move back to Sunday to get a few more days rest. Or they could move Bierman up to Friday and keep Brown in his spot. Said everything is on the table and a lot will be determined by what he sees and learns today.

If he tries to start Sommer Friday, Mercer deserves to be fired if it backfires. We have already tried starting Sommer once with this injury and it cost us the game last week. With NCAA Tournament on line I don't care what they do, except Sommer be out there only out of the pen or on Sunday. 

You cannot throw Sommer out there on Friday with everything on the line and have it blow up in your face again. We have plenty of good arms and everyone but Sommer has been terrific lately. With a struggling offense, you don't chance putting your one struggling starter out there on a Friday, against the other teams best pitcher. Period.