ISU/Illinois State - MVC tournament

[Beav89]

Looks like Rodriguez is having an off day as well. SkinnyLu was reporting that Smith, Manus and Petricka were all down at the bullpen during the second inning. Maybe the mental devastation of the week has finally done these guys in.

[msreason]

Taking a look at these guys in the pen is a good idea. Don't let them onto the field unless they look like they have their stuff! I have always thought that you could tell whether someone is having problems during their warm-ups in the pen.

[SycamoreFan317]

Not a good start 5-0 in the fourth.

[msreason]

Going into top of 6th, 6-1 favor of Illinois State.

[msreason]

Jett homer cuts lead to 6-3 in top of 6th.

[Beav89]

I'm trying to be optimistic that being down by only 3 runs isn't so bad...

[msreason]

Make that 4! Still within reach if we have one of our patented explosive innings!

[msreason]

Mann coming in to pitch with one on and no outs in the bottom of the 8th.

We have one more chance to erase the 7-3 lead in the top of the 9th!

[Beav89]

Kraemer is in to bat...

And that's out #1

Caple is out #2

And Meggs was #3...

Bummer

[ISUCC]

wow, it's sad to see such an epic collapse to end the season for ISU. Who'da thunk they'd lose 6 straight to end the season. I know they play SIU yet, but what are the odds of winning that game?

I guess we can all look forward to 2010 and hope for another return trip to the MVC post season and hope for a win or two then.

[msreason]

As they say...we need to end the season tomorrow with a win and play for pride. Patricka is on the mound to start the game.

[SycamoreFan317]

We certainly are not playing up to our potential and that is most disappointing. The boys have had a great year making gigantic strides.....this just goes to show that we have a ways to go yet. There are two ways to look at this one is to say that our pitching was subpar and let us down or that ILS did a great job of batting. The truth lies somewhere in the middle there. Congrats to the Sycamores for a great season and let's go out tomorrow and get a W to take into the off season.

[msreason]

I believe we have a good base of pitchers...IF they can continue to be developed. That is the key. Hopefully when they return in the fall, there will be some intense work with pitchers to take them to the next level. We also have a good base for hitters...assuming we don't lose juniors to the MLB draft in June. And because of our record, the number of players receiving honors, the coach of the year for Meggs and a new stadium...we should get some mileage in recruiting some quality prospects. Here's to another great yeaer in 2010!

[BlueSycamore]

Bad end to a good season. We peaked about three weeks early.

[bent20]

Looking back on it the game two loss at MSU, if not game one, was basically the end of the season.

[alleyoop]

msreason,
who is going to develop these young arms ? I do not see much changing without a pitching coach. Unfortunately these young men will be no better in 1 or 2 years than they are now.......... without a pitching coach!

[msreason]

This is a question I have, too. Good pitching coaches are probably pretty hard to find and I imagine even at the D1 level, they aren't going to get rich doing it. Earlier on this thread or was it another one, I talked about going to a Giant's/Rockies game a few years back and the Rockies pitching coach was instructing a multi-million dollar player how to make slight changes in the way he was gripping the ball. Pitching is a fine art. It would be great if ISU could have someone who new the intricacies and was good at teaching them!

[BankShot]

I think we need to show a little patience with our 1st year pitching coach, whose shown a reasonable prior track record and had less than a year to deal with an ISU staff consisting of primarily JC transfers. I doubt seriously if ANY of our pitching staff will be selected high enough in the draft to leave school prematurely, thus extending the relationship of P Coach/player. We've seen the HIGHS and LOWS this season, and experiences should mold a more understanding bond for next season. If nothing jells in 2010, then it's time to start looking.

[IndyTreeFan]

I don't think anyone can argue that the staff was much better this year than last. Maybe this new coach really is a good one, and BankShot is right about him needing a bit more time. Still think the future is really bright!!!

:sycamores::sycamores::sycamores:

[Beav89]

I think if the fans are willing to give the coaching development one more year, then ok, so am I. I wasn't following ISU last year, but everything I've read on this board gives me the impression that IndyTreeFan is correct.

I will say that I was aware of who Coach Herbst was before he arrived at ISU. He had two years under Jim Lawler at UALR to learn from one of the best pitching coaches in college baseball before he arrived in TH. His other coaching stints were at Wabash Valley (1 year - pitching), Evansville (3 years - infield), and Northern Illinois (1 year - infield), and he was an infielder while playing for Lincoln Memorial. I think he's a pleasant person and very friendly. I'm hoping he gels with the team and can give them the guidance and mentoring they need in the pitching area.

[SycamoreFan317]

Hopefully everybody sticks around for the summer and continues to work both on the field and in the weight room.