@gros-louis I am sorry if I am being too negative. There is plenty of season left, but this goes back a couple seasons for me. Mercer was dubbed the "Brad Stevens" of college baseball and his teams constantly can't do the little things correctly. He punted a game where he could've clinched a regional win to the Super Regional. He's been at IU since 2019 and while he's had some decent teams and some GREAT talent, he may be on his last legs if this new pitching coach can't get the staff together.
Is playing baseball in the north (especially this year) more difficult than playing in the south? Yes, but these issues happen later in the season to. I am done with the cold weather excuse. While it can affect hitting, judging fly balls and lights it shouldn't have this affect year over year all through the year.
They play on turf, they use the field in Mellencamp in the cold. Fielding and throwing ground balls should not be an issue. Throwing strikes, should not be an issue. Base running should not be an issue.
I wasn't saying you were responsible for all of the negativity, just saying that, in general, there's been too much negativity after a 3 game series against a top 10 opponent. And frankly, I was fairly happy with our starting pitching for the first series of the year.
I agree with a lot of the things you say. At the same time, there are reasons and there are excuses. Some of those, especially early, are reasons.
@gros-louis I didn't think it was fully pointed at me, but I apologize anyway. The Game 1 starter was very impressive. I think they need to re-evaluate scheduling too. I understand the philosophy and RPI implications, but man it would be nice to start with some easier games and play UNC maybe in Week 2 or so. This weekend doesn't get any easier. Throwing that ball away in Game 3, was a kick in the groin.
Oh no doubt about the loss in game 3. You win that one, you come home feeling not too bad about your start, all things considered.@gros-louis I didn't think it was fully pointed at me, but I apologize anyway. The Game 1 starter was very impressive. I think they need to re-evaluate scheduling too. I understand the philosophy and RPI implications, but man it would be nice to start with some easier games and play UNC maybe in Week 2 or so. This weekend doesn't get any easier. Throwing that ball away in Game 3, was a kick in the groin.
LSU seemed to struggle with Milwaukee the first two days of the weekend. Notre Dame is supposedly improved. Can't tell anything about UCF based on their absolute blowouts of Siena.