Wow, what a great win last night for the baseball team. Down early, 4-1, they battled back to tie the game in the 6th and then took the lead in the 7th. The game last night showed a team that took advantage of everything given to them, had some very timely hits and then of course, GREAT pitching by Michael Palazzone, pitching a complete game. Vandy had their ace on the mound and he is likely a 1st round draft pick in the upcoming baseball draft. Yet, the Dogs managed to hit two homers-he had only given up 2 homers ALL year, and then forced him into a couple of walks back to back, and tied the game. Like I say, it was a case of UGA doing all the little things to win a baseball game against a VERY good team. Now they need to win one more of the two remaining to feel they have a legit shot to make a regional. If they could win all three, they could actually afford to lose two straight in the SEC tourney and still finish a game over 500. IF they can take one of the remaining two, they would still need one win in the conference tourney. IF they lose both remaining games, they would have to win 3 games in the SEC tourney. SO, it is pretty obvious they must win one more. You can read more about Thursday nights game below.
http://dogbytesonline.com/palazzone-goes-distance-in-opening-win-45620/
The two teams play again tonight at 6:30pm, I do not think there is any TV for tonight's game or the game tomorrow afternoon at 2p. Here is something to think about though, UF plays UK at home tonight at 7. IF Florida wins the game, they wrap up the east title, since both Vandy and SCarolina lost yesterday. Also, UF holds the tiebreaker over those two as well. So, could or would Vandy turn to their bench players knowing their shot at the east title is over?? I doubt it would happen for tonights game but it COULD happen for tomorrows game. Hey, I am looking for any/every advantage I can for the team to win this series. A series sweep would be so wonderful, you just can't imagine how much pressure that would take off the entire team heading into the SEC tourney. I will say this, IF UGA gets in the tourney, they would be a dangerous opponent simply because they are battled tested. They have faced about 4-5 pitchers this season that have a legit shot to be drafted in the first round of the upcoming MLB draft. They have played the toughest overall schedule in the nation-so they will NOT be intimidated playing whomever they get matched with. I don't think they are good enough to make the World Series but then again, not like they have no chance. That is why getting in the regionals is such a big deal. On the flipside, look at LSU who bombed Miss State yesterday. They sit at 12-16 in the conference, we are 16-12 btw, but overall record is 35-19. I think you can see clearly what happened with LSU-they played a cupcake non conference schedule. But, even though they are most likely not headed to Hoover, they have a shot to make the NCAA tourney-they probably need to root for UGA to NOT make it-that might open a spot for them.
One more note, read today the SEC plans to keep the SEC baseball tourney is Hoover for another 5 years. BOO, I think this needs to change but I guess some SEC fans probably think the football title game should move from Atlanta and rotate. Oh well, it was a nice thought while it lasted, about Coolray hosting the event that is.
In my latest Nkemdiche mention, seems I mention that name almost every day on the blog, after reading about Ole Miss being his leader or words similar, sounds like Denzel has reached out to Bryan McClendon to try to set up a visit this weekend in Athens. When the prospect is contacting the school to set up a visit, WHAT does that usually tell you folks-it tells you the young man wants to visit, take a tour and more than likely commit to UGA. I have said it before and will say it again, in no way do I think poorly of Ole Miss and Oxford, Miss. I have been there for a UGA football before, back in the late 90's, it is a VERY nice place, I enjoyed going there and it helped that UGA won the football game. But, it was a LONG (pretty boring I might add) drive and simply put, Ole Miss does not compare to UGA when it comes to football facilties or program. Both campuses are very nice and pretty, Ole Miss is much smaller but very nice. Still, IF the two brother are serious that they will play college football together, I just am not buying that Denzel is headed to Oxford because I can't see a kid like Robert ending up there. Time will tell, but I can see Denzel heading to Athens, maybe playing special teams or maybe redshirting. This could be the ultimate package deal but I am telling you, Denzel is flat out good football player. He is fast and can really hit. I think he has a great shot to be a player for us, but he just might have more competition in Athens than in Oxford. But, I think the distance will be a factor, also I think he will get a better education in Athens. We shall see what happens, I expect him to make his decision early next week.
Final note of the week, yesterday it was announced that UGA will play the Cincinnati Bearcats in the SEC/Big East challenge. UGA will host the game on Friday, December 2nd. This will be the first meeting between the two schools but Cincy is a GOOD hoops program. They went 26-9 last year, good for 6th in the Big East and lost in the round of 32 to eventual national champ UCONN. As it stands now, 4 of their top 6 scorers return from last year, one player of interest is Cashmere Wright, who is from Savannah, Ga. It will be a TOUGH game for Coach Fox and company but always good to test yourself early against quality opposition.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, weather is supposed to be outstanding in Georgia, one week until the Memorial Day holiday! Go Dogs!
No comments:
Post a Comment