As Corbs noted on Saturday, last week as the first in two years in which Vandy had a losing record. That's a remarkable feat, but one that obviously you don't want to repeat as you head into the stretch run of the regular season.
Belmont will be a sufficient midweek test. How will Corbs and Brownie manage pitching? IMHO, what I'd do (based on what I've seen and heard) is move Pfeifer to the midweek starter's role. VU needs a fourth starter heading into Hoover, and he seems to be the best, most likely candidate. He also continues to struggle with first inning control, and that's the exact opposite of what you want from a closer.
That would move Kilichowski and/or Bowden to the closer's role. Not really sure that's a great move but I don't know where else you go. Thoughts on that?
As far as the weekend, even though SC is struggling, it's still Columbia and rarely does anyone come out of there with a series win. Right now Carolina is a 3 seed in the NCAAs, according to their folks, and that's not a good feeling for them. They have to start winning series against ranked opponents.
I'm not worried about hitting because I know that is cyclical and will come around. Too many great bats in this lineup to struggle for long.
Fulmer and Buehler are as good a 1-2 as there is in college baseball. A little run support and an inning or two of solid relief and VU should win their Friday and Saturday starts.
Sunday, of course, is another issue. I am confident Sheffield will continue to grow. Corbs all but said that he has the tools and the mentality, he just forgets that it's not all about the speed of your fast ball. Corbs also basically said people need to realize that this is a kid with relatively little experience as a pitcher. Usually Tim doesn't have to push a freshman into this role this fast, but I am less concerned about Sheffield's development than I am with the control issues of some of the more established guys.
Ideas?
Belmont will be a sufficient midweek test. How will Corbs and Brownie manage pitching? IMHO, what I'd do (based on what I've seen and heard) is move Pfeifer to the midweek starter's role. VU needs a fourth starter heading into Hoover, and he seems to be the best, most likely candidate. He also continues to struggle with first inning control, and that's the exact opposite of what you want from a closer.
That would move Kilichowski and/or Bowden to the closer's role. Not really sure that's a great move but I don't know where else you go. Thoughts on that?
As far as the weekend, even though SC is struggling, it's still Columbia and rarely does anyone come out of there with a series win. Right now Carolina is a 3 seed in the NCAAs, according to their folks, and that's not a good feeling for them. They have to start winning series against ranked opponents.
I'm not worried about hitting because I know that is cyclical and will come around. Too many great bats in this lineup to struggle for long.
Fulmer and Buehler are as good a 1-2 as there is in college baseball. A little run support and an inning or two of solid relief and VU should win their Friday and Saturday starts.
Sunday, of course, is another issue. I am confident Sheffield will continue to grow. Corbs all but said that he has the tools and the mentality, he just forgets that it's not all about the speed of your fast ball. Corbs also basically said people need to realize that this is a kid with relatively little experience as a pitcher. Usually Tim doesn't have to push a freshman into this role this fast, but I am less concerned about Sheffield's development than I am with the control issues of some of the more established guys.
Ideas?
