(02-08-2017 09:52 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(02-08-2017 08:44 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(02-08-2017 07:26 PM)BeagleUSM Wrote:  Scott Berry breaks down baseball lineup.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story.../97658672/

Nothing like loading up with JUCO transfers. Rice simply does not have the ability to do that given academic requirements.

Easier for us to do in baseball than other sports... Including one of our current MLB players, Brock Holt.

Agree, but for us it's one or two, at most, on our roster at any time. We simply cannot bring on 6+ in one year to reload our starting lineup. This is apparently what USM has done this year.

Not all of those will start though. Many are providing quality depth that we've lacked for a while now. Sadly, it seems pitching will be a struggle once again, especially if you aren't a weekend starter...

What's the status on Otto? Back by March?

(02-08-2017 11:33 PM)BeagleUSM Wrote:  What's the status on Otto? Back by March?

No one has any idea. He could be ready in two weeks, or he could be out the season. He hasn't pitched since the first week of October, though he was lifting weights while we were in Cuba and is apparently pain free. It's some shoulder ailment that doesn't require surgery. My guess is similar to what Jon Duplantier had which put him out his entire Sophomore season. If it is shoulder impingement (rotator cuff and/or bicept tendonitis), which I have suffered through myself, it takes up to 6 months to regain full motion. Duplantier came down with it a couple weeks before opening day, and he didn't feel pain free until late May of that year. As I said, Otto has been on the shelf since mid-October, and is apparently now pain free. So, who knows. Fortunately, this year we do have depth in quality pitching, and many are pitching well this Spring. Having said that, there's no replacing an overpowering, high strikeout frequency guy such as the Otto-man. He's also got the competitive fire that burns in your best closers, not to mention ice in the veins.

Here's the Baseball America CUSA preview...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2...BvYOU7Z.97

Otto threw his first bullpen this Spring today, and the news is encouraging...

Quote:Teddy Cahill ‏@tedcahill 4h4 hours ago
More
Rice closer Glenn Otto threw a bullpen today & felt good. Has had some shoulder soreness, but is pain free. Still uncertain for Opening Day.

Anyone know if all C-USA baseball games will be shown on C-USA TV?

Not sure. Still waiting on the BEIN schedule.

USM bringing back Parrothead Night. 3/10 vs Xavier.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/smis...otions.pdf

(02-09-2017 11:16 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Here's the Baseball America CUSA preview...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2...BvYOU7Z.97

.
Somebody goofed, WKU does field a baseball program.

Glenn Otto, Nick Sandlin, Cameron Ragsdale, and Jackson Sowell named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list.

Some really good closers in this league.

Here's my early preview of the season-opening baseball series between Rice and Texas-- Play Ball!

http://csnbbs.com/thread-808998-post-140...id14087249

Tech's QB, J'Mar Smith, not only made the baseball team but is also expected to start in right field

Tech's weekend rotation was also announced:

Friday: Kent Hasler
Saturday: Casey Sutton
Sunday: Cameron Linck

http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/.../97863848/

For USM it'll be Roberts on Fri, McCarty on Sat (not official, but all indications are pointing to this).

Sunday is still a ?. Probably comes down to JUCO transfer Colt Smith or freshman Cody Carroll.

Looking at this week's schedule...obviously Rice/UT stands out but WVU/Charlotte and J'ville State/FIU are of interest as well. WVU is probably a borderline NCAA team and J'ville State has been projected to win the OVC in the coaches poll and by D1.

wish Tech could have gotten a better series to start the season w/ other than UAPB

Northeastern isn't as bad as I originally thought. They won 30+ last year (granted in a bad league) and were a mid 100s team in the RPI/ISR. Much better than Eastern Illinois.

I actually kinda like our OOC this year and think it's stronger than last year's (which was ranked top 30 in every metric out there - RPI, ISR, ISOV). Northeastern and Evansville are both mid-150 clubs, which is preferable to playing a sub 200 school like EIU. Then we travel to ULL, a top 15 team. Round out with Xavier who is the consensus Big East favorite and is likely a top 50-75 team.

Midweek is stout as usual with Ole Miss x2, USA x2, Tulane x2, UNO x2, Mississippi State, and SELA.

Won't be as strong as what Rice has but I think this is an OOC schedule that should finish in the top 25 and at worst is top 50.

(02-14-2017 08:56 PM)BeagleUSM Wrote:  Looking at this week's schedule...obviously Rice/UT stands out but WVU/Charlotte and J'ville State/FIU are of interest as well. WVU is probably a borderline NCAA team and J'ville State has been projected to win the OVC in the coaches poll and by D1.

WVU will be a big test this weekend. They played in the Big XII championship game last year, but lost and couldn't get an at-large. Looks like they return most of their line-up, but lost 2 of 3 weekend pitchers. It would be great to take this series.