Early Observations
A great start to the season. I would note the following:
1) Stetson was 32-3 at home last year and won one of 16 regionals. They are the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Sun. Their starting pitcher, Mitchell Senger (9-2, 2.51 ERA) we faced was the Atlantic Sun preseason Pitcher of the Year. Interesting stat; Senger hit 5 batters in 4.1 innings against us after only hitting 4 in 93 innings last year. Very good win.
2) Sam Houston State won a regional in 2017. Their average Massey ranking over the last 3 years is #37 (ours is a dismal #142). They are the preseason favorite to win the Southland Conference. Also a very good win.
3) Manhattan is always bad. We should always beat them.
4) Our starting nine (includes DH, no pitcher) includes 4 JC players and 3 freshmen. Of the additional 5 batters who saw plate appearances, 3 are also freshmen. In the field and at the plate, we are basically a whole new team. The new guys accounted for 80% of our plate appearances in the first 3 games.
5) A couple of stats caught my eye. We have already received 22 walks and a mind (and body) numbing 11 HBP. Meanwhile, we have given up 9 walks and 1 HPB. This tells me it's not the umpires but an approach; crowd the plate and make them throw strikes. This is definitely coaching.
6) Freshman Carson Taylor is leading the team with a solid .615 batting average. He slashed 4 doubles against Manhattan in a 5 for 6 day. This tied a school record for doubles in a game (2 players including the A's Chad Pinder).
7) Gotta love the nickname "Human Typo". I was thinking "I'd like to buy a vowel" but Human Typo is shorter and better.
8) It is early but expectations have clearly risen for the program. Go Hokies!
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Posted: 02/18/2019 at 3:45PM