Cats vs Heels ( Sat. )

[Black Diamond Cat]

UK looks to even up the series in Chapel Hill today. Cats send out jr. lefty Zach Logue against UNC. Look for a couple of changes in the position players today, probably Cottam at Catcher, and could see Mcneil as the DH.
Might even see Marshall in at 3rd base, just to give him a chance to see how he performs. DFon't be surprised if Pompey and Carson switch OF positions Pompey in CF and Carson in RF.
I believe we will see a better offensive day for the Cats today, as the Tar Heel starter is not in the class of yesterdays' starter ( not many are ).

 

[Comebakatz3]

They've posted the lineup on Twitter. Not sure how to share it on my phone. Some interesting changes. The biggest being that White isn't starting. McNeill at 1st. Cottam will be hitting cleanup. Wilson still DH but hitting 8th. Hyer is at 3rd and hitting 7th.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Wonder if White tweaked something on his double yesterday?

 

[hs_sportsfan]

Is there video for the game?

 

[Comebakatz3]

Is there video for the game?

Nope. Only audio today.

 

[Derek Terry]

Heard on the radio yesterday that White had hurt his hip leading up to the first game. Might've been that.

 

[2KUK]

Wonder if White tweaked something on his double yesterday?

I was wondering that when he was pinch ran for yesterday. Seemed an odd time to pinch run, especially since white runs well.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Uk up 1-0 early thanks to anot RBI double from Cottam!!

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Bottom of 2, UNC has men on 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out. UK up 1-0 for the moment.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

UK gets out of the inning giving up only 1. 1-1 heading to top of 3.

 

[Old_Red]

What differences are we likely to see versus a Henderson led team? It's certainly a shame that Evan White is hurt.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Cats and Heels tied 1-1 going to the top of the 4th !

 

[Old_Red]

Reks seems to be the lone bright spot again today.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Hard to like anything about this team so far. No clutch hitting except for Reks. Pitchers throw too many balls outside of the strike zone. Bad mistakes in clutch situations (namely making pitching mistakes in full count situations). Looks like Hendo is still in charge.

 

[Old_Red]

Hard to like anything about this team so far. No clutch hitting except for Reks. Pitchers throw too many balls outside of the strike zone. Bad mistakes in clutch situations (namely making pitching mistakes in full count situations). Looks like Hendo is still in charge.

How much of this is North Carolina, though.

 

[Old_Red]

This game is getting ugly fast here in the 6th.

 

[Old_Red]

More than ugly, two bases loaded walks. The last one was a 4-0 walk.

 

[Old_Red]

We have a chance to get back in this with 3 runs in the 7th. I wonder which team will run out of relievers first.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

UK loses 6-5. Good effort in a comeback, but just too many missed opportunities to ever expect to beat a good team. Miserable start to the Mingione era.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I'm still not sure what to think of things this weekend. We're fairly competitive but I'd like to see some hits from more people and some better timely hitting.

 

[Old_Red]

We didn't push the issue couldn't score in the top of the 9th.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Getting nothing from Mahan or Pompey, Reks, Cottam, even Heady producing more than some. Really missed White today, who knows what may have happened in clutch times with him at the plate.
I believe our best starter ( J Lewis ) is going tomorrow, we must avoid a sweep. A win tomorrow, followed by wins against lesser competition coming up, could get us started.

 

[Derek Terry]

UK loses 6-5. Good effort in a comeback, but just too many missed opportunities to ever expect to beat a good team. Miserable start to the Mingione era.

I can think of a lot more miserable starts than losing by a combined three runs to a top 10 team on the road.

 

[Old_Red]

I can think of a lot more miserable starts than losing by a combined three runs to a top 10 team on the road.

That is true. It is very daring to start out on the road against a top 10 team knowing that the SEC schedule is right down the road.

 

[Derek Terry]

There are plenty of things to worry about with this team. The offense outside of a few hitters was really lacking. 4-4 by Reks is great. Cottam's three hit day was really good. Believe he had a hit too yesterday but might be wrong. White wasn't in the lineup and UK managed to scrape some runs together without him.

The bullpen is a major question mark, but that's not a surprise. It'll take some time to figure out who can get outs. Yesterday UK was shutdown by a first team All American and probably a top 15 pick in June. That happens. UK outhit UNC today but the pitching wasn't good enough to win. Need to win tomorrow's finale. Even taking one game will be good for this team.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Getting nothing from Mahan or Pompey, Reks, Cottam, even Heady producing more than some. Really missed White today, who knows what may have happened in clutch times with him at the plate.
I believe our best starter ( J Lewis ) is going tomorrow, we must avoid a sweep. A win tomorrow, followed by wins against lesser competition coming up, could get us started.

I have never had much faith in Mahan. I think he's a decent 7 hole hitter, but don't trust him in the top half. Hope he proves me wrong.

It's early but we've got about 3 guys that really need to find a few hits this weekend.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Can not give up walks. Our bullpen only gave up 2 hits today, but they walked 5 batters. On the other end, we have to string together hits and make opposing teams pay. Still, so far we've been competitive. Didn't get on the winning end, but it's a bit encouraging to at least be competitive.

 

[Derek Terry]

Yeah, 17 of Pop's 27 pitches were balls. He has to throw strikes more consistently. His stuff is good, but he's struggled with command his whole career.

Not all that surprised about the other guys throwing balls. What, three of the guys made their college debut today? Some were in tough situations too. Not making excuses but can see why it would be an issue today.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Technically only Keen made his college debut today. However, JUCO transfers Doerries and Maley made their D1 debuts today. Our hitting though... 6 guys are hitless and have had at least two at bats. Without Reks we're hitting .166 as a team with 22 strikeouts through two games.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

I can think of a lot more miserable starts than losing by a combined three runs to a top 10 team on the road.

Great point, compare other SEC teams opening series. Auburn takes 2 of 3 from George Wash. UT and Memphis have split the 1st 2 games, UGA has been blasted by C of C 9-3 and 15-6 at home, Mizzou has taken 2 of 3 from E Michigan, Bama has taken 1st 2 from Presbyterian, A&M swept Bowling Green, Arky takes 1st two from Miami O, LSU beat Army, and UF has Taken 1st 2 from Bill and Mary.
UK has far and away the toughest opening weekend series, not even remotely close, and with a win Sunday would look pretty good going forward !

 

[2KUK]

I worry that people have too high of expectations for this team. There is talent that there, but there are also flaws. The pitching has been well discussed, but offensively I just don't know that there is enough lineup depth. No disrespect to Marcus Carson, but he hit 5th yesterday.

Need someone to take ahold of the third base job and some offense to emerge in a few other spots. I think it can happen, but I think coach mingione said it right that UK has experienced hitters but were towards the bottom of the sec in most hitting categories last year.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

I can think of a lot more miserable starts than losing by a combined three runs to a top 10 team on the road.

They're not top 10.

I'm not much of a moral victory person. I've noted the same troubling signs that plagued the Henderson era. No timely hitting. Too many strikeouts. Pitchers not throwing enough strikes. Soooooooo many stranded runners. Very frustrating team to watch.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

I have never had much faith in Mahan. I think he's a decent 7 hole hitter, but don't trust him in the top half. Hope he proves me wrong.

It's early but we've got about 3 guys that really need to find a few hits this weekend.

I'm not sure what you do with Mahan at this point. He is a liability in the field and his hitting is fools gold.

 

[Comebakatz3]

They're not top 10.

I'm not much of a moral victory person. I've noted the same troubling signs that plagued the Henderson era. No timely hitting. Too many strikeouts. Pitchers not throwing enough strikes. Soooooooo many stranded runners. Very frustrating team to watch.

They are ranked 9th in at least one preseason poll. I don't think we can judge these coaches off of two games. Especially when they are relying so heavily on Henderson players. The cupboard was a bit bare, but I'm looking for some players to step up and improve as the season progresses, particularly looking for Pompey to improve.

 

[Derek Terry]

They're not top 10.

I'm not much of a moral victory person. I've noted the same troubling signs that plagued the Henderson era. No timely hitting. Too many strikeouts. Pitchers not throwing enough strikes. Soooooooo many stranded runners. Very frustrating team to watch.

On D1baseball they're No. 9. So yes, they're a top 10 team according to one reputable publication.

Just a question: were you not a fan of the Mingione hire? Not judging you on it one way or the other. He has a lot to prove. But this team has played 18 innings and it sounds like you've already given up on them. I don't think that's something you'd do if you were optimistic about Mingione and his staff.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I'm not sure what you do with Mahan at this point. He is a liability in the field and his hitting is fools gold.

I think he can hit. However, I don't think he's a guy who can hit great pitching. I think if he's in the bottom of the lineup he'll see more fastballs and he will really punish pitchers for relaxing on a bottom of the lineup hitter. So, I think he has a place, but I don't think it's near the top.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

On D1baseball they're No. 9. So yes, they're a top 10 team according to one reputable publication.

Just a question: were you not a fan of the Mingione hire? Not judging you on it one way or the other. He has a lot to prove. But this team has played 18 innings and it sounds like you've already given up on them. I don't think that's something you'd do if you were optimistic about Mingione and his staff.

Yes, I was mostly supportive of the hire b/c of Mingione's ties to Cohen. Not always a fan of hiring first-time head coaches, but I was mostly optimistic. I was disappointed in what I saw this weekend.