Game 1 starter.....

[Black Diamond Cat]

Is it locked in stone that it is Hjelle, or is Thompson an option. The reason I ask is watching the SEC selection show, most of the SEC schools are saving their Friday starter till game 2.
If UK were to face Indiana in game 2, the Hoosiers have faced Thompson back on May 9th, they didn't fare real well, as he went 6 innings, allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, and struck out 10. But they would be familiar with him as opposed to Hjelle, whom they have not faced........ Thoughts.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

I'd be pretty surprised if they don't start Hjelle, as UK has never won the first game. but, I agree with you, it's pretty tempting to hold Hjelle for Saturday.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Throw Hjelle please.

 

[Comebakatz3]

If Kentucky hadn't finished the season scoring 0 earned runs in two games then I might be more tempted to throw someone else. But as it is, runs may be at a bit of a premium if his like Mahan and White don't get off the skids. Thompson can keep the runs down but it's better to at least go to the guy we trust the most.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

I'd be pretty surprised if they don't start Hjelle, as UK has never won the first game. but, I agree with you, it's pretty tempting to hold Hjelle for Saturday.

On the SEC selection show, Coach Minge hinted that he would probably lean towards Hjelle, since we have not won the 1st regional game in a long time. But you never know !

 

[Comebakatz3]

On the SEC selection show, Coach Minge hinted that he would probably lean towards Hjelle, since we have not won the 1st regional game in a long time. But you never know !

I think we just need that confidence builder. We played tight the past two weekends. Need to get back to that nothing to lose mentality.

 

[Derek Terry]

I posted last night that I thought throwing Hjelle game one is a certainty. I still think that will happen, but honestly, Ohio was a middle of the road MAC club. Finished two games above .500 in a below average conference. They don't have a sure-fire stud who can shut down UK's offense like we've seen some 4-seeds in the past have.

I understand there will be a segment of the fan base who thinks the ace has to throw the first game. After all, no game matters besides the one you're playing. I totally get this and don't think those people are wrong. Typically I would agree. I just think UK is much better than Ohio and don't necessarily need to throw Hjelle to win, but I won't argue hard against Hjelle pitching.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I don't think that any decision is a bad one. Lewis and Thompson are both capable of throwing gems and shutting down the opposing team.

 

[ulismyman]

Well ....i look at it this way....Hjelle has never thrown on short rest...he will only pitch one game so you might as well get in winners bracket....if we are up 14-2 after 5 ...we can pull him and maybe get a couple innings in final if needed

 

[Comebakatz3]

Ohio has played just 2 teams with RPIs under 100, Kent State and Wright State.

 

[RogerIndy]

Ohio has played just 2 teams with RPIs under 100, Kent State and Wright State.

Ohio was 1-1 against Wright State and 2-1 in the regular season and 2-0 in the MAC tourney against Kent State. I am glad I am not paid to make these decisions about the starting pitchers. I trust Minge and Belanger to do what they think is that the right thing.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Ohio was 1-1 against Wright State and 2-1 in the regular season and 2-0 in the MAC tourney against Kent State. I am glad I am not paid to make these decisions about the starting pitchers. I trust Minge and Belanger to do what they think is that the right thing.

Not worried so much about the pitching...getting the bats cranking is what I'm looking for so the mound guys can rest...be nice to win each game comfortably and be ready for the super, but with that said, one game at a time.

 

[Tskware]

Can't take anyone lightly, we have lost three times to MAC teams in the NCAAs recently.

 

[teach them linear]

I would pitch Logue intending to go 3 innings and turn it over with a lead to the pen keeping everyone's pitch count low.

 

[deuces r wild]

Going with Hjelle is very tempting but like throwing Thompson against OU. He has shown to be very dependable against like competition ( mid week games). Another factor is that I would hate to use my ace against a team throwing their #2 or #3 against us and finally in the event that we were to lay an egg in Game #1, it would give us the luxury of throwing Hjelle and Lewis in elimination games. After that all bets are off and you would see Machamer and the rest of the staff, if needed. By the way does anybody know if and when Zach Pop will be available.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Going with Hjelle is very tempting but like throwing Thompson against OU. He has shown to be very dependable against like competition ( mid week games). Another factor is that I would hate to use my ace against a team throwing their #2 or #3 against us and finally in the event that we were to lay an egg in Game #1, it would give us the luxury of throwing Hjelle and Lewis in elimination games. After that all bets are off and you would see Machamer and the rest of the staff, if needed. By the way does anybody know if and when Zach Pop will be available.

I have to imagine that neither NC State nor Indiana will have the luxury of throwing their number 2 or 3 pitchers when they play one another. They will throw their aces. They are both good teams and they will not want to sleep on the other team. So, they will likely throw their best pitchers in order to remain in the winner's bracket for an extra game. Ohio, will do the same against us. We are the only team that might have the luxury of throwing the 2 or 3 guy. Throwing Thompson or someone else on Friday would give us the advantage over the Indiana/NC State winner in the second game, assuming that we win game 1. That risk could be worth that reward considering that Thompson is a very good option who has thrown well. However, like some others have said, I am more concerned about our hitting at the moment and wondering if the bats will get hot again.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I have to imagine that neither NC State nor Indiana will have the luxury of throwing their number 2 or 3 pitchers when they play one another. They will throw their aces. They are both good teams and they will not want to sleep on the other team. So, they will likely throw their best pitchers in order to remain in the winner's bracket for an extra game. Ohio, will do the same against us. We are the only team that might have the luxury of throwing the 2 or 3 guy. Throwing Thompson or someone else on Friday would give us the advantage over the Indiana/NC State winner in the second game, assuming that we win game 1. That risk could be worth that reward considering that Thompson is a very good option who has thrown well. However, like some others have said, I am more concerned about our hitting at the moment and wondering if the bats will get hot again.

As long as the bats have regained their juice I think we will be fine...you gonna be in the house?

 

[sluggercatfan]

Going with Hjelle is very tempting but like throwing Thompson against OU. He has shown to be very dependable against like competition ( mid week games). Another factor is that I would hate to use my ace against a team throwing their #2 or #3 against us and finally in the event that we were to lay an egg in Game #1, it would give us the luxury of throwing Hjelle and Lewis in elimination games. After that all bets are off and you would see Machamer and the rest of the staff, if needed. By the way does anybody know if and when Zach Pop will be available.

Guys ...personally I think Thompson is Hjelle and Lewis's equal and I don't really think it makes any difference.

 

[Derek Terry]

I have to imagine that neither NC State nor Indiana will have the luxury of throwing their number 2 or 3 pitchers when they play one another. They will throw their aces. They are both good teams and they will not want to sleep on the other team. So, they will likely throw their best pitchers in order to remain in the winner's bracket for an extra game. Ohio, will do the same against us. We are the only team that might have the luxury of throwing the 2 or 3 guy. Throwing Thompson or someone else on Friday would give us the advantage over the Indiana/NC State winner in the second game, assuming that we win game 1. That risk could be worth that reward considering that Thompson is a very good option who has thrown well. However, like some others have said, I am more concerned about our hitting at the moment and wondering if the bats will get hot again.

Ohio is most likely throwing Michael Klein. Gerry Salisbury is their No. 1 but he had to pitch in the championship game Sunday. Rob Smith doesn't want to throw him again on short rest.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Ohio is most likely throwing Michael Klein. Gerry Salisbury is their No. 1 but he had to pitch in the championship game Sunday. Rob Smith doesn't want to throw him again on short rest.

Klein has had a better season in some respects than Salisbury.

 

[Derek Terry]

Klein has had a better season in some respects than Salisbury.

Yeah he has. UK should still have the advantage no matter who throws though.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Some stats for N C State, the team that no one is talking about, Batting avg. .277, HR's 58, SB's 33-48, Team era 4.01 overall record 34-23, ACC tourney 1-1.
Key wins in 2017, UNC 1, UofL 1, WF 2, FSU 2, Delaware 2, losses.... swept at BC, lost 2 at ND.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

NC State is the team that really worries me in our region. They were preseason top 15 or 20 and got off to a rough start ,but they have shown that they can beat good teams (FSU, UL, WF, UNC). I would not want to be in a position where we'd have to come out of the loser's bracket and beat them twice to win the region.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I think we can beat anyone in this regional, but at times we prove to be fairly inconsistent. We have to put together three very strong games and not have a lapse in the middle.

 

[Derek Terry]

Nothing official (don't expect that to happen until tomorrow morning) but heard from a few people now that Hjelle will throw game one and Justin Lewis will pitch game two.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Nothing official (don't expect that to happen until tomorrow morning) but heard from a few people now that Hjelle will throw game one and Justin Lewis will pitch game two.

Hummmm, that is interesting. I guess they are saving Thompson for Sunday.

 

[sluggercatfan]

!

Hummmm, that is interesting. I guess they are saving Thompson for Sunday.

Think Thompson is on par with Hjelle and Lewis at this point...

 

[Comebakatz3]

!

Think Thompson is on par with Hjelle and Lewis at this point...

Agree. One crazy thought is that we could use Thompson as a relief pitcher only if necessary. Then if we don't need him in long relief we can use him on Sunday.

 

[Oldtrainer]

Nothing official (don't expect that to happen until tomorrow morning) but heard from a few people now that Hjelle will throw game one and Justin Lewis will pitch game two.

Like that, makes sense.

 

[BigBluePhantom]

Nothing official (don't expect that to happen until tomorrow morning) but heard from a few people now that Hjelle will throw game one and Justin Lewis will pitch game two.

I prefer saving him for Indiana but I am not the one that is paid to make that decision. The upside is that if we can put 10+ on the board early on, Hjelle can come out and be available to come in if we need him in a game later in the regional. Does anybody know if the mercy rule is in effect for tournament games? If so, starting Hjelle makes more sense.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I prefer saving him for Indiana but I am not the one that is paid to make that decision. The upside is that if we can put 10+ on the board early on, Hjelle can come out and be available to come in if we need him in a game later in the regional. Does anybody know if the mercy rule is in effect for tournament games? If so, starting Hjelle makes more sense.

We'd have to get up big extremely early in order to take him out and use him again on just a few days rest. No more than 2-3 extremely efficient innings, and that's talking about maybe no more than 20-30 pitches and then we'd probably only be able to use him on Monday. Doing that could hurt us for a super regional, because he'd again be operating on a short rest rather than a full week. Further, the problem there would be that if you take him out that early then you use your bullpen when you might not need to. Best bet is to throw him for as many innings as possible on Friday. If he can go the full game then we're much better off, or if we're up so big that the last 3 innings we can use Cleary, Maley, and Keen then we're much better. Heck, might even be a good time to give Pop one inning of work just to get him some live game action.

What would be great is if we can get a big time lead on Ohio and keep Hjelle in the game for a full 8-9 innings. Then in the next game if we can get a comfortable lead and have Lewis go deep in the game as well. Then we have a ton of options for our Sunday starter, and/or Monday starter if we need it. Could be Thompson, Logue, or Schaenzer. However, the closer the games, or the more trouble Hjelle/Lewis get into, the more likely we are to use one of these three guys, which would make it harder on the back end to get a quality starter on Sunday/Monday.