Thoughts after first series (official)

[bryarx]

I'm encouraged about our team this season. Certainly looked sloppier than I would have cared for. The defense came together over the course of last season - looks like we will need that to happen again.

The bats were a little on the chilly side - hoping they will warm up over time.

The pitching looked pretty good. Lotta balls were bouncing to the catcher - for both sides - on Friday at least, so I'll chalk that up to season starts.

I look forward to seeing more of our bullpen throughout the year. See what kind of development Meyers pulls out.

[Roosterboy]

Originally Posted by Evilchicken2

Debbie Downer here...

Even I know that a baseball season is a journey, and that you can't judge this team with any certainty after only one series. Having said that however, how many games will it cost us not having the mega-leadership of a Roth, Price, Walker, and Marzilli in the dugout?

That is what will take the longest to replace.
Leaders will have to emerge, and the only way that happens is through actions.

Joey, Grayson and Tanner really need to step up their games and really ascend that leadership position.

But again, you are asking someone to replace an intangible thing that Roth, Walker and Marzilli brought to a dugout...a loose nature.
That isn't something anyone can bring...you either have the mentality or you don't.

[COCKYTALKIN]

Tanner looked 1000x better batting lefty.

Even though we lost.... I prefer LB on 3rd, Kmart on 1st. Vergason was good on 3rd, but I think LB is outstanding there. We can also use the extra stick Kmart brings to the plate.

Hope Evan Beal can settle in a little bit cause I really like his presence on the mound.

Feel good with Webb coming to shut things down.

[keegthecock]

I like what Chad said in his interview, he wants the guys to have more fun playing the game, to loosen up. He thought they were tight, probably opening night jitters but you guys know that when they loosen up & have fun (spirit stick, Reptar etc....) that they play better ball. I say give them a week or two to settle in & have some fun.

[FanofCarolina1]

It's going to be tough to get used to hearing Graham Saiko's name called every plate appearance and not think..."Is that a nick name?"

"who's Psycho?!"

[johnmcclane]

Originally Posted by odie

I went to school and graduated with his dad (lee) in 1982, his kid is a good catcher, Gwd was never known for our baseball team only for our football team, but this kid is a good baseball player, and he showed it this past weekend against us, he called three great games. I see him going pro one day....

my family's good friends w/ their family. Lee's a great dude. I'd love to see Trey hit the majors

[STEPHONGILMOREFAN!]

after the first two series. LB is a damn monster. Our team is better offensively than last year. English from the left side is crazy good. pitching staff is solid. the defense needs to step it up. and we are a crazy fast team.

[rosstheboss]

and we learned liberty is a damn good team

[trapper82]

Originally Posted by rosstheboss

and we learned liberty is a damn good team

Been out of the loop this weekend. We played Albany right? Who did Liberty play.

[Colorado Cocksman]

Liberty swept Penn State.

[usc1]

Originally Posted by STEPHONGILMOREFAN!

after the first two series. LB is a damn monster. Our team is better offensively than last year. English from the left side is crazy good. pitching staff is solid. the defense needs to step it up. and we are a crazy fast team.

Too early to say the offense is better. We hit .210 as a team against Liberty and while we hit better against Albany its still Albany. I think this lineup top to bottom is better than last years lineup. Some guys like Costen, Kmart, Payne, Greiner, need to find their groove and I'm convinced they will.

Our starting pitchers won't blow anyone away but they are consistent and solid. You know what you're going to get out of them. To have 2 seniors on the back end of the starting rotation will be huge.

Webb is our man at relief pitcher and there are others who show promise like Britt, Beal, Seddon and Koumas. We'll need a couple of those guys to step up and pitch consistently well for us to go deep this year.

Defense was solid this weekend but still a work in progress. As expected, some of the new guys have struggled in their first ABs (Carson, Arendas, Christian) but hopefully they improve with more ABs this year.

Dantzler is a beast. I'm thinking he could potentially be a .340 10-15 HR guy this year.

[USCMM]

Originally Posted by Roosterboy

That is what will take the longest to replace.
Leaders will have to emerge, and the only way that happens is through actions.

Joey, Grayson and Tanner really need to step up their games and really ascend that leadership position.

But again, you are asking someone to replace an intangible thing that Roth, Walker and Marzilli brought to a dugout...a loose nature.
That isn't something anyone can bring...you either have the mentality or you don't.

Dantzler is one of those guys, IMO. He plays well, is respected by his teammates, and has that "loose nature."

[Roosterboy]

All we know is this...we played a tough series against Liberty (probable tournament team) then beat an Albany team that, let's face it, probably won't make the tournament.

Got a game against Furman which has been a good test the last few times before Clemson.

Not sure how good Clemson is because they went 2-1 against William and Mary and swept a bad Wright State team.

[USCBatgirl21]

Friday night's game is going to be tough because it's a Rivalry game on their field. I always treat that game as a toss up each and every season (see last year...NO reason they should have beaten us, but they did...and dogpiled for avoiding the sweep...bless their hearts). Saturday, I just feel good about us on a neutral field again. Sunday...at the friendly confines of Carolina Stadium, PLTs in full force...oh it's ON!!!!