I think calling this team awful is being a bit overdramatic. But they're not good either. This team is just mediocre and happens to have to play in a conference and in a region of the country that necessitates us having the #1 SOS in the country.

Furthermore, the problem isn't talent (at least not at the plate or in the field, save maybe 3B); individually, guys like Wrenn, Curry, McGovern, and Weber are talented enough to excel on most any lineup you put them on. The problem is a horrendous lack of consistency. This team is just not smart at the plate and lacks any apparent confidence with runners in scoring position. Today, we swung at garbage change up after garbage change up from a pitcher with a 6+ ERA on the season and batted into at least 3 double plays. Against Tech, we struck out swinging at what would have been ball 4 with the bases already loaded and consistently squandered opportunities with RISP by doing everything but trying to hit into the right field gap. I assume you can only put that on the coaches.

If there's a lack of talent, it's on the mound. This program has suffered horribly from a lack of a true closer over the past few years. We've gotten some really solid outings from our starters this year only to have them completely fall apart in the later innings, compounded by the fact that we can't seem to generate any run support as the game moves on.

All told, I think Stricklin will have an opportunity next season to coach the best team this program has had on paper since 2011. But if he can't at least win a game or two in an NCAA regional, I think you have to move on. And I think that McGarity deserves to feel some of the heat, as well, given that this has been his biggest hire other than Kirby (which was kind of a no brainer).