The Opener ...

It was another one of those calls imho, in yet anothersport, where the refs & umps actually played a major and overwhelming influence in a game ... which they shouldn't have.

Owell, I'm off for more punishment. Hope the sun pops out soon.

I'm with you. The approach at the plate is night and day different. It is somewhat concerning when you hear a player say how different it is and when they describe what is being told to them they say "sit back and wait for one you can drive." Well no shite, what was the goal before "close your eyes and pray?" LOL

I did think the pitching staff, sans Hill ironically, was much better than I thought.

Slightly off topic story: John Gilreath, who reclassified so that he could play this year, is someone I've been following on Social Media and has subsequently followed me back. He's always pumped about anything Gamecock athletics, much like a fan would. Before opening day, I tweeted out that I was looking forward to seeing what the young man can do. He messaged me saying how much it meant to him and how hard the team has worked to go out and perform well for the fans. Then he goes out and has 4 scoreless innings of relief with 4 strikeouts and 0 walks in his first college game. He reminds me a lot of Michael Roth. He also gets the start tonight for those going.

quote:

---

I have known Gilreath for a while, and to say it was his dream to play baseball here would be an understatement. Great kid from a great family of Gamecocks.

---

You can never have too many guys like that on your team.

IMO Hill just got caught up in the emotion of the season opening game and his first start as the Friday guy.

Since then the team has been rolling, with all 3 facets of the game performing well if not excellent. Now we're 6-1, and have hit 16 home runs on the season thus far. Hill responded with a career game yesterday, and Morris is looking strong.

We're figuring out some roles for our young pitching, and the offense has been explosive with Stokes out since last weekend, and Cortes struggling early on (he got 2 hits today with a home run, so he may be ready to shake that off).

Next weekend will be the first big test of how we'll do this season. Clemson had to replace most of their pitching this season as well, and they've struggled more there than we have thus far. But their offense may be better and more experienced than ours is, so our pitching will have to be on their games.....