None of the points below are secrets, but when listed together it shows what a truly impressive accomplishment this championship was. Here's is the definition of greatness: - won 56 games, which was the most in the nation this year and 2nd most in school history, despite being ranked pre-season no. 1 (and getting each opponent's best shot) and the incredible pressure of expectations to win it all. Let's face it, anything short of a championship this year would've been a disappointment. - back to back conference tourny championship after losing 1st game this year. that's a pretty incredible accomplishment in its own right because of a) the talent in the SEC and b) the gauntlet we had to run through to get there. I really believe the resolve we showed here and what we had to do to win the tourny really prepared this team for what needed to be done in Omaha. - 2 incredible winning streaks, starting last year with the conference record 23 in a row which really got them believing in themselves and the 14 game winning streak this year that put them within one game of winning it all. The run this year was similar to the one the 2000 team went on, when they won 50+ games and didn't lose at all in the post season - incredibly clutch performances. You have DJ's Game 1 - 2 strike 2 out 2R double in the 9th to tie it and Mahtook's 2 out rbi single after being overmatched in much of the at bat to give us the lead. Then, Matty pitching 3 scoreless as a true freshman in that situation simply speaks for itself. If you think about it, we may have been one strike away from losing this series based on Jungman's performance is game 2. If DJ doesn't hit that double, who knows what would've happened. To top it off, I believe Mitchell's HR in the first inning last night was with 2 outs as were most, if not all, of the runs scored in the decisive 6th inning. That is the signature of a team that will not be denied. - for the fans, our school was on top of the college baseball world for much of the 90"s, then fell so far of the map that we didn't even make the conference tourny 2 years ago, and are now back on top, is such an awesome feeling and makes it that much better. As far as sports is concerned, it doesn't get much better than this.
Nice. I'd also add the Mainieri factor. He just oozes class and leadership, from what I can tell. And he seems to be a good game coach - I don't see a lot of griping about his decisions -- except from the people who always gripe. His players seem to respond to him. And he seems to have a knack for moving the rotation and the lineup around to get the best players at the time in the game - and use that to motivate (not demoralize) those who find themselves on the bench. All of this from TV and interviews. But it seems evident to me. Would love to hear some inside scoop on Mainieri as a player's coach.
One thing that amazed me is that Manieri stayed with Renaudo despite his difficult 43 pitch 3rd inning; he seems to have faith in his pitcher and it paid off when Renaudo finally regain his touch. Had it been Texas, they would have yanked him off much earlier. It seems that Texas' strategy backfired on them when it came to the bullpen. Maybe their bullpen is not as strong; I have a feeling they overpitched Austin Wood in the tournament...didn't he pitch against Arizona St. on Friday, then Monday and Wednesday? His 160 pitch + outing against BC was insane, and I really believe it hurt him physically. Another surprise was bringing out Chad Jones, and it turned out to work perfectly.
When you consider how far we fell what CPM has done is nothing short of miraculous. This has been an exciting and fun team to watch. It is very well balanced and knows how to take advantage of what is there for the taking. They wait out your strengths and capitalize on your weaknesses. Results, National Champions. Congrats Tigers
it has been pointed out that it is 72 more days to football. how many more days till the first baseball game? :grin:
