I've been out of town this weekend. I listened to the game on Friday but didn't get to hear Sat or Sun's games. From what I gather, they scored so many runs on Friday and then relaxed thinking they had the next 2 in hand. This is something Manieri has not been able to control. Skip would take them out back and tell them what their momma's were thinking. Manieri needs to crack the whip a little harder. <--- Still loves the baseball team. But, wake up guys.
Well, I think that may be a little harsh. I wouldn't say that a team that has won this many SEC series especially in some tough road trips is overrated. There does seem to be a little loss of urgency when they come off big wins. I would say they tend towards over confidence. A number one ranking coupled with some big wins seems to be a bit of a challenge for them. They need to realize that every time they step on the field the other team is not simply going to lay down. Don't forget how challenging it is for young teams to handle success. The talent is there its up to the coaches to make sure the hunger is too. This may be the wake up call needed leading into the month of May. If they are going to put it all together, the time is coming very soon... This team will be there.
I really would like to see some determination to win this year. Remember last year how there were so many come from behind wins that we all just knew the Tigers would win. They were never out of a game like yesterday ... even down by 9 runs. They weren't lucky last year at all. They had confidence and determination that led to clutch hits and clutch defense. This year we can't even beat decent in state teams during the week. It's mental...what happened? Are some of the players partying too much and losing focus like under Smoke Laval? I'm beginning to think mid week losses have to do with ladies night or dollar beer night. I guess all that matters is how we're playing at the end of the season when the regionals and super regionals roll around.
We've been sort of dismissing the midweek loses to in-state schools, but I think that lackadaisical attitude by our guys caught up with them over the weekend. In LSU baseball's heyday, the occasional midweek game was lost, but usually no more than one per year. We've been dropping them with alarming regularity this season.
We've only lost 3 mid-week games this year. It happens. We're in better shape right now than we were at this point last season. This team just needs to hit it's stride and get hot before the post season. Hell, Fresno was only a few games abovve .500 in the regular season last year.
All of this is true, though the 3 mid-week games sting. Tulane, naturally, beats us often because they have a good program. USL will also sneak up on us, but they've been known to make some noise nationally. But Nicholls was just not a good sign. Perhaps this series loss will be the wake-up call this team needs to meet its potential. And, yes, Fresno State was merely an afterthought going into the CWS last year.
ICBTFTLTSTUT, TIFUAITTDWUSTAGTSBT!!!!!!!! Ok, rant over, I feel much better now. Geaux Tigers. Lets just get er done.
