-First, what a night by Adam Sasser. I don't think anyone would have expected him to be the next player to hit three HRs in a game and especially last night against (for two of them) Sikkema. When you talk about the lineup this year and how much better it's been, a lot that discussion goes around Keegan McGovern and Michael Curry, and rightfully so. But Adam Sasser, to me, has been the real key to this thing. How many innings has he extended, how many times has he driven in that guy from 2nd or 3rd?
For the past couple of seasons, we've lacked that balance in the lineup. That's been one of the differences between us and the teams at the top of the league. Typically, when you play a Florida or Arkansas or LSU or Vanderbilt, there's nowhere that you feel great about getting an out. Guys like Sasser and Mason Meadows are giving that to us now, too.
On Sasser, don't undersell the amount of improvement he's made since he's been here. His swing was really, really long when he showed up. The ability has always been there, but it took some time to get this swing where he would be able to do this. The grand slam last night? I'm sure that's an out his first two years. Sikkema hung a slider up there, but I think the old Adam Sasser would have rolled over something a few pitches before.
Really happy for him. Great night.
-Good night for Chase Adkins. It didn't start off so well and when Missouri took that 4-3 lead, I was starting to wonder if he was going to get bounced. Give him a lot of credit, he settled in and pitched really well after that. Adkins isn't Alex Wood or Justin Grimm as far as his stuff, but he's strong mentally and he really knows how to pitch. He's like Andrew Gist in that respect and that's a big part of pitching on Friday (or Thursday) night I think.
-It seemed like we went 1st to 3rd a lot last night. Last weekend, it was pretty evident that Tennessee's OF arms were not very good. I suppose the same is true for Missouri.
-Glad their RF is ok (obviously).... that certainly took some enjoyment out of watching last night.
-So, this is the 8th SEC series and the 6th time that we've won the opener. The two we lost both came in extra innings.
-Last night was the fourth game in a row that Missouri has allowed double digit runs. Granted, we didn't see their top bullpen guys once we got it to 8-4, but I wonder where their pitching staff is mentally right now.
-I was kind of surprised that we used Tony Locey for two innings last night. But, on the short week, I guess we wanted to give Ryan Webb another day or two. It'll be interesting to see if Locey can throw again this weekend. Aaron Schunk sure didn't need a lot of pitches to get through the 9th, so I figure he's good for today if need be.
-Good win... really good win. 13-9 now in the SEC. Just need a few more to host....
For the past couple of seasons, we've lacked that balance in the lineup. That's been one of the differences between us and the teams at the top of the league. Typically, when you play a Florida or Arkansas or LSU or Vanderbilt, there's nowhere that you feel great about getting an out. Guys like Sasser and Mason Meadows are giving that to us now, too.
On Sasser, don't undersell the amount of improvement he's made since he's been here. His swing was really, really long when he showed up. The ability has always been there, but it took some time to get this swing where he would be able to do this. The grand slam last night? I'm sure that's an out his first two years. Sikkema hung a slider up there, but I think the old Adam Sasser would have rolled over something a few pitches before.
Really happy for him. Great night.
-Good night for Chase Adkins. It didn't start off so well and when Missouri took that 4-3 lead, I was starting to wonder if he was going to get bounced. Give him a lot of credit, he settled in and pitched really well after that. Adkins isn't Alex Wood or Justin Grimm as far as his stuff, but he's strong mentally and he really knows how to pitch. He's like Andrew Gist in that respect and that's a big part of pitching on Friday (or Thursday) night I think.
-It seemed like we went 1st to 3rd a lot last night. Last weekend, it was pretty evident that Tennessee's OF arms were not very good. I suppose the same is true for Missouri.
-Glad their RF is ok (obviously).... that certainly took some enjoyment out of watching last night.
-So, this is the 8th SEC series and the 6th time that we've won the opener. The two we lost both came in extra innings.
-Last night was the fourth game in a row that Missouri has allowed double digit runs. Granted, we didn't see their top bullpen guys once we got it to 8-4, but I wonder where their pitching staff is mentally right now.
-I was kind of surprised that we used Tony Locey for two innings last night. But, on the short week, I guess we wanted to give Ryan Webb another day or two. It'll be interesting to see if Locey can throw again this weekend. Aaron Schunk sure didn't need a lot of pitches to get through the 9th, so I figure he's good for today if need be.
-Good win... really good win. 13-9 now in the SEC. Just need a few more to host....
