I understand the pain. The team crapped the bed. No question. I thought this team had what it took to get to Omaha, as I’m sure many of you did and this is why it hurts so much.
But this is my opinion on the 40-win thing and how nothing the team did this year matters.
While the points I’m about to make perhaps make this weekend’s loss even more inexcusable, nevertheless there are some accomplishments that still should be noted:
...Dawgs set a record for conference record for wins....finished a school-best 21-9, tied for second best mark in the SEC. Includes series wins over Vandy and LSU.
....This weekend aside, Dawgs set a school record for ERA.
....This weekend aside, Dawgs set a school record for fielding percentage
....Team still won 46 games - third most in history - despite having three starters miss at least nine games and one - Left fielder Tucker Bradley missing the entire year. Several key members to the pitching staff missed long stretches of time.
So yes, believe the team should be applauded for what it accomplished in the regular season. It does matter.
The Athens Regional - that was a complete nut up and it should be acknowledged as such. Should not have happened.
As far as Coach Stricklin goes, I understand the anger of losing again in the regionals. Totally fair.
Can a CSS-coached team win a post-season tourney at Georgia?
That remains to be seen.
Stricklin is the head coach and ultimately the results are his responsibility.
However, Georgia’s loss imo had nothing to do with some big coaching flaw. It wasn’t some coaching blunder that has Georgia sitting at home.
Pitching, defense and lack of hitting against the Noles is why Georgia is done. Hancock pitched Saturday and didn’t have it but there’s not anyone else who wouldn’t have put him in the same spot.
For whatever reason, a team that went 44-15 during the regular season and SEC Tourney played poorly. Not the first time I’ve seen a team do this and won’t be the last.
Finally, Aaron Schunk tweeted this today. Just thought I’d leave this here.
But this is my opinion on the 40-win thing and how nothing the team did this year matters.
While the points I’m about to make perhaps make this weekend’s loss even more inexcusable, nevertheless there are some accomplishments that still should be noted:
...Dawgs set a record for conference record for wins....finished a school-best 21-9, tied for second best mark in the SEC. Includes series wins over Vandy and LSU.
....This weekend aside, Dawgs set a school record for ERA.
....This weekend aside, Dawgs set a school record for fielding percentage
....Team still won 46 games - third most in history - despite having three starters miss at least nine games and one - Left fielder Tucker Bradley missing the entire year. Several key members to the pitching staff missed long stretches of time.
So yes, believe the team should be applauded for what it accomplished in the regular season. It does matter.
The Athens Regional - that was a complete nut up and it should be acknowledged as such. Should not have happened.
As far as Coach Stricklin goes, I understand the anger of losing again in the regionals. Totally fair.
Can a CSS-coached team win a post-season tourney at Georgia?
That remains to be seen.
Stricklin is the head coach and ultimately the results are his responsibility.
However, Georgia’s loss imo had nothing to do with some big coaching flaw. It wasn’t some coaching blunder that has Georgia sitting at home.
Pitching, defense and lack of hitting against the Noles is why Georgia is done. Hancock pitched Saturday and didn’t have it but there’s not anyone else who wouldn’t have put him in the same spot.
For whatever reason, a team that went 44-15 during the regular season and SEC Tourney played poorly. Not the first time I’ve seen a team do this and won’t be the last.
Finally, Aaron Schunk tweeted this today. Just thought I’d leave this here.
