Loebarth

So, if I read this right @DGNU - Nebraska could use another big but it's not as pressing as guards. Is that correct?

loads of the "haha's"  in this thread. 

1 hour ago, Cdog923 said:

Yea, kinda think I'm off the Boltwagon at this point. 

@Cdog923 - I feel ya man. I think Bolt has done a good job of keeping local talent home but he's not had much success against average and especially above average coaches and teams. I'd like to see them recruit more to Erstad's hitter types over the next 2 seasons. It's so huge to have that 4 hole hitter (like Creighton showed lastnight) that just scares the crap out of the opponent in situations that can blow the doors wide open. 

As for Bolt, I don't think (or hope) he should get an extension. Let his contract playout and then decide. He's a Husker and unlike the last Husker coach to get fired, he's been an outstanding representative of the University so imo (not worth a grain of salt) he's earned the chance, like Hoiberg, to finish out his contract. 

I am a complete idiot when it comes to basketball so this is probably a very noob question but we were a very good defensive team last year, yes? Reink is returning or can if he chooses which leads to my question. Is the staff recruiting mostly shooters because they're comfortable with the bigs or is there a lack of transfer talent in the big man group? If Reink doesn't return, do we have a replacement for him?

The conference games are must wins. They've nutted any chance of hosting already. If they are able to win 37+ games they'll be a post season team. They haven't shown they deserve anything better than a 3 seed and a very low 3 seed at that. Honestly, they're performing like they don't really care if they make the post season or not. Winners hate losing more than they love winning. This group seems somewhat lackadaisical in that for reasons beyond excuse. We've witnessed HUGE hitting slumps, witnessed awesome pitching one game and then inability to throw a strike the next, fielding errors on simple plays. Running errors on the base path and the entire season, not a single dependable bat in the line up. Sad as I had such high hopes going into this season but most juco players had to go the juco route for a reason and the ability to stay focused is a mental task. Just saying.. but for some reason it's the recruiting route that Bolt believes in. Probably because of his past coaching stops. Rarely does a so called "HUGE" juco star pan out. I also don't want to put all the blame on Bolt. The players themselves need to accept responsibility for and make adjustment in their lives to get better at whatever their craft is. Honestly, I don't know anything and mostly am talking out my arse. I'm just very distraught and disappointed and frustrated. The one men's sport in the B1G that Nebraska should be able to dominate and they don't. Why?

20 minutes ago, Cdog923 said:

I have very little confidence in this team in midweek games at this point. 

ditto... 

That offensive explosion (or more accurately stated implosion) drops the Huskers from the polls. Could be the best thing to happen to them. Maybe it will be the wakeup call needed to shake things up and get them rolling again because they've been dreadfully awful these past two/three weeks. Sadly, the best team in the midwest again isn't in a power five conference. Indiana State is again proving to be the lone regional host representative in the midwest. Kind of pathetic if one thinks about it. What the heck happened to Nebraska baseball? VanHorn was highly competitive. Anderson/Childress (all be it with VanHorn recruits) made it to the CWS. Erstad was one win from a regional victory and here we are unable to hold ranking in the worst power 5 conference. Maybe time to re-think how the NIL is spent and whom is deserving. Hopefully I'll have a northern school to root for again in the CWS. (Indiana State was last year) Time will tell. 

When Husker baseball can't sell 3K tickets to a home game (yes the weather hasn't been very cooperative) it's telling. Question is, is anyone hearing? Players need to wake up and start living up to expectations. This BS offense or lack thereof can be blamed fully on lack of focus and a lackadaisical approach. Carey may finally be coming around. Silva, he can bunt but his 30 hits over 104 attempts.. (.302 BA) isn't good enough. Cary is at .243 BA, Caron at .310, Brumbaugh (the most consistent) @ .341, Cole Evans @ .299. The B1G is better than outsiders think but the B1G isn't anywhere close to the SEC or even the Sun Belt.. There is absolutely no reason Nebraska can't have a +.340 lead off hitter with speed and a +.350 bomber in the 4 or 5 spot. No excuses when you're facing average and at best only 1 above average pitcher each weekend. No Excuses!!!

@SouthLincoln Husker mostly I agree with your stance on the bullpen but a large part is a result of stress caused by no run support. Friday was inexcusable, today, like most Sunday's went the way it often goes. Regardless, maybe the players will refocus and come to field with an improved enthusiasm. Time will tell. This weeks midweek and weekend series is huge for the year.

maybe they'll give us another free run because the huskers don't have either the skill or talent to hit when a hit is needed.

The huskers remain a paper tiger.. Can't hit when a hit is needed. Are lucky to get the sweep of Northwestern, were lucky to get the series win against Ohio St... can't win mid-week games and won't win the next conference series at home next weekend. They have no dependable sticks and no coach to coach the hitters. They swing at pitches feet outside or that bounce in front of the plate. They are only an average bunting team. They have to manufacture runs by getting a lead off hitter on and attempt to pressure the pitcher into walks with the run game. Problem is, even when they get a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs they still can't push the run across the plate because again "They Don't Have Any Reliable Sticks".

They don't deserve to ranked and they won't win the conference. I fully expect them to finish the conference 3rd at best. I expect Sears to win in the conference tourney and then we'll get chased. We'll get into post season play as a 3 seed when we should be a 4 seed. Sears may win and Husker nation will give excuses for not getting out of the regional. There are hitting coaches out there but Bolt refuses to address the elephant in the corner. He's a juco recruiter and his staff hasn't shown they can develop the incoming bats. Arguably it can be said the incoming hitters negatively develop under bolt and staff. Regardless, I'll continue to watch. I'll continue to root for success but I refuse to mask my frustration with 4 years of mediocrity from this staff's inability to coach hitting.

@Mavric - Let's see if they can put 2 games together before you passive aggressively call some out. 1 game with 9 free runners given up by Rutgers pitching and defense.

Closing down the office, heading home and hooking up to the boat.. Good Luck Huskers and GBR!!!

3 free bases and finally a hit to clear the runners... 3 runs in (all free bases), runner (cole evans) on first, 1 out. Rutgers pitcher at 57 pitches

Evans steals 2nd, Sanderson hits the left field bomb. 5-0 good guys!! Need more... 

Caron Pops out to 3rd

Swanson at the plate.. Good defense by Rutgers, flyout to mid-center...

Rutgers pitcher at 66 total pitches, McConnaughey at 30 bottom of 3rd

1, 2, 3 inning for Mc and currently at 39 total pitches.

17 minutes ago, Mavric said:

 

I mean .... you point out nine games.  Those include games where we scored 8, 9, 8, 7 and 11 runs.  

 

I'm not saying we couldn't be better overall.  But we're averaging 8.6 runs per game in over half the games you use as examples of lack of batting production.  

 

That seems to strain credibility.

Stains credibility.. you don't know baseball then. Every one of those were weather games favoring the offense and the only games we actually did "just" enough offensively to win were the northwestern games and it's not a stretch to say we got lucky winning that series. When you're bats aren't keeping up its a problem and Nebraska's bats aren't keeping up. The majority of scoring by nebraska has been via manufacturing runs. They just scored and it wasn't by the sticks but a wild pitch. They put a crooked number up with 2 hits and 3 free base runners. 

lead off single to start the 3rd.. now get the runner home Bolt. 

Cary thrown out at first catcher to first.

Silva (who couldn't get the bunt down) draws a walk with hit by pitcher.  1 away

1, 2, 3 top of the 2nd.. Rutgers only threw 8 pitches. Sticks looking ugly again though they at least are hitting the ball. Eventually balls will start getting thru or so we hope.

On to the Bottom Half

1 & 2 out, then a hit followed by a hit batter...

strike 3 looking with runners on 1st and 2nd.. huge pitch.. on to the 3rd.

Box Score: 0-0 NU 1 hit, Rutgers 2 hits pitch count 30 NU and 34 Rutgers

Rutgers, like Nebraska leaves 1 on in the 1st. No damage done. On to the 2nd.

Box Score: each team 1 runner on, both hits (NU) other by (Rutgers)

Runner gets on in top half of one, left stranded, no surprise. 0-0 going into the bottom half.

Announcers are saying anything lifted to left will have a chance to leave with the wind blowing the way it is.. That as we know favors Rutgers. 

It's not pitching. Occasionally pitchers will get squeezed. It's the sticks and there's no denying it. We saw against Creighton, against Kansas, against Wichita St, Northwestern and yes, Ohio State. If the opposing pitchers throw sliders and change ups our hitters will struggle all day long. That's coaching. That shows me they put them in front of a machine rather than live hitting against off speed pitchers. Rutgers again will score 7+ runs today, Nebraska better figure out a way of matching that or they'll get swept. I said it weeks ago, Nebraska is not a regional host team at this point. Heck, if the B1G tournament started next weekend not a single person on this board would expect Nebraska to win it. I'm willing to say most wouldn't expect to see Nebraska in championship game. 

They have no bats. Without sticks to drive in runs the results will continue. Opposing staffs have figured out that Nebraska can't hit off speed pitching. It's a sad display for a team that has shown they can pitch and sadly, it appears the sticks are getting worse not better. I've said it for 3 weeks, Nebraska, if they don't figure out how to hit the ball won't finish in the top 3 of the conference race. Illinois, Michigan, Purdue, are more consistent. Heck even Iowa and Michigan State right now are playing even with Nebraska.

Bolt is frustrated. That umpire squeezed the Huskers. 3x's during the game last night the Rutgers coach was out laughing and joking with him. Still, excuses are nothing buy a form of crying. Maybe the boys just got the wake up call they needed. Win the darn series and come home or put your heads in the sand and get blown out like the Karen's of the world. Put Up or STFU is the message I'd send if I was Bolt. I damn sure would pu&&yfoot with the team!! Hit the Stinking Ball!!!

3 up 3 down, into the bottom of the 9th leading 6-3

Kp in... Let's Go!!!

3 minutes ago, HANC said:

Borist started hot, but loses command a bit. Gives up run and tying run at plate 

He always gets my heart rate up. He's not consistent enough and it scares the b'geebees out of me.

Big Will comes through with a 2 out 3 run bomb.. 

6-2 good guys

Getting Scary, very VERY scary

I'm also a fan of Tiger. Wears his emotions on his sleeve 

Tiger finished at +2 (9 strokes back if memory serves). I still believe he has a top 10 finish. I look for him to rebound today and get back to scratch golf or better. Hoping he shoots -3 today.