The Official #1 Tennessee vs Tennessee Tech Tuesday Game Thread (6:30PM EST) (SEC NETWORK +)

[travol]

This was a huge night for Tennessee Tech and will be talked about for years. I think it was also a good night for Tennessee. Perhaps they overlooked an in-state team And this might serve as a reminder for the rest of the season not to overlook anyone. My wife and I are Tennessee graduates but my son plays for Tennessee Tech. I hate to see Tennessee lose but I love to see Tech win.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

30 pitched well and kept his breaking ball down all night. Really well done and we had to chase due to the more than lenient strike zone.

He landed enough of those that we had to take them seriously. But I agree the ump strike zone was weird and worked against us. But you gotta tip your hat to them. They earned it.

 

[drylo]

would be wasting their big RBI, slugging, and power at lead off imho.

Looking at the stats now, and I like Dickey there better than Luc probably (Luc’s OBP is worse than Dickey’s, and his power is all HRs), but just based on the stat sheet, Drew would be an awesome lead-off hitter — second on the team in OBP behind only Blake Burke (who has less than half as many ABs), and he crushes doubles and triples more than anybody else on the team. I want that dude getting as many ABs as possible, and he’s not only the best bet to get on base, but also the best bet to hit himself into scoring position to start the game.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

You guys realize Tech might as well end their season now, right? They aren't topping this moment.

Right. This is their high water mark. On the other hand, we are going to win the SEC regular, Hoover, a regional, a super regional, and show out in Omaha. And they aren't.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Looking at the stats now, and I like Dickey there better than Luc probably (Luc’s OBP is worse than Dickey’s, and his power is all HRs), but just based on the stat sheet, Drew would be an awesome lead-off hitter — second on the team in OBP behind only Blake Burke (who has less than half as many ABs), and he crushes doubles and triples more than anybody else on the team. I want that dude getting as many ABs as possible, and he’s not only the best bet to get on base, but also the best bet to hit himself into scoring position to start the game.

I agre to a point. He is a spark plug and would really serve that role well in the leadoff spot. But crushing doubles and triples is one reason he's hitting cleanup.

 

[AthensVol2007]

ODU is top 15 legit team.

They can crush. Have 3 dudes with 12+ HR’s.

 

[taylorvol]

Looking at the stats now, and I like Dickey there better than Luc probably (Luc’s OBP is worse than Dickey’s, and his power is all HRs), but just based on the stat sheet, Drew would be an awesome lead-off hitter — second on the team in OBP behind only Blake Burke (who has less than half as many ABs), and he crushes doubles and triples more than anybody else on the team. I want that dude getting as many ABs as possible, and he’s not only the best bet to get on base, but also the best bet to hit himself into scoring position to start the game.

But don’t you want Drew up in big time RBI situations vs lead off? He seems to hit better in high leverage situations and with runners in scoring position. I. Wouldn’t want to tweak that. Plus, his hammy injury has decreased his HR numbers, and I expect that to change as the weather warms.

 

[SGMVols]

A loss. Nobody wins all the games in a baseball season. It's been posted here a hundred times: All it takes for a superior team to lose to an inferior team is a hot pitcher. Tonite they had a guy pitching out of his mind. (And a little help from the ump with a ridiculous strike zone, I'll grant you that). These mid-majors have guys on their teams that are capable of beating #1 teams on their best days. Again: Nobody wins all the games in a baseball season. And nobody even comes close.

It’s been 27 years since the last time a baseball national champion had fewer than 10 losses. It’s somewhat common even for a champion to have 20 or more losses. We have only 2 and it’s mid-April. We’ve been dodging the baseball law of averages for weeks.

 

[fryeguy93]

This was a disappointment
I did not listen to postgame as i was walking the mile+ back to the car
I believe this was quite a bit to pile on in a simple midweek gane

The huge home crowd to show off to
The chance to prove to scouts they can hit with wood bats

The Vols - especially the stars, we’re swinging at everything and being completely opposite what got them here. Half their swinging strikes were at ankle height or lower. And the pitcher’s stuff was not breaking hard.

TTU stumbled into a game plan as the Vols were not being patient hitters at all. Dickeys PH at end was completely out of character

No hits in last 6!!!

Newsom’s 2 run homer is what sometimes happens when you have a fastballer in the game.

We got away with some wins the last few weeks as our offense has relaxed. In hope they are now ready for the finishing kick

 

[drylo]

I agre to a point. He is a spark plug and would really serve that role well in the leadoff spot. But crushing doubles and triples is one reason he's hitting cleanup.

I know, but hard to argue with a lead-off double in the 1st if you ask me, especially if our pitching staff can hold basically everybody we play to 2-3 runs. Also, Beck got off to a slow start this year, but his OBP is just… not good right now. I wouldn’t mind seeing Gilbert lead off and then Moore, Dickey, Beck.

But don’t you want Drew up in big time RBI situations vs lead off? He seems to hit better in high leverage situations and with runners in scoring position. I. Wouldn’t want to tweak that. Plus, his hammy injury has decreased his HR numbers, and I expect that to change as the weather warms.

Having said the above, this is why I said “just based on the stat sheet”… I do think Drew is good in high leverage situations and may be the kind of kid who just relishes the “clean-up” role.

The high leverage thing cuts both ways though, because, game on the line, turning the order over in the bottom of the 9th tonight, it sure would have been nice to bring Drew to the plate there instead of Scott and Ortega (no offense to those guys).

However, having said all of that, in Tony V I trust.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I know, but hard to argue with a lead-off double in the 1st if you ask me, especially if our pitching staff can hold basically everybody we play to 2-3 runs. Also, Beck got off to a slow start this year, but his OBP is just… not good right now. I wouldn’t mind seeing Gilbert lead off and then Moore, Dickey, Beck.



Having said the above, this is why I said “just based on the stat sheet”… I do think Drew is good in high leverage situations and may be the kind of kid who just relishes the “clean-up” role.

The high leverage thing cuts both ways though, because, game on the line, turning the order over in the bottom of the 9th tonight, it sure would have been nice to bring Drew to the plate there instead of Scott and Ortega (no offense to those guys).

However, having said all of that, in Tony V I trust.

Why should Moore hit second? He strikes out a lot. You want a contact hitter there. I agree Dickey would be a good 3 hitter.

 

[StarRaider]

Guess we lost.

we ran out of innings

 

[drylo]

Why should Moore hit second? He strikes out a lot. You want a contact hitter there. I agree Dickey would be a good 3 hitter.

He does strike out a lot, but he takes a ton on walks and gets on base a ton too. I could go Lipscomb there also (if you want less strikeouts - fair point), but we’re currently running Moore in the lead-off spot so was just working off of that.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

What happened to Seth Stephens, he was leading off early in the season,

 

[DownTheField]

Place was packed. Took almost an hour to get out of the game and onto I-40

 

[vavolfan6]

I don't watch baseball, but I'm assuming the midweek game is an opportunity to get all the young and inexperienced guys an opportunity to play, right? right?!?!

 

[Iam4utalways]

Lol. It took a grand total of 2 milliseconds for the haters to start soaking in this loss on Twitter and claiming there has been vindication for our “illegal bats” and that this is clear evidence we juice our bats and are frauds and are only good because we cheat.

Uninformed opinions are awesome. Typically given the correct information the opinion aligns closer to facts and truths. Not in sports. Many fans try to justify their dislike of other teams and program, I figured out a long time ago to disregard other programs.

It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if we went with wood bats from now on.

 

[UTSuave’]

Lol. It took a grand total of 2 milliseconds for the haters to start soaking in this loss on Twitter and claiming there has been vindication for our “illegal bats” and that this is clear evidence we juice our bats and are frauds and are only good because we cheat.

All because of a opposing teams sticker coming off make it make sense..I don’t see any other college team have the balls to play a wooden bat game…I hope we win the damn college World Series

 

[TN_gal]

Sounds like a weird pregame bled into the actual game - re: no BP and new routine. Not surprised that it threw everything and everyone off a bit. For the most part, the pitching staff did their job. It was the lineup that struggled to give them run support with undisciplined ABs. Stranded several on base too. Umps were iffy with their calls.

Disappointing loss? Definitely. This may help in the long run though in that it gets the team’s attention and sharpens their focus. The offense may have become too comfortable and relaxed. This is a good wake up call before Bama. It’ll be all hands on deck. Ultimately, I’d rather lose a midweek game than a conference game. This team’s record is now 31-2, 12-0 which is still pretty incredible. Look forward to seeing how our guys respond this weekend.

 

[volsagain]

Sounds like a weird pregame bled into the actual game - re: no BP and new routine. Not surprised that it threw everything and everyone off a bit. For the most part, the pitching staff did their job. It was the lineup that struggled to give them run support with undisciplined ABs. Stranded several on base too. Umps were iffy with their calls.

Disappointing loss? Definitely. This may help in the long run though in that it gets the team’s attention and sharpens their focus. The offense may have become too comfortable and relaxed. This is a good wake up call before Bama. It’ll be all hands on deck. Ultimately, I’d rather lose a midweek game than a conference game. This team’s record is now 31-2, 12-0 which is still pretty incredible. Look forward to seeing how our guys respond this weekend.

It's baseball heck of a streak just came to a end baseball we just start another. You should always learn from the mistake you make and loved the TV interview. We have a real coach !!! Long season probably more losses to come just don't want it to be the last game of the season. We have a great team GBO .

 

[orangemadam]

Loss doesn't hurt that much, maybe even helped. Everyone was getting a little cocky, come back down to earth.

I hate that we got a loss, but just get over it.

 

[TN_gal]

Loss doesn't hurt that much, maybe even helped. Everyone was getting a little cocky, come back down to earth.

I hate that we got a loss, but just get over it.

Agreed. Baseball is a humbling sport. I think everyone got a reality check. That bus ride home probably felt like a long one. Time for a reset.

 

[VolPack22]

Looking at the stats now, and I like Dickey there better than Luc probably (Luc’s OBP is worse than Dickey’s, and his power is all HRs), but just based on the stat sheet, Drew would be an awesome lead-off hitter — second on the team in OBP behind only Blake Burke (who has less than half as many ABs), and he crushes doubles and triples more than anybody else on the team. I want that dude getting as many ABs as possible, and he’s not only the best bet to get on base, but also the best bet to hit himself into scoring position to start the game.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Trey in that lead off spot.

 

[2EastTnVols]

1st Tennessee baseball game I've ever been to and the first baseball game I've seen live since the 80s. Sorry to see the boys lose but the atmosphere and fan support was awesome. Wish we could have played better and gotten the win but grateful to this team for getting me back into the sport. Baseball is a great game. GBO

 

[Mightyvol]

I wouldn’t want to play with or have a guy or gal on my team who didn’t hate losing. However, it is part of competitive sports and losing is part of competing. Great game by TT and I tip my cap to them. The Vols will be fine because these guys don’t quit and many times you learn more about yourself and team from a loss. In perspective, this loss has absolutely no bearing on the success of this season. Go Vols!