Good win today. The bats are starting to come around; however, it sure was nice to put up a 5 spot in the 5th with only one hit to show for it.
Notes: UT only struck out 1 time today (Yan Gomes)...UT only walked one batter (Zane Stone to Dean in the 9th)....Craig Cobb's 9 K's were a career high, but he was masterful today - topping out at 80-82 with the pinpoint fastball and showing his lethal hook, getting several K's with 'ol #2...Jeff Lockwood picked up his first career hit - a double...no errors (yes!!)...Danny Lima got the start at 2B today and looked good, Andy Simunic started in CF (had started all 3 at 2B), and Jarred Frazier had LF (had started all 3 in CF)... still no new news on Chad Maddox...Cody Brown's first HR of the season was his 4th career dinger...Cobby lowered his ERA from 12.15 to 6.14 today...
While the MAC is not known for powerhouse teams, they do play fairly competitive baseball. EMU was picked 2nd in the MAC eastern division by Baseball America, for what that's worth. They generally show well when they come to Knoxville. We are now 15-6 all time vs. the Eagles.
Without Sean Watson, the VOLS will probably play closer by committee. From preseason indications, they liked Zane Stone and Aaron Everett in that role. As Freak mentioned, even though Zane got hit pretty good today, he was ahead in the count on virtually every batter, but nibbled a bit and got the count back where he had to come in - and, subsequently, got hurt by it. It's a little early and because of a lack of experience we'll have to feel our way along a little bit, but I like the young arms. Danny Wiltz and Nick Hernandez will be a factor, IMO.
Had this game been close, Cobby would've finished it (he threw 108 pitches in 8 inn.).