The Official #6 Tennessee @ #7 LSU Series Thread (Fri. April 25 7:30PM EDT SECNET+) (Sat. April 26 8PM EDT ESPNU) (Sun. April 27 3PM EDT SEC NETWORK)

[2EastTnVols]

Your final sentence is certainly true.

I'll just shut up and let TV handle it, I guess he's earned my trust over the last few years . Just a brutal way to lose a game

 

[Tenacjim]

I feel you. I think everyone thought we had that game in the bag, but I’m not near as mad about dropping that one on the road against LSU no less than I was about losing a series against friking Kentucky AT HOME. We had no business losing to them. Now that one pissed me off lol.

Well, it was in the bag. Until it wasn’t. Losing the KY series (and aTm) just magnifies this series. Looking at the schedule, you pretty much pencil in going 1-2 and hoping maybe you can go 2-1. Friday looked like our best chance with Liam on the bump and he delivered, out-dueling their ace.

Going 6-6 (which would put us at 18-12 in the league) over these last 4 series is starting to look like a Challenge (3-6 over last 9). Not much margin for error to secure a top 8 seed from here on out.

 

[VolGirl81]

Wow. I posted the same sentiments in the Dugout thread ....great minds think alike.

I said it last nite lol

 

[Tenacjim]

I don’t think we’ve had good 3rd base play since Denton. I remember a lot of Billy’s blunders last year lol. As I’ve said before, fielding has never been this program’s strong suit, so the bats are going to have to heat up if we’re to make any noise in the post season. This team kinda reminds me of the ‘23 team with a weaker bullpen.

Yep, “Billy Barrels” would turn into to “Billy Bobbles” at the worst time possible it seemed. Also, when he cost us a run or two, he seemed to come back and get a big hit (or CMO or BB did) to wipe away the error. We haven’t been getting that. Especially in the last 3 losses where we have scored 1, 2 and 3 runs…..

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Well, it was in the bag. Until it wasn’t. Losing the KY series (and aTm) just magnifies this series. Looking at the schedule, you pretty much pencil in going 1-2 and hoping maybe you can go 2-1. Friday looked like our best chance with Liam on the bump and he delivered, out-dueling their ace.

Going 6-6 (which would put us at 18-12 in the league) over these last 4 series is starting to look like a Challenge (3-6 over last 9). Not much margin for error to secure a top 8 seed from here on out.

We might not, but it’s not the end of the world imo. We just won the title last season and knew there would likely be a drop-off in this one. It’s not like we’re some terrible team with no hope. We’re in a much better spot than reigning champs of years past. This team isn’t as seasoned as last and they haven’t put it all together yet. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. It’s baseball. Not every year is going to be our year and that’s ok.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Yep, “Billy Barrels” would turn into to “Billy Bobbles” at the worst time possible it seemed. Also, when he cost us a run or two, he seemed to come back and get a big hit (or CMO or BB did) to wipe away the error. We haven’t been getting that. Especially in the last 3 losses where we have scored 1, 2 and 3 runs…..

That team was consistently clutch. I keep waiting for a breakthrough with this one.

 

[Tenacjim]

We might not, but it’s not the end of the world imo. We just won the title last season and knew there would likely be a drop-off in this one. It’s not like we’re some terrible team with no hope. We’re in a much better spot than reigning champs of years past. This team isn’t as seasoned as last and they haven’t put it all together yet. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. It’s baseball. Not every year is going to be our year and that’s ok.

Agreed. Winning it all last year certainly “lightens the load”. This year has been similar to basketball. Start off undefeated, reach #1 (maybe get unrealistic expectations), get into conference play and get a “dose of reality”.

At the beginning of the year, my “stretch goals” were: Top 8 seed and make it to Omaha. That’s still achievable and the “floor” is likely hosting a Regional. First world problems all day…..

 

[Bigvalley84]

I know first hand from years of coaching the game moves 10 times faster in the dugout than watching from the stands or on tv and the coaches are constantly talking strategy from start to finish and don’t have all day to make decisions , I think the guy from LSU with the two run single had 6 SEC at bats

 

[wmcovol]

3rd base is the toughest infield position to play IMO (I played 3rd & SS). Rarely do you get an easy hop, the ball is either smoked or dribbled. Curley, muscle memory wise, is still throwing from SS it appears. Tough decision by TV but I’d probably DH him the rest of the weekend. Forget about fielding for awhile. JMO.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Agreed. Winning it all last year certainly “lightens the load”. This year has been similar to basketball. Start off undefeated, reach #1 (maybe get unrealistic expectations), get into conference play and get a “dose of reality”.

At the beginning of the year, my “stretch goals” were: Top 8 seed and make it to Omaha. That’s still achievable and the “floor” is likely hosting a Regional. First world problems all day…..

Exactly

 

[tn4elvis]

Imagine how absolutely horrible the player feels. Let’s cheer him on and show him some Big Orange VFL support both in Baton Rouge and at LNS! For the rest of the weekend, I’d insert Bargo back at 3B, keep AA at SS, KiLen at 2B, Fischer at 1B, and Curley at DH.

Might ruin his confidence. I would put him back out there

 

[Bigvalley84]

Hopefully Dean bounces back with a big game today

 

[vol66]

I’m much more concerned with pitching the rest of the weekend, if I’m being honest. Hopefully Dean will have bad intentions today. See yall later.

GBO!!!

 

[ohhbother]

Last night’s game reminded me so much of last year’s Fla St game. A team coming from behind for an improbable win is part of why I love sports. Sucks to be on the losing side, but it sure is awesome when we’re the ones pulling off the miracle.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Really wish I could watch this one today but I have a bridal shower to go to and will be there all day. I’m kicking myself for staying up last night as I was up at 6 this morning to take my daughter to her track meet and now I’m running on fumes. Hope the boys respond tonight in a big way. Go Vols!

 

[heehawvol]

Think we see AJ on the bump Sunday?

 

[TechnoVol]

Glad I didn’t stay up last night to watch the 9th inning walkoff win by LSU after keeping them at bay the entire night. Liam deserved a better outcome.

With that said, most of us say that the goal should be to take 1 game in an SEC road series. We win today and then the pressure will be on LSU Sunday.

It’ll be interesting to see what CTV does with the lineup tonight. Go Vols!

 

[greasemachine]

Gut wrenching loss? You bet. Disappointing? Absolutely. This team has given us so much to cheer about. It had been quite a ride since Tony stepped on Rocky Top. And I have enjoyed every minute. Except the Notre Dame loss. We need positive thoughts and vibes to lift the boys up ️

 

[Orange931]

Think we see AJ on the bump Sunday?

It’s a good possibility. Probably 40 pitches tops would be my guess.

 

[cardvolfan]

Wonder what Tony V does with him today. Just not sure if you can bench or move him after last night without the possibility of really getting into his head. I think he puts him right back out there today. Just flip the switch and get after it again today.

It’s already in his head. He’s had the baseball version of the yips for a month now. A serious case of them. I feel for what he’s going through as a person/player right now. It’s a terrible ordeal mentally for those who’ve experienced this situation. There’s no singular answer on how to handle this, but I am guessing Tony puts him at DH for a certain number of games. In my opinion you cannot jeopardize a win in this case because the other guys on the team worked too hard to get the win that wasn’t. These are such high leverage games this week that it multiplies the pressure on Curley.

 

[tombowalker]

The extra steps, the over throws, just seems like something happened to his arm, shoulder, back, something, and it changed what he is able to do. I really like him, I hope he gets it figured out soon.

Those extra steps like he can't bring himself to pull the trigger, that honestly looks mental to me.

 

[VOLtaism]

His teammates will rally around him and win today. Maybe this will light the fire and catapult them to a strong finish and into a 1st round NCAA position. That's all that matters in the current format.

 

[cardvolfan]

Those extra steps like he can't bring himself to pull the trigger, that honestly looks mental to me.

That’s part of the yips.

 

[txbo]

I’m much more concerned with pitching the rest of the weekend, if I’m being honest. Hopefully Dean will have bad intentions today. See yall later.

GBO!!!

Yep.

 

[Caz]

We might not, but it’s not the end of the world imo. We just won the title last season and knew there would likely be a drop-off in this one. It’s not like we’re some terrible team with no hope. We’re in a much better spot than reigning champs of years past. This team isn’t as seasoned as last and they haven’t put it all together yet. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. It’s baseball. Not every year is going to be our year and that’s ok.

Great take! This makes sense and anyone that has ever played the game or watched for a period of times have to realize that this happens and this team had lots of good players to replace and we all, if we are honest thought we might have a rebuilding year. Let’s continue to support and get behind this team and bury that loss last night! It sucks, but we, in the past have won games like that far more than we lose. It’s just baseball and theirs no crying in baseball!