NCAA TOURNAMENT OPEN GAME THREAD: Washington State vs. Arkansas
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 10:00 AM PDT
in WSU Baseball News
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PrintToday is going to seem very familiar for players on the Washington State and Arkansas baseball teams. Cougar starter Matt Way and Razorback pitcher Dallas Keuchel faced off to start the season. Arkansas won that game 4-2 and the next two to complete a three game sweep of the Cougs.
In that first game, Matt Way was his own worst enemy, as his walked four batters in just four innings pitched. He was able to miss a lot of Hog bats though, as he struck out 7 of the 22 batters he faced. That should be expected again today. Matt posts a fantastic 27.2 strikeout% and the Razorbacks as a team strike out 19.8% of the time. For reference, the NCAA average for the last three seasons was around 16%. A guy whose great at missing bats meets a team that strikes out more than their fair share. Sounds like a good combination for the Cougs.
When Washington State is at the plate don't expect there to be a lot of pitches taken. Dallas Keuchel is well below the national walk% at 6.7 (The national average is 9.3%). The Cougs also check in with below average "eyes" as they walk only 8.1% of the time. The good news is that Dallas does not seem to have overpowering stuff, as he only strikes batters out 16.1% of the time. The Cougs will be swinging and most likely making contact when they do. Let's hope those baseballs find some holes to drop into (or a fence to fly over).
As Nuss pointed out in this post, this game is more or less a toss up statistically speaking. Both these teams have been tested as Boyd's World lists WSU as having the fourth toughest schedule in the land and Arkansas the third.
If the Cougs are going to advance, they need to get this one. Their ace Matt Way is on the mound and this matchup is entirely too good for the Cougs to let slip away.
You may be able to find live video of the game here. I'm not sure if there is a fee or not for viewing the games. (Hat tip to GoCougs for the link) If that doesn't work, this is where you can find the gametracker.
Go Cougs! Beat the Hogs!
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GO COUGS!
Here’s to hoping my bandwidth holds up. I might need to jump off the game thread, which tends to suck up resources when the comments are pouring in. We’ll see.
My bandwidth is not holding up.
Drats. I know Kuykendall got on and stole second, and there have been two groundouts. Beyond that … ?
Walked Prince
GameTracker isn’t up and running yet. Grrrrrrrrrr.
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Mines running fine through the link on the coug page
razors have one on 1st
bitch to watch at work ?
razors pushed the runner to 3rd
I just wish gametracker was at least working
But it just says it’ll begin after first pitch. I think we’ve passed that point.
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Where are you guys pulling the stats?
GT is completely dead!
I'm lucky I guess....
I’m getting the feed just fine. I don’t understand why D. Jones hit the first pitch after the walk to Prince. Especially being a lefty vs lefty situation, I thought he should have looked at a couple of offerings. We are hitting the ball, but right at the SS. All three putouts he has have been hit on the screws.
I'm in Lewiston
thought I’d keep yopu guys up
missed a nice diving catch at the wall, by A
No Cougs – 0, A’s – 1
A’s up
Finelli got robbed of extra bases....
Second time thru the lineup we should be able to get something going against their starter.
sucks that the game tracker is down… can’t really watch video of the game at work…
by Displaced_Spokanite on May 29, 2009 11:38 AM PDT reply actions
There are a lot of things that suck right now
You’d think that since they do these postseason tournaments fairly often that they’d figure out a way to not screw it up. But if the NCAA is involved …
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
If someone wouldn't mind doing a running play by play, that would be amazing
Just something like: “Prince strikes out, runner on first, one out.” I would be most grateful.
4 straight hits for the Cougs
2-1 Cougs. Prince just knocked one in. Second and third with two outs.
Welcome to CougCenter!
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Oldman, can you help me out a bit
When there is a score, put WSU first and A second and don’t post hitter counts. I appreciate you keeping us all in the loop so if you construe this as a whine, kick me in the rear
End of the inning
Going to the bottom of the third, 2-1 Cougs.
Thanks
Lets hope Matt dominated the rest of the “Way”
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
*dominates
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
No need to be embarassed, just need some
help trying to follow.
Their starter isn't fooling anyone....
We’re hitting everything that we’re swinging at, just not hitting the wholes yet. He’s afraid to throw anything but curves and changes so far because he’s not fooling anyone. His fastball is just average. We will be into their bullpen soon.
Sounds like we've had lots of solid contact
I expected as much against this guy. He’s not going to miss many bats.
Their guy won't get any K's unless we get caught looking....
Let me know what I can do to help you with the action.
Strange when things go as expected
Yay for stats!
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Show us the Way!!
Nominated for cheesy post of the day
Matt knows the "way" to victory
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Is Ponciano behind the plate or Lagried?
I assume Pon but Lagried got a game against UW I believe
i don't know if you want it, but
here’s an audio broadcast:
http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=wast&media=129162
There are a lot of empty seats but I saw some Coug fans
I have trouble pronouncing Razorback players’ names, let alone spelling them.
Gotta like our chances
If we can just add a few runs. Way looks on his game and the bullpen is always solid.
It's really fun listening to their announcers....
It’s time for a Coug rally. One out, one pitch, ground ball to 2nd. We are hitting a ton of grounders. Their starter is an awful lot like Way, without the fastball.
Bartlett hits one off the wall and turns....
a double into a single. That pickoff play cost us a run.
Terrible call
The first baseman was about to throw the ball back to the pitcher, even he thought he was safe.
We missed a great opportunity to expand our lead....
That bad call makes up for the bad hop grounder we got earlier. We’ve outhit them 7-1 so far.
We need more XBH
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Kuykendall fouled out for the last out
He is 2-3 now.
Ahhhhh ... THANK YOU FOR THE RADIO LINK!
Doesn’t take up as much bandwidth as video, and is streaming fine. Yes!
Arkansas is having trouble making contact....
They are getting numerous fouls but that’s about it. Ooops! Spoke too soon, line drive to left, left-handed hitter. They have four of them in the lineup today.
HA HA!
Yeah, because everything is measured against the SEC, right?dc
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Another K
I think the hp ump is squeezing Matt just a little. We need to get a bigger lead to make those guys a non-factor.
They've got to be shocked...
at how much better Way is now than the beginning of the year.
off the air, the Arkansas broadcaster just said:
“f he’s not any better, than we’re a lot worse”
That is hilarious. I love it when they think the mike is off for these webcasts
I once heard Mike Patrick drop a string of F-bombs on ESPN360.
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Sit down dude....
K #9. Matt is so in control. You can tell he’s throwing nice and easy. I think the warm weather is working to his advantage. We need to string a few hits now.
Their starter is a complete junk ball pitcher....
without any heat. The Cougs are sitting on his fastball.
If we can rally for about 3 runs here, it will really deflate Arkansas
Remember, this slide they’re on is because of bad offense. Their hitters have got to have shaky confidence at this point — especially after getting completely shut down for four innings by a guy they knocked around a few months ago.
Ugh. Why in the world is Derek Jones trying to do that?
The guy is pure power. That’s like Russell Branyan trying to surprise someone with a squeeze. Do what you do, young man!
It was a really good bunt but the pitcher wasn't fooled at all....
We need to hit a couple gaps and put up a crooked number.
Wow....
Hit and run fails with pitcher getting a glove on Prince’s grounder and the bunt attempt was close.
Bottom of the 5th coming up. I hate only having a one run lead. No room for any mistakes. However, we do have the lead.
great play
that was a crazy catch and tag
Arkansas has to be happy...
they are only down 1.
They have to be ecstatic
Gotta put our feet on their throats now.
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Matt makes things too easy on the defense....
and they get a little lacksadasical. Sorry for the bad spelling.
Matt needed an easy inning with few pitches....
He’s totally good to go for 9 the Way I see it right now. Pun intended.
This is set up for the top of the order....
We need to get a couple runners on and we could be in for a huge inning.
That seven-pitch inning was huge
Way’s thrown 88 pitches through 5. Might only get one more inning out of him.
Perfect bunt....
Bartlett can now get a hit to make up for a lazy error. Set up for the top of the order with a hit here.
MUST get a clutch hit here now
Second and third, two outs. Kuykendall has been huge so far … let’s get another here.
I thought the shortstop covering
was going to allow that ball to get through
We can't buy a clutch hit so far....
Come on Matt, mow em down! Get another 7 pitch inning. Stay in control.
Does he look like he's running out of gas?
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Pitching in heat
with his pitch count up. I woulddn’t think he has more than an inning left in him if that.
Not really but he's up to 109 pitches....
They really aren’t touching him except for that 2 out single. The walk was inexcusable being up 1-2. He got too cute with his breaking pitches.
Tough call...
but I think you have to give the ball to the pen now.
I just don't know what he normally throws
Anyone know if he will typically go above 100 pitches?
by Jeff Nusser on May 29, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Might trot Way back out there
to see if he can go 1-2-3. First baserunner and I’d go to the pen.
Radio feed is a bit ahead of the video feed?
Sounds like it anyway. Back to Hog announcers.
That was 3 more runs right there
maybe 4. Nice play by the hog outfielder to stay with that.
Conley is in....
Matt did a great job. Maybe he’s good for an inning or two in the championship game. Great job!
Great D...
I can only imagine what having Burg in the lineup would mean and also the other kid that got hurt, a 2nd baseman. What a luxury that would be.
Please give me the score. Just joined. Thanks.
by westsidecougar1 on May 29, 2009 1:25 PM PDT reply actions
It's up to the bullpen
I don’t see us adding any runs unless we hit a bomb.
Not a great way to start the inning
Double for Arkansas
Well at least you can follow it.
Maybe they should have just went immediately to Johnson for 2 innings instead of just 1. Seriously, it can’t be that much more difficult for a closer to do that.
i don't know about taking out conley...
by displacedcoug on May 29, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Johnson is your best reliever
Going to him for two innings makes sense. They’ve done it lots. What hasn’t worked out is that he’s gotten nickel and dimed to death.
Why?!?
Why does being a Coug mean always waiting for the other shoe to drop, then having it happen?
Doggone it.
They can't let another one in....
3-4-5 coming up for us in the 9th.
I wouldn't have taken Conley out....
They were having trouble against Way and he gave up a bad hop single where our D was way to shallow. Oh, well!
Can't fault him for going to his all-conference closer
He’s got a 25% SO rate, yet no K’s this inning in nine batters faced. This is on Johnson.
What an unreal meltdown
We were absolutely in control of this game, but we let Arkansas hang around.
Even if we come back, what do you do in the 9th? Trot Johnson out there again?
Oh Geez.
How tired was Way when they took him out… if he had any once of juice left, he has got to be eating himself up right now…
Again, not the problem
Conley worked a 1-2-3 seventh. That’s as much as you could have hoped for out of Way. The issue is Johnson’s meltdown.
I've got that Cougar feeling in the pit of my stomach right now
I know you all know what I’m talking about.
Yeah, I do
Like someone just punched ya in the gut.
by '03CouveCoug on May 29, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Good golly...
I can’t listen to this any longer.
At least its double-elimination
What an absolute waste of Way’s effort.
That is the assumption
He threw ~110 pitches today. He might be able to throw an inning or two if we make it as far as Monday. But that’s a long way off right now.
how is it set up?
where do we go after this? anyone know?
We play the loser of Wichita St and Oklahoma....
Win that one and we play the loser of the Arkansas vs (winner of Wichita St. and Oklahoma game). Chad Arnold pitches tomorrow. This is not over yet for you that think it is. It DOUBLE elimination. Go Cougs!!!
One year that OSU won it they faced elimination games throughout the whole tourney....
We still have a shot at this. Way will be able to pitch again on Monday, if we can get there.
It only counts as one loss....
fortunately. We still have a chance to turn it around tomorrow and I’ll be here to root them on.
Want to know why earned run average is stupid?
Because only two of these nine runs are “earned.” Yet, they still count on the scoreboard …
that error wasn't exactly johnson's fault.
it should be 3-3 going into the 9th
Especially the homerun
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions
This sucks
Just got back to the office, have been following your comments on my phone.
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
Won't be up until the evening
After I get off work and have time to write about it.
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Craig Powers on May 29, 2009 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Tough loss for sure!
No way to sugarcoat it. I don’t appreciate anyone that says we Coug’d it, period. To me, that’s not acceptable for anyone that says they are a Coug to use that term. I hope I’m getting my point across. As I’ve read on here before, them are ‘fightin words.’
Oklahoma will dominate Wichita State
We will get a WSU vs WSU matchup. Chad Arnold is perfect for a second game win. David Stilley will get a shot at Arkansas or Oklahoma. I’m sort of hoping we catch Oklahoma off of a loss to the Hogs and then sweep the Hogs for the regional title. There you have it. Four straight wins with a little bit of revenge mixed in for good measure. Do not count us out yet. Matt Way is very capable of providing us with a few innings Monday afternoon.
Go Cougs!!!
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