NCAA TOURNAMENT OPEN GAME THREAD: Evil WSU vs. Good WSU

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 10:11 AM PDT in WSU Baseball News

No offense to Wright State and Wayne State, but this is the ultimate battle for the acronym. The team that survives today not only get the opportunity to play tommorrow, they also earn the rights to the greatest and most important three letters that have ever been strung together: WSU. The loser is left with the shame of seeing their beloved school's name shortened to "WashSt" or "WichSt." We don't want that to happen Cougs!

Some may say that today is also important because the loser sees their season end. The pitching matchup pits Chad Arnold for WSU against Jordan Cooper for WichSt. Chad is an above average strikeout guy with below average control. His walk percentage of 12.1% is the highest on the team of anyone who had significant work and it is well above the national average of 9.3%. The good news for Chad is that the Cougs face a team once again that strikes out a lot. Wichita State strikes out 18.7% of the time, nearly 3% higher than the national average. If Chad Arnold is going to be successful today, he needs to trust his stuff and keep it in the zone. The Shockers will help him out by swinging and missing.

When the Cougs are up, don't be surprised to see them getting their fare share of strikeouts. Jordan Cooper has a pretty solid strikeout rate of 22.1% and Washington State is just as prone to missing the ball as Wichita State. Jordan isn't wild, as he has a very low walk rate of 5.2%. This blogger does not really like that combination of high strikeouts and low walks for the Cougs.

You don't have to take these numbers to mean that Jordan Cooper is going to dominate the Cougar lineup and Chad Arnold is going to struggle against the Shockers. Remember that Cooper put up his numbers against the 80th toughest schedule in the country, while Arnold compiled his stats versus the 4th toughest schedule in the country (according to Boyds World). Arnold has faced better batters who are more adept at hitting the ball and are tougher to strike out.

This game today will be by no means be easy. Both teams suffered heartbreaking losses last night and don't want to see their season end. Let's hope the Cougs can stay away from the barbecue for atleast one more day.

Go Cougs! Win the Acronym for Crimson and Gray!

The Gametracker can be found here, live audio here, and video here.

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Comments

Is the guys voice whos calling the game on the video annoying anyone else?

Looks like I’m watching this on mute.

by Brian Floyd on May 30, 2009 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

Where is everyone?

by ptowncoug3012 on May 30, 2009 10:57 AM PDT reply actions

They'll be more around once the game gets going

Plus it is a saturday with beautiful weather, not sure how many people will be sitting inside watching their computers.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Need to get a laptop with great speakers

by ptowncoug3012 on May 30, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions

Hi everyone....

Alex Burg is at 1B. I was surprised to see that.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:07 AM PDT reply actions

3 K's is a nice start for Arnold....

Wichita St. looks to be a little bit undisciplined at the plate, swinging at some pitches out of the strike zone. Leadoff walk = automatic double. They love to run.

We need to score early. Go Cougs!!!

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

5 Ks through 2 inning for Arnold

0-0 heading to bottom of 2nd

by ptowncoug3012 on May 30, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

dear lord

this guy is annoying. just use your normal voice, dude.

by TrueCoug on May 30, 2009 11:26 AM PDT reply actions

What did you expect....

Vin Scully? lmao

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

BTW - I was just kidding....

Too bad Bob Robertson isn’t available to do Coug baseball.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

A strikeout....

Might as well give up a double. These guys love to run.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions

Double-play ball there

error…

by BornCoug on May 30, 2009 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

Vucinich made a big error yesterday too....

In the 8th inning with a bad throw that opened the flood gates.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Yep, game changers

At this point they really have to play error-free to have a chance to win. They were very close yesterday to doing just that.

by BornCoug on May 30, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Yesterday's game boiled down to a couple key plays that went against us....

It just wasn’t meant to be I guess.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

We got off relatively easy that inning....

But we need to get the bats going a bit and get on the board ourselves. This guy is very hittable.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions

As soon as I say that he strikes out the side....

Long way to go though.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm here

We need to start swinging the bats.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions

No doubt

Arnold is pitching a nice game though.

by BornCoug on May 30, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Anybody know where Chad is for a pitch count?

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:20 PM PDT reply actions

Arnold's going to have to keep us in it...

But time starting to run out. Their kid is pitching a helluva game so far too.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:22 PM PDT reply actions

If we go 0-2 barbecue

definitely can’t blame it on the SP

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:23 PM PDT reply actions

Baserunner!

Let’s rally.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

DEREK JONES!!!

that’s why he should not bunt

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

I guess they just

needed you to show up here and get them going. ;)

by BornCoug on May 30, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Clearly that is the case

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

BACK TO BACK

GOOO COUGS!!!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:25 PM PDT reply actions

Dingers!!!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Hitting him hard now

Even that out was tagged.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

This is more like it!

Finally got my account up and running. Go Cougs!

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

Welcome to CougCenter!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Chad Arnold needs to get a 1-2-3 inning....

and get us right back into the dugout. DO NOT let them answer those three runs!!!

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

3-1 leads are just not comfy, as we found out yesterday

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

one down

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

K

Way to get out of it

by Brian Floyd on May 30, 2009 12:38 PM PDT reply actions

Chad is only a sophomore

Start drooling…

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

The June draft is coming up....

He’s draftable isn’t he?

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah because he redshirted.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

NICE

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 12:38 PM PDT reply actions

This is fantastic

I’m sitting outside in the sun with a beer while watching. Yay for laptops.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

the video is better than I was expecting

I couldn’t view it yesterday from the office…

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah even when you put it into fullscreen it looks fine

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I like the homer announcer too

even if he has an annoying voice

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd leave Chad out there for one more inning....

We have the 3-4-5 guys coming up. Bring Conley in for the 9th, unless Chad struggles in the 8th but he seems to be in control right now. That was a big K for the 3rd out.

If we can score at least one run, it will mean all the difference in the world.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

E5

take advantage!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:44 PM PDT reply actions

or don't...

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions

8th inning

time to start getting really nervous

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:46 PM PDT reply actions

Dang

Maybe left him out there too long…

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:49 PM PDT reply actions

The ump squeezed Chad on the first pitch....

But no excuse for leaving that one so high up in the zone. He’s fine as long as the ump stays consistent.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions

10K

Nice.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions

Getting through this inning

and closing out the game will be huge! Come on fellas.

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 12:51 PM PDT reply actions

I wish we were up 16-0 like Kansas

I would feel much better about things.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions

Let's give a standing O for Chad

fantastic performance

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:53 PM PDT reply actions

It's not going to be easy, it never is....

Chad started to get too many pitches up in the zone. Conley is a good choice. He gave up that double yesterday but I thought Fanelli was defending too close to the bag, and the ball went over his head. Conley was in complete control other than that.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions

Interesting to make a change in the middle of an at bat

doesn’t happen very often

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions

Johnson warming up

It would be great to see Conley get through this inning and Johnson redeem himself in the 9th.

by mmevans15 on May 30, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions

If he gets the opportunity he will

He is too good to have another bad outing

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Great pitch

Sit down, sir.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:57 PM PDT reply actions

Conley just struck out a rightey

I think Marbut should leave him in there. I hope I am wrong.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 12:59 PM PDT reply actions

I do not like this move....

Conley is practically unhittable, and was yesterday too. At least let him finish the inning.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions

This is how they did it all year

I’m not sure the actual stat but before yesterday weren’t they like 21-1 when leading after 7?

by mmevans15 on May 30, 2009 1:01 PM PDT reply actions

I think they had three losses

Now four. Let’s keep it at four Cougs!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

YES

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

agreed

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Three more outs....

My stomach does not feel so great.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

It worked but I just thought that Conley was a tough matchup....

for Wichita State. I’m not one of those righty vs righty is an advantage kind of guy. Conley is going to be a stud, if he isn’t already.

We need to score.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:05 PM PDT reply actions

We really need to score

This is nerve-racking. One down.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Here we go

by mmevans15 on May 30, 2009 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

Game time....

DF – How’s the beer? Three more outs and I bet it tastes pretty darn good.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:10 PM PDT reply actions

It's gone

I need about six more for this inning.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

REDEMPTION TIME

C’mon Jeremy. One OUT!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:12 PM PDT reply actions

Burg's knee is bothering him big time....

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions

He looks very uncomfortable, even when he walks

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Game ending double play would be nice

Top of the order though, this guy might be tough to double up

by mmevans15 on May 30, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions

Please let that happen

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Hold that fn runner please....

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice pick....

Now we need JJ to come through and get a K.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

Noooo

My feed went down

by DrayCox on May 30, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

YES!

Go WSU!

by mmevans15 on May 30, 2009 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

cougs win!

Witches of Eastman

by BigWood on May 30, 2009 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

i've been lurking for the last hour or so....didn't want to jinx anything

Witches of Eastman

by BigWood on May 30, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions

excellent job lurking

You were clearly the difference.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

OVER!

by brushcougar on May 30, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

thank god...

that announcer can shut up now. go cougs!

by TrueCoug on May 30, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

his voice was not condusive to a hangover

at least i got to hear that “where service is no accident” jingle again. that’s gotta be 20 years old.

Witches of Eastman

by BigWood on May 30, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Just hold your nose when you talk and you can be a college baseball announcer too!

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Geez you guys....

Give the man a break. I thought he did a very good job. Maybe he doesn’t have the best voice in the world but he knew his stuff.

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

i actually did think he did well.

kinda reminded me of a poor man’s david locke. knew a lot about what he was talking about, just had a voice that drove you crazy…

Witches of Eastman

by BigWood on May 30, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think there is anything wrong with what he says

I just think he might try a little hard to make his voice “old timey”

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on May 30, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

How's he going to do that?

If I could sound like Vin Scully I’d do it. I found him very imformative. His voiced gnawed on me a bit too but I just considered how lucky I was just to be able to watch the webcast and enjoyed the game.

It was obvious he had done his homework and it sounded like he loves what he’s doing. I envied him, as I’d love to be doing it myself. I’m just trying to enjoy the whole experience of watching the Cougs in this regional. That’s enough to stroke my ego, if you will. Go Cougs!!!

by SW WA Coug on May 30, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions