Cajuns Are #1 In The Conference!!!

[Mineshaft]

_ That would be "you are" or "you're", not "your". _

How about we go with you're

[ulforlife]

Warsquawks barely got away with the second game in their doubleheader yesterday with FAU but lost the series at home nonetheless. Cajuns retake sole possesion of first place in the conference, and I think they plan to keep it that way from here on out.

[Cajun Express]

_ Warsquawks barely got away with the second game in their doubleheader yesterday with FAU but lost the series at home nonetheless. Cajuns retake sole possesion of first place in the conference, and I think they plan to keep it that way from here on out. _

Middle closed the gap to one game, and for all practical purposes are a half game back because they hold the tie breaker on both Louisiana and ULM.

Middle has played the top teams in the conference and we are still need to play UNO, TROY, and ULM. I am confident we can maintain the lead, but ULM is not the team I am worried about. Middle has done what they need in case we stumble.

[CajunProud]

_ I was not suggesting that Buddy stay in the game. I was suggesting that someone other than Farquhar pitch the ninth. For instance, Laughter. I would like to see some of the others in the bullpen log some more innings as they will be needed in the postseason. A six run lead in the ninth is one of those situations where risk of losing the lead (especially at home) is minimized.

Brian _

Brian,

If I had to make one criticism of Coach Robe, and believe me, I hate to do it, I think he tends to find a couple of pitchers that he feels comfortable with and overuses them. I don't know if you remember, but I think it was in 2005, the last time we went to a regional, we had a guy by the name of Ian Pecarero (spelling?) who could bring it at 90+. He was used very sparingly, but he was very effective when he was used. In my opinion, had we used him more, Ardoin and Faughts arm would not have been as tired as they were. I know a lot of people disagree, but Ardoin was not the same the last few weeks of the season, and I think it was because he was overused (but that's just one man's opinion). My point is, I know we have other quality arms on the bench. They must be becuase they were given scholarships. We need to use them. My fear is that Glass and Moody will be overused and in the postseason, the ones who have not logged enough innings will not be ready.

What do you think.

[GoneGolfin]

Brian,

If I had to make one criticism of Coach Robe, and believe me, I hate to do it, I think he tends to find a couple of pitchers that he feels comfortable with and overuses them. I don't know if you remember, but I think it was in 2005, the last time we went to a regional, we had a guy by the name of Ian Pecarero (spelling?) who could bring it at 90+. He was used very sparingly, but he was very effective when he was used. In my opinion, had we used him more, Ardoin and Faughts arm would not have been as tired as they were. I know a lot of people disagree, but Ardoin was not the same the last few weeks of the season, and I think it was because he was overused (but that's just one man's opinion). My point is, I know we have other quality arms on the bench. They must be becuase they were given scholarships. We need to use them. My fear is that Glass and Moody will be overused and in the postseason, the ones who have not logged enough innings will not be ready.

What do you think.

Pecoraro had the livest arm on the team in '05. I saw him in the low 90's on several occasions, running it up to a top of 94. But he had trouble throwing strikes. If he would have been a strike thrower, he would have seen more action.

I have seen a lot of arms that were much more impressive than Pecoraro in the college game that have failed to throw strikes. Arms that were consistently in the mid to upper 90's, but lived in the three ball count. As a result, they were not successful at the college level. Jason Neighborgall had a fastball that was consistently in the upper 90's and could touch 100 mph. He also had what the MLB scouts called an 80 curve (rating system is from 20 -> 80). But Neighborgall never really experienced success at the collegiate level. He was still drafted in the third round because of his physical tools. But that did not help Georgia Tech.

Ardoin was not the same the last several weeks of the season. But it was not because he was overused or tired. Robe had him on a good throwing schedule. There was another reason ... let's just call it unwanted outside influences. The type of influences that can happen to a Top 10 rounder when draft time is approaching.

In general, of course I agree that a few more folks should get some innings. Especially when the game is reasonably safe. Farquhar entering the game in the ninth when the contest is mostly decided, I think, is one of those situations. But you are incorrect about Ardoin in 2005.

I do think that the emergence of Harmon is a very good one for the Cajuns and adds another dependable arm in middle relief.

Brian

[CajunProud]

_ Pecoraro had the livest arm on the team in '05. I saw him in the low 90's on several occasions, running it up to a top of 94. But he had trouble throwing strikes. If he would have been a strike thrower, he would have seen more action.

I have seen a lot of arms that were much more impressive than Pecoraro in the college game that have failed to throw strikes. Arms that were consistently in the mid to upper 90's, but lived in the three ball count. As a result, they were not successful at the college level. Jason Neighborgall had a fastball that was consistently in the upper 90's and could touch 100 mph. He also had what the MLB scouts called an 80 curve (rating system is from 20 -> 80). But Neighborgall never really experienced success at the collegiate level. He was still drafted in the third round because of his physical tools. But that did not help Georgia Tech.

Ardoin was not the same the last several weeks of the season. But it was not because he was overused or tired. Robe had him on a good throwing schedule. There was another reason ... let's just call it unwanted outside influences. The type of influences that can happen to a Top 10 rounder when draft time is approaching.

In general, of course I agree that a few more folks should get some innings. Especially when the game is reasonably safe. Farquhar entering the game in the ninth when the contest is mostly decided, I think, is one of those situations. But you are incorrect about Ardoin in 2005.

I do think that the emergence of Harmon is a very good one for the Cajuns and adds another dependable arm in middle relief.

Brian _

Thanks Brian. I agree that Harmon will be a big help down the road.

I also think we need to use Solich and Zorich more. I know they had some rought outtings, but from my vantage point at the Tigue, it looks like they have been a victim of poor umpiring more than poor control. I assume Coach looks at them during the week in practice to determine if they will get a start or not. I don't know though. Maybe they are not getting it done in practice.

[CajunRed]

_ Pecoraro had the livest arm on the team in '05. I saw him in the low 90's on several occasions, running it up to a top of 94. But he had trouble throwing strikes. If he would have been a strike thrower, he would have seen more action.

I have seen a lot of arms that were much more impressive than Pecoraro in the college game that have failed to throw strikes. Arms that were consistently in the mid to upper 90's, but lived in the three ball count. As a result, they were not successful at the college level. Jason Neighborgall had a fastball that was consistently in the upper 90's and could touch 100 mph. He also had what the MLB scouts called an 80 curve (rating system is from 20 -> 80). But Neighborgall never really experienced success at the collegiate level. He was still drafted in the third round because of his physical tools. But that did not help Georgia Tech.

Ardoin was not the same the last several weeks of the season. But it was not because he was overused or tired. Robe had him on a good throwing schedule. There was another reason ... let's just call it unwanted outside influences. The type of influences that can happen to a Top 10 rounder when draft time is approaching.

In general, of course I agree that a few more folks should get some innings. Especially when the game is reasonably safe. Farquhar entering the game in the ninth when the contest is mostly decided, I think, is one of those situations. But you are incorrect about Ardoin in 2005.

I do think that the emergence of Harmon is a very good one for the Cajuns and adds another dependable arm in middle relief.

Brian _

As usual, Brian, you are right on. We all saw the situation with both Pecoraro and Ardoin as they unfolded, but not until recently did I hear Robe talk about the outside influences (scouting) on Ardoin towards the end of the year. And, yes, Pec had great velocity, but threw WAY too many pitches outside of the strike zone to be effective.

[J-Town Cajun]

Can someone explain these outside influences. I must have missed the interview where Robe talked about this.

[GoneGolfin]

Can someone explain these outside influences. I must have missed the interview where Robe talked about this.

I did not hear such an interview from Robichaux. But I know a couple of folks that were close to the situation. It comes down to scouts interfering with a player's game (in this case mechanics) and suggesting things that would "enhance" their draft positioning.

[CajunProud]

_ I did not hear such an interview from Robichaux. But I know a couple of folks that were close to the situation. It comes down to scouts interfering with a player's game (in this case mechanics) and suggesting things that would "enhance" their draft positioning. _

It's amazing how even the slightes change in an athletes mechanics can affect his/her entire game. Once a mechanical change is made it almost always effects the athletes mental game which in turn usually effects the mechanics. The mental and physical aspects of an athletes "game" are inextricably intertwined.

[GoneGolfin]

It's amazing how even the slightes change in an athletes mechanics can affect his/her entire game. Once a mechanical change is made it almost always effects the athletes mental game which in turn usually effects the mechanics. The mental and physical aspects of an athletes "game" are inextricably intertwined.

Precisely.