Last Night's Experience

[Crowley Cajun]

My wife and I lucked into some tickets for the SR yesterday. We sat in section 125, left field bleachers. We've never been to Alex Box and it is nice. The staff was very nice to us before the game even before the gates were open. We were looking for a bathroom and one staff member, Mr. Smith, let us in the stadium. He joked that his gate was "Smith's World" and if we needed shade, we were welcome to it. lol. We met several LSU event staff and they all shook our hands and asked how we were doing and wanted to make sure that our stay was good. We never got a look like, "What are they doing in here?" Now on to the game.
Yes, we lost. But I wasn't mad and I think that we won over a few LSU fans. Yeah, you got the typical banter and hear the comments from the loud ones. But the group that we sat with were about the nicest you could meet. We all got along and stayed together even when the monsoon hit us. They were shocked when a lot of LSU fans headed for cover and we stayed. When LSU opened a 3-0 lead, they were very confident. All I told my wife is, "We'll just chip at the lead." And they did. In fact, one LSU fan behind me said that it was getting very quiet in the stadium because they just realized that these kids were making a comeback. When we were down 3-2 late in the game, I turned around to him and joked, "You know. We have you right where we want you now." lol. He shook his head and said, "I know." Then Conrad hit the bomb. Unfortunately for us they got us at the end. But like I said, the group we sat with said that this UL team is very good. They earned their respect and they know that they will be scary good next season. They all wanted to know if we would come back and sit with them for today's game, but we don't have tickets. They know that they are in a fight and more than one LSU fan said that they don't want this series to go to 3. They are nervous. Like I said last night, we now have them right where we want them. Geaux Cajuns!

[DocCajun]

Thanks for this perspective! Every fan base their share of A holes but sounds like you sat with some classy LSU fans.

I'll say this - in my experience there is a BIG difference between the stereotypical LSU football fan and the LSU baseball fan - the former never went there, are obnoxious and rude, live and die on WS and L's. The latter are knoweledgable and generally pretty classy.

[SlickRick]

We had one loudmouth right behind us, but he wasn't foul mouthed and just a big fan. I did encounter one Tigger fan that was difficult after their walk-off, but he was drunk as a skunk. I just smiled and walked by.

It was cool to see all the worried looks and the fear of losing that game. Hope we can get another game on Monday.

IMO, if I had to pick a winning scenario, it would be to lose the first game, then win the next 2! That would be the most enjoyable way to do it!

[GoneGolfin]

IMO, if I had to pick a winning scenario, it would be to lose the first game, then win the next 2! That would be the most enjoyable way to do it!

Especially if the loss in that first game was a tight game, down to the wire, against their best pitching, and the opposition felt fortunate to escape with the victory.

Brian

[angeleast]

Especially if the loss in that first game was a tight game, down to the wire, against their best pitching, and the opposition felt fortunate to escape with the victory.

Brian

Brian.. Your wisdom is needed. Im leaning towards Cajuns with the edge tonight even after last nights loss. If we do win tonight, do you think we have the edge in the 3rd game with our deeper pitching staff?

[CrappDaddy]

I don't think we have the edge tonight. They are gonna throw stud arms at us all night. If we can't get timely hits and play lights out defense (like last night) we aren't gonna have a shot to win. Leger gives us a chance, but runs will be hard to come by for us.

[angeleast]

I don't think we have the edge tonight. They are gonna throw stud arms at us all night. If we can't get timely hits and play lights out defense (like last night) we aren't gonna have a shot to win. Leger gives us a chance, but runs will be hard to come by for us.

So survive today then we got the edge?

[jllanclos]

I don't think we have the edge tonight. They are gonna throw stud arms at us all night. If we can't get timely hits and play lights out defense (like last night) we aren't gonna have a shot to win. Leger gives us a chance, but runs will be hard to come by for us.

Which poche shows up? We're going to know our chances pretty early.

Except for that whole detsiny thing. LOL

[CajunPride]

Blue behind the plate last night was atrocious. One of worst umpires I have ever seen in post season in any sport. I do not usually complain about officiating, but he dominated the game with his inconsistent strike zone. Even the tv announcers noticed the difference in calls when we were on the mound or in batters box. The one tonight has to be better.

[DocCajun]

Blue behind the plate last night was atrocious. One of worst umpires I have ever seen in post season in any sport. I do not usually complain about officiating, but he dominated the game with his inconsistent strike zone. Even the tv announcers noticed the difference in calls when we were on the mound or in batters box. The one tonight has to be better.

Even my wife was saying stuff like "that was the same pitch he just called a strike". Its a damn shame both teams had to deal with that crap in a super regional

[MountainDew]

Like any fan base, you have your classy ones and your a holes. I've walked around Baton Rouge in a UL shirt and got the death stare. I've also received good hospitality. I have one friend who's literally been spit on. And some friends had to get a cop to escort them back to their vehicle bc they were getting harassed. Even UL has classy fans and trashy fans. And when I see those trashy fans treat opposing fans in a bad way I am embarrassed. But that's just how it is I guess.

[GoneGolfin]

Brian.. Your wisdom is needed. Im leaning towards Cajuns with the edge tonight even after last nights loss. If we do win tonight, do you think we have the edge in the 3rd game with our deeper pitching staff?

Not sure about wisdom, but this is my take ...

#1 I would not say the Cajuns have the edge tonight. Poche is a very capable pitcher. I think that it is an even game. But if the Cajuns pitch, hit, and play defense like they did last night (which will be a task), they have a good shot. I certainly like their chances better tonight than I did last night facing Lange.

#2 UL does not have the deeper pitching staff ... not even close. LSU has considerably more depth ... more quality arms. But this is not a six team double elimination regional. It is a best of three format and what you need is three quality starters and enough pitching in the pen. Quality over depth in this format. And now that Lange is out of the way and Leger has yet to pitch for the Cajuns, the pitching situation is more even. There will be several good pitchers on both sides that will not see the hill, whether this goes two games or three.

With Poche, you have a left-hander that has decent command and good control. He has a nice 12-6 breaking ball, though not nearly as devastating as Lange's. His fastball generally sits about 88-90. He yields few free passes, but does give up more hits than most #2 starters. He had an excellent outing in the Baton Rouge regional title game vs. UNCW, throwing 8 2/3 innings of shutout ball and yielding only one free pass and 6 hits. But he has struggled in the prior three outings ... against Auburn in the SEC Tournament opener (1 inning, 5 R, 2 ER, 3 hits, 2 BB), vs. South Carolina the week prior (6 innings, 6 R, 5 ER, 9 hits, 0 BB), and against Missouri prior to that (3 2/3 innings, 7 hits, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB). If Poche does falter, Manieri does have a deep and reliable bullpen he will not hesitate to use. But forcing them to use that pen tonight will help us tomorrow.

A note about rest ...
Coach Robichaux has managed Gunner Leger closely, ensuring that he gets the rest that he needs. This is why Marks started last night and Leger goes tonight. Manieri was upset with the NCAA last weekend because they elected to push the title game to Monday (from Sunday). Part of the reason was competitive advantage (vs. UNCW). Part of the reason was the desire for another day of rest for Jared Poche (looking to the following weekend). Will this be a factor tonight? Note that six days rest is normal for weekend starters.

Gunner Leger
Thursday 5/14 -> 103 pitches
[5 days rest]
Wednesday 5/20 -> 92 pitches
[3 days rest]
Sunday 5/24 -> 102 pitches
[6 days rest]
Sunday 5/31 -> 77 pitches
[6 days rest]
Sunday 6/7 -> ?

Jared Poche
Friday 5/8 -> 73 pitches (poor outing)
[5 days rest]
Thursday 5/14 -> 107 pitches (poor outing)
[5 days rest]
Wednesday 5/20 -> 35 pitches (poor outing)
[11 days rest]
Monday 6/1 -> 121 pitches (stellar outing)
[5 days rest]
Sunday 6/7 -> ?

Will this play a role for either or both pitchers tonight? Remember that Leger was gassed in the 6th inning of last Sunday's game at Houston (77 pitches). Those innings accumulate and arms can get tired this late in the year.

But also note how Poche has fared above on 5 days rest. Not so good. The last two bad outings have come on 5 days rest. Tonight he pitches on 5 days rest.

Brian