Louisiana vs. Southeastern

[ManAboutTown]

_ My biggest issue right now is the fact that we get all these recruits in......Marvel, Nichols, Switzenburg etc. and not one of them is good enough to crack the starting lineup. From what I read on here last year Robe told Benzel that he wouldn't have any playing time because we were bringing in some big time players at 3rd so he left and went back to Florida. I am not saying that if Benzel was still here that he should be starting, but where are these recruits.

My other question is why Robe gives up on some players so easily, i.e. Bostick, Switzenburg and he allows others like Fuse ample opportunity to come out of a slump.

I AM IN NO WAY TRYING TO SAY TONY NEEDS TO GO, just stating my feelings as a fan.

If it were up to me and I know it isn't this is what i would do to the lineup

Bowman LF
Olasin CF
Goulas RF
Porrier, Long 3rd/DH
Bostick 2nd
Fontenot SS
Robicheaux 1st
Keefer C

I know Robicheaux hasn't hit in two years, but atleast this would rid us of about half the errors that we have had between 1st and 3rd. Also I think Bowman is a better outfielder than Fuse and it would make the outfield very solid, while keeping the lineup pretty solid. Bostick hit well towards the latter half of the season last year. I think he can be effective with the bat given time. _

I'm with ya on the lack of production of the recruits that were so highly touted. But in general.. Just like I said last year, our approach at the plate seems off. Why do we pop up every other pitch? I had a conversation with a gentlemen at the game against Miami last weekend. He said that the players (his son is on the team) are coached to chop down at the ball. I found that odd and interesting at the same time. I played, my whole life, at every level except the collegiate level, and I had never come across this philosophy before. Of course, we're taught to swing down on the ball, for obvious reasons, but the way this guy explained it - it was just weird. Chopping down at the ball.. hmm. I don't think a lot of these players have the bat speed for that, especially guys like Task, Griffen, and Keefer. These guys have such long swings. Also about the approach.. If you noticed against SLU, after the first AB that those guys had against our current guy, they would adjust big time. If they saw him throwing first pitch fastballs, they were jumping all over it. I don't see that out of our team. I don't see the adjustment to the PITCHER.

I know Robe is leaving Jordan on the field because he knows like the rest of us that we need his bat. I mean, look at the dudes numbers.. I know its been 7 games, but so far.. I'm not really encouraged. The team looks like they could be special, but they need to put all aspects together. Personally, I think the defense is what it is (history doesn't lie) and we don't really have a traditional first bagger. Even Dillon Guillory was originally a catcher. But the pitching can carry a team a long way.. That being said, we've pitched our aces against nobodies.. Miami had some guys that could swing it, but by no means are they making a regional at the plate (or anywhere for that matter).

We'll find out a lot tonight, and in the next fews days. It is a young season, I know. It does strike me as concern worthy however, how close this team looks like last years..

At any rate.. Geaux Cajuns.

[GoneGolfin]

_ We are playing this weekend a USM team that has lost to Northwestern State and 2 of 3 to LeMoyne. _

In the interest of full disclosure here, USM took 2/3 from Northwestern State and outscored them 23-10 in the series (w/ an 11-0 shutout in the Friday game). Nothing wrong with that. Northwestern State is not a bad team. They spanked Monroe and are 7-2. They gave Creighton their only loss of the season. The Demons have also outscored their competition 74-16 since the USM series.

As for LeMoyne, they have a nice club. They also split with a Wright State club that beat All-American Danny Hultzen and #2 Virginia last night 2-1 in Charlottesville.

Brian