South Alabama

[MelRock]

Of all the times over the years where the Jaguars have been oh so close to a regional title (both in the old 48-team format, where the winner goes to the CWS ... and the 64-team format) ... including being the undefeated team that needs to beaten twice to be eliminated ... this may be the best chance they have to win a regional. They have a good bullpen, play excellent defense, have pitching left, and are hitting the ball in this regional. And while South Florida has been playing excellent ball as well and is in the driver's seat, there is a reason why they needed the automatic bid to make the field of 64 as well.

Brian

While this is game is far from over, do you think that South has enough in their bullpen to beat South Florida twice?

[GoneGolfin]

While this is game is far from over, do you think that South has enough in their bullpen to beat South Florida twice?

Yes. Pitching depth is what has eluded them in the past. Matt Boswell (starter) has not pitched yet, though his last couple of starts have been shaky. Tyler Lehrmann threw 4 innings (73 pitches) Friday vs. Miami and can come back Monday.

Meanwhile, Dalton (35.0 IP, 1.54) has yet to throw in this regional. Unfortunately, the freshman Jeremy Lee (52.0 IP, 3.46) is not available as Calvi is holding him out the remainder of the season (forearm tightness). Perez (23.1 IP, 3.47) only threw an inning (9 pitches). That is one of the benefits of putting up 19 runs on Saturday.

Jackson Boyd (35.2 IP, 3.03) threw 4 innings (55 pitches) on Friday and can come back Monday.

And if Calvi needed Miles Smith (6 innings and 82 pitches yesterday) for an inning Monday, I think he would do it.

But as you say, they need to beat Miami first.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

Yes. Pitching depth is what has eluded them in the past. Matt Boswell (starter) has not pitched yet, though his last couple of starts have been shaky. Tyler Lehrmann threw 4 innings (73 pitches) Friday vs. Miami and can come back Monday.

Meanwhile, Dalton (35.0 IP, 1.54) has yet to throw in this regional. Unfortunately, the freshman Jeremy Lee (52.0 IP, 3.46) is not available as Calvi is holding him out the remainder of the season (forearm tightness). Perez (23.1 IP, 3.47) only threw an inning (9 pitches). That is one of the benefits of putting up 19 runs on Saturday.

Jackson Boyd (35.2 IP, 3.03) threw 4 innings (55 pitches) on Friday and can come back Monday.

And if Calvi needed Miles Smith (6 innings and 82 pitches yesterday) for an inning Monday, I think he would do it.

But as you say, they need to beat Miami first.

Brian

Jase Dalton is now in the game for South Alabama.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

Tyler Samaniego (15.2 IP, 4.60) coming with the heat, relieving Dalton in the B8th after Miami put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Samaniego got Alex Toral (HR earlier in the game ... and was vocal about it) out on one pitch ... and then struck out the next two hitters on 97 and 96 mph fastballs from the left side. Samaniego has had some control issues at times this season (8 walks in 15.2 IP), but has electric stuff and limits opponents to a .190 batting average.

South Alabama 4 Miami 2 B8th.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

Michael Sandle just hit his second HR of the game, a solo shot to the LF power alley again ... off of their closer (Palmquist ... 14 saves, 43.1 IP, 1.66 ERA). Deep shot. 5-2 Jags.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

Michael Sandle just hit his second HR of the game, a solo shot to the LF power alley again ... off of their closer (Palmquist ... 14 saves, 43.1 IP, 1.66 ERA). Deep shot. 5-2 Jags.

... and Kaleb DeLaTorre just went deep to RF with Stokes on first (after drawing a walk). South Alabama leads Miami 7-2 in the B8th with 2 outs. Two longs balls and three ER off of closer Palmquist in the 8th. Palmquist exiting the game.

Brian

[ManAboutTown]

Listening in the truck.

I just can’t believe that the same offense we saw in Mobile is stepping on the neck of one of the best closers in the country. Unreal.

[GoneGolfin]

The chatter between the dugouts and players has been entertaining. I have never had any love for Miami. Nice to see the chatter they started earlier in the game turned back on them.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

Listening in the truck.

I just can’t believe that the same offense we saw in Mobile is stepping on the neck of one of the best closers in the country. Unreal.

These are some very hard hit balls. All of them no doubters.

Brian

[GoneGolfin]

After eliminating national seed Florida yesterday, 19-1, The Jags eliminate #2 seed Miami 7-2 and advance to the regional finals. South Alabama will need to win tonight against #4 seed South Florida ... and then again on Monday ... to advance to the super regionals where they would likely face Texas in Austin.

I was impressed with reliever Tyler Samaniego (2 innings, 29 pitches). He could probably come back tomorrow for an inning.

Brian

[MelRock]

Great to see the punks from Miami go down. They yelled a lot at the South AL bench while the Jags cheered on their team. Puck Miami and eat ____.

[ULvictory]

Looks like South Al is catching fire.