That’s a 3 year pattern my man. That, in and of itself, is a problem.#1 and #2 starting pitchers to begin the season done for the year. Best bullpen arm done for the year. The latter two combined to throw about 30 innings all season.
You can say it’s making excuses, but those are facts.
This team, with that issue, finished tied for 3rd in the 5th best conference in the country. They are very similar to Troy, who will likely be an at large team. UL got almost no help from some of the OOC opponents that can usually be counted on to be helpful in the RPI. This season they were a drain. Would Troy be in that at large spot without their 1st and 2nd starters and best reliever? Who knows, but the logical answer is probably not.
The Cajuns are nearly identical to S. Miss other than the fact that USM has Tanner Hall and UL doesn’t. With Hall on the Cajuns staff, they’re an at large team.
As far as Coastal, they are just better than the Cajuns. And S. Miss. And Troy. That team is on the brink of being a national seed.
I noticed last night, their 9 hole hitter has a higher batting average and more HRs than our 3 hole hitter. Think about that for a second. They are just that good.
Without the new editions, the Cajuns would likely have won last years Sun Belt lineup this year. 2nd if not. And would likely be rolling through the tournament right now, even without the pitching injuries.
Do they need to get better to be at the top of the new Sun Belt? Yep. It’s a big boy baseball league now. Is this season a failure in any way? No. Not unless you don’t pay attention.
And by the way, this season isn’t over yet, although the doom and gloomers seem to think it has been for a month.