It's Contagious and I'm Mystified

We had another tight game into the 7th inning tonight against Winthrop. Then the wheels came off - walk, hit by pitch, hit, walk, walk - where the hell does it go? It isn't that hard to throw strikes, it's really not. I am confident I can get out there and throw three outs before I a) walk three guys or b) let up a run.

I try to stay positive, but it's tough. I try to coach my ass off to get these guys mentally and physically ready to compete, but once we put them in, the game changes. Somehow, it changes. I want to take positives from each pitchers appearance, but when there are walks and walks and 3-1 piss-rods into the outfield, I run out of answers. The starters look OK, and for at least a few pitches in each appearance, the relievers even look OK. I don't know where it goes.

I'm not trying to be selfish here, but it all reflects on me. I am tough, this I know. I would love it if my guys were tough. I know this is a forum to express thoughts, and I probably shouldn't express some, but I am at a loss. I feel like sometimes the kids are afraid to go in because they don't want to fail. No shit, no one wants to fail. But that attitude - the "I hope I do well" - that's not the right attitude. "I will succeed and pitch like a beast" is the right attitude. Action thoughts.

I'm sorry I am venting on this post, but if I keep it in, I might have an ulcer by tomorrow morning. I just ordered pizza, showered and will eat a little bit - if I can keep it down. I am literally sick to my stomach over this year so far. Sure, it's early and we're only 2-4, but it's wearing me out.

I think I am going to have a meeting at some point tomorrow or early this week to talk to this pitching staff. I must be a terrible coach or something. It's slop. Pure and simple - it's tough to watch this happen every game. 3-0 we were up. 3-3 it was tied. 10-3 was the final. Where the hell did it go wrong? BB, HBP, IBB, BB, 1B, 2B, BB - throw the ball over the plate.

It's like the old saying goes in basketball - "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - you don't give yourself an opportunity to succeed if you walk everyone. It's simple, don't overanalyze the game, don't over think the game - just go out and do what you've been doing for your entire life - THROW STRIKES!

That's it, I'm done.

Good Win

We had a starter go 9 innings for the first time in a while, and scored 3 in the top of the ninth to take down the Irish 5-2.

Their starter, Brian Dupra, was solid man. 87-93 with the fastball, a slider from hell, and a + changeup.  We scattered 10 hits in his 8 innings, squeeked out 2 runs, and our guy kept it a game.

Defensively we sucked. But anytime your starting pitcher pitches with confidence, guys feed off that.  We knew we were gonna win late in that game. 

I'm at ND vs. Winthrop now checking it out.  2-2 in the sixth.

We get Winthrop after this one. Time to lock it.

Good win earlier though.