Belmont tops Vols for 2nd year in a row

Bizazz,
I knew the Vols were in trouble when the Bruins had sophomore Charles Lee (Brentwood HS) as a starter. It's almost impossible to expect to get a win with a "Lee" on the mound.

Players with Tennessee ties that performed well for the Bruins were: senior Clay Peterson (Brentwood Academy), sophomore Kane Simmons (Baylor), sophomore Matt Reynolds (Hendersonville HS), sophomore Ben Petsch (Father Ryan HS), sophomore Wilson Tucker (Hendersonville HS) and junior closer Blake Owen (East Robertson HS/Vanderbilt) sealed the deal.

I believe 8 former Tennessee high school players played for Belmont in the game, all were on a few lists that we've looked at over the years.

No worry, the Vols will bounce back and continue the climb up the rankings. I took off today to catch a game, but it doesn't look good.

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I took off today to catch a game, but it doesn't look good.

So, this weather is your fault.

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seldom-used pitching

Bizazz,
Your not looking for excuses are you? As you can see the Belmont team used all those 5th year seniors to beat the Vols.

HV,
A lot of folks think you are "OFF" most days..

Bama,
I wish! Now you didn't just drop by to see us lament on yesterdays game did you?

Its going to be hard for me to jump on Rod for this mid week game. Mid week games are used to throw pitchers who don't throw normally in conference games.

I see coach Pete here at middle Tennessee each year lose some games we probably wouldn't otherwise because you have to pitch some guys and see what they can do for you early in the season to see where they are going to fit in down the stretch. Some guys are going to step up and some aren't because they are nervous and just need to get there feet wet and relax. These guys need playing time to see where they fit in. They bust there butts in practice and may have deserved the start.

I guess UT cannot afford to lose games like this but I am sure Belmont threw one of there best and had there best lineup and UT pitched some guys who needed the work instead of there best. If you don't play the guys, you will never know who you can count on later in the season.

I don't mean to take up for Rod but this is a fact of college baseball. We beat Belmont 9-2 but we had one of our best lineups and our pitcher threw very well that day. Belmont has some good players just like East Tennessee and although some feel like these teams are push overs it simple is not true in division I college baseball.

Every dog has his day and anyone can be beat. I bet Belmont's team was sky high for the game! East Tennessee's players will be gunning for an upset too!

The only thing that seperates these teams is the quality and depth of the pitching staff. Hitting and defense is pretty much the same across the state on the college campuses. Pitching is the name of the game to winning at this level day in and day out.

Tenndad,
I looked at both games and there is not really a big difference. I admit that MTSU throwing Copeland against freshman Moffitt was an advantage for MTSU. But sophomore Lee against senior Fitzgerald was not an advantage. When looking at the lineup from both games the Bruins had basically the same when they played MTSU and Tennessee had their regular guys in the lineup. It looks like the Tennessee players played uninspired baseball. They may have looked at the recent rankings, a winning streak and a coach with 600 wins and decided all they needed to do was show up and collect the "W". You and I both know that can lead to disaster. Bottom line is that the Vols should have won.

Belmont vs. Tennessee
Belmont starters against Tennessee: 34/ss DOBNER; 1/3b REYNOLDS; 10/lf PETSCH; 31/rf TUCKER; 5/1b GROOMS; 24/dh PETERSON; 3/2b WARNAT; 16/cf SIMMONS; 27/c MANIFOLD; 2/p LEE

LEE, Charles........5-11/165 soph....6.48 ERA.....1-1 Record....7 appearances....2 starts

Tennessee starters: 13/cf Alley; 2/ss King; 9/rf Iorg; 44/dh Arencibia; 27/3b
Headley; 32/c Edmundson; 12/2b Rivera; 16/1b Suarez; 5/lf Borbon; 24/p Fitzgerald

Rob Fitzgerald...6-3/195 senior....5.62 ERA....0-0 Record.....4 appearances....1 start

Belmont vs. MTSU
Belmont starters against MTSU: 1/3b REYNOLDS; 3/2b WARNAT; 31/rf TUCKER; 13/1b GOMEZ; 10/c PETSCH; 24/lf PETERSON; 5/dh GROOMS; 16/cf SIMMONS; 34/ss DOBNER; 28/p MOFFITT

MOFFITT, Josh.......6-2/185 fresh.... 27.00 ERA....0-1 Record....2 appearances...1 start

MTSU starters: 8/2b McNamee; 1/ss Beachum; 23/cf Martin; 11/rf Taylor;
4/3b Jaggers; 29/dh Darby; 30/lf Warren; 9/c McKenry; 10/1b Archer; 22/p Copeland

Copeland, Tyler......6-1/192 redshirt soph....1.96 ERA....2-0 Record.....3 appearances...3 starts

But maybe I should take my own advise in my signature line below.

I agree wise one!

They played uninspired and should have hit Belmonts pitcher the way Belmont hit UT's pitcher(s).

The bottom line is you have to get up for each game and play top notch or you get beat!

HV,
Maybe I should have been clearer with my comment and said "OFF" as "in your rocker" and not "OFF" as "in at work"... You mountain folks are slow...

I won't get into the Belmont, MTSU and UT discussion. The facts are that most programs should use their midweek games as "program building" games, but few do. They generally play the same folks. Alabama has traditionally thrown their #1 pitcher against midweek opponents (just last week in fact) and rarely changes their lineup. With RPI ratings, instate rivalries and recruiting wars (think Tennessee vs. Miami here) most programs feel their midweek games are extremely important wins.

Bama,
I was trying to overlook your version of "OFF". I have a reputation to keep.

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recruiting wars (think Tennessee vs. Miami here) most programs feel their midweek games are extremely important wins.

That made me laugh!