It’s really not an effort issue. No excuses, but this was a horrible match up for us. Like Pitt in football. The pitcher got inside our heads and, frankly, ND got an insane amount of luck, especially today, with the homers off of Keely from unlikely sources (and at the most critical times).

The fielding errors are mental mistakes but can’t be corrected easily or quickly. Need more reps and just experience. Muscle memory, I believe they call it.

And, what did Pete say to himself? I still think he’s a very good coach, I’m glad we have him, and I think we will win a lot of ballgames with him over the years, but he has been completely outclassed by the ND coach this weekend.

We needed to be WAY more aggressive on the base paths and play small ball way more than we did (those decisions are on him). We did that once today and it netted us 2 runs. This pitcher was just not giving up home runs and our players were confused at the plate. And their SS was incredible on hard hit balls. So you gotta bunt your way on and steal. Rinse and repeat. Turn the tables and get them frustrated. Make them throw it around the yard.

Not my intention to criticize Pete (see above regarding my optimism), I’m sure he is more frustrated than any of us can ever be, but he bears some responsibility for this weekend and I think unfortunately you also have to tip your cap to the ND coach and that pitcher and finally also realize that they somehow managed to bring the luck o’ the Irish with them to Bburg. Some of the sequences of events we saw just make you shake your head and look up to the heavens in awe (or perhaps disgust).

Gotta get after it tomorrow. No ifs, ands, or buts.