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| The 4 Horsemen (clockwise from top left): Hultzen, Wilson, Winiarski, Roberts |
Let me start off this post by saying that the Super Regional final was the best game of baseball I have ever seen or played in in my entire life, and that is quite a bit of baseball. The Hoos will now take their magical run off to TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska for the college world series. Bring it on rest of America. I think the Hoos hold tremendous advantages in what I feel are the biggest keys to success in post season play, pitching and defense. In what can I only assume is exactly the kind of team Coach O’Connor was looking for (being a former pitching coach) I have the highest expectations for the Hoos in Omaha. That being said I took what I feel is our greatest strength, starting pitching, and worked out what I think will be the rotations based on scenarios that could play out leading us to the finals. Before we get into this let’s look at each horse in the stable.
Danny Hultzen:
Obviously the ace of the staff. Could go anywhere except probably UCLA and instantly be the top guy. I would put his stuff up against anyone in America. Absolute gamer. Could easily shut down anyone on our side of the bracket.
Tyler Wilson:
Senior leader. Calm under pressure. Nasty stuff when it is on. But he’s been iffy of late. When Wilson is going I would put him up there with Danny with my trust. That slider might be the filthiest pitch on the staff.
Will Roberts:
Innings eater. When used properly I think he’s the kind of pitcher that can save you in this type of tournament because he’ll spare the bullpen. I’m interested to see how Coach O’Connor uses him.
Those are the three starters I think will be in the mix for the opening round. In my mind they can win the first 3 games and not have to worry about anything else but just in case I’m going to outline what I think will be the rotation for the first round. My immense experience of one summer as a pitching coach for the 16U Babe Ruth VA state champions speaks for itself. But here’s how I’d approach it:
To me the most important game in this bracket is going to be game two. I think Coach O’Connor is going to throw the kitchen sink to win that game, especially if we win game one against Cal. To me that means two slots are filled already. Will Roberts will throw game one. A good start against Cal to me would be a nice efficient 7+ innings from Will followed by easing JT and/or Kline into the pressure of Omaha. This would also leave the full arsenal available for Game two where we would roll out Danny with Winiarski in emergency relief. I think with everyone rested we stand the best chance at beating whoever comes out of the A&M vs. South Carolina game. Starting off with two wins and handing the ball to Senior captain Tyler Wilson to get after it in game 3 and a very comfortable Mike Vitale being handed a frosty one to kick back and watch his beloved Hoos advance. Here are the other scenarios should I be wrong and we drop a game.
| Scenario 1 (Win out) | ||
| Game Number | Date | Starter |
| 1 | 6/19/2011 14:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 2 | 6/21/2011 19:00 | Hultzen (W) |
| 3 | 6/24/2011 14:00 | Wilson (W) |
| 4 | N/A | N/A |
| 5 | N/A | N/A |
| Finals | ||
| 1 | 6/27/2011 20:00 | Hultzen |
| 2 | 6/28/2011 20:00 | Roberts |
| 3 | 6/29/2011 20:00 | Wilson |
| Scenario 2 (Lose First Win out) | ||
| Game Number | Date | Starter |
| 1 | 6/19/2011 14:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 2 | 6/21/2011 14:00 | Hultzen (W) |
| 3 | 6/23/2011 19:00 | Wilson (W) |
| 4 | 6/24/2011 19:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 5 | 6/25/2011 19:00 | Hultzen (W) |
| Finals | ||
| 1 | 6/27/2011 20:00 | Winiarski |
| 2 | 6/28/2011 20:00 | Wilson |
| 3 | 6/29/2011 20:00 | Hultzen |
| Scenario 3 (Win 1 Lose Second Win Out) | ||
| Game Number | Date | Starter |
| 1 | 6/19/2011 14:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 2 | 6/21/2011 19:00 | Hultzen (L) |
| 3 | 6/23/2011 19:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 4 | 6/24/2011 19:00 | Wilson (W) |
| 5 | 6/25/2011 19:00 | Hultzen (W) |
| Finals | ||
| 1 | 6/27/2011 20:00 | Winiarski |
| 2 | 6/28/2011 20:00 | Roberts |
| 3 | 6/29/2011 20:00 | Wilson |
| Scenario 4 (Win 2 Lose 1 Win out) | ||
| Game Number | Date | Starter |
| 1 | 6/19/2011 14:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 2 | 6/21/2011 19:00 | Hultzen (W) |
| 3 | 6/24/2011 19:00 | Wilson (L) |
| 4 | 6/25/2011 19:00 | Roberts (W) |
| 5 | N/A | N/A |
| Finals | ||
| 1 | 6/27/2011 20:00 | Hultzen |
| 2 | 6/28/2011 20:00 | Roberts |
| 3 | 6/29/2011 20:00 | Wilson |
As you can see there are 2 scenarios that involved our secret weapon and the secret strength of the team, something I don’t think most college programs have, and that is a legit 4th starter. Cody Winiarski, a player that was once demoted from Sunday to midweek starter, could prove to become one of the most valuable pieces of this year’s run at a title. Looking at the other side of the bracket and knowing that whoever comes out of that bracket will most likely not be unscathed shows what a tremendous value having a staff as deep as the Hoos can be. This is the year. We have the horses, let’s get it done.
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