College Baseball

[Gator]

Just looking for some live fans that want to talk college ball.

Clemson Alum here.

Looking to talk ACC, or anything for that matter.

[05worldserieschamps]

Yea, i love College Baseball!!! Who is your CWS Pick this year?? Im going with Florida over San Diego. San Diego beat Texas badly in thier series, which is Impressive. They proved themselves to me. And I think Florida has the Best Offense in the Nation with Matt LaPorta and Adam Davis.

[Gator]

Clemson U.

Strong up the middle, with All American Taylor Harbin at 2b, Stan Widmann at short, and Brad Chalk in center.

Pitching staff returns Ace Jason Berken from TJ surgery, and the best atmosphere in College Baseball gets a great team to cheer for this year.

[05worldserieschamps]

Yes, Clemson also is a good pick. But I still think Florida has the Best Offense in the Nation. LaPorta and Davis are a good combination. Im a Kentucky fan, but of course, they wont amount to anything. Especially in the SEC. It is a tough Baseball Division. Very Deep. If North Carolina's hitting can come along, they could be Dangerous. A Very Power Staff lead by Miller and Bard. Even though they are 3-4, I cant help looking by Texas. Strong Pitching with a Solid offense. I like Jordan Danks, the Freshman CF for Texas. I think he is struggling early, but he is really talented. His brother, John Danks, Is a Top Pitching Prospect in the Rangers organization. I guess you could say it runs in the Family. That being said, you really cant look past any team, they are all solid and all have a chance. But I still have to take Florida over San Diego.

[05worldserieschamps]

Anyone else like to weigh in?

[Gator]

Well, USD wont make it to the Series, too tough of competition out west.

UT.. I think there is a reason they lost to USD. They simply are not as good as the upper echelon, like you said, they are young in CF.. which is alot like Clemson.. Last year. Brad Chalk was a true freshman last year, and hit like .350 w/ a OBP around .420.

But Demmink/Harbin/Storrer/Colvin/D'Alessio (future stud) is a combo, Ill take anyday of the week.

Wanna talk pitching and defense.. Clemson will lead the nation in most pitching cat's and fielding I bet.

Berken (coming off TJ)
Cribb (Last years Friday Starter)
Faris ( Led the ACC in ERA last year, as a SOPH.)

Ricard (Transfer UMaine, A-10 player of the year last year, was a starter, converts to closer.)

Tigers too deep, too talented. Reason why they are #1 in BA poll, and #2 in USA Today, and #3 in the last one..

No diff. there.

Im sticking with CU.

OMAHA.. heres what I am thinking... Clemson, UNC, UF, Nebraska, UT, Tulane, Arkansas and lastly... Oregon State.

[Gator]

Here was Clemson's opening weekend according to BA.. just for info..

1. CLEMSON
Last Week: 3-0. Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC. (0-0 vs. Top 25).
NOTES: Clemson's pitching staff allowed one earned run on the weekend, with 36 strikeouts in 27 innings. That included a three-man one-hitter in the second game, compliments of Jr. RHP Stephen Faris, So. LHP Daniel Moskos and Jr. RHP Steve Richard. Jr. RHP Jason Berken struck out a career-best nine batters in five scoreless innings in the opener. Jr. OF Tyler Colvin hit three homers in the series. So. 2B Taylor Harbin tweaked a hamstring in the first inning of the opener and didn't play again. He'll be re-evaluated this week.
RESULTS
Feb. 17-19: James Madison: W 8-1, W 3-0, W 6-1
UPCOMING
Feb. 24-26: Mercer

[Gator]

and i know, i know, it was ONLY James Madison.. and they are awful

[05worldserieschamps]

Why no Florida? I think Clemson is good, but no #1. And UNC has a better Pitching Staff than Clemson. Floridas offense will come in and own Omaha!

[Gator]

Why no Florida? I think Clemson is good, but no #1. And UNC has a better Pitching Staff than Clemson. Floridas offense will come in and own Omaha!

I have UF in there.. but UNC better than Clemson? No way.

Look at the polls, and look at the pitching staffs, obviously those guys know what they are doing, I agree that UNC's staff looks sexy becasue of the name Andrew Miller, but besides him, they really are beatable, Clemson OWNED Bard last time we saw him.

Also, Clemson's Offense is under-rated.. and UF.. with that STELLAR offense had troubles with a Miami pitching staff that lost Cesar Cirrilo and is not as strong, Clemson by the way gave Cirrillo the first loss of his College Career last year in a 12-1 DRUBBING.

^ And that team is intact offensively except for one guy, Kris Harvey, (Granted a second round pick by the Marlins).

Offense in Omaha.. UF better learn how to pitch first.. which was a good thing in their MIAMI series, they won 4-1 and 2-1.. which is nice.. but Miami is down this year.

Back in 2002, Clemson had the best offense the College World Series had EVER seen. Khalil Greene, Jeff Baker and Michael Johnson. Modern day murderer's row, they called it. Khalil hit something like .460 that year and an OBP of around .550.

That year the offense was supposed to "bash everyone into oblivion", teams simply couldnt put up enough runs to keep up..

What happened? Well, they got blown out 12-3 by S. Carolina, then got in a pitchers duel and lost 2 in a row, after being in prime postion to win it all.

You know as well as I do.. even in College ball good pitching and defense beats good offense, every day of the week.

Mark it down. UF may not make it out of a regional if the pitching is awful. Ive seen it first hand many a time.