What’s up Canes’ fans? The Beast back here in the blogosphere as we get revved up in the baseball post season.
It’s been awhile since I’ve talked to you guys. I had just a brutal month of May, but we’ll leave that for a blog some time in July when the dog days of summer are tearing us apart. While I couldn’t make it down to the park today for the Canes’ victory over Dartmouth, I did keep my eyes on the game from home. I will be down at the park to cover Miami’s second day game against a pretty tough Texas A&M team that absolutely trounced FIU.
Don’t pay much attention to the final score of today’s 12-8 win for the Canes. The game was Miami’s after the six-run first inning. The important thing to do in these No. 1 vs No. 4 matchups is to come out and let the other team you aren’t taking them lightly. After being around the team for a bit yesterday as they had their last tune up before the regionals, I could tell that this team was incredibly focused on Dartmouth. I think most people looked at the Coral Gables regional being about the Miami/FIU feud, but I generally think that this Canes team has their eyes set on something greater than whatever tension may exist between the Canes and Golden Panthers.
While the loss of Eric Erickson was a blow for this team, the breakout of freshman righty Eric Whaley is something to feel very positive about. It’s not often a freshman makes his presence known, this late in the year, but I’m one person that thinks this kid is only going to get better as the stakes get higher. The mighty bats these Canes are wielding are great, but I can tell you after being around this spot for a long time, when you get to the post season, you need pitching.
You need starting pitching, relief pitching, and most imporant guys that are willing to be put in tough situations and find a way to get it done. You might find a starter coming out of the pen. You might a relief guy needed to start a do or die game. Pitching gets you to Omaha. The bats help, but with out the arms, fahgetaboutit.
I’m hoping the Canes can polish off A&M tomorrow, but after seeing what they did to FIU today, I’m not going to be pounding my chest until tomorrow’s game is in the books. The most important thing is that you get out and support the team for tomorrow’s big game. I’ll be at the park. Should we do a Tweet up? If anyone wants to grab an A-Rod Park shake, hit me up on Twitter @beastshow. Otherwise, look for much more here tomorrow following the game. I’ll have all of the sound from the post game presser, and my thoughts as well.
Bottom line, it was a great opening game win for the Canes. Ace Chris Hernandez takes the mound tomorrow and I know he’s hungry to get his post season going. We’ll see you tomorrow 4pm at A-Rod Park.