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No choice: Vols need wins, lots of help
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What a difference three weeks can make in the highs and lows of a college baseball season.
It wasn’t long ago Tennessee was ranked No. 30 in the nation and in the thick of the SEC elite.
“Three weeks ago,” UT first-year coach Todd Raleigh said, “if we beat Mississippi State on Friday night — and we led 3-2 going into the ninth — we have the second-best record in the SEC.”
The Vols (25-27, 11-16 SEC) lost that lead, lost that series, lost their momentum and now they’re simply hoping for a strong finish with a three-game series beginning Thursday night at South Carolina.
UT snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory at Furman on Tuesday, but the Vols haven’t won an SEC series on the road all season and South Carolina (35-18, 13-14) is tough at home.
“We know what kind of team they have and we know how well they play at home,” Raleigh said. “It’s obviously a tremendous challenge in front of us.
“We’ve been struggling and haven’t played that well against SEC competition the past couple of weekends.”
The Vols were swept at home by Vanderbilt and Kentucky, but still have a remote shot at the SEC Tournament. They need to sweep South Carolina, hope Mississippi State can sweep Arkansas and hope Auburn can’t sweep LSU.
“We just have to get back at it and hope to win some games,” Raleigh said. “Mathematically we’re still not out of it, so we have to play every game like it’s do or die.”
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by BigOrangeHustler on May 14, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The article title should read "Baseball Vols Need Change, New Coach"
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 15, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This article should read "Fans who don't understand the game call for coaches head"
Posted by BigOrangeHustler on May 15, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GreerVol22, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize if you have a losing record and you can't even win the midweek games you're no good.
Posted by Volalumnus on May 15, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are fans of the game.
fans of the team.
there are fans of the coaches.
and there are fans of the status quo.
During good times people can belong to all 4 groups, but otherwise only one of the above really has the best interest of the team in mind. And belonging to the other 3 puts you add odds with the best interest of the team.
Posted by Hopson2008 on May 15, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You "fans" that call for coaches heads after one season with a team that was picked to finish last in the SEC are idiots and know absolutely nothing about baseball. UT had no pitching depth, and only 2 or 3 guys that hit over .300. Coaching baseball is not the same as football or basketball, b/c the coach really only calls a couple of plays a game, like a hit and run or bunt. The coach can't swing the bat and pitch.
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 15, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BOHustler, yep...but if your rocket says Estee on the out side of it chances are you not going to the moon. Point is he has no pitching or relievers, so until some are recruited, they won't be good. Now if the guy can't recruit and next year doesn't win at least all those Lipscomb, MTSU,and AP games then you can legitamately gripe all you want.
Posted by pdhuff on May 15, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmmm, this headline could apply to the Vols on Sept 1.
Maybe not....
Posted by armyvol544 on May 15, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't live in Knoxville. I don't get to see any games unless they are on the TV. I would bet out of the 8 posts as of now that only 2 might have seen 2 SEC series. But yet they complain about a new coach. Tennessee only has 5 freshmen and 3 of they started. Davis (which leds the team in Batting Ave, Hits, HR's, RBI's), Polk, and Liles.
Go Vols sweep SC and come on help.
Posted by vol4jesus on May 15, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Injured pitchers(Hocheaver brother,top reliever) down combined with youth = rough year trying to piecemeal it. I don't want a one year wonder ball coach. Winning consistently mid-week and weekend is where we seek to go. So some of you need to backoff and give Coach Raleigh some time to build a quality program. Good nucleus of youth is on board so we will see.
Posted by Beach on May 15, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what about Everett? He could have helped out. Raleigh has brought the spirit of the upper classmen to an all time low. I'm sure they want to win as much as Raleigh's freshman. Raleigh is the one that needs a change of attitude. He is certainly no team motivator.
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