The Diamond Dawgs struck a victory for underdogs everywhere yesterday, losing their second straight game at the SEC Baseball Tournament. As the top seed, we just wanted to let the little guys win too. Georgia lost to eighth seed Ole Miss Wednesday and fifth seed Alabama yesterday.Wednesday's problem was hitting. Ole Miss starter Lance Lynn cut up the Dawgs, striking out 12 to tie his personal best. After Lynn left the game, Ole Miss uber-reliever Scott Bittle came in to finish us off. Nick Montgomery pitched well, but couldn't match Lynn. That game wasn't that bad considering we ran into a Lynn at his best. Montgomery's solid performance at least calms starter depth concerns after Trevor Holder's shoulder scare.
Yesterday's game was a replay. Stephen Dodson gave up three runs and looked good. But, the hitters couldn't figure out Austin Hyatt, scrapping out two runs on four hits. Hyatt's a good pitcher, but not good enough to just throw your hands up and say "no wonder we didn't hit." He sat down 20 Georgia hitters in a row. Yeah, I know Poythress and Cerione were hurt, but that doesn't explain 20 straight outs. From now on we're probably going to see pitchers of Hyatt's quality or better. The Dawgs have to generate more offense. The pitchers aren't going to throw shut outs. We have to score more than four to win.
With all that said, I wouldn't freak out too bad. Our last three trips to Omaha were turned in by teams that went a collective 5-6 in Hoover. We didn't go too deep into the bullpen, so we can rest some of those weary arms. The big negative is that a national seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament is quickly fading away. Going 2-4 in the last two weeks hurts bad for seeding.
The team can cry all over the SEC regular season championship trophy on the way home from Hoover.
Quinton
