So, PRP lost with Cox not taking the mound in the state tournament?

 

So much for saving him for the championship. This happens all too many times, but if I were coaching, I would have saved him too. Shelby was not that impressive in the 1st round, but turned it on against PRP. Anything can happen in HS baseball.

So, PRP lost with Cox not taking the mound in the state tournament?

Imo you can NEVER save your best in a early game in a tourney, Single elimination - There is no tommorrow. I don't know how many times I have seen that and watched the team get knocked out.

I do understand the decision to save Cox for the finals and probably would have done the same thing if I was coaching PRP. Not a lack of respect for Shelby, just having confidence that your guys would score 8-10 runs off Shelby's #2 and having equal confidence that your #2 or #3 could limit Shelby to a few runs. Obviously, anyone can second guess the calculated risk.

So was Ryle and PRP.

 

Looks like PRP will be licking their wounds instead. Anyone at the game see how they took the loss? Go Shelby County!!!

Does Shelby have any pitching left to put up a fight with Dunbar?

Does Shelby have any pitching left to put up a fight with Dunbar?

 

Given that it's 8-0 Dunbar in the 3rd, the answer to that would be....no.

Yes, I understand the reasoning of Miller. PRP was hitting the ball as well as anyone. If anyone at the game, do you think the 5 runs that Shelby County scored early "rattled" PRP and took them off guard? I have also heard that some people believe that Dowdle actually "pitches" as well as anyone on PRP's team. Also, it is sometimes hard to know in an interview what is actually said and what is taken out of context. I just wished the quoted comments from Coach Miller might have conveyed a less arrogant tone. It's not like PRP has won the state lately.

Yes, I understand the reasoning of Miller. PRP was hitting the ball as well as anyone. If anyone at the game, do you think the 5 runs that Shelby County scored early "rattled" PRP and took them off guard? I have also heard that some people believe that Dowdle actually "pitches" as well as anyone on PRP's team. Also, it is sometimes hard to know in an interview what is actually said and what is taken out of context. I just wished the quoted comments from Coach Miller might have conveyed a less arrogant tone. It's not like PRP has won the state lately.

 

 

What was the arrogant tone of Coach Miller's comments? I missed the interview you mention...

Miller was quoted in the Louisville Courier-Journal by saying--and I am leary without having the quote in front of me--that you have to be able to win with your number 2. I agree 100%. Again, what was discussed in the interview and what was printed could be 2 different things. What is taken out of context could alter the intent. However, what I meant, if the quote is accurate, is that I thought it displayed some subtle arrogance. Wouldn't have been better to have to win the state final with your number 2? It's not like PRP has been to the final in a good while. If Miller was quoted as saying "I gambled and it didn't pay off" or " I feel very good with my number 2 on the mound and the way we hit the ball" it might have been different. A team does have to win with their number 2; but if that is the reason, why not try to win the final with a number 2. I just think a little humility could be better than to lose the state SEMI-FINAL and to have your "ace" not even pitch.

Did it display arrogance or a realistic decision from a coach? If you know your ace is going to only throw one game, and you have two left, which do you start your ace against? A team that entered the playoffs with a losing record, or a team that has been ranked #2 in the state the whole year?

 

To be sure, Dunbar saved their ace and it almost cost them, although the kid who did pitch wasn't their #2, he was their #3 or #4, and held Apollo to 2 runs, so it's hard to complain about that.

Part of it is, PRP did not have 2 games left. They had one. If they won, they earned another.

Exactly, you can't ever assume there is another game without winning the one before it.