Transparency here is imperative.
I have not paid as much attention to Cardinal baseball this season as I wished, as I have in years past.
It happens. Too often real life gets in the way.
Which is to say, I harbor zero belief that anything you read in this recap is anything approaching astute. Much of it many readers will already know, say “Duh” to themselves wondering why I’d dare to even comment. Others who watched the telecast on ESPN+ will go, “Hold on, Seedy’s just parroting stuff they mentioned during the game.”
Guilty. As. Charged.
If you decide to bail on the rest of this “insight” here and now, have at it. I might were I not actually writing to fulfill my contractual obligations with Glorious Editor.
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This first oddity I noted to myself, which wasn’t odd at all really, is that Dan McDonnell started the Cards quest for Omaha with Patrick Forbes on the mound. 4-4. A period of arm trouble kinda recently. And less than 40 innings of experience hurling at the collegiate level.
Well, as Seedy learned, Forbes was the Cards opening day starter. During which outing, he Ked 12 Texas Longhorns in an eventual 4-3 10 inning W over the SEC regular season champs. Though he didn’t have any Ws since March.
Should I have done homework in advance of 2:00 pm first pitch?
Yes, but . . . but . . . but . . . my new modem and router were acting wacky, resulting in a visit from Spectrum’s Jeremy, resulting in a delayed lunch with ex- and granddaughter Claire, blah, blah, blah.
Thus, I’m not even a chapter ahead of many of you true Cardinal baseball fans. Just another fan spraying verbiage on a web page.
Anyhow Forbes was pretty damn on. Lifted after six stalwart frames, with a 7-2 lead. 13 strikeouts, a new U of L post season record. But 4 walks surrendered.
After giving up a 2 deficit in the top of the 3d, he thanked his offensive support, giving up no scores the rest of his outing. That O: A two run Lucas Moore tater. A Garrett Pike RBI single. A sac fly RBI from Zion Rose. A long ball from Matt Klein. A solo shot from Eddie King Jr.
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Brennyn Cutts came on in relief. Had a clean 7th, other than a no harm HBP. Cards added extra insurance with a run after Take Me Out to the Ball Game. (King Jr. RBI single.)
Cutts got the 9 out save, his first of the year. Gave up a no matter HR in the 8th. Struck out five. One, two, three 9th.
Which is the Cards’ 12th opening game NCAA victory in a row, I believe.
8-3 is the final from Nashville. Vandy or Wright State tomorrow.
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So, that’s it from Seedy K/ Card Chronicle World Headquarters.
A no frills, devoid of flourish, kinda cribbed, admittedly boring take on U of L in the Regional. (To my credit, I watched every pitch. Thank you Jeremy from Spectrum.)
— c d kaplan