AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBig question from Tuesday: Goodman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Danny Hall looked disgusted. Jeff Ussery looked surprised. And Georgia Tech’s baseball team looked forward to the next time it plays Georgia, when it hopes the result is different than it was Tuesday night at Turner field.
When I spoke with Hall after the 10-7 loss his focus was where I expected it to be, on the pitching in the first two innings. John Goodman walked the first three batters, all of whom scored, and two doubles and a couple of wild pitches brought Georgia two more runs in the second, one off Goodman and one off Tim Ladd.
“When you spot somebody three runs and then two more to make it 5-0, it’s hard to beat anybody,” Hall said.
Tech tied a school record with three triples, two by Ussery, a freshman infielder who had nothing more powerful than his five doubles before Tuesday night. His performance might have been expected on a night when a 14-26 team beat a 26-14 team.
“Baseball’s a funny game,” Ussery said. “They played well. Hopefully [May 9 at Athens], it will be a good game again.”
The bigger question for Tech is when Goodman will be Goodman again. He was an ACC starter in March before shoulder tendinitis sidelined him for three weeks. Tuesday was his first game back since allowing five run in 4 2/3 innings March 31 against Maryland. Goodman missed all of 2005 with an elbow surgery and was hurt in 2006, too. When he’s on, as he was against Boston College and Duke this season, he can be one of the league’s top pitchers. Even a team with Tech’s substantial pitching strength can use a guy like that.
Comments
By Buzz
April 25, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
I wish Danny Hall would realize the importance of the UGA game. Instead, he thinks of it as a little league game where he has to get everyone some playing time so they will feel good. When a guy walks the first theree batters of the game, you take them out and give your team a chance to win. You don’t leave them out to suffer and ruin their confidence. Even when Georgia sucks, Danny can’t find a way to beat them.
By GT Fan Jeff
April 25, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Radakovich needs to add an incentive clause to Hall’s contract: $25,000 bonus for SWEEPING the season series (win all three) with the Dawgs, and a $25,000 reduction in base pay for losing the season series (two out of three). Otherwise, the existing “this means nothing” attitude with no consequences will continue.
By Bill
April 25, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Understand that every Tech fan wants to beat Georgia. But look at the big picture….the team is 26-15, plays at Clemson this weekend. then at Ga before at UNC. These 2 Ga games take a backseat this year because Tech needs a strong showing the last 3 ACC weekends to be considered for an at large. Not that Ga isn’t important, but this year the other games mean more due to circumstances. And it’s not like Hall threw his 12th best pitcher out there. Goodman was one of the correct choices, but he had a poor outing. Be concerned about Clemson and Chapel Hill…this could make or break Tech’s season.
By Mike Knobler
April 25, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Bill, you make excellent points. Especially this season, with UGA having a lower-than-usual RPI, the games that mean the most for Tech have got to be the ACC schedule. If Tech could win the Coastal Division (it’s a half-game out, tied for second), it would almost certainly get to host a regional. After the way Tech started the season, there’s little hope of an overall record that’s attention-grabbing, but a strong finish in a league with FSU, UVa, UNC and Clemson would show the NCAA baseball committee the Jackets deserve to be seeded higher than their overall record would indicate.
By stings to lose
April 25, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
watched the game on TV…I know it was hot in “Hotlanta”, but Mr Goodman was so wet with perspiration and acted so nervous, he appeared ill…before he threw the first pitch.
also, loved that 1st base ump….he needs to get his eyes checked! Replay proved him wrong on the foul line call and the juggled catch.
But….the dogs looked like winners.
By Mike
April 25, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
I agree with both Bill and Mike….the ACC games have to be our focus, not UGa. I was disappointed with the loss last night, but if it helps Goodman work out some kinks and get back on track, then it will have been worth it. This team’s front line pitching is the best it has been in a decade, despite the slow start, so there is a real chance of doing damage in the post-season, especially if someone like Goodman can get back on track.
Go Jackets, I beeelieve!