Messages

Just a quick update, guys. The LBSU rotation this weekend is now the following:

Fri: Shane Carle
Sat: Landon Hunt
Sun: Jon Maciel

It's possible last week's performances had something to do with this (Coach Buckley indicated the rotation may not be settled until a few weeks into the season) but most likely Maciel has been bumped to the Sunday slot (moving Carle/Hunt up a day) because he pitched an inning in relief on Wednesday (finishing up a suspended game).

Here we go:DirtbagBlues

Like I said, Series Preview up Thursday at noon.

Good to know, valpotx. Hey, this is my 5th post, so I'll post it right after this.

The blog content is geared toward Long Beach State, but I did include a lot of the info on Valpo you guys gave me. Series Preview will be up at noon (eastern) on thursday.

Sounds good. Thanks again for all your help, guys. Looking forward to this weekend. I'll hopefully have a series preview up on thursday including some of the info you gave me. Once again can't post an external link, but the blog can be found by googling "Dirtbag Blues".

Thanks

Good stuff, jetz. Since you bring up the "small northern school" thing... what kind of support does the Valpo baseball program see out there? Also, just wondering if the Crusaders have any potential draft prospects (that middle infield looks pretty talented).


Just a quick 411 on the Dirtbags...

Rotation is (for now)

Fri: RHP Jon Maciel- great reliever from last couple years though unproven as a starter
Sat: RHP Shane Carle- solid draft prospect, joins LBSU after good JuCo career
Sun: LHP Landon Hunt- was the lefty specialist last year as a junior, but was also a solid starter in JuCo before that.

The bullpen looked like a strength this year, until we lost both SP Ryan Strufing (forcing us to put Hunt in the rotation) and closer Kyle Freidrichs to Tommy John Surgery. Bullpen might still be solid but the closer role is open for now.

Our offense is very much "small ball". We lead the nation with 91 sac bunts last year and I think we tend to over do it on the bunts. The team lacks power and our ballpark (Blair Field) has a huge outfield. Best players include 1B/LF Ino Patron (again, not much power, but good on-base and a grinder at the plate), RF Richard Prigatano (tons of potential in his bat but hasn't reached it yet), 3B Juan Avila (team leader, solid gap-hitter), 2B Jeff McNeil (prototypical middle-infielder, great defense, slap hitter).

Any other trade secrets you'd like to know about LBSU just ask.

Thanks again.

I'm actually head coach Troy Buckley looking to get some help after we got killed by Vanderbilt today, 10-4. 

I have no clue what this "Titan" business is about, but I actually find it kinda funny since our arch-rival is also called the Titans (Cal State Fullerton).

I also had a few general questions about the program, besides how the on-field personnel looks this year. Let's just start out with a few for jetz (or anyone, really... my main idea is to get the fans' perspective on the program...)


How's the pitching staff looking this year after suffering some big losses from a year ago?

In a nutshell, what's the offensive gameplan like for Valpo?

2012 looked like a banner year for the Crusaders. What was different about that squad that finally got Valpo to the regionals?

Any words on the impact Tracy Woodson has had on the program?

Hi all, I'm a Long Beach State baseball fan looking to get the 411 on Valpo baseball before next week's series. I run a blog on blogger called DirtbagBlues (forum's not letting me post links, but you can find me pretty easily by Googling "Dirtbag Blues"). Each week I try to post a "series preview" including a few words from some fans of the opposing team. Couldn't find any Valpo baseball blogs so I figured I'd try this forum.

Anyone interested in a quick Q&A on Valpo baseball? It can be either on this forum or via e-mail. I'd be happy to share some deep, dark secrets on Dirtbags' baseball as well..... or just give a basic scouting report.

Oh, and happy opening day, baseball fans!