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BNN Message BoardsBronco Nation News: Boise State Olympic Sports TalkDisappointing game yesterday

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Disappointing game yesterday

#1 · April 29, 2023, 7:31 am

Boise State's loss yesterday to San Diego State was disappointing for several reasons.

# 1. The Boise State defense was very obviously too tense, i.e., not loose. This resulted in a number of mistakes and misplays. It was as obvious as could be that they were trying too hard and that never works out well. I hope coach Shults does something prior to today's game to get his players relaxed and in the right frame of mind, i.e., relax and have fun and don't put pressure on themselves.

# 2. IMO - and I don't like to say this - Boise State was out-coached in that game by the San Diego State head coach. He used three pitchers to break up that game - meaning the Boise State players had to adjust to three different pitchers. Boise State stayed with just one. I liked what Shults did in Wednesday's game vs. Idaho State where Walljasper pitched most of the game but they brought in Taylor for the last inning to change things up and make the Idaho State players have to adjust from a low-ball pitcher (Walljasper) to a high ball pitcher (Caudill). I would HOPE that Shults uses this strategy for the next two games, i.e., make use of both Lindsey and Taylor to change it up and try to keep the SDSU hitters off-balance.

# 3. Boise State was outhit in that game. Boise State, a team that has thrived on hitting home runs this season, gave up two home runs to a team that hit only 19 home runs all season long prior to yesterday's game. And one of those home runs was hit by a SDSU player who had had zero home runs this season. And overall SDSU had 11 hits to Boise State's 7 hits.

So, to sum up, Boise State was out-hit, out-played and out-coached in yesterday's game.

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#2 · April 29, 2023, 9:21 pm

I was at the game yesterday and I agree with everything you said. There were some rookie fielding errors made by some veteran players. I watched today's game on the Mountain West channel, and it was even worse. Another SDSU player who hadn't hit a home run all year hit her first against BSU today. To me, the biggest difference between the teams in both games was pitching and defense. Plus, SDSU seemed able to hit to open spots and BSU had a knack for hitting it right to a SDSU player. In the post-game interview the coach said the team needs to change their attitude before the third game or the result will be the same. He said they are playing scared.

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#3 · April 30, 2023, 3:37 am

I think both of you hit it on your points. Seemed like our team were too tense and SDSU played relax and was able to do the little stuff right. Not doing too much at the plate and getting runners home. Sometimes playing small ball will win you more games than you'd think. Their pitching staff is very good as well. Was impressed. Kudos to them. They showed why they are a top team not only in the conference but the west coast as well. Let's see if we can end the homestand off with a win and keep building that resume for the tourny!

#4 · April 30, 2023, 6:41 am

Quote from FBFan4Ever on April 29, 2023, 9:21 pm

I was at the game yesterday and I agree with everything you said. There were some rookie fielding errors made by some veteran players. I watched today's game on the Mountain West channel, and it was even worse. Another SDSU player who hadn't hit a home run all year hit her first against BSU today. To me, the biggest difference between the teams in both games was pitching and defense. Plus, SDSU seemed able to hit to open spots and BSU had a knack for hitting it right to a SDSU player. In the post-game interview the coach said the team needs to change their attitude before the third game or the result will be the same. He said they are playing scared.

First of all welcome to the forum and congrats on your first post here.

I can't disagree with what you mentioned here. Because you are correct. Athletes in any sport who compete and "try too hard" or "are tense" or "not relaxed" (call it what you will) will nearly always not play well and make mistakes. I would have thought coach Shults would have done something with the team to reduce the stress level but - not that I know it for a fact - it would appear that he did not because the 2nd game (as you said) was even worse.

As hard as it is to believe Boise State is still in 1st place in the MWC softball standings (.765 % to .762 %) and IF Boise State can win the game today at noon they will increase their lead over San Diego State to .778 % to .727 %. Also SDSU is done in MWC play after today's game whereas Boise State still has three more games to play @ Fresno State on Thurs., Fri. and Saturday. IF Boise State does win today's game and wins 2 of 3 games @ Fresno State - statistically - Boise State would finish with a winning MWC % of .762 compared to SDSU's .727 %. But if Boise State loses today's game it won't matter what they do vs. Fresno State next weekend.

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