Bleav in the Warhawks - Baseball preview

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1:00Few things are as uplifting as the greatest moments in sports. And nothing brings us together quite like Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games. From NBC Universal's iconic storytelling to the innovative technology across Exfinity and Peacock, Comcast brings the Olympic Games home to America, sharing every moment with millions. When Team USA steps onto the world stage, we're not just watching. We're cheering together. This winter, we're all on the same team, Comcast, Proud Partner of Team USA. Doesn't matter what if you were Indian or if you're a Warhawk. The UL and Mission is the greatest. This is the Believe in the Warhawks Podcast, powered by Warhawkreport.com. With hosts, Dusty Timbado and Chase Region. More importantly than baseball. Sorry for all what. Urgh, did I just walk? I think I'm doing this right. He's yelling at me, so I'm not. What are these guys always talking about? We talk a lot about food on this podcast, and I'm going to continue to do so.

2:01It was actually a good idea, that's awesome. Nailed introduction, by the way. Awesome. We love this. Big weekend for Warhawk, baseball, this upcoming weekend as they travel to Lafayette, Louisiana, to face the rage in Cajuns. Cajuns ranked in the top 25, but they struggled dearly headed to San Marcus for that final trip against Texas State. The voice of the Cajuns, Jay Walker, joins us, Jay, how goes, and man, how bad was slam Marcus? Well, you know, it's our last trip over there, and there are a lot of things I'll miss about it. Most of it has to do with food, and of course, a couple of folks over there as well, but I'm not going to miss going to the Bobcat ballpark. I'm just not going to miss it at all. It was a tough weekend, and honestly, Dusty, I think the Cajuns didn't recover from Friday. Friday night, you're a, believe it or not, in that ballpark, you're nothing, nothing going

3:04into the eighth inning, and you scratch, and you find a way to get a run, and then you get two outs in the bottom of the eighth, and then you mess around, you load the bases, and a guy unloads them with a grand slam, and you lose four to one. There was a heartbreaking loss for the Cajuns, and I think that it had a carry over the rest of the weekend, and not only with the Cajuns loop, but I'll tell you, when you get those guys fueled up in that ballpark, they're awfully tough to stop. They hit 12 home runs in the three game series, including eight today. When you look at it, though, this league talked about, I feel like it's coastal Carolina, and then quite honestly, everybody else, is this log jam in the middle of the Sunbelt Conference, what we can expect all the way through the season, or do you think it's still early, and we could see the team still kind of jog in first position down the stretch?

4:06You know, I think there's a good chance that the better teams are going to wind up getting on a roll, you know, coastal's off to a great start, but they're off to a great start. They had to come from behind every time to beat App State, and then they beat, and honestly, not very good, James Madison team, and they run-ruled in three games in a row. You know, there's a lot of baseball to be played. One of the things that we've learned the first two weeks is that it's hard to win on the road. You know, Arkansas State took two out of three from Southern Miss, and then they lose two out of three at Georgia State. You know, you had the South Alabama loses two out of three in Lafayette, and then they win two out of three in-mobile against a much improved ULM squad. And, you know, I think the team that is able to go on the road in wind are the ones who

5:08are going to be sitting at the top of the league when the end of the season rolls around. I really think that's going to be the case. If you can win on the road, you're going to have a shot in this league, because everybody's going to be good at home. Looking at the stats this year already for the Cajuns, there's only two guys batting over 300 there, Lee Amade and Colt Brown. Is this team that just struggles to put the bat on the ball, or is this a more timely team that's able to get those hits when they need it? Well, you know, here's what Matt Deggs likes. He likes to find a way to get people on base, and then he tries to spin the game out of control with the running game and the running game. This team has not shown that they can hit with an awful lot of power, and I'm not just talking about home runs. I mean, I think they've got three triples as a team. So this isn't the Cajuns best offensive club by any stretch of the imagination.

6:14But one thing they do have, although the scores didn't show at this weekend, is they've got three very good starters on the weekend. And those three guys, if they're not in San Marcos, are going to, they'll keep the Cajuns in every game. And then you've got a guy in the back end, Cody Brash, who honestly, the time that I've seen him lately, looks like he could get out professional hitter, he's pitched extremely well. And, you know, when you can bring a guy in that's got a wipe out slider and also throws 98, that can help cover up some scents. And the scents mostly for the Cajuns have been, you know, that they've had some holes in the lineup that they haven't been able to figure out, and they just haven't been really, really consistent at the plate so far. When the Warhorse come down this upcoming weekend, what are some things that are maybe the keys to the game for ULM to try to sneak out, even that, that, you know, kind of coveted

7:18one out of the three games, or even get the two out of one, or somehow even get the sweep? Well, you know, I think one of the things that we've seen from ULM so far, is that they can really swing the bat. Now, they're not playing in a ballpark this weekend that's conducive to that. I think, you know, you've been to Rousseau Park. It is probably the biggest pitchers park in the entire league. And so I'm going to be interested to see how ULM does in that ballpark against, again, three very good starters. Sawyer Pruitt, the freshman on Friday, is six foot seven, and he had Texas State tied up in knots. He threw seven shut-out innings. Andrew Herman gave up a couple of gofer balls yesterday, which hurt. But he's the only guy in Division I that has two complete nine inning games to his credit. And JR to let on Sunday is in his second year as a sinker ball guy, and his pitch didn't

8:23sink today. And he wound up giving up six bombs and three innings, which is something you're probably never going to see again from him. So I think for ULM, their key is to try to get to Cajun starters early, because I think the underbelly of the Cajun pitching staff is a relatively thin bullpip. And so ULM's task is going to be to try to get rid of the starters, but it's kind of easier said than done, because the previous weekend, against South Alabama, the starters went six and a third, nine, and seven. And that is what they've been doing at Russo Park this year. You read too much into the whole ULM swept Texas State, Texas State swept the Cajuns. ULM fell one to two to the Jags, the Cajuns got the two to one win over the South. Do you read anything into kind of that quick little round robin type of atmosphere?

9:26Yeah, and I'll go back to what I said, it's hard to win on the road. Texas State goes up there and ULM punches them in the mouth three times. But then they go on the road this week, and they can't solve South Alabama, South Alabama couldn't solve the Cajuns, but the Cajuns didn't play very well in San Marcos. I, again, you're two weeks into ten weeks of conference baseball. So it's really, really easy to make mistakes in analyzing because we're so early into this. So no, I don't put a whole lot into it. I just think that from week to week, and I'll go back to what I said, if you can win on the road, you're going to have a shot. And that's been true the first two weeks. You know, James Madison swept Georgia Southern in Harrisonburg, and then they got run rule three times at coastal.

10:26You know, so I, I just think that you've got to be able to go on the road and win. And I haven't seen so far teams that have been good enough to do that. Even Southern Misco dropped two out of three in Arkansas State. Now, I'm here to tell you, I think Arkansas State's legit. But, you know, this weekend, the Cajuns of Warhawks will get after each other. I still think the key for ULM if they want to come in and win a game or win the series, is they got to get rid of the starting pitchers. If they let the starting pitchers go into the seventh inning, it could be a long weekend for them. Because I do think the Cajuns are going to be able to score some against ULM's pitching. So we'll see, but I do think the key for ULM is, is they've got to get rid of the starter. Because the three starters, the Cajuns are going to throw out there pretty good.

11:26I wouldn't be remiss without throwing in some football talk there, Jay. The schedule's dropped. We know that Louisiana Tech is playing a 20 game schedule. What are your thoughts there on the Bulldogs coming in? And do you think it's kind of settled? And this is maybe a repeat of the whole Old Dominion Marshall Fiasco whenever they came in. And it kind of the same thing happened. You know what? Originally, I did feel that way. I've got a little bit different vibe this time. Because at the end of the day, Conference USA didn't fight a whole lot the last time around. You know, they were getting, they were getting pilfered by everybody and they were making contingency plans to kind of reshape their league. And, but they're fighting and fighting and fighting this time around. And Dusty, you know from where you come from, and I know from where I come from,

12:27that traditionally Louisiana Tech hasn't always been the best conference mate. And I honestly think that Conference USA, that part of this might be personal for them this time around. I thought it was going to be like it was last time. I'm not so sure. I'm not 100% positive that Louisiana Tech is going to play in the Sun Belt this fall. And that's a switch over what I felt like maybe three, four weeks ago. I think it happens just more so out of the respect in knowing how kind of conservative that Commissioner Keith Duel is, that he wouldn't have the Sun Belt release a schedule. If there wasn't at least that 99.9% chance, and that still gives you that little bit of wiggle room, but that 99.9% chance that Louisiana Tech was going to be settled in the Sun Belt Conference this year. And that's a very good point. Again, I'm trying to go back and compare it to what happened the last time.

13:32When, once again, both conferences released a schedule that had those teams on it. All I can say is we'll see. I'm not as confident this time around as I was last time, but that's not to say it's not going to happen. I mean, and really, I hope it happens in the Sun Belt's favor, because I don't want them to have their reissue with schedule. And I don't want all of the schools in this league that have Louisiana Tech on their schedule to suddenly be scrambling trying to find another opponent. So I certainly hope it works out for the Sun Belt. I don't know that I'm quite as confident as you are about it. A cage has got kind of that oddball money game, though week two this year, they travel out west to USC to play in the Louisiana Memorial Coliseum. Yeah, the LA Memorial Coliseum, a historic place and venue. How did that game kind of come about for the cages?

14:35Honestly, I'm not real short. I didn't get into a whole lot of conversation about the details concerning it. I do know that it was decided upon, I think it's been almost two years that we've known. And at the same time, USC, because of the situation with the big 10 of them and everything else, and this business of you, everybody wants you to play all your non-conference games early and the big 10 and then play each other. They kept asking to delay the release of the fact that the two teams were going to play. So this thing got put together. I think, you know, kind of well before this announcement was made, I think it's been a couple of years now. But, you know, I just know that I've watched Brian Maggard put together football schedules and I've seen him pull some things like the cages were scheduled

15:38to play at Louisiana Tech Non-Conference this year. So they worked a couple of things out and the cages are going to play Charlotte. And that came out not that long ago. And when they had a situation, you know, with New Mexico state leaving and or joining Conference USA and not being an independent, they had to wind up figuring out a game there and they were able to, Dr. Maggard was able to get old dominion and Buffalo involved and managed to pull that off. So all I know is the guy's pretty good at putting together a schedule and he's got some good contacts. I'm not 100% sure how this game on the West Coast happened. I am not happy that the Dodgers are out of town that weekend. I'm not happy about that at all. I do have another team there in Los Angeles, Jay. I'm just saying. Yeah, but you know what? That team's out of town, too.

16:38Oh, no baseball for you. No, no baseball for Jay. Well, Jay, I thank you as always for taking some time out to talk looking forward. All indications are I will be in your neck of the woods for this series this upcoming weekend. So always look forward to seeing you and seeing what kind of trouble we can get into in person. Well, you know what, getting into trouble. Ken Lafayette with you is something that's definitely on my bucket list. So come on, man. Come on down and we'll and we'll see what we can get done. But I look forward to seeing you seriously and thanks for having me on right now. New fan duel customers can get up to $300 back in bonus bets every day for 10 days. Place a tournament bet using the token and if it doesn't win, you'll get up to $300 back in bonus bets every single day for 10 days straight. You can even mix things up with same game parles for a shot at a bigger payout. Fan duel. It's time to dance.

17:3921 plus in present and select seats. Bonus bets are nonwithdrawable and expire seven days after receipt. Tokens are received in increments of one per day. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com. Gamling problem called 1-800-Gamler. Few things are as uplifting as the greatest moments in sports. And nothing brings us together quite like team USA at the Olympic Winter Games. From NBC Universal's iconic storytelling to the innovative technology across Xfinity and Peacock, Comcast brings the Olympic Games home to America, sharing every moment with millions. When team USA steps onto the world stage, we're not just watching. We're cheering together. This winter, we're all on the same team. Comcast, proud partner of Team USA. Finding ways to be financially savvy is a smart move and knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want, like that dream home or new ride is a great feeling. That's why the state farm personal price plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home and auto, bundling. Just another way to save with the personal price plan.

18:39Prices are based on reading plans that vary by state. Covered options are selected by the customer, availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state. The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports. Right now, the NBA's heating up, March Manus is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I could follow the teams I care about, get real-time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.