02-16-2016, 11:11 PM
My memory is hazy on the details, but I've been following the team somewhat off and on over the last (*gulp*) 12 yrs...
A combination of injuries, whiffing on recruits, and some amount of assistant coaching turnover has happened lately, as well as a rise in the level of play seen at other programs. I just don't feel Stanford has had enough elite hitting talent over the last few years, and that definitely hurts when the pitching has been less-than-stellar. I've been under the impression that the program tends to recruit better pitchers than hitters, but I've only built that impression based on what I've seen from on-field performance.
I think this program misses former associate head coach Dean Stotz ('75) a lot more than most casual fans would have initially recognized (he retired after the 2012 season). Ryan Garko ('03) replaced Stotz, but left after only one season to spend more time with his family. How can anyone expect to replace Stotz's experience? People do murmur about the game having passed by Marquess and Stotz, but I don't have a good enough grasp of college baseball to verify such a thing.
But let's not get too maudlin--here's a recap of the last few seasons:
2015 - Not selected (24-32 overall)
2014 - Super Regional (lost to Vandy)
2013 - Not selected (32-22 overall)
2012 - Super Regional (lost to FSU)
2011 - Super Regional (lost to UNC)
2010 - Regional (lost to New Mexico, then Fullerton)
2009 - Not selected (30-25)
2008 - CWS semis (lost to Georgia)
2007 - Not selected (29-28)
2006 - Super Regionals (lost to Oregon St.)
2005 - Regionals (lost to Baylor)
2004 - Regionals (lost to LBSU)
2003 - CWS finals (lost to Rice)
2002 - CWS finals (lost to Texas)
It's not an impossible task to get Stanford back into the tournament every year. I do think last year's 24-win season was a shocker, but a decimated pitching staff will do that to you. Hope springs eternal.
A combination of injuries, whiffing on recruits, and some amount of assistant coaching turnover has happened lately, as well as a rise in the level of play seen at other programs. I just don't feel Stanford has had enough elite hitting talent over the last few years, and that definitely hurts when the pitching has been less-than-stellar. I've been under the impression that the program tends to recruit better pitchers than hitters, but I've only built that impression based on what I've seen from on-field performance.
I think this program misses former associate head coach Dean Stotz ('75) a lot more than most casual fans would have initially recognized (he retired after the 2012 season). Ryan Garko ('03) replaced Stotz, but left after only one season to spend more time with his family. How can anyone expect to replace Stotz's experience? People do murmur about the game having passed by Marquess and Stotz, but I don't have a good enough grasp of college baseball to verify such a thing.
But let's not get too maudlin--here's a recap of the last few seasons:
2015 - Not selected (24-32 overall)
2014 - Super Regional (lost to Vandy)
2013 - Not selected (32-22 overall)
2012 - Super Regional (lost to FSU)
2011 - Super Regional (lost to UNC)
2010 - Regional (lost to New Mexico, then Fullerton)
2009 - Not selected (30-25)
2008 - CWS semis (lost to Georgia)
2007 - Not selected (29-28)
2006 - Super Regionals (lost to Oregon St.)
2005 - Regionals (lost to Baylor)
2004 - Regionals (lost to LBSU)
2003 - CWS finals (lost to Rice)
2002 - CWS finals (lost to Texas)
It's not an impossible task to get Stanford back into the tournament every year. I do think last year's 24-win season was a shocker, but a decimated pitching staff will do that to you. Hope springs eternal.