[StanfordMatt]

This game highlighted, once more, our need for one more hitter.

100% spot on. Hopefully, we'll be adding two more hitters before long. Alec Wilson plays great defense and came up with a few big hits in Tucson, but more often than not he just looks lost at the plate. Bryce Carter has fared a little better, particularly against righties, but he also had a tough time against Cal's soft-throwing lefty last night. At first, I was curious why Esquer had so many left handed hitters in the lineup to face Ladrech, but when you look at the roster, most of the right handed bats on the bench (Kuet, Molfetta, Decker) have really struggled as well. Getting Kinamon back at 2B, sliding Branton to 3B, Tawa to CF and Robinson to RF should help. Getting Wulff back in the DH spot will also be a big boost.

As a side note, I still don't understand why Bakst isn't hitting anymore. I understand that he struggled a bit to start the season and may want to focus on his pitching, but this is a guy who hit .311 as a freshman with 38 RBI as the everyday DH. Not to mention he's right-handed. It just seems like his bat being in the lineup every day could add a lot more value to the team than an occasional middle relief appearance.

[StanfordMatt]

This game highlighted, once more, our need for one more hitter.

100% spot on. Hopefully, we'll be adding two more hitters before long. Alec Wilson plays great defense and came up with a few big hits in Tucson, but more often than not he just looks lost at the plate. Bryce Carter has fared a little better, particularly against righties, but he also had a tough time against Cal's soft-throwing lefty last night. At first, I was curious why Esquer had so many left handed hitters in the lineup to face Ladrech, but when you look at the roster, most of the right handed bats on the bench (Kuet, Molfetta, Decker) have really struggled as well. Getting Kinamon back at 2B, sliding Branton to 3B, Tawa to CF and Robinson to RF should help. Getting Wulff back in the DH spot will also be a big boost.

As a side note, I still don't understand why Bakst isn't hitting anymore. I understand that he struggled a bit to start the season and may want to focus on his pitching, but this is a guy who hit .311 as a freshman with 38 RBI as the everyday DH. Not to mention he's right-handed. It just seems like his bat being in the lineup every day could add a lot more value to the team than an occasional middle relief appearance.