Bonus reports from Jim!!!! Many thanks!Time to put Athens in the rear-view mirror and move on to the weekend.
The schedule for the weekend.
Saturday, June 9
Duke vs. Texas Tech, 3 p.m., ESPNU
Sunday, June 10
Texas Tech vs. Duke, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Monday, June 11
Duke vs. Texas Tech, 4 p.m., ESPN2 (if necessary)
Duke had a media availability just off the bus this afternoon.
Some highlights.
Pollard likes Saturday/Sunday/Monday over Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Duke played five games in four days, used lots of relievers and getting from Durham to Lubbock is not easy. An extra day's rest hits the spot.
Pollard says it's too late in the season to miss with the pitching rotation. Acknowledged that Duke needs better starting pitching. Cannot keep overcoming early deficits against quality teams.
He also said that he thinks Stallings is better after short rest than long rest. So, look for Stallings and Day in whichever order. A prospective game three would be all hands on deck, with Laskey, one would presume, getting the ball and hopefully getting back to form.
Pollard doesn't like having the MLB draft during the post-season. Really doesn't like it. Really, really doesn't like it. A big distraction.
Note that Duke has never had to deal with this before. The season has always been over before the draft.
Hopefully, we can make this a regular thing.
Chris Crabtree grew up a Carolina fan. They did not recruit him. He says his brothers are still Carolina fans but his parents have come around.
Later.