Dan Spencer’s bunch took it on the chin Friday at Minute Maid Park in Houston getting stomped by TCU 11-2. The 7th ranked Frogs knocked around Chad Bettis pretty good, making it two starts in a row that Bettis hasn’t really looked, well, Bettis-like. Even in a win last week at home over Bethune-Cookman Bettis was tough on himself afterwards for not pitching better. After seeing Tech last week at home struggle against Washington State’s second and third line pitching I was more worried about the Red Raider bats than Bettis against TCU. Turns out it should have been both.

Today talented Bobby Doran takes the mound for Tech. He pitched well enough to beat a lot of teams last weekend at home against Washington State. Spencer probably left him in a few batters too long as his pitch count had mounted up to three digits before his exit. Doran has quality stuff and should be able to get Big 12 hitters out. One thing he must do better today than last week is get out of innings and finish off hitters. Sounds easy but it is something a lot of younger guys have trouble with.

Last week his game was like a round of golf where you have one blow-up hole each nine and it keeps you from scoring well. Doran had a batter each inning that gave him trouble, sometimes with two strikes, sometimes with two outs but each time making him throw more pitches and cost him a chance to go deeper in the game.

If Doran can close out innings quickly in the first three today he’s got a chance to give Tech a shot at beating Rice, something that should be savored any time, any place. If Doran struggles early the Tech pen has already shown that it just isn’t that deep right now and Saturday will be a long day if Spencer has to go to it in the middle innings.

Either way, wish I was down in Houston ( I never say that ) to watch this one.

DoubleTNation has a good breakdown as well today so make sure you drop by their site and say hello!.

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HYATT