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I calls 'em like I sees 'em. Seriously, the mound is odd. The dirt is that really powdery stuff they have up that way; not enough clay in it. And as already mentioned, the grass is that really clumpy prairie stuff that does not mow down to a consistent surface. We've seen the ball take some strange hops when it reaches the outfield. Other than that (and the fact that apparently they're not allowing fans into the stadium to watch the games), Fargo has been a spectacular host so far.

Collegiate Baseball is the grandfather of all NCAA baseball polls and has always had a fondness for ORU since back when Larry Cochell would call the owner/editor to pump up the then-Titans. They are very well-respected and have a history of recognizing teams that are being ignored by the other polls. ORU first appeared in CB's 2023 poll more than a month ago and hasn't lost since, thus rising accordingly. Here's a link: http://baseballnews.com/collegiate-baseball-div-1-poll-5-22-23/ Many of the other polls such as Baseball America, D1 Baseball, and their ilk care only about drawing P5 fans to their websites, for the usual reasons. They have little interest in recognizing smaller schools; in their thinking, "Why waste a spot in our poll on a little guy with a small fan base, when we can instead list a huge land-grant school and get more clicks?" Which explains why teams like Texas and Auburn sprung from nowhere into those polls last week following successful home stands, only to fall flat on their faces this week in their respective conference tournaments.

Always a possibility that freshman Josh Jones could see (has been promised?) significant minutes at the 5. Dude is a 3-star big body out of Texas with offers from Tulsa, New Mexico, Missouri State, Drexel and Cal State Fullerton, among other D1's. Curious to see what he can do with ORU's experienced backcourt setting the table.

If those seats were blue, it might be mistaken for a TU basketball game...

Old Titan, I just want to applaud your ability to take virtually any post or comment and find a way to use that to criticize something in the Dakotas. You have truly developed this into an art form and admire you for it. Well done sir.

From the 2023 NCAA Baseball record book: Jonah is currently in a 3-way tie for 10th on the all-time list; 41 games would put him in a tie for 7th. NOTE: had the distinct pleasure of watching both Robin Ventura of OSU and Phil Stephenson of Wichita State play ORU during their streaks. It should be noted that they played during the "live bat" era, where weaker contact could still result in a ball getting safely to the outfield, and well-struck pitches could kill a man at third, first, or pitching (no joke; that's why they deadened 'em).

If we are 3rd or 4th at the end of next year, that will be a terrible result. In my opinion.

Our announcers said the pitcher we faced in the second game this season was their Sunday pitcher. That's one of the reasons I concluded that OSU took that game very seriously. They allowed that pitcher to throw enough pitches that he would be unavailable on Sunday. Admittedly, they had a non-conference series following that game but nonetheless they let their rotation getting a little out of synch in what I feel was a full effort to win that game.

Build a freaking indoor practice facility, for crying out loud. AND INSTALL A TURF INFIELD IN YOUR STADIUM INSTEAD OF THAT CLUMPY BUFFALO GRASS.

If the clown doing color commentary on the Summit League broadcast says one more time that ORU is lucky and SDSU is snakebit, I'm going to throw something at my computer. Every time ORU scores, it's because the poor Jackrabbits had a balk go against them, or the ball took a bad hop, etc. God forbid considering the possibility that maybe - just maybe - ORU is a talented, veteran team that takes advantage of every opportunity afforded them. I try to listen to so-called neutral Summit League broadcasts whenever I can (to hear what they have to say about ORU) but this is too much - I've switched to Adam for the rest of this game at least, and probably for the rest of the tournament.

Under Coach Mills player development was severely lacking. Mills eventually had in place an experienced team that was good regardless of how much players were developed or not. Players like Sir Isaac, Cam, Demari, Josh Jones and most likely the transfers will all need to be developed. Coach Springman will be good at this but it will take time. I personally believe Springman is a long term thinker and has selected players that will fit his system, will be hard workers and who will be developed properly. Like OT stated realistic expectations are important. Could this year’s team win the Summit and make the tournament? I believe it is possible because the Summit does not appear to be really strong but being something other than a 15 or 16 seed in the NCAA would be a long shot unless the young players learn quickly and step up in a big way. In the end I like having Springman at the helm and he very likely could find a way to exceed expectations.

Yes - that is exactly what was said, however, given the source of the information, I think someone should confirm that information.

@ORUTerry Happy Bday! @Dr. Cornelius take him out for a good burger this weekend!

Why are we calling ourselves #10? I can’t find that poll online. Isn’t the NCAA ranking the only one that matters?

I get the cautiousness about next year, but the league was flat out awful last year and I haven't seen anything (yet) in the off-season that would indicate that anyone else in the league has gotten any better. Have I missed something where any of our conference foes have upgraded this off-season?

There is only so much coaches can do regarding player development. Like the old saying goes "players are made in the summer, teams are made in the fall". A coach can tell a player what they need to work on and show them how to improve in those areas through drills and set workout programs and weight room workouts, but it's up to the player. Some guys just don't think they need to improve- plenty of high school "stars" think it worked in high school so it will work in college, some guys think they know better than the coach and work on their strengths and not the areas that are holding them back from getting minutes. The guys that develop as players first of all are honest with themselves, every player at every level has things they can improve on, and the good players put the time in on the hard things- the things they really need to work on. Player development is up to the player, who is up and, in the gym, when everyone else is still in bed, who is first to the workout and stays last, you can't coach that! All players want to be good and improve; but there aren't any shortcuts, the truly good players and players that actually improve, are willing to put in the extra time and hard work to make it happen!!

Carlos is a prime example of this. He made HUGE leaps in development in his time at ORU. I would say Max, Kareem, and others have as well. There will be a greater need for development this summer because so many of the incoming players are brand new to D1 but I think it can be achieved.

Ya'll flap your mouths a lot for how little you know what you're talking about and for having so little to offer.

I don't think it's about getting "work"; they can throw all they want in the bullpen. I think it's more likely gaining a familiarity with the goofy mound at Alfred E. Newman Stadium; we've seen players falling off of it all week. It appears to be a strange height, or landing zone, or something. This way, if they come into the game late on Saturday in a situation where they are truly needed, they now know what to expect.

Apparently ORU was fortunate to sneak by the Bunnies 15-2.

Don’t think we are going to see Cade tonight.

Some of our base running errors had me doing the same

The first to home on the pickoff had me flashing back to little league. The Summit SDSU announcers are funny now.

The Eagles may struggle in non conference but hopefully by around mid January to early February, they will have figured things out and built some chemistry. It just takes time with all these new faces and role players having to become starters/play more minutes. I would be very surprised if this team can continue to pour in the points like they did the last four years (try between 80-83 per game during that span). With quite a bit of the offensive firepower having transferred or gone pro, then ORU will need to play some tough defensive games and grind out some wins next year.

I’ve had the summit broadcast on mute except when Logan is doing her fine sideline work I did hear them talking about the tremendous advantage ORU has because we play south of the Arctic Circle.

I respectfully disagree. I think last year’s team was full of players who improved tremendously since the first day they stepped on campus. I think that’s a testament to player development.

Inning ending double-play to get out of the bases-loaded jam!

If we are denied the opportunity to speculate, it will be a LONG six months until November. I don’t have that many haikus.

Plus, now ORU has the brand new Mike Carter athletic center. Talk about unlimited resources to help players develop! If that does not motivate the guys to get better then I am not sure what will. Most of them have never had a place like that to practice and work out, except for maybe the guy from the Big Ten conference, Jalen Miller.

Well played…

At least our fans actually care. Outside of the Dakota's, name one other Summit League team that has a fanbase that cares about any of this?

I think 3rd to 4th preseason is reasonable depending on who they get with the last scholarship.

Actually I tried, without success. Couldn’t find an exhaustive list for NCAA baseball. Maybe someone else will have greater success. From a practical standpoint, that doesn’t seem like it could be accurate. I found this interesting tidbit, that you more baseball savvy people may already know: “The Division I [consecutive game hitting streak] record is a 58 by Oklahoma State's Robin Ventura in 1987.”

2022-23 is an incredible ride for ORU Athletics!

Seriuosly resisting the temptation to make the 12-hour drive up to Fargo Friday for championship Saturday. If ORU gets relegated to some far-off, inaccesible regional, I'm gonna kick myself for not seeing this bunch in person one last time.

It's late May and let's be honest....who really cares????...It's BASEBALL SEASON and ORU has won 17 in a row.....

We should all be watching this game in the Grand Slam Club. Paul, are you listening?

Sing this with me, this is 40!

JONAH!!!!!!!!! I did not think any were laughable. We were being very aggressive and got caught on sharp hits.

“I'll take understatements for $500 Alex.”

Looks like ORU is headed to the finals.....

Announcer as ORU has the bases loaded with one out: “Believe it or not, he’s just one pitch away from getting out of this jam.” ORU scores four runs… ”Yeah, that was just sloppy.”

They’re just ‘unlucky’

SDSU is terrible!

It was hilarious how they mention that we can actually go outside in February and March. I can attest that you don’t want to do that in SD in early March. You are welcome.

Like that.

Yep, everything is overwhelmingly lined up in ORU's favor. It's a wonder the Golden Eagles ever lose a game.

Wish I had a dollar for every time we've seen Jake McMurray make a play like that; best I've seen at fielding sketchy throws at first for ORU since Kelvin Torve.

Are we really looking at a #3 or #4 seed as a Top 10 team?