The schedule:
Friday:
10am (MST): v. Saint Marys (5-5)- No Video
12:30pm (MST): v. Cal State Bakersfield (1-7) - ESPN+
Saturday:
10am (MST): v. Saint Mary's - No Video
3:00 (MST): v. Cal State Bakersfield- ???
Sunday:
10:30 am: (MST): v. Cal State Bakersfield- ???
What to expect:
- Both team who UM plays this week are in a similar position and profile. Both lower tier D1 teams with a number of common opponents in the past or future. Sort of a litmus test after two weekends against opposition that stood to be better than most BSC opponents. Each of these teams would be similar to any BSC team minus maybe ISU or Sac State.
For Montana:
1. Make positive moves offensively. When the offense has shown up, it has been good. When it hasn't it has be a repeat of last year. Montana currently is dead last in the conference in most offensive categories and with the return of Ontiveros hopefully we'll see some improvement. There have been bright spots, but like last year not all the team hit at the same time. This is a good weekend to get the offense on track.
2. Get consistency from the pitching staff. Week 1: Brinka performed well and Haegele struggled. Week 2: Haegele improved and Brinka struggled. Would be nice to see both perform well over the weekend. The staff is better than it was a year ago but there were hiccups both weekends where you saw similar outcomes (walks, hit batters and shoddy defense) that hurt the overall effectiveness. Each week we've seen an improved performances out of Rehbein, if they can leave this tournament with three days of consistency, it'll bode well for conference season.
3. Cleaner defensive play. Getting Onitveros back is going to help, but the defense has to make the plays they've been given. This isn't a strikeout staff and the defense should be a strength of the squad. Better defensive play is something that this team can lean on come conference play but they've gotta clean up some of the nagging mistakes.
Friday:
10am (MST): v. Saint Marys (5-5)- No Video
12:30pm (MST): v. Cal State Bakersfield (1-7) - ESPN+
Saturday:
10am (MST): v. Saint Mary's - No Video
3:00 (MST): v. Cal State Bakersfield- ???
Sunday:
10:30 am: (MST): v. Cal State Bakersfield- ???
What to expect:
- Both team who UM plays this week are in a similar position and profile. Both lower tier D1 teams with a number of common opponents in the past or future. Sort of a litmus test after two weekends against opposition that stood to be better than most BSC opponents. Each of these teams would be similar to any BSC team minus maybe ISU or Sac State.
For Montana:
1. Make positive moves offensively. When the offense has shown up, it has been good. When it hasn't it has be a repeat of last year. Montana currently is dead last in the conference in most offensive categories and with the return of Ontiveros hopefully we'll see some improvement. There have been bright spots, but like last year not all the team hit at the same time. This is a good weekend to get the offense on track.
2. Get consistency from the pitching staff. Week 1: Brinka performed well and Haegele struggled. Week 2: Haegele improved and Brinka struggled. Would be nice to see both perform well over the weekend. The staff is better than it was a year ago but there were hiccups both weekends where you saw similar outcomes (walks, hit batters and shoddy defense) that hurt the overall effectiveness. Each week we've seen an improved performances out of Rehbein, if they can leave this tournament with three days of consistency, it'll bode well for conference season.
3. Cleaner defensive play. Getting Onitveros back is going to help, but the defense has to make the plays they've been given. This isn't a strikeout staff and the defense should be a strength of the squad. Better defensive play is something that this team can lean on come conference play but they've gotta clean up some of the nagging mistakes.