Vanderbilt was not too well known for its offensive production this season but something has changed in Hoover. Nineteen runs in two games have them one win away from taking Friday off and playing in Saturday’s semifinals. Chris Lemonis and the Mississippi State Bulldogs are trying to stop them, turning to Jurrangelo Cijntje in a big spot.
Ahead of the game, Lemonis discussed needed to mix the stuff thrown. Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin wants his team to be aggressive at the plate and throwing fastballs will play right into their hand. Keeping them thinking with the offspeed will be critical in Lemonis’ eyes.
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“I think we got to mix,” Lemonis said. “I think we’ve got to do a really good job of mixing. (Cijntje) pitched really well against them last time but I think you’ve got to keep them a little off-balanced. They’ve looked really comfortable the last two days.”
Cijntje was on the mound on April 28 in Nashville, going 5.1 innings for Mississippi State. Four runs crossed the plate but 11 Vanderbilt batters struck out, a career high for Cijntje. He knows the lineup coming after him on Thursday night, hoping for similar strike out numbers.
Another factor Vanderbilt will have to be ready for is never having pitcher-friendly matchups. Cijntje is an ambidextrous pitcher and can go from both sides. With the Commodores having a primarily right-handed lineup, we’re likely to see Cijntje mostly from the right side.
“Right-handed lineup so I think you’re going to see him right-handed tonight,” Lemonis said. “Even though he can move over to the left side. But he’s been a little more right-handed lately anyway. So, it’s his better side. It matches up good against these guys.”
The post Chris Lemonis gives key to slowing down Vanderbilt bats appeared first on On3.
