The starters have been that good, as evidenced by UT's presence in the College World Series. The relievers, on the other hand, have not fared as well. Three relievers could not stop East Carolina from completing its comeback from a seven-run deficit in the space of two innings last Saturday. Will Curtiss, who has seven victories and six saves this season, has a 10.38 earned run average in two NCAA appearances. Starter Brian Gates has become the best man out of the bullpen, recording two saves last weekend.
Gates still figures in the starting-pitching plans.
The hope is that the bullpen returns to better form. If we do, we have to pitch better. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, who is looking to hire a new baseball coach by July, has brought the search to Omaha. There's speculation that Foley is looking at Tulane coach Rick Jones as a prime candidate to fill the opening left after Andy Lopez was fired earlier this week. Both the Hurricanes and Vols can thank Gulliver Prep school in Miami for its baseball program.