Because we treated the first three like must win games. Even MLB teams run short after three straight days like that.
Uh, nope.
Not gonna let this nonsense criticism stand. We all know you're trying to resurrect your "let's throw a couple of games" argument.
The first game was a must win. Wake was an elimination game. The only POSSIBLE criticism of "treating every game like a must-win" is the Duke game (Pool Game 2).
Rafe went 1 and 1/3 innings for 23 pitches.
Laquerica went 1/3 of an inning for 4 pitches.
Walters went 1 inning for 14 pitches.
Those same guys against NC State (Pool Game 1):
Rafe went 2/3 of an inning for 15 pitches.
Laquerica went 1 and 1/3 innings for 20 pitches.
Walters went 2 and 1/3 innings for 28 pitches.
And against Wake (Semi-Final):
Rafe went 1/3 of an inning for 7 pitches.
Laquerica went 1/3 of an inning for 6 pitches.
Walters went 1 inning for 13 pitches.
Rafe has thrown 45 pitches over 2 and 1/3 innings. Laquerica has thrown 30 pitches over 2 innings. Walters has thrown 55 pitches over 4 and 1/3 innings. And we didn't even get far enough into the 7th to call on Walters.
It's just ridiculous to say that this happened "because we treated every game as a must-win.
Outside of THOSE THREE RELIEVERS, plus the starters, the only other bullpen arms we used were:
Torres for 2 innings and 31 pitches against Duke
Rosario for 4 and 2/3 innings and 78 pitches against Wake (because Ligon wasn't going the distance)
Torres for 1/3 inning and 4 piches against Wake
Pretty much the OPPOSITE of overusing our staff "because we treated every game as a must-win". The ONLY time we called on someone (perhaps) a bit too much was Walters in the NC State game.