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Week One Softball Critique
Having attended all 5 games this weekend, I remain cautiously optimistic about this year's team. Aside from the Seton Hall loss in game one, the results were pretty much what we all should have expected. Even in that loss, we fielded well and our hitters were smashing the ball; just almost always straight at a fielder. Starting pitching was not so good in games 1 and 2, but otherwise was pretty good. Relief pitching was outstanding in every game.
Last weekend's opponents final 2024 RPI:
Texas 1
Longwood 139
Seton Hall 149
GMU 216
The good:
Pitching: Sam Ryan and Mallory Wheeler were both lights out. Ryan gave up 1 earned run in 3.2 innings vs Texas, then had a CG [6 innings] with 0 earned runs in the second Seton Hall game. Wheeler gave up no ER in 3 innings in the Seton Hall loss and 0 runs in .2 innings vs George Mason; then pitched a 7 inning [1ER] CG in the Longwood game. Tyra Clary struggled with control issues in the Seton Hall loss, but pitched very well in the George Mason game [5.1 IP, 1 ER]. For those who may doubt Ryan's ability; her career ERA is 0.81, career WHIP is 1.21 [admittedly the sample size is small].
Defense: 7 DP in 5 games.
Hitting: 6 hitters at or above .400 BA. Ceci Vasquez with 7 RBI, Emily Smith with 5.
The Bad:
Pitching: 8 walks in Seton Hall loss.
Defense: 6 errors in 5 games.
Hitting: 33 runners LOB in 5 games.
The Ugly: The injury to Tyla Clary leaves us with only 3 healthy pitchers on the roster. Those 3 have a total of 30 innings pitched at the D1 level.
Looking forward:
Next weekend we have two games with Ole Miss and single games with Sam Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern Illinois. In final RPI last season Ole Miss was 47, SHSU was 169, UCA was 93 and NIU 256.
SHSU and UCA are decent wins, Ole Miss would be outstanding win[s]. The following week we have a three game series vs Houston [92] and a single game vs Kansas City [185].
For these two weeks, I believe that we must improve our hitting with RISP. The lack of pitching depth is very concerning; though I am pretty confident that Ryan and Wheeler will do fine, if one of them has a bad day, we could be in trouble unless we do significantly improve in the previously mentioned hitting area. If Hoover becomes available and/or Clary is able to return I will be much less concerned about pitching.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Love the Vermilion Observations.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
I'm anxious to see more of our Freshmen players on the field and at bat, especially Lilly Knox who would likely be another power hitter in the line-up.
I know we'll see more slap style hitting this season, but what we've seen so far hasn't been that successful. I didn't watch the game against GM or the game against LW, so maybe we had more success in those games?
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SlickRick
I'm anxious to see more of our Freshmen players on the field and at bat, especially Lilly Knox who would likely be another power hitter in the line-up.
I know we'll see more slap style hitting this season, but what we've seen so far hasn't been that successful. I didn't watch the game against GM or the game against LW, so maybe we had more success in those games?
The short game and base running has been very successful. The Cajuns have created a lot of chaos. Hayden and Falterman are setting the table, just need the RISP hits to happen. Hopefully Knox will be available soon that would be a big help. We just need to get healthy as three of the freshman are on the shelf.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
9,9,8 runs tells me something is happening on the bases.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
VObserver
Having attended all 5 games this weekend, I remain cautiously optimistic about this year's team. Aside from the Seton Hall loss in game one, the results were pretty much what we all should have expected. Even in that loss, we fielded well and our hitters were smashing the ball; just almost always straight at a fielder. Starting pitching was not so good in games 1 and 2, but otherwise was pretty good. Relief pitching was outstanding in every game.
Last weekend's opponents final 2024 RPI:
Texas 1
Longwood 139
Seton Hall 149
GMU 216
The good:
Pitching: Sam Ryan and Mallory Wheeler were both lights out. Ryan gave up 1 earned run in 3.2 innings vs Texas, then had a CG [6 innings] with 0 earned runs in the second Seton Hall game. Wheeler gave up no ER in 3 innings in the Seton Hall loss and 0 runs in .2 innings vs George Mason; then pitched a 7 inning [1ER] CG in the Longwood game. Tyra Clary struggled with control issues in the Seton Hall loss, but pitched very well in the George Mason game [5.1 IP, 1 ER]. For those who may doubt Ryan's ability; her career ERA is 0.81, career WHIP is 1.21 [admittedly the sample size is small].
Defense: 7 DP in 5 games.
Hitting: 6 hitters at or above .400 BA. Ceci Vasquez with 7 RBI, Emily Smith with 5.
The Bad:
Pitching: 8 walks in Seton Hall loss.
Defense: 6 errors in 5 games.
Hitting: 33 runners LOB in 5 games.
The Ugly: The injury to Tyla Clary leaves us with only 3 healthy pitchers on the roster. Those 3 have a total of 30 innings pitched at the D1 level.
Looking forward:
Next weekend we have two games with Ole Miss and single games with Sam Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern Illinois. In final RPI last season Ole Miss was 47, SHSU was 169, UCA was 93 and NIU 256.
SHSU and UCA are decent wins, Ole Miss would be outstanding win[s]. The following week we have a three game series vs Houston [92] and a single game vs Kansas City [185].
For these two weeks, I believe that we must improve our hitting with RISP. The lack of pitching depth is very concerning; though I am pretty confident that Ryan and Wheeler will do fine, if one of them has a bad day, we could be in trouble unless we do significantly improve in the previously mentioned hitting area. If Hoover becomes available and/or Clary is able to return I will be much less concerned about pitching.
I was able to watch several games this weekend on ESPN Plus. Agree with all of your takes VO. There is one omission on your part, didn't Williams allow a ball to get by her in RF after the pitcher walked several hitters in the first Seton Hall game?
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Here is my opinion of what I saw this weekend......Emily Smith and Mallory Wheeler have the ability to be really, really good for a long time, if we can keep them.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CajunT
I was able to watch several games this weekend on ESPN Plus. Agree with all of your takes VO. There is one omission on your part, didn't Williams allow a ball to get by her in RF after the pitcher walked several hitters in the first Seton Hall game?
Yes that happened and it gave SH 2 runs.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
I liked Erin Ardoin in the outfield in either left or right.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Anyone notice how the Sun Belt preseason favorite fared this weekend? 0-5 at UCF tournament and hit .171. Conference is wide open.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CajunSID
Anyone notice how the Sun Belt preseason favorite fared this weekend? 0-5 at UCF tournament and hit .171. Conference is wide open.
The SBC favorite was Texas State according to www.sunbeltsports.org, they went 2-2 losing to Bradley and Arkansas, they won vs San Diego and Lipscomb. JMU went 0-5, but they were not the preseason favorite according to the conference.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CajunT
I was able to watch several games this weekend on ESPN Plus. Agree with all of your takes VO. There is one omission on your part, didn't Williams allow a ball to get by her in RF after the pitcher walked several hitters in the first Seton Hall game?
We had 6 errors in 5 games; a total I would find somewhat disturbing if we hadn't also had 7 double plays, an average of 1.4 per game. Last year we led the nation averaging 0.72 DP per game, and our fielding percentage was.968 [just outside the top 50], compared to our current .960. I can live with that.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RaginDave
Here is my opinion of what I saw this weekend......Emily Smith and Mallory Wheeler have the ability to be really, really good for a long time, if we can keep them.
That is not a coincidence. Both were on several pre-season Top 100 recruits lists.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RaginDave
The SBC favorite was Texas State according to
www.sunbeltsports.org, they went 2-2 losing to Bradley and Arkansas, they won vs San Diego and Lipscomb. JMU went 0-5, but they were not the preseason favorite according to the conference.
Ahh..you’re right. Forgot it was the D1 writer who had JMU first. Texas St didn’t exactly light it up either. My original point still stands..conference is wide open 😂
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Current SBC Standings
2025 Softball Standings
School Conference Conf. PCT Overall Overall PCT Streak
South Alabama 0-0 .000 4-1 .800 W2
Coastal Carolina 0-0 .000 3-1 .750 W2
Louisiana 0-0 .000 3-2 .600 W3
Troy 0-0 .000 3-2 .600 L1
Texas State 0-0 .000 2-2 .500 L1
Ga So 0-0 .000 2-3 .400 L1
App State 0-0 .000 1-4 .200 L4
Marshall 0-0 .000 1-4 .200 W1
Southern Miss 0-0 .000 1-4 .200 L3
ULM 0-0 .000 1-4 .200 L2
Georgia State 0-0 .000 0-5 .000 L5
James Madison 0-0 .000 0-5 .000 L5
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CajunSID
Ahh..you’re right. Forgot it was the D1 writer who had JMU first. Texas St didn’t exactly light it up either. My original point still stands..conference is wide open ��
He had Texas State first.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JMV JustMyView
He had Texas State first.
You’re right..he had them 2nd. Seems to be a bit of a stretch, but there’s not one team that distinguished themselves week 1.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bankruptcyman
I liked Erin Ardoin in the outfield in either left or right.
Left definitely isn't happening. Once Knox and Allen get healthy they will get the bulk of the playing time in RF if no other injuries happen.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
We are definitely blessed with an abundance of outfield talent. In fact, the only "weakness" we have defensively is at the corner infield positions, and that is only a weakness by comparison with our strength up the middle.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
VObserver
The Ugly: The injury to Tyla Clary leaves us with only 3 healthy pitchers on the roster. Those 3 have a total of 30 innings pitched at the D1 level.
I don't know the status of Cleary and i hope that her being on crutches was something more precautionary more so than an indicator of a more serious injury. IMO, her injury falls entirely on the Cajun field crew. You could see both pitchers lead foot sliding when planted their foot to pitch. The field crew came out a couple of times during the game to work on the pitching lane. The guy working the tamp acted like he didn't know what it was used for from the soft tamps he was giving the dirt. I've only worked on rec fields but I know that you really have to tamp down hard the fill dirt you put in the hole that the pitchers dig out when pitching so as to pack the soil. That guy might as well been using a fly swatter for all of the pressure he was putting on the tamp. I'm surprised that neither coaching staff said anything to him. And then when Shelbi and Lacey came out to throw clumps of clay away that were left after he "raked' the circle following the Cleary injury was pathetic.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SportyCajun459
I don't know the status of Cleary and i hope that her being on crutches was something more precautionary more so than an indicator of a more serious injury. IMO, her injury falls entirely on the Cajun field crew. You could see both pitchers lead foot sliding when planted their foot to pitch. The field crew came out a couple of times during the game to work on the pitching lane. The guy working the tamp acted like he didn't know what it was used for from the soft tamps he was giving the dirt. I've only worked on rec fields but I know that you really have to tamp down hard the fill dirt you put in the hole that the pitchers dig out when pitching so as to pack the soil. That guy might as well been using a fly swatter for all of the pressure he was putting on the tamp. I'm surprised that neither coaching staff said anything to him. And then when Shelbi and Lacey came out to throw clumps of clay away that were left after he "raked' the circle following the Cleary injury was pathetic.
Yeah, it’s not supposed to be soft when you’re done with filling a hole.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
VObserver
Having attended all 5 games this weekend, I remain cautiously optimistic about this year's team. Aside from the Seton Hall loss in game one, the results were pretty much what we all should have expected. Even in that loss, we fielded well and our hitters were smashing the ball; just almost always straight at a fielder. Starting pitching was not so good in games 1 and 2, but otherwise was pretty good. Relief pitching was outstanding in every game.
Last weekend's opponents final 2024 RPI:
Texas 1
Longwood 139
Seton Hall 149
GMU 216
The good:
Pitching: Sam Ryan and Mallory Wheeler were both lights out. Ryan gave up 1 earned run in 3.2 innings vs Texas, then had a CG [6 innings] with 0 earned runs in the second Seton Hall game. Wheeler gave up no ER in 3 innings in the Seton Hall loss and 0 runs in .2 innings vs George Mason; then pitched a 7 inning [1ER] CG in the Longwood game. Tyra Clary struggled with control issues in the Seton Hall loss, but pitched very well in the George Mason game [5.1 IP, 1 ER]. For those who may doubt Ryan's ability; her career ERA is 0.81, career WHIP is 1.21 [admittedly the sample size is small].
Defense: 7 DP in 5 games.
Hitting: 6 hitters at or above .400 BA. Ceci Vasquez with 7 RBI, Emily Smith with 5.
The Bad:
Pitching: 8 walks in Seton Hall loss.
Defense: 6 errors in 5 games.
Hitting: 33 runners LOB in 5 games.
The Ugly: The injury to Tyla Clary leaves us with only 3 healthy pitchers on the roster. Those 3 have a total of 30 innings pitched at the D1 level.
Looking forward:
Next weekend we have two games with Ole Miss and single games with Sam Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern Illinois. In final RPI last season Ole Miss was 47, SHSU was 169, UCA was 93 and NIU 256.
SHSU and UCA are decent wins, Ole Miss would be outstanding win[s]. The following week we have a three game series vs Houston [92] and a single game vs Kansas City [185].
For these two weeks, I believe that we must improve our hitting with RISP. The lack of pitching depth is very concerning; though I am pretty confident that Ryan and Wheeler will do fine, if one of them has a bad day, we could be in trouble unless we do significantly improve in the previously mentioned hitting area. If Hoover becomes available and/or Clary is able to return I will be much less concerned about pitching.
Solid Stuff VO. Thanks.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Really like the outfield with Falterman, Hayden, and Ardoin.
Wish we could get Stutes more opportunities, but hard to find a place in the starting lineup for her.
Gotta find a way to keep Smith and Wheeler here for years to come.
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JMV JustMyView
Left definitely isn't happening. Once Knox and Allen get healthy they will get the bulk of the playing time in RF if no other injuries happen.
Assuming that this is only your opinion, right?
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Re: Week One Softball Critique
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RaginDave
Here is my opinion of what I saw this weekend......Emily Smith and Mallory Wheeler have the ability to be really, really good for a long time, if we can keep them.
The KEY here is, "if we can keep them." Yulp, to keep them, we fans will have to open our pockets." It ain't "the good ole days, no moe". We don't have an oil company tycoon in our corner, we are going to have to do it COLLECTIVELY! Money will help keep them, but how much? Give til it hurts! If we all do it, maybe we can keep them.