Defensive miscues prove costly to UL

[NewsCopy]

OKLAHOMA CITY – The UL softball team is not a great defensive team, but in a big stage like the NCAA Women's College World Series, your weaknesses get exposed a lot more, and sometimes in crucial situations.

That was evident on Thursday as a couple of bad throws helped Kentucky to score some runs and to help the Wildcats to get a 4-1 win.

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[NickatNite]

No need to read article. Bats need to come alive. 1 hit ain't gonna cut it. Usually we can overcome errors with our offense, but we were either nervous or Hunley is that good. We looked a little nervous at the plate. Not aggressive like we've been up to this point. Even the announcer mentioned that late in the game!
I fully expect us to come back strong these next couple of games! Would love another shot at UK.

[jumboragncajun]

Yea. If we lost 2-1 giving up 2 unearned runs, the "defensive miscues" would have proven costly. We got outhit and got beat. With perfect defense we still lose that game. No need for an article talking about 3 errors losing us the game.

[CajunFan3406]

Yea. If we lost 2-1 giving up 2 unearned runs, the "defensive miscues" would have proven costly. We got outhit and got beat. With perfect defense we still lose that game. No need for an article talking about 3 errors losing us the game.

To say there is no difference in being down 2-1 vs 4-1 in the last two innings is pretty idiotic.

[ultracajun]

Looks like we'll have to beat Oklahoma and then Alabama twice from here to make to the championship series. A pretty tall order when looked at all at once.

Hopefully the team as a one game at a time approach.

[jcstewart]

To say there is no difference in being down 2-1 vs 4-1 in the last two innings is pretty idiotic.

If you can't get a hit there is no difference.

[cajun4life]

Looks like we'll have to beat Oklahoma and then Alabama twice from here to make to the championship series. A pretty tall order when looked at all at once.

Hopefully the team as a one game at a time approach.

Gonna need Jordan Wallace for at least one game.

I know she has been off all yeah, but Victoria Brown is not as good as she is. If we want to win it all we can't give Alabama two games vs Hamilton and expect to win.

[Just1More]

To say there is no difference in being down 2-1 vs 4-1 in the last two innings is pretty idiotic.

Why do you think that is idiotic? We were not successful in any area of batting, whatsoever. No "strategy" was modified because we were down 1, then 2, then 3. We pulled a vacuum at the plate against a very very strong pitching performance. Focusing on the errors in the field is silly for everyone except the coach. Even he, in the back of his mind, knows that it is not something "to work on". Our batting last night, per player... and they are all disconnected from each other when they are at the plate... was between each individual player... that pitcher... and Mike. And that combination was soundly ruled by Nunley. We pure and simple... got our asses handed to us by our inability to work that pitcher over at the plate. The couple of weaknesses in our offense were severely exposed. And on top of that... for one of those rare times... I didn't like the way Mike had the ladies prepared. He seemed to be waiting for Nunley to stop hitting the edges and either walk folks... or throw something meaty to hit. She wasn't offering. The only thing she did that was fairly predictable was to throw a first pitch strike. That pitch for every person that stepped up to the plate, ended up being the very best pitch they had to take a cut at. The only pitch I could with certainty say was a mistake was Elkins HR. And that never happened again. Nunley and the Kentucky coach outwitted Mike last night. Plain and simple. Because I guarantee you that the Cajun batters have the skills. They should have been told to go after the first pitch if it looked good.

I know... I'm Monday morning QB'ing. BS! It's Friday!!!

[CajunAmos]

I don't think this is a "one size fits all" type of answer. You had a pitcher that had a great game plan and had the skill to execute it. Having a head coach was was very familiar with our hitting style from years of playing against us in the Belt helped with the game plan.

Based on some of the comments here, you had four teams who were "worked" by the opposing pitchers as there were three one-hitters and a three-hitter on the first day. The WCWS brings together the best pitchers in the country, and you're not typically going to score a high number of runs. Without our help, last nights game winds up 2-1. We're not going to change or hitting style, and it comes down to pitch recognition by each individual batter. If you have a pitcher who can work all areas of the zone and hit spots consistently, you're in for a long day.

[Just1More]

I wasn't talking about a "style change". Many coaches have players either lay off pitches or jump on strikes as they see fit. Mike was clearly instructing batters to take the first pitch. I thought that after we experienced Nunley's solid control, and ability to hit the outside edge, we needed to jump on her first pitch. Their coach wasn't just schooled on our batting style, she won the chess match with Mike who was giving Nunley the first pitch for free.