UL vs USA game 2

[J-Town Cajun]

_ I remember Cuevas being pretty good when given a chance, which has been seldom. At the very least, I really don't understand her not pitching at all against McNeese. Bourgeois, when over-used, has been below average. As for saving Brignac, unless the Lotief's are cautious about a possible re-injury, it's time to re-assess. She's is over-powering and Bourgeois is excellent when given proper rest. Keep her fresh for post season, also. _

I agree.

[CajunRed]

_ I think I would have pitcher Brignac in game 2 and then Bourgeois the next day in game 3. Back to back games is tough when it seems she may be hitting a little wall. _

I might be wrong... but when a team can't score more than 1 run per game, PITCHING ain't the problem.

What is Donna (or Ashley for that matter) suppose to do? Hold them to ZERO so that our "1" run will win it?

[wcd35]

Well Cuevas just doesnt consistently have the stuff that the other 2 do. She is not at the same level. Nevermind the fact that she doesnt ever play through any sort of minor injury as seen through every year here. At this point, she needs to pitch her a** off every opportunity to show the Lotiefs that she deserves it.

I understand the Bourgeois getting overused, but this is softball. Pitchers always get "overused." We have more issues with errors than anything. Maybe we should do more fielding practice than just shagging balls before games.

[LSUalum1]

LSU is not good at all this year. Our Pitching is terrible! We score 5 and 6 runs and lose. LSU's best Pitcher (Trahan) would be 4th string at UL, if that. UL will definately beat LSU this year if they play in the regionals. It doesn't matter if UL comes in as a 4th seed.

Next year will be a whole different story though.

[wcd35]

_ LSU is not good at all this year. Our Pitching is terrible! We score 5 and 6 runs and lose. LSU's best Pitcher (Trahan) would be 4th string at UL, if that. UL will definately beat LSU this year if they play in the regionals. It doesn't matter if UL comes in as a 4th seed.

Next year will be a whole different story though. _

OK sure, since our pitchers are just sophmores now. We'll see. Both teams are pretty below their normal this year

[J-Town Cajun]

_ LSU is not good at all this year. Our Pitching is terrible! We score 5 and 6 runs and lose. LSU's best Pitcher (Trahan) would be 4th string at UL, if that. UL will definately beat LSU this year if they play in the regionals. It doesn't matter if UL comes in as a 4th seed.

Next year will be a whole different story though. _

Are you sandbagging us?

[J-Town Cajun]

Yes our biggest problem this season is fielding and I did not see this coming. Our hitting at times has also been a problem but I did see this one coming. Losing Soto and Tank was huge.

[OLF82]

_ Well Cuevas just doesnt consistently have the stuff that the other 2 do. She is not at the same level. Nevermind the fact that she doesnt ever play through any sort of minor injury as seen through every year here. At this point, she needs to pitch her a** off every opportunity to show the Lotiefs that she deserves it.

I understand the Bourgeois getting overused, but this is softball. Pitchers always get "overused." We have more issues with errors than anything. Maybe we should do more fielding practice than just shagging balls before games. _

Getting overused is necessary when you have no one else. This is just not the case with this team. She is just not as effective this way. You're right, fielding is a bigger problem than the pitching. Pitching has been generally on a sublime level. The thing is, we can more effectively use all of the pitchers because we have depth. I don't know, maybe the depth is not there in regards to defense. Sacrificing defense for offense is probably vital. We can do what we can do. As for Cuevas, how can you play through an injury or pitch your butt off when you never go in? Does she have an injury that causes her to sit? For someone who pitched almost 300 innings her freshman year, I'd say she
she's a warrior. While maybe not quite at the level of Brignac or Bourgeois, a spot start or a few innings on a weekend could be beneficial.

[wcd35]

_ Getting overused is necessary when you have no one else. This is just not the case with this team. She is just not as effective this way. You're right, fielding is a bigger problem than the pitching. Pitching has been generally on a sublime level. The thing is, we can more effectively use all of the pitchers because we have depth. I don't know, maybe the depth is not there in regards to defense. Sacrificing defense for offense is probably vital. We can do what we can do. As for Cuevas, how can you play through an injury or pitch your butt off when you never go in? Does she have an injury that causes her to sit? For someone who pitched almost 300 innings her freshman year, I'd say she
she's a warrior. While maybe not quite at the level of Brignac or Bourgeois, a spot start or a few innings on a weekend could be beneficial. _

And thats what I'm saying too. As for injuries, its a fact that she has been injured numerous times and mostly minor stuff that she could have pitched through. Last year she should have claimed a bigger role but it didnt happen. If she can earn it from here on in, I'm all for her getting starts more often.

[J-Town Cajun]

The games where we have gone up by 8 or more runs why not pitch Cuevas for the remainder of the game. If she struggles they can always reinsert the starting pitcher.

[wcd35]

_ The games where we have gone up by 8 or more runs why not pitch Cuevas for the remainder of the game. If she struggles they can always reinsert the starting pitcher. _

The coaches can be a little stubborn and will throw Hill or Sigur when they really should go with Cuevas. When we get into the postseason the big 3 should be the only ones getting innings. The other 2 would only see time when we are getting beat

[lcitsh]

_ It seems like they had lost confidence in Cuevas. I don't get it, either. Bourgeois has been great, but Cuevas is a very good pitcher who performs great when given the chance. Hopefully, 8 strikeouts in 3 innings will restore the Lotief's faith._

Yeah, they have lost confidence in Cuevas, but not for the reason you think. They know she can pitch. The problem is mental. Brittany has lost confidence in herself. When she enters a game and is ineffective, she doesn't believe she belongs out there. Stefni & Mike have offered her the ball on several occasions, but she has turned them down. She doesn't want to go out there and run the risk of failing.
This will be Brittany's last year with the team. She is looking to graduate either this or next semester and skate on out of here.