Season Review and Week 7 Preview

[VObserver]

Season Review

Every week on this forum, I have tried to make an honest assessment of where we are, and generally my reviews try to remain as positive as possible. I also try to deal in facts and statistics rather than opinions. This review is somewhat different.

Where We Are

Over the past six weeks, it has become increasingly obvious that we are not a balanced team. We have been much better offensively than we have been defensively. Much of this is a result of our pitchers not throwing strikes consistently. That is not our only defensive issue. Our infield and outfield play has also been less than stellar. I attribute most of this to them being poorly positioned, rather than to lack of ability. It is my honest opinion that our biggest issue this season is poor coaching. Our coaches have done an extremely poor job of scouting the opposition for strengths and weaknesses, or have scouted well and ignored the scouting reports. They have also done a poor job of positioning defenders, of studying our own tendencies, strengths and weaknesses, and of being sure every girl has a role and consistently utilizing every girl in accordance with her role.

We seem to have a coaching philosophy based on the realities of D1 softball in 1980 - 1990, a time when teams could get to the WCWS with a dominant pitcher, a solid defense, and the ability to score 3 runs a game. Those days are gone.

Today, even with great pitching and defense, you cannot depend on winning consistently by scoring 3 runs. We don't have great pitching. We don't have great defense. Our record this season when we score 7 runs or less is 6-12. Given this, in what bizarro world does a coach play for one run innings at any time before the last two innings in a close game? Even given better defense and better pitching, why would any coach play for a one run inning when down by 4 runs? What kind of message is a coach sending to a clean-up hitter when she is ordered to bunt down 4 in the middle innings with runners on first and second and one out?

In short, where we are is stuck with a coaching staff who, with the sole exception of the hitting coach, have absolutely zero big picture situational awareness of our team's strengths and weaknesses, and near zero inclination and/or ability to game plan to emphasize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.

What is Yet to Come

We get Texas State at Lamson this weekend. The Bobcats have the best team ERA and arguably the best individual pitcher in the conference, but they are near the bottom of the conference in BA and scoring. Their fielding% is second in Conference.

The Cajuns now have 84 extra base hits, 6 more than they had all season last year. We are also near the top of the conference in BA, Runs, RBI, 2B and 3B, and we strike out fewer times than any other team in the Conference. Our fielding % is 6th in the Conference, and our team ERA is 9th in the Conference.

Though we could win this series, I have zero confidence in us doing so. They will be able to score on our pitching and we will most likely continue to play for 1 run innings, diminishing any chances we have to outscore them.

Our only hope is for our players to overcome our coaching deficiencies. I have great confidence in our ability to score. Unfortunately, our coaches apparently do not.

[cajunref]

Excellent analysis. As I said in game thread,we are hampered by mediocre coaching, these ladies deserve better. Also, why bring in a good hitting coach, why would he hang around next year if we continue this BS.

[UL_Cajuns]

Let the ladies SWING away!

[VObserver]

Excellent analysis. As I said in game thread,we are hampered by mediocre coaching, these ladies deserve better. Also, why bring in a good hitting coach, why would he hang around next year if we continue this BS.

I believe many of our offensive problems would disappear if Shipman were allowed to coach 3rd and run the offense.

[CajunVic]

I believe many of our offensive problems would disappear if Shipman were allowed to coach 3rd and run the offense.

Very sorry to say but I must agree with you . . .

This says it all in one sentence -

In short, where we are is stuck with a coaching staff who, with the sole exception of the hitting coach, have absolutely zero big picture situational awareness of our team's strengths and weaknesses, and near zero inclination and/or ability to game plan to emphasize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses.

[RoarMan]

As Charlie points out, Texas State is number one in era in the conference and number two in defense. They are near the bottom in hitting, coming in at number 10.

At today's presser, coach AH said Texas State is good at pitching, they are good at hitting and they are good defensively. Two of those statements are true.

So, I think, knowing their struggles at the plate, the Cajuns have a shot at possibly winning the series. But, that's only if the Cajuns can hit the team with the lowest era in the conference. Should be a very interesting matchup.

[JMV JustMyView]

As Charlie points out, Texas State is number one in era in the conference and number two in defense. They are near the bottom in hitting, coming in at number 10.

At today's presser, coach AH said Texas State is good at pitching, they are good at hitting and they are good defensively. Two of those statements are true.

So, I think, knowing their struggles at the plate, the Cajuns have a shot at possibly winning the series. But, that's only if the Cajuns can hit the team with the lowest era in the conference. Should be a very interesting matchup.

Aly looked lost today at the presser.

[cajunref]

Aly looked lost today at the presser.

She's a lifelong assistant, not head coach material, as it's becoming more apparent as the season unfolds much to UL's detriment.