Softball Offseason

[Turbine]

... It's all about power. Here's what power gets you. In five games against power teams, two against LSU and one each against Texas, Texas A&M and Mississippi State, the result...them 59 Cajuns 7. They averaged almost 12 runs per game...

7 runs in 5 games won't win anything unless you have an Ashley Brignac type pitcher.

Even then it wouldn't win them all.

Still, Ive seen small ball put up a lot more than 7 runs in 5 games vs the best of tbe best.

[VObserver]

A couple more numbers for you: We had 78 extra base hits this season. Coastal Carolina had 171. ULM had 131. App had 143. We had 8 sacrifice flies. ULM and Marshall each had 18. Texas State had 15. Only Louisiana and Ga State had fewer than 11.

[CajunSID]

I don't think that HR power is absolutely necessary, but the ability to at least hit gap doubles definitely is. We have at least 3 returning slappers [Williams, Liscano and Ardoin] that I believe are fully capable of being effective hitters if they are allowed [or forced] to stop slapping and taught proper hitting mechanics. All can still bunt if the situation calls for it.

In general I agree with Roarman; you cannot win at a high level playing small ball. I will add that the SBC is becoming high level softball, on par with mid level SEC and ACC programs. If we want to dominate the SBC and compete with higher level SEC and Big XII programs, we must be able to score runs at a 6-10 runs per game rate. To do that we need to field a team that has at least gap double power from 1-9 in the lineup. Even assuming that all three that I named are successful in transitioning into full swing hitters, we will still need more than just a couple of redshirt freshmen, recruits or portal players who are capable of having 15-20 extra base hits and of delivering those hits in critical at bats [RISP and/or 2 outs].

Our conference rankings in power related categories were pathetic : we were 8th in slugging percentage, 12th in extra base hits, 9th in runs scored and 11th in sacrifice flies. This must improve.

The Sun Belt had zero at-large selections this year. The SEC put 14 in. Think we should pump the brakes on the Sun Belt sunshine.

When at its best, league has a couple NCAA caliber teams. Fact UL’s numbers were near the bottom of the league emphasizes the point Cajuns have a lot of work to do.

[VObserver]

The Sun Belt had zero at-large selections this year. The SEC put 14 in. Think we should pump the brakes on the Sun Belt sunshine.

When at its best, league has a couple NCAA caliber teams. Fact UL’s numbers were near the bottom of the league emphasizes the point Cajuns have a lot of work to do.

When at its best, it has had 3-4 Tournament teams. This particular year, the league as a whole was very young, and the usual tournament teams all had mediocre to bad seasons for various reasons. That will not be the case in most years; though I agree that the collapse of the PAC XII was not a good thing for the non P4, as it really elevated the Big X and the ACC, and would have elevated the Big XII as well if Texas and Oklahoma did not go to the SEC.

[CajunsSball22]

I don't think that HR power is absolutely necessary, but the ability to at least hit gap doubles definitely is. We have at least 3 returning slappers [Williams, Liscano and Ardoin] that I believe are fully capable of being effective hitters if they are allowed [or forced] to stop slapping and taught proper hitting mechanics. All can still bunt if the situation calls for it.

In general I agree with Roarman; you cannot win at a high level playing small ball. I will add that the SBC is becoming high level softball, on par with mid level SEC and ACC programs. If we want to dominate the SBC and compete with higher level SEC and Big XII programs, we must be able to score runs at a 6-10 runs per game rate. To do that we need to field a team that has at least gap double power from 1-9 in the lineup. Even assuming that all three that I named are successful in transitioning into full swing hitters, we will still need more than just a couple of redshirt freshmen, recruits or portal players who are capable of having 15-20 extra base hits and of delivering those hits in critical at bats [RISP and/or 2 outs].

Our conference rankings in power related categories were pathetic : we were 8th in slugging percentage, 12th in extra base hits, 9th in runs scored and 11th in sacrifice flies. This must improve.

I agree with hitting the ball in the gaps. I see practice everyday. I think we will at least double our home runs next year and have a big increase in extra base hits. I have seen everyone coming back swing the bat, except Raenna Liscano so I really don’t know what to expect from her. Mia Liscano, Erin Ardoin, and Dayzja W. all have the ability to drive the ball in the gaps. Dayzja has really improved in that area and I expect her to get even better. Cissy V., Mia Norwood, Gabbie Stutes, Lillian Soto, Emily Smith, and McKayla Ferguson all played this year and return. All have the ability to hit with a little power. Obviously some more than others. Three more that can hit with some power that didn’t play this year, Brooke Otto, Chayne Allan and Lily Knox. Incoming freshman, Haley Hart, Kennedi Stutes, Shyanne Irvin, Natalie Johnson, Miki Watts. All these kids will get an opportunity in the fall. Maybe add 1 are 2 from the portal, not really necessary. Just my opinion, but I believe we will be just fine. We will also have more pitching depth. Relax guys, we have almost 9 months for our coaches to figure this out.?

[Cajunrunner]

I agree with hitting the ball in the gaps. I see practice everyday. I think we will at least double our home runs next year and have a big increase in extra base hits. I have seen everyone coming back swing the bat, except Raenna Liscano so I really don’t know what to expect from her. Mia Liscano, Erin Ardoin, and Dayzja W. all have the ability to drive the ball in the gaps. Dayzja has really improved in that area and I expect her to get even better. Cissy V., Mia Norwood, Gabbie Stutes, Lillian Soto, Emily Smith, and McKayla Ferguson all played this year and return. All have the ability to hit with a little power. Obviously some more than others. Three more that can hit with some power that didn’t play this year, Brooke Otto, Chayne Allan and Lily Knox. Incoming freshman, Haley Hart, Kennedi Stutes, Shyanne Irvin, Natalie Johnson, Miki Watts. All these kids will get an opportunity in the fall. Maybe add 1 are 2 from the portal, not really necessary. Just my opinion, but I believe we will be just fine. We will also have more pitching depth. Relax guys, we have almost 9 months for our coaches to figure this out.?

You appear to be the most knowledgeable on this subject here, so reading your take gives me hope.

[VObserver]

I agree with hitting the ball in the gaps. I see practice everyday. I think we will at least double our home runs next year and have a big increase in extra base hits. I have seen everyone coming back swing the bat, except Raenna Liscano so I really don’t know what to expect from her. Mia Liscano, Erin Ardoin, and Dayzja W. all have the ability to drive the ball in the gaps. Dayzja has really improved in that area and I expect her to get even better. Cissy V., Mia Norwood, Gabbie Stutes, Lillian Soto, Emily Smith, and McKayla Ferguson all played this year and return. All have the ability to hit with a little power. Obviously some more than others. Three more that can hit with some power that didn’t play this year, Brooke Otto, Chayne Allan and Lily Knox. Incoming freshman, Haley Hart, Kennedi Stutes, Shyanne Irvin, Natalie Johnson, Miki Watts. All these kids will get an opportunity in the fall. Maybe add 1 are 2 from the portal, not really necessary. Just my opinion, but I believe we will be just fine. We will also have more pitching depth. Relax guys, we have almost 9 months for our coaches to figure this out.?

I agree with most everything in your post, though I am maybe not as confident in some returning players as you are. from a few conversations I have had with players, I am optimistic about Lexie and Sage in the circle, and we do have Mallory back as well. I have heard good things about Haley Hart, but I don't know much about the other new recruits other than names, positions and where they are from.

I am sorry if I seem somewhat negative; I actually have a great deal of faith that we will bounce back from the drop in performance we had this season. JMV is right when he says that this may be the most important off-season inn the history of the program. Given that we were much better this season than we as fans had any right to expect, I believe that Coach Habetz did a great job, and that she will do what is necessary to quickly get us back to our accustomed place in the softball world.

[JMV JustMyView]

I don't think that HR power is absolutely necessary, but the ability to at least hit gap doubles definitely is. We have at least 3 returning slappers [Williams, Liscano and Ardoin] that I believe are fully capable of being effective hitters if they are allowed [or forced] to stop slapping and taught proper hitting mechanics. All can still bunt if the situation calls for it.

In general I agree with Roarman; you cannot win at a high level playing small ball. I will add that the SBC is becoming high level softball, on par with mid level SEC and ACC programs. If we want to dominate the SBC and compete with higher level SEC and Big XII programs, we must be able to score runs at a 6-10 runs per game rate. To do that we need to field a team that has at least gap double power from 1-9 in the lineup. Even assuming that all three that I named are successful in transitioning into full swing hitters, we will still need more than just a couple of redshirt freshmen, recruits or portal players who are capable of having 15-20 extra base hits and of delivering those hits in critical at bats [RISP and/or 2 outs].

Our conference rankings in power related categories were pathetic : we were 8th in slugging percentage, 12th in extra base hits, 9th in runs scored and 11th in sacrifice flies. This must improve.

With Erin's build she should be a gap to gap hitter who can hit 4-5 home runs a season. She shouldn't be slapping at all.

[JMV JustMyView]

You appear to be the most knowledgeable on this subject here, so reading your take gives me hope.

I don't personally know anyone with more baseball and softball combined knowledge than CajunSball22.

[Million$Mullet]

I don't personally know anyone with more baseball and softball combined knowledge than CajunSball22.

I bet you knew him before he was born huh?