Softball finished up day three of the Kajikawa classic by beating San Jose State 9-2 and Northwestern 8-2.
The games started at noon and I was worried about a hangover from the tough late-night loss to ASU the night before and the earlier loss to Fresno State. But the LV's took care of business.
In the first game Matty Moss started, was replaced by Gaffin, then came back to replace Gaffin after Rainey went out due I assume from the heat. Moss showed better today than on day one. She showed some variation in location and speed that I did not see on day one. She throws hard, but when that is all she does, she gets hit and hit pretty hard. But she lasted pretty well today in game 1.
Gabriel pitched her third straight complete game with double-digit strikeouts in the second game. She is becoming near-dominant in her senior season as she is finally completely healthy. What a quality person she is and a credit to LV softball.
Ralph flipped the lineup in game 2 moving Geer and Geathers up to the 1 and 2 spot in the batting order and dropping Vines and Leach further down. I'm not sure it was needed, but Geer delivered big time with a HR and three hits.
The bats were alive in both games. Geathers is playing great. Geer and Gregg had great days at the plate.
Takeaways: Gabriel is for sure a complete-game pitcher. The rest of the rotation isn't settled. Moss showed good signs today. Gaffin left the first game due to heat and didn't play in the second game but it's clear Karen wants to use her as a closer and not a starter. Bush didn't pitch today after a subpar day 2 performance. The team needs that second pitcher to step up.
The fielding continues to be poor. Mcswain made several more miscues today. With runners on first and second she fielded a grounder and instead of throwing to first (or second) she instead tried to beat the lead runner to the 3rd base bag. She didn't and all three runners were safe. She booted a routine pop fly later. After her poor fielding performance on day 2, Ralph didn't start her today, but she came on when Gaffin left the game and Overstreet who was at third went back to catcher.
Leach dropped a fly ball. Gabriel dropped a fly and booted a grounder. Ralph said Erin's dropped fly was first baseman Aucoin's responsibility and not Erin's. But Aucoin never waved Erin off. Mcclain misplayed a fly in left field.
Overstreet had more passed balls today. I don't know what is up with that, if she's getting crossed up on the pitch or what.
On the plus side, Geer and especially Geathers made several running or sliding catches in center and right. Those two positions are solid defensively. Everybody else needs to tighten up.
The bats will be ok. If the team can get a second pitcher and clean up the fielding, they will be very good.
The games started at noon and I was worried about a hangover from the tough late-night loss to ASU the night before and the earlier loss to Fresno State. But the LV's took care of business.
In the first game Matty Moss started, was replaced by Gaffin, then came back to replace Gaffin after Rainey went out due I assume from the heat. Moss showed better today than on day one. She showed some variation in location and speed that I did not see on day one. She throws hard, but when that is all she does, she gets hit and hit pretty hard. But she lasted pretty well today in game 1.
Gabriel pitched her third straight complete game with double-digit strikeouts in the second game. She is becoming near-dominant in her senior season as she is finally completely healthy. What a quality person she is and a credit to LV softball.
Ralph flipped the lineup in game 2 moving Geer and Geathers up to the 1 and 2 spot in the batting order and dropping Vines and Leach further down. I'm not sure it was needed, but Geer delivered big time with a HR and three hits.
The bats were alive in both games. Geathers is playing great. Geer and Gregg had great days at the plate.
Takeaways: Gabriel is for sure a complete-game pitcher. The rest of the rotation isn't settled. Moss showed good signs today. Gaffin left the first game due to heat and didn't play in the second game but it's clear Karen wants to use her as a closer and not a starter. Bush didn't pitch today after a subpar day 2 performance. The team needs that second pitcher to step up.
The fielding continues to be poor. Mcswain made several more miscues today. With runners on first and second she fielded a grounder and instead of throwing to first (or second) she instead tried to beat the lead runner to the 3rd base bag. She didn't and all three runners were safe. She booted a routine pop fly later. After her poor fielding performance on day 2, Ralph didn't start her today, but she came on when Gaffin left the game and Overstreet who was at third went back to catcher.
Leach dropped a fly ball. Gabriel dropped a fly and booted a grounder. Ralph said Erin's dropped fly was first baseman Aucoin's responsibility and not Erin's. But Aucoin never waved Erin off. Mcclain misplayed a fly in left field.
Overstreet had more passed balls today. I don't know what is up with that, if she's getting crossed up on the pitch or what.
On the plus side, Geer and especially Geathers made several running or sliding catches in center and right. Those two positions are solid defensively. Everybody else needs to tighten up.
The bats will be ok. If the team can get a second pitcher and clean up the fielding, they will be very good.
