Game Thread Lady Vols Softball Team NCAA Regionals

[LVJeff]

For those that think losing Gaffin had no barring on the LVs ending their NCAA run, the operative question is are the LVs a stronger team with Gaffin or not? And please, no rebuttal about the name LVs.

With Gaffin the team had another strong pitcher to use, and she was also a clutch hitter and strong defender. Her presence gave the coaching staff options, without her, they were greatly limited.

Take away any teams star, and they are a less effective team.

With Gaffin, I think TN beats LSU in the SECT. Gaffin would have been pitching in the late innings and Simmons wouldn't have hit the walk-off home run.

With Gaffin, TN still loses to Arizona in game 1 of the regional. She wouldn't have hit O'Toole any better than the rest of the team in game 1.

With Gaffin, TN may have won game 2 of the regional. Gaffin would have been pitching in the late innings and there would have been no pop flies or fly balls to mismanage. The team would still have had to find a way to score a run though.

The team was clearly better with Gaffin, but they had enough tiny flaws in their pitching and defense that I don't think a WCWS run was going to happen.

 

[LVJeff]

OK guys...You are the coach and recruiter.

Do you want a very strong dominant pitching staff, and a lot of slap hitters with little HR power, with good/great defense...
Or do you want decent pitching (no dominant pitcher) and a lot of hitting power, with several big bats, and weak,. but adequate defense?

I'm not a fan of slap hitters, but I do like dominant pitching with timely hitting...Where is that perfect world scenario, Florida?

I'll take dominant pitching any time I can get it. I want speed and a hits-for-a-high-average hitter at the 1, 2, and 9 spots, and a mix of power and high-average hitters in 3 through 8.

 

[sccshortstop]

I want a couple of slap hitters at the top of the lineup and in the the eight spot. I want power three through seven and nine. I want at least one dominate pitcher and have become a fan a of lefty pitcher with so many team bulking up on left handed hitters.

I think what Tennessee needs is a couple dominate pitchers, two power hitters to add to Geer and Gregg and I think were ready to roll next season.

I think Moss can dominate next season, Arnold could be good as a freshman. I don't know if Erin is going to be allowed to come back on not. The other prospects at pitcher are Bush, Morrison, and Martin.

Since I am the coach I want slap hitters in the 1 and 2 spot who have the ability to bunt. 3 is my best contact power hitter that can use the stick . 4 best power hitter and 5 the next best, 6 will be a contact hitter with good bat control , 7 another stick that can bunt and protect the plate, 8 another stick 9 addition slap hitter who can also drive the ball. I wont Moss to be my go to pitcher and I want a lefty to be the number 2 with it being Martin , I am not depending on Bush so Arnold and Morrison it will be. My catcher has got to be Lockman if she can find the offense. I will fill the 3rd base spot with a freshman if I have to but I would love McSwain to get back to freshman numbers. Outfield is set but I will entertain a freshman for McClain if the offense is there.
My first baseman will be Rowland or Martin, both will be an improvement ,which ever one who is offensive. Erin is gone I think.
I will take power pitching if it includes a lefty and good defense with the offensive side toward hit, run and steal over waiting on the long ball. Been there and done that and hard to make all kids happy when they come in a power hitting studs and cant produce. Speed kill whether it on defense, offense or pitching. Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[hokievol12]

OK guys...You are the coach and recruiter.

Do you want a very strong dominant pitching staff, and a lot of slap hitters with little HR power, with good/great defense...
Or do you want decent pitching (no dominant pitcher) and a lot of hitting power, with several big bats, and weak,. but adequate defense?

I'm not a fan of slap hitters, but I do like dominant pitching with timely hitting...Where is that perfect world scenario, Florida?

My preference takes me back to baseball and the Chicago White Sox of the late 1950's and much of the 1960's...they were known as the "go go Sox"...plenty of speed and dominant pitching...and less power hitting. But they hung their hat on defense, behind the likes of an Early Wynn, Gary Peters (lefty), Tommy John, knuckle ballers Hoyt Wilhelm, Wilbur Wood...get a run, maybe two, and turn it over to a dominant pitching staff and guys like Jim Landis in center field who could go get a ball in the gap and actually catch it! As Pat Summitt liked to say, "offense sells tickets, defense wins championships"...Defense is a trademark of Florida softball, they don't beat themselves. I love Ralph and Karen, but I don't think they emphasize DEFENSE enough...Gaffin was an exception, she was very good with the glove. Recruiting a strong lefty pitcher should be a constant recruiting goal, and players who flash the glove! When I was working with my son at an early age, I would pick a wet, grassy location to throw balls 6-8 feet beyond his reach and have him diving to make plays. It was fun for him, he loved it! He became a ball hogging thief in center field in later years, and made some of the best plays ever remembered in high school in this area, but he had a knack for reading the ball off the bat, and making a quick first step or two toward the ball. I'm also a great believer in cross training...I have seen young players who choose to incorporate karate into their baseball training routine improve their hand/eye coordination immeasurably. Becoming a better player is a process, and the really good ones work on getting an edge every day.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

My preference of hitters (whether slap or power) are the ones who can put the bat on the ball instead of swinging and missing, or not swinging at all. We had way too many chances the last few games to put runs on the board and simply could not put the ball in play. I saw some great batters on opposing teams who would continue to foul off pitches one after the other. Many of our hitters, on the other hand, were going back to the dugout after 3 or 4 pitches and in quite a few cases never even put bat-to-ball.

That's unacceptable and coaching is part of that.

 

[tonybologna]

If zona was primed to give the LVs slamming then Auburn will win. If they came to Kville to prove a point, they did, and if that point was to go to Auburn afterwards and make the WS they may. I don't predict a clock cleaning but I also did not see us cleaning Auburns clock in Kville. Auburn should win but nothing surprises me anymore.

I think Arizona has a great chance to eliminate Auburn myself. I mean they have the dominate pitcher in O'Toole alone. They could ride her arm to the WCWS.

They have enough hitting to score a few runs against Auburn's pitching. I don't think they can score 5+ runs in any one game but they wouldn't need to because of having O'Toole. I'm going to predict it right now. Arizona beats Auburn in 3 games to advance to WCWS.

I just don't think Auburn is that good. Arizona only wins because of the dominant pitcher. Otherwise, I think Auburn would beat this Arizona team in 2 games. O'Toole is that much of a difference maker though.

With Gaffin, I think TN beats LSU in the SECT. Gaffin would have been pitching in the late innings and Simmons wouldn't have hit the walk-off home run.

With Gaffin, TN still loses to Arizona in game 1 of the regional. She wouldn't have hit O'Toole any better than the rest of the team in game 1.

With Gaffin, TN may have won game 2 of the regional. Gaffin would have been pitching in the late innings and there would have been no pop flies or fly balls to mismanage. The team would still have had to find a way to score a run though.

The team was clearly better with Gaffin, but they had enough tiny flaws in their pitching and defense that I don't think a WCWS run was going to happen.

Clearly agree with you Jeff especially on the bolded part above.

 

[gule]

who do we lose after this year? Erin , Gretchen? anybody else?

 

[tonybologna]

who do we lose after this year? Erin , Gretchen? anybody else?

Overstreet & Gaffin as well.

 

[armchair]

Finding someone to replace Overstreet's RBIs will not be easy. She had a great year.

 

[GameTime]

I looked at the list of incoming freshmen (11) for us next season...There are several slappers that should improve that function of the game....The girl named Martin appears to be a hitting machine, not a slapper, and she hits with power, a lot of power.

The Maryville girl, Arnold, will be big on the mound for us...She has a very low ERA. If Bush can refine herself pitching will be much improved.

Any news on Gabriel?

 

[sccshortstop]

Unless a freshman steps up with the bat we will miss Overstreet. I think that we will not miss her as a catcher because Lockman is the better the 2, but she has to hit to play. I would love for Geer to crowd the plate more next year. She cannot hit the outside strike most of the time. She probably is the most selective of out hitters which is not in itself bad but she has got to swing the bat . I would love to get a power hitting transfer like Georgia did a year or so ago with Hugo. Don't see it happening because every program would love to get. The Weeklys must do better developing the pitchers.

 

[tonybologna]

I looked at the list of incoming freshmen (11) for us next season...There are several slappers that should improve that function of the game....The girl named Martin appears to be a hitting machine, not a slapper, and she hits with power, a lot of power.

The Maryville girl, Arnold, will be big on the mound for us...She has a very low ERA. If Bush can refine herself pitching will be much improved.

Any news on Gabriel?

Last I heard she had no chance of coming back. I also heard on one of the ESPN Networks talking about this matter with Gabriel. One of the commentators whom I don't know said she doesn't fit the NCAA rules to come back for another season. I also think LVJeff on here said the same thing about her. Looks like she's pretty much gone.

 

[sccshortstop]

I looked at the list of incoming freshmen (11) for us next season...There are several slappers that should improve that function of the game....The girl named Martin appears to be a hitting machine, not a slapper, and she hits with power, a lot of power.

The Maryville girl, Arnold, will be big on the mound for us...She has a very low ERA. If Bush can refine herself pitching will be much improved.

Any news on Gabriel?

Kaitlyn Martin is a tall left handled power pitcher and hitter. You will not see any slaps from her.

 

[GameTime]

Thanks Tony....I really liked Gabriel....She gave a maximum effort every time she stepped in the circle...As fans, we are so lucky to follow these fine young ladies. When they leave, we do miss them.

 

[tonybologna]

Thanks Tony....I really liked Gabriel....She gave a maximum effort every time she stepped in the circle...As fans, we are so lucky to follow these fine young ladies. When they leave, we do miss them.

You're welcome & I agree about Gabriel. She did give it her all every single time she took the mound. She sort of reminded me of Monica Abbott with her determination & effort every single time she pitched.

Of course, Abbott was a better pitcher but still Gabriel played like her with her effort & tenacity on that mound. She will be missed just like the rest of the seniors leaving.

 

[sccshortstop]

The truth of the matter is all four of the seniors were warriors and will be great LVs for life.
I Salute!!

 

[Volfan2012]

I was thinking the same on Gabriel because she played in to many games as a freshman. Arnold fills that slot and we need another pitcher to become good enough to take that third position. Morrison and Bush with Martin a possibility.
I am more concerned right now who is going to replace Overstreet and Gaffin in the lineup. Was kind of shocked that Lockman didn't hit better after hitting over .470 both her junior and senior year of high school with a ton of home runs. Hoping that McClain can become a consistent hitter she is great defensively for center field but can't come no where close to Gaffin as a hitter. We have another top slap hitter coming in that is supposed to be an elite player.
I guess Ralph will figure it out but we could be a little down next season if the freshmen pitchers don't come up big.

 

[peachstatevolgirl]

What worries me is these incoming freshmen that posted big numbers and were highly touted. We all know there's a difference between high school and summer ball than the SEC. Look at Bush. I was never a critic of the Weeklys, but with only one pitcher returning with experience, I'm starting to wonder what the heck is going on up on Rocky Top. Why has it taken us so long to recruit another lefty pitcher? Has there been one since Abbott? And why did we ever change our speed approach offensively to power? I'm getting impatient. I want a natty brought back to Big Orange Country so badly I can taste it!

 

[sccshortstop]

I think the pressure of SEC softball has caught up to some of our former and current players. I am sure other teams have the same problems but we don't know it. You just hope you have enough bodies so your quality will rise to the top. Some have good freshman years and the sophomore slump hits and they lose all confidence. Being used to being the 1 or top 2 players in HS and travel ball messes with the coconut. With 11 coming in and with what we got someone has to go I am thinking as I stated in this thread earlier. I remember when the Weeklys lost the WS games with Monica they had discussed the lack of power on our team. They stated they may start to refine their thinking at that time but really did not until later. We kind of got spoiled with the Renfores and Raven and Lauren and Kat where the speed game was working. I like you can not name another lefty we have signed to pitch since Monica and she stated at the time she signed that she came all the way from California to Knoxville to change the culture of LV softball. She did that. Furthermore I would guess that 90% of the followers of the program now cannot name 8 pitchers other than those previously mentioned since last year.
One think the Weeklys have done is get us to the WS many times and you sure cant win the Kentucky Derby with plow horses. We just need to get over the hump Just my 2cents worth.

 

[2Alum4EverVol]

According to the official UT release, TN has signed "7" players for the 2016-2017 academic year. Check here. Vols' Softball Adds Three More to 2016 Class - University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site They are Caylan Arnold, Jenna Holcomb, Kaitlyn Martin, Chelsea Seggern, Tianna Batts, Cailin Hannon & Shelby Rogers. All these seven players have signed and turned in their LOI. Yes, they are officially ours.

Some said 9 players and I just checked the source Goldfastpitch site; in addition to the above 7, the site lists Ashlee Snyder and Jaiden Johnson. I know Snyder was a verbal commit up until a couple years ago, and I actually read her article in KNS a few yrs back. She was a highly touted recruit at the time that KNS deemed it necessary to run her story in their paper. Needless to say I was somewhat surprised to not see her name among the signees, but as you know that happens sometimes. As in recent case of Brooke Vines (originally committed to Stanford), a recruit can change her mind for whatever reason(s) and decommit from the first school she verbally committed to. I don't know anything about Jaiden Johnson. Remember the Goldfastpitch lists "verbals" and not "signees". I've found the Goldfastpitch site missing some verbal/signee for a certain school in the past and in general is not being up-to-date 100% of the time, therefore I think that's probably the case with Snyder and Johnson. I doubt Snyder and Johnson are coming over to Rocky Top this fall.

Gametime, who's your source? Where did you get eleven signees??

 

[2Alum4EverVol]

Just using common sense, it's not feasible that UT has signed 11 for 2016 class. The Weeklys signed 10 for 2015 class. Even with inevitable turnovers expected from this program on annual basis, it's doubtful that the Weeklys would have signed 21 players, the entire softball team, in two successive (back-to-back) classes alone.

 

[LVJeff]

Who gets to the world series? My picks: 4 SEC, 1 PAC 12, 1 Big 10, 1 ACC, 1 Big 12:

Florida/Georgia: Florida
FSU/Utah: FSU
Oregon/UCLA: Oregon
Auburn/Arizona: Auburn
Oklahoma/ULL: Oklahoma
Alabama/Washington: Alabama
JMU/LSU: LSU
Michigan/Missouri: Michigan

 

[sccshortstop]

Who gets to the world series? My picks: 4 SEC, 1 PAC 12, 1 Big 10, 1 ACC, 1 Big 12:

Florida/Georgia: Florida
FSU/Utah: FSU
Oregon/UCLA: Oregon
Auburn/Arizona: Auburn
Oklahoma/ULL: Oklahoma
Alabama/Washington: Alabama
JMU/LSU: LSU
Michigan/Missouri: Michigan

I will go with same as you but put: JMU and Arizona!

 

[sccshortstop]

According to the official UT release, TN has signed "7" players for the 2016-2017 academic year. Check here. Vols' Softball Adds Three More to 2016 Class - University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site They are Caylan Arnold, Jenna Holcomb, Kaitlyn Martin, Chelsea Seggern, Tianna Batts, Cailin Hannon & Shelby Rogers. All these seven players have signed and turned in their LOI. Yes, they are officially ours.

Some said 9 players and I just checked the source Goldfastpitch site; in addition to the above 7, the site lists Ashlee Snyder and Jaiden Johnson. I know Snyder was a verbal commit up until a couple years ago, and I actually read her article in KNS a few yrs back. She was a highly touted recruit at the time that KNS deemed it necessary to run her story in their paper. Needless to say I was somewhat surprised to not see her name among the signees, but as you know that happens sometimes. As in recent case of Brooke Vines (originally committed to Stanford), a recruit can change her mind for whatever reason(s) and decommit from the first school she verbally committed to. I don't know anything about Jaiden Johnson. Remember the Goldfastpitch lists "verbals" and not "signees". I've found the Goldfastpitch site missing some verbal/signee for a certain school in the past and in general is not being up-to-date 100% of the time, therefore I think that's probably the case with Snyder and Johnson. I doubt Snyder and Johnson are coming over to Rocky Top this fall.

Gametime, who's your source? Where did you get eleven signees??

I believe that should be Shelby Robinson and I also think Ashley Snyder is a 2017 commit but I may be wrong.

 

[larjoranj]

I looked at the list of incoming freshmen (11) for us next season...There are several slappers that should improve that function of the game....The girl named Martin appears to be a hitting machine, not a slapper, and she hits with power, a lot of power.

The Maryville girl, Arnold, will be big on the mound for us...She has a very low ERA. If Bush can refine herself pitching will be much improved.

Any news on Gabriel?

Bush,Pieroni , Hosfield and Rhodes were dominant in high school with stellar ERAs and no telling how many titles between them. Doesn't always translate.