Lady Vols Softball

[volman128]

Puni
Keene/Gibson

OF
Lair Beautae with her bat and speed will challenge anyone if staff ops to put her there, can play MI too but probably not taking those away this year.

Never underestimate how much the staff loves Parsons. Wouldn't be surprised to see her somewhere, even though she's not good on defense and isn't as good of a hitter as Webber for the DH spot. I also wonder if Curran makes her way in somewhere.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Never underestimate how much the staff loves Parsons. Wouldn't be surprised to see her somewhere, even though she's not good on defense and isn't as good of a hitter as Webber for the DH spot. I also wonder if Curran makes her way in somewhere.

Don't they hav a new hitting coach? If so, she could become a much better hitter.

 

[jeebie]

Don't they hav a new hitting coach? If so, she could become a much better hitter.

Parsons can also play outfield. She's already played some center field in her early years with the Lady Vols. I would try her in left field as her speed would come in handy there. Alabama did the same thing with Kayla Braud when she was having troubles at second base. And yes, hopefully the new hitting coach can improve Parson's hitting; getting her off slapping so much and swinging away. She is a savvy baserunner in most instances. I must admit I am also a fan of Parson's. I hope they can find a spot for her and not let her languish on the bench.

 

[volman128]

Don't they hav a new hitting coach? If so, she could become a much better hitter.

No matter who it is, they won't be a natural outfielder at that position, unless it's Beautae.

LF over the years has been spot where we have frequently put utility players. Melissa Davin, Melissa Brown, Rainey Gaffin, Brooke Vines, Scarlet McSwain and Lexi Overstreet all played there. It's also where Raven Chavanne started out playing before moving to 3B. Melissa Brown in particular played I think every position on the field at some point in her career except pitcher and catcher.

 

[volman128]

Parsons can also play outfield. She's already played some center field in her early years with the Lady Vols. I would try her in left field as her speed would come in handy there. Alabama did the same thing with Kayla Braud when she was having troubles at second base. And yes, hopefully the new hitting coach can improve Parson's hitting; getting her off slapping so much and swinging away. She is a savvy baserunner in most instances. I must admit I am also a fan of Parson's. I hope they can find a spot for her and not let her languish on the bench.

Whoever has the best bat that can adequately play the position deserves the nod and then put the next best bat at DH, which as of now would likely be Webber. Whether that's the senior Parsons or one of the freshmen or Curran in the OF, let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Majors]

Whoever has the best bat that can adequately play the position deserves the nod and then put the next best bat at DH, which as of now would likely be Webber. Whether that's the senior Parsons or one of the freshmen or Curran in the OF, let the chips fall where they may.

I always side with best bat or youth if all other things are equal.

 

[volman128]

US loses to Japan again in the gold medal match. I feel so bad for Monica, but this roster was severely lacking and this loss was much less shocking than in 2008. And the coaching staff for this team is utter garbage.

 

[SGMVols]

This should be the last game Ken Eriksen coaches in the USA uniform. The bats were atrocious all tournament and it finally caught up to them. If Patty Gasso would want the job, she should be the new coach.

 

[volman128]

The real stunner is Howard Dobson is their hitting coach. The same Howard Dobson that coaches a piss poor LSU offense every single year. And Erickson’s South Florida teams suck every year now. The fact that they are coaching the national team is next level politics, not to mention that roster. I could’ve found a better player at basically every position for the US. That roster was pitiful.

 

[Vols4life]

The real stunner is Howard Dobson is their hitting coach. The same Howard Dobson that coaches a piss poor LSU offense every single year. And Erickson’s South Florida teams suck every year now. The fact that they are coaching the national team is next level politics, not to mention that roster. I could’ve found a better player at basically every position for the US. That roster was pitiful.

How they did not redo the roster is beyond me....If they would have done a college tour this past season they would have lost a lot of games.....pitching was fine but those bats outside of Haylie......yikes

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

This should be the last game Ken Eriksen coaches in the USA uniform. The bats were atrocious all tournament and it finally caught up to them. If Patty Gasso would want the job, she should be the new coach.

IMO the coaching staff is definitely to blame for the poor performance this team put out. This roster had the capability to put up more than 2 runs in any game they played. What I am more confused is why he decided to start Osterman? She is an amazing pitcher do not get me wrong, but with the speed japan has it played into their game plan of touch and go. I would’ve started Ally Carda just because they would have not expected it and she pitched amazing against them on sunday and then brought in Monica in the 5th if we had a lead at that point.

What I was also confused was why Eriksen never used Garcia, Mulipola, or Nickles more in pool play. Nickles had one of the best hit balls this tournament, Garcia could have played 1st or DP, and Mulipola is much better offensively than Munro and has a pretty good arm as well.

 

[SGMVols]

It’s a crying shame that Abbott will retire from softball having never known the feeling of either being a college national champion or an Olympic gold medalist. Infuriating that she never gets run support in big games. She deserved better.

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

The real stunner is Howard Dobson is their hitting coach. The same Howard Dobson that coaches a piss poor LSU offense every single year. And Erickson’s South Florida teams suck every year now. The fact that they are coaching the national team is next level politics, not to mention that roster. I could’ve found a better player at basically every position for the US. That roster was pitiful.

I think it was clear that he definitely had favorites which is sad because when you’re at this level you put the best 9 players out on the field even if feelings get hurt.

 

[volman128]

IMO the coaching staff is definitely to blame for the poor performance this team put out. This roster had the capability to put up more than 2 runs in any game they played.

They did have the capability to do more, but the roster was severely lacking overall.

What I am more confused is why he decided to start Osterman?

I agree, but neither of the runs came off of Cat.

What I was also confused was why Eriksen never used Garcia, Mulipola, or Nickles more in pool play. Nickles had one of the best hit balls this tournament, Garcia could have played 1st or DP, and Mulipola is much better offensively than Munro and has a pretty good arm as well.

Munro never should’ve even been considered for the team and we all know it. She can’t hit the broad side of a barn with a beach ball. And I have no idea why Chidester was on the team and especially getting playing time over those three you mentioned.

 

[volman128]

It’s a crying shame that Abbott will retire from softball having never known the feeling of either being a college national champion or an Olympic gold medalist. Infuriating that she never gets run support in big games. She deserved better.

Coaching failed her in college and it failed her again at the Olympics — at least it did in 2021, anyway.

 

[SGMVols]

Coaching failed her in college and it failed her again at the Olympics — at least it did in 2021, anyway.

There will be no softball in the Olympics in 2024. I’m sure it’ll be back in 2028 when we host, but Abbott will be 43 years old then. No way she can stick around that long IMO

 

[Majors]

As much as I want to place blame all around from age of players to coaches and inability to produce runs etc. To me this team cannot get out of their own head in the box against Ueno. Her style, you better have a game plan well before you face her and get in the box vs. hoping to get a hit. Hate it for Monica to go down as never winning the big one (NCAA or Olympics).

 

[volman128]

How they did not redo the roster is beyond me....If they would have done a college tour this past season they would have lost a lot of games.....pitching was fine but those bats outside of Haylie......yikes

It’s just ridiculous. Weaknesses on offense all over the field. Players that have been with USASB for years that have never really done much. It’s even worse than the basketball WNT at this point.

Worst part is softball won’t be in the Paris games. So it’s not like they can redeem themselves in three years.

 

[volman128]

There will be no softball in the Olympics in 2024. I’m sure it’ll be back in 2028 when we host, but Abbott will be 43 years old then. No way she can stick around that long IMO

Nope. By that time it’ll probably be Montana Fouts, et al

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

There will be no softball in the Olympics in 2024. I’m sure it’ll be back in 2028 when we host, but Abbott will be 43 years old then. No way she can stick around that long IMO

I think she has the ability to come back (which is hopefully thinking) but the key is to get a new coaching staff and develop the younger athletes. You can’t expect the older players to stick around and if it does come back in 2028 have the younger athletes thrown in not knowing what it was like to play in a game like that.

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

Nope. By that time it’ll probably be Montana Fouts, et al

I think Fouts has what it takes to win them a gold medal

 

[Majors]

I think she has the ability to come back (which is hopefully thinking) but the key is to get a new coaching staff and develop the younger athletes. You can’t expect the older players to stick around and if it does come back in 2028 have the younger athletes thrown in not knowing what it was like to play in a game like that.

Too many up and comers about to take the thrown. I don't doubt that she could, but at some point you walk away when 7 years is the finish line.

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

As much as I want to place blame all around from age of players to coaches and inability to produce runs etc. To me this team cannot get out of their own head in the box against Ueno. Her style, you better have a game plan well before you face her and get in the box vs. hoping to get a hit. Hate it for Monica to go down as never winning the big one (NCAA or Olympics).

I agree 100% throughout all their games and especially against japans pitchers it looked like these players waited until 2 strikes to start swinging. I have always like Heather Tarr’s mentality: you have 3 strikes, use 2 of them to get your hacks in. The whole lineup with the exception of McCleney never looked like they had a plan

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

Too many up and comers about to take the thrown. I don't doubt that she could, but at some point you walk away when 7 years is the finish line.

If she does decide to come back I would be like for her to take on a closer role. Kind of like what Patty Gasso did with Paige Lowry in 2017 bc she is a hard throwing lefty & can mow down some hitters

 

[Majors]

I agree 100% throughout all their games and especially against japans pitchers it looked like these players waited until 2 strikes to start swinging. I have always like Heather Tarr’s mentality: you have 3 strikes, use 2 of them to get your hacks in. The whole lineup with the exception of McCleney never looked like they had a plan

They looked lost, but credit Ueno for speed, off speed, different levels and mixing it all in together. At some point, this team needed to create chaos by playing small ball mixed in with chop/slap hits and power.