Question for Softball aficionado's on the board ....

[alexvol]

Please give your assessment of this softball team......pitching ,hitting ,defense ......and are they a World Series contender ?

 

[PreacherVol2]

Yes

 

[Majors]

Please give your assessment of this softball team......pitching ,hitting ,defense ......and are they a World Series contender ?

Need a favorable Super to make it. Can’t see them in the conversation to winning it this year like last year. As always we go a Pickens goes. Hitting can’t go into a slump like the Bama series.

 

[1morevol]

Lady Vol's team batting average is 10th compared to top ranked Oklahoma's 24th. However, doubles TN 47th OK 17th. Home runs TN 23rd OK 2nd. Lady Vols are in the conversation but seems to me they need a couple more ladies who can hit with power.

 

[alexvol]

Need a favorable Super to make it. Can’t see them in the conversation to winning it this year like last year. As always we go a Pickens goes.

I am not anywhere close to being an expert on College softball but have a very uneasy feeling about this team's ability to compete with the Oklahoma's ,Texas ,etc ....the big ladies of softball this year .The picture will of course become clearer since the LV's do play Texas/Oklahoma and other good/great teams later in the season.But,,to me the success will depend on great pitching from the other two starters as well as Pickens. Hitting also a ? against good pitching .....hope that it improves as the season progresses.

 

[Majors]

I am not anywhere close to being an expert on College softball but have a very uneasy feeling about this team's ability to compete with the Oklahoma's ,Texas ,etc ....the big ladies of softball this year .The picture will of course become clearer since the LV's do play Texas/Oklahoma and other good/great teams later in the season.But,,to me the success will depend on great pitching from the other two starters as well as Pickens. Hitting also a ? against good pitching .....hope that it improves as the season progresses.

Hitting is a bigger mystery, if they can’t score it won’t matter who’s pitching. We can win low scoring games with Pickens but we can also lose low scoring games with Pickens if the offense doesn’t show up. We seem in the four spot behind Texas, OU & Florida but have a chance to move up facing two for the three. I’ll be concerned if we drop a series outside of those two.

 

[ScreamingEagleVol]

I love the game of softball and it’s even better to watch in person. Still lots of games to be played for sure before anyone, I believe anyway, can begin to sort out the pecking order of teams. I believe any team can be beaten, but it depends in my humble opinion, on consistency, both in the circle and at the plate. It may be Mike Whites time to get a natty. They look strong at Texas. Oklahoma has had moments of almost losing but I would never bet against Rocha not getting their staff ready nor against JT Gasso not getting their bats ready for post season play. As for other teams in the top 10 or so, it will be dependent on their pitching and hitting as well. The lady Vols can make the WCWS and make a showing but again, I believe that any adjustments in the lineup should be made sooner rather than later to identify those that give the best chances of reaching the goal of a natty. Just my opinion of course. Should be a fun season regardless.

 

[CannonVol80]

I love the game of softball and it’s even better to watch in person. Still lots of games to be played for sure before anyone, I believe anyway, can begin to sort out the pecking order of teams. I believe any team can be beaten, but it depends in my humble opinion, on consistency, both in the circle and at the plate. It may be Mike Whites time to get a natty. They look strong at Texas. Oklahoma has had moments of almost losing but I would never bet against Rocha not getting their staff ready nor against JT Gasso not getting their bats ready for post season play. As for other teams in the top 10 or so, it will be dependent on their pitching and hitting as well. The lady Vols can make the WCWS and make a showing but again, I believe that any adjustments in the lineup should be made sooner rather than later to identify those that give the best chances of reaching the goal of a natty. Just my opinion of course. Should be a fun season regardless.

Off topic, but I assume, based on your screen name, you spent some time at Ft. Campbell. May I ask when? I was there from '73-'78.

Jim

 

[ScreamingEagleVol]

Off topic, but I assume, based on your screen name, you spent some time at Ft. Campbell. May I ask when? I was there from '73-'78.

Jim

2009-2014 with deployments throughout.
“Rakkisan!!”

 

[Majors]

Hitting is a bigger mystery, if they can’t score it won’t matter who’s pitching. We can win low scoring games with Pickens but we can also lose low scoring games with Pickens if the offense doesn’t show up. We seem in the four spot behind Texas, OU & Florida but have a chance to move up facing two for the three. I’ll be concerned if we drop a series outside of those two.

^^^ believe we have alot to play for and a lot to be concerned about as the season moves ahead.

 

[Rixxx]

I am not a softball expert, but I appreciate an aggressive hitting approach. I mean up there hacking at the first strike you see. It may not absolutely be the first pitch of the at bat, but subsequent pitches. I also like going with the pitch. Trying to pull the outside pitch will give you a grounder to short. Likewise, why are you swinging at pitches outside the zone. Knowing the strike zone is critical. I agree with the thought of going with your nine best hitters. If a good hitter is a liability in the field, slot that hitter in the DP position. Hitting is a coachable function and a successful hitter is receptive to coaching.