Tennessee Softball 2023

#15,176
#15,176
mr.checkerboards said:
Lol, your posts make you sound like you have something against Pickens. Are you sure you're not the jealous one?

There were only 2 games in that Texas series. When was she going to pitch? Payton and Ashley were always going G1 and G2.
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Riddle me this, you said starting Pickens wasn't a mistake against Oklahoma but it would’ve been against Texas since she’s our #3. So by your own words we pitched our #3 in the biggest game of the year. IMO she has a lot to prove before I can say she’s the team #1 of the future. A number 1 has to be able to win and with throwing over 70mph you should’ve been able to win at the high school and travel level. So we are asking for her to make a big stride over night. It took Penta from Auburn 3 years and they both have similar track records so it’s not going to happen over night.
 
#15,177
#15,177
Lady Vols Fan said:
Riddle me this, you said starting Pickens wasn't a mistake against Oklahoma but it would’ve been against Texas since she’s our #3. So by your own words we pitched our #3 in the biggest game of the year. IMO she has a lot to prove before I can say she’s the team #1 of the future. A number 1 has to be able to win and with throwing over 70mph you should’ve been able to win at the high school and travel level. So we are asking for her to make a big stride over night. It took Penta from Auburn 3 years and they both have similar track records so it’s not going to happen over night.
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Nobody's asking for it to happen overnight. She's going to improve over the off season or at least one would hope. If the offense is improved she doesn't have to be perfect just good.
As far as Texas, I bet Pickens would've started if there was a game 3, and you're putting words in my mouth saying it would've been a mistake to start her against Texas, I never said that. Hell when we had the big lead in game 2 I wanted her to throw to gain some confidence, but with how good Gotshall was throwing I understand why the coaches didn't.
Payton wasn't 100% in Omaha, Ashley couldn't go back to back days. The scouting report on OU was they struggled with velocity, Pickens was the only one with that velo and the only one healthy. You've got to take that chance and see what happens.
The only other thing Karen could've done was start KP against Bama and then throw Ashely in game 2, but if she lost the media firestorm she would've been under would've been insane. Pickens was this teams best shot at beating OU.
As far as her development yes probably as a JR or SR is when she will really shine, but you know how you develop, pitching and not just in practice. She needs to take her lumps now, it's only going to benefit in the long run. You can't teach the velo she has.
 
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#15,178
#15,178
Majors said:
What was your personal expectation for Pickens her Freshman year 16-0? You keep mentioning the Fouts comparison in 2019 who was 21-6 and the teams #1. Tennessee didn’t need KP to be #1 this past year with Ashley back and addition of PG. Making comparisons of what past pitchers Barnhill, Fouts and even Bahl is a stretch as all things aren’t equal. I don’t disagree on Canady, probably the best pitcher/player in the 2022 class over Deal, Taylor and Berzon.

Well before you arrived it was discussed to give Pickens time and don’t have the over excitement as she will have highs and lows.
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My personal expectations is what we seen of Pickens. An up and down season with some highs and more lows like her track history has shown. But to think she’s in the same class as the other pitchers is ridiculous without proving anything. That’s been my point the whole time… It’s not fair to the other players to get called out for there bad performances and she gets a pass because she throws 74mph.
 
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#15,179
#15,179
Lady Vols Fan said:
My personal expectations is what we seen of Pickens. An up and down season with some highs and more lows like her track history has soon. But to think she’s in the same class as the other pitchers is ridiculous without proving anything. That’s been my point the whole time… It’s not fair to the other players to get called out for there bad performances and she gets a pass because she throws 74mph.
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Which Freshman isn’t getting called out? Believe many here understand the expectations of the position and her capabilities that were God given. You could say she’s in the same class, as she’s only one of small group of freshman that pitcher in the WCWS- Deal, Reid, Canady. She proved she belongs by her SEC accolades. Her biggest jump needs to be this year and continue to rise each year.
 
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#15,180
#15,180
Majors said:
Which Freshman isn’t getting called out? Believe many here understand the expectations of the position and her capabilities that were God given. You could say she’s in the same class, as she’s only one of small group of freshman that pitcher in the WCWS- Deal, Reid, Canady. She proved she belongs by her SEC accolades. Her biggest jump needs to be this year and continue to rise each year.
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Mhmmmmm, the old saying goes usually you make your biggest jump from year 1 to year 2.
 
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#15,181
#15,181
mr.checkerboards said:
Nobody's asking for it to happen overnight. She's going to improve over the off season or at least one would hope. If the offense is improved she doesn't have to be perfect just good.
As far as Texas, I bet Pickens would've started if there was a game 3, and you're putting words in my mouth saying it would've been a mistake to start her against Texas, I never said that. Hell when we had the big lead in game 2 I wanted her to throw to gain some confidence, but with how good Gotshall was throwing I understand why the coaches didn't.
Payton wasn't 100% in Omaha, Ashley couldn't go back to back days. The scouting report on OU was they struggled with velocity, Pickens was the only one with that velo and the only one healthy. You've got to take that chance and see what happens.
The only other thing Karen could've done was start KP against Bama and then throw Ashely in game 2, but if she lost the media firestorm she would've been under would've been insane. Pickens was this teams best shot at beating OU.
As far as her development yes probably as a JR or SR is when she will really shine, but you know how you develop, pitching and not just in practice. She needs to take her lumps now, it's only going to benefit in the long run. You can't teach the velo she has.
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We are getting closer on agreeing but having a pitcher come in and pitch mop up innings doesn’t build confidence. The top pitchers have already built their confidence before they every pitch an inning before college. It’s how you prepare yourself before you get there. This is the SEC no pitcher is going to gain confidence pitching mop up innings, the mentality weak will lose confidence in those situations. Not having the quick hook and pulling her out all season long when she got in trouble and learn from those lumps. But that’s a double edged sword because it’s not fair to the team either to have her learn from her mistakes for the team to lose.
 
#15,182
#15,182
Lady Vols Fan said:
We are getting closer on agreeing but having a pitcher come in and pitch mop up innings doesn’t build confidence. The top pitchers have already built their confidence before they every pitch an inning before college. It’s how you prepare yourself before you get there. This is the SEC no pitcher is going to gain confidence pitching mop up innings, the mentality weak will lose confidence in those situations. Not having the quick hook and pulling her out all season long when she got in trouble and learn from those lumps. But that’s a double edged sword because it’s not fair to the team either to have her learn from her mistakes for the team to lose.
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It's just like a shooter in basketball. Once you see a few go in you start to build confidence.
Same thing for a pitcher. A couple good innings goes a long way.
 
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#15,184
#15,184
Lady Vols Fan said:
Or the old saying of a sophomore slump like Lair had. She was a better player than showed this year but got ran out of town on this board
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This board or who moved in? Unfortunately for Lair she had labrum surgery, didn’t come back in great shape and had the issues of Donihoo at SS and lack NIL. She was not on board with playing the OF …not sure that’s the board running her out. It was discussed here last fall she was probably looking to move on for reasons stated.
 
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#15,187
#15,187
Majors said:
This board or who moved in? Unfortunately for Lair she had labrum surgery, didn’t come back in great shape and had the issues of Donihoo at SS and lack NIL. She was not on board with playing the OF …not sure that’s the board running her out. It was discussed here last fall she was probably looking to move on for reasons stated.
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I high doubt this board is the reason she left it was just an expression. All players have off the field issues and shouldn’t be judged by us for them. The only thing we should be able to judge is the playing performance and yes off the field issues affect that. But the moral of my story if we are given breaks to others she deserves them too. You ain’t winning nothing if you don’t win the circle…
 
#15,188
#15,188
Majors said:
This board or who moved in? Unfortunately for Lair she had labrum surgery, didn’t come back in great shape and had the issues of Donihoo at SS and lack NIL. She was not on board with playing the OF …not sure that’s the board running her out. It was discussed here last fall she was probably looking to move on for reasons stated.
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I hear After Lair getting run out, Marty Tyson is done sending players to Karen!
 
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#15,194
#15,194
Majors said:
True story. In her defense, she made it and concerns about her attitude were never seen.
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Yeah it always seemed like her teammates loved her and she was always so pleasant during interviews. I'm glad she was here in the time she was here, regardless. That grand slam vs. Bama in the SECT was arguably my favorite moment of the season.
 
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#15,197
#15,197
What pitchers are left in the portal today was the last day to enter the portal. Getting another top pitcher was certainly a big must for the team. The two players we got should help the offense need that pitcher even though I think Pickens will be a lot better next season you never want only two top pitchers on a team.
 
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#15,198
#15,198
Volfan2012 said:
What pitchers are left in the portal today was the last day to enter the portal. Getting another top pitcher was certainly a big must for the team. The two players we got should help the offense need that pitcher even though I think Pickens will be a lot better next season you never want only two top pitchers on a team.
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I have a feeling Orsini might stay, idk. She probably won’t make a big difference in the staff next year tbh, maybe eat up some midweeks and lower competition early. I hope we get an announcement soon.
 
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#15,200
#15,200
Majors said:
SJ Geurin didn’t pitch this year. I’d say if they get the opportunity to take one that’s on par or better than the two lefties they will.
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I thought Deal was the #1 recruit at pitcher her SR yr? Geurin was #7 I believe? I’d put money Rocha will have them ready. Not surprised really that she didn’t pitch as their pitching staff had good depth in front of her.
 
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