Tennessee Softball 2024

[EZE]

Softball America

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This just reemphasizes the crux of the issue in the program. Two AA pitchers…not one position player.

CKW needs to take a long look at her methods for evaluating, then recruiting and then developing position players. I think the program might put too much emphasis on fielding/athleticism and not enough on hitting skills.

Give me the better hitter over the better fielder every time.

 

[distrovol]

This may have been covered already, but why leave Pickens in for so long in that second game? She’s the ace, but didn’t have her best stuff in the series. She pitched great but also got into some trouble at times. To her credit she got out of almost all of them save for the last inning. But why leave her in when Bama’s lineup had several rotations through and had likely got a bead on her when fatigue was likely setting in. Seems like a change of pace would’ve been in order in that last inning. At least that’s what I was muttering to myself at the start of the 14th.

 

[Majors]

This may have been covered already, but why leave Pickens in for so long in that second game? She’s the ace, but didn’t have her best stuff in the series. She pitched great but also got into some trouble at times. To her credit she got out of almost all of them save for the last inning. But why leave her in when Bama’s lineup had several rotations through and had likely got a bead on her when fatigue was likely setting in. Seems like a change of pace would’ve been in order in that last inning. At least that’s what I was muttering to myself at the start of the 14th.

Because she went scoreless for over 9 innings and you’re needing the offense to get 1 run to go to OKC.

 

[EZE]

Because she went scoreless for over 9 innings and you’re needing the offense to get 1 run to go to OKC.

And PG was struggling all weekend.

 

[jp1]

This just reemphasizes the crux of the issue in the program. Two AA pitchers…not one position player.

CKW needs to take a long look at her methods for evaluating, then recruiting and then developing position players. I think the program might put too much emphasis on fielding/athleticism and not enough on hitting skills.

Give me the better hitter over the better fielder every time.

Especially in today's game.

 

[jp1]

And PG was struggling all weekend.

I think this was the main reason. The cards were pretty much played for Karen on this decision.

 

[volman128]

And PG was struggling all weekend.

And that had a bigger effect because our offense was such trash. The pitchers couldn't afford to have off nights because of the offense.

 

[Tnphil]

And that had a bigger effect because our offense was such trash. The pitchers couldn't afford to have off nights because of the offense.

Exactly...It's pretty much normal for Karen ball.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

This may have been covered already, but why leave Pickens in for so long in that second game? She’s the ace, but didn’t have her best stuff in the series. She pitched great but also got into some trouble at times. To her credit she got out of almost all of them save for the last inning. But why leave her in when Bama’s lineup had several rotations through and had likely got a bead on her when fatigue was likely setting in. Seems like a change of pace would’ve been in order in that last inning. At least that’s what I was muttering to myself at the start of the 14th.

Or why not start her in game 3 and let her go as long as she could. She was obviously ready to go because she came in so early in game 3.

 

[distrovol]

There are three other pitchers on the roster. Were they not available?

 

[Aladywhovolunteer]

There are three other pitchers on the roster. Were they not available?

Payton Gottshall was the only one of the three (other three pitchers) who could be effective. If we were unable to win game two ( which we didn't) Gottshall would more than likely start (which she did) in game three. At the time, with Pickens in her 9/10 inning, to bring in Gottshall would have exposed her to more innings, knowing she was the game three starter. The game was Karlyn's to win or lose.

Unfortunately, pitching was not the issue.

Hindsight being 20/20 ( in my opinion) we should have started Karlyn (1st team all American) in all three games.

 

[distrovol]

Payton Gottshall was the only one of the three (other three pitchers) who could be effective. If we were unable to win game two ( which we didn't) Gottshall would more than likely start (which she did) in game three. At the time, with Pickens in her 9/10 inning, to bring in Gottshall would have exposed her to more innings, knowing she was the game three starter. The game was Karlyn's to win or lose.

Unfortunately, Pitching was not the issue.

Hindsight being 20/20 ( in my opinion) should have started Karlyn (1st team all American) in all three games.

The roster I looked at has 3 other pitchers besides KP and PG. It doesn't seem like a good position to be in that your tourney runs hinge on only 2 effective pitchers. Granted, I haven't been able to see hardly any regular season games. I usually can only catch tourney time of the season. I'm a little surprised we are in that position. Is this a development issue?

I'm a 10U coach and even I could tell KP was running out of gas and was living on borrowed time. She was plunking batters and had some ugly wild pitches, too. But coach knows her players and I'm sure she went with the best horse to get us over the line.

Agreed our issue was absolutely the terrible hitting overall. The Braves do the same thing in the post season, unfortunately.

 

[EZE]

The roster I looked at has 3 other pitchers besides KP and PG. It doesn't seem like a good position to be in that your tourney runs hinge on only 2 effective pitchers. Granted, I haven't been able to see hardly any regular season games. I usually can only catch tourney time of the season. I'm a little surprised we are in that position. Is this a development issue?

I'm a 10U coach and even I could tell KP was running out of gas and was living on borrowed time. She was plunking batters and had some ugly wild pitches, too. But coach knows her players and I'm sure she went with the best horse to get us over the line.

Agreed our issue was absolutely the terrible hitting overall. The Braves do the same thing in the post season, unfortunately.

We had one of the better pitching situations in the country…and maybe the best. There just aren’t that many high-level pitchers out there. And even less who want to be a #3.

And with the low amount of scholarships, a coach is limited.

 

[Majors]

And PG was struggling all weekend.

Uncharacteristic of her

 

[EZE]

Uncharacteristic of her

It was. Hard to say what was going on.

But, she got hit in every appearance. We were lucky to get the left field assist in Game 1.

 

[William_77]

Can’t remember the last time we had two first team pitchers…will miss seeing them on the staff together!

 

[RebKell]

Can’t remember the last time we had two first team pitchers…will miss seeing them on the staff together!

2024 ALL-AMERICAN AWARDS
NCAA DIVISION I - FIRST TEAM
P	NiJaree Canady	Stanford University
P	Lexi Kilfoyl	Oklahoma State University
P	Karlyn Pickens	University of Tennessee, Knoxville
C	Jocelyn Erickson	University of Florida
1B	Shaylon Govan	Baylor University
2B	Aminah Vega	Duke University
3B	Alyssa Brito	University of Oklahoma
SS	Tiare Jennings	University of Oklahoma
OF	Claire Davidson	Duke University
OF	Emma Ritter	Virginia Tech
OF	Korbe Otis	University of Florida
Joan Joyce UT/P	Valerie Cagle	Clemson University
DP or UT/Non-P	Reese Atwood	University of Texas at Austin
At-Large-P	Payton Gottshall	University of Tennessee, Knoxville
At-Large-SS	Maya Brady	University of California, Los Angeles
At-Large-P	Jessica Mullins	Texas State University
At-Large-1B	Brooke Nelson	University of Washington
At-Large-OF	Addy Greene	Virginia Tech
NCAA DIVISION I - SECOND TEAM
P	Sydney Berzon	Louisiana State University
P	Emiley Kennedy	Texas A&M University, College Station
P	Jala Wright	Duke University
C	Sharlize Palacios	University of California, Los Angeles
1B	Bri Ellis	University of Arkansas
2B	Elon Butler	University of California, Berkeley
3B	Jaysoni Beachum	Florida State University
SS	Skylar Wallace	University of Florida
OF	Jayda Coleman	University of Oklahoma
OF	Cori McMillan	Virginia Tech
OF	Addison Barnard	Wichita State University
UT/P	Morgan Smith	Rutgers, State Univ of New Jersey, New Brunswick
DP or UT/Non-P	CC Wong	Wichita State University
At-Large-1B	Madisyn Kennedy	Mississippi State University
At-Large-C	Kinzie Hansen	University of Oklahoma
At-Large-P	Olivia Lackie	University of South Alabama
At-Large-SS	Jess Oakland	University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
At-Large-P	Kayla Beaver	University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
NCAA DIVISION I - THIRD TEAM
P	Maddia Groff	Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
P	Maddie Penta	Auburn University
P	Morgan Leinstock	University of Arkansas
C	Caroline Wang	Oklahoma State University
1B	Karina Gaskins	University of Notre Dame
2B	Maddie Moore	Clemson University
3B	Karli Spaid	Miami University (Ohio)
SS	Erin Coffel	University of Kentucky
OF	Kelsey Nader	Northwestern University
OF	Abby Dayton	University of Utah
OF	Dakota Kennedy	University of Arizona
UT/P	Trinity Schlotterbeck	Florida Atlantic University
DP or UT/Non-P	Ella Parker	University of Oklahoma
At-Large-C	Michaela Edenfield	Florida State University
At-Large-P	Keagan Rothrock	University of Florida
At-Large-SS	Billie Andrews	University of Nebraska, Lincoln
At-Large-OF	Jenna Golembiewski	Miami University (Ohio)
At-Large-P	Alana Vawter	University of South Carolina, Columbia
At-Large-DP or UT/Non-P	Reagan Walsh	University of Florida

 

[Majors]

Likely follows Heather Tarr to Auburn.

Nebraska seems to be the clubhouse favorite….Cornhuskers loading up if they get her

 

[VOLINVONORE]

This may have been covered already, but why leave Pickens in for so long in that second game? She’s the ace, but didn’t have her best stuff in the series. She pitched great but also got into some trouble at times. To her credit she got out of almost all of them save for the last inning. But why leave her in when Bama’s lineup had several rotations through and had likely got a bead on her when fatigue was likely setting in. Seems like a change of pace would’ve been in order in that last inning. At least that’s what I was muttering to myself at the start of the 14th.

But part of her troubles were poor defense and base running our primary problem was getting base runners across the plate.

 

[anecwnrjcns12]

Nebraska seems to be the clubhouse favorite….Cornhuskers loading up if they get her

Once they got the Arkansas sisters I knew they were going for the top spot in the big 10 with some good schools joining next year. I think that conference should be interesting

 

[knoxvol52]

WCWS Today

Oklahoma over Duke
UCLA over Alabama
Oklahoma State over Florida
Stanford over Texas

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

WCWS Today

Oklahoma over Duke
UCLA over Alabama
Oklahoma State over Florida
Stanford over Texas

As long as AL goes out in 2 games the WCWS will be a success for me. After that would also like if OK did not win it but that's less likely. Its all basically home games for them and OkSt.

 

[Volfan2012]

First game today is Alabama UCLA think I will watch that one.

 

[chuckiepoo]

WCWS Today

Oklahoma over Duke
UCLA over Alabama
Oklahoma State over Florida
Stanford over Texas

OU
Bama
UF
TX

 

[EZE]

My pick to win the WCWS is Florida.