LSU Softball - Still a work in progress but hope for a title run

Attended the three game series vs Florida and most of the games this year. Florida is very good in all three phases of the game. They are 2x defending champs for a reason. We improved defensively and pitching was good. However as everybody saw the bats struggled. You have to beat Florida - they are not going to give a game away like many other teams. However, we were a key hit or two away from winning one or two of those games.

This team is still very much a work in progess. Not a bad thing but getting to the point where Beth needs to figure it out and stick with it. They have the talent to beat Florida and anybody else in the country they just have to put it together. Continuous change isn't always the best for the team chemistry \ confidence.


Observation 1) Putting Serrett at SS seems to be the right decision, she can play and deserves to be on the field. However, the change effected 3 other defensive positions and 2 all americans (Bell, Jaquish & Kloss). Since she made the change full time it seems the big three in the middle of the batting order have struggled at the plate. Bell to 3B and Jaquish is now catching instead of starting at 3B. Wondering why Jaquish is catching 2 of the 3 games in the series when Kloss is the better defensive catcher? I would rather see Kloss catch and Jaquish DP 2 of the 3 games in the SEC series.

Observation 2) Beth needs to settle on a batting line up. Regardless of the strike outs she needs to put Landry at lead off and stick with her. The only one with the speed to be at that spot. Right now she seems to one deminsional. She is slapping to much. Needs to keep the defense guessing more by mixing up hitting away vs slapping vs drag bunting. Beth needs to move Griggs from the second spot. This needs to be a player that can put the ball on the ground and bunt to move runners. One of the few elite slappers that can't drag bunt? Think she needs to move her back to the nine hole Not sure how well Quinn \ Serrett would do in the 2 hole but we need a player that can move runners and put a bunt down in play. Not sure why Serrett with the third highest batting average, fourth in extra base hits and tield for the lead in doubles is batting in the eight hole?

My 2 cents on the batting line up
Landry
Quinn \ Serrett
Bell
Jaquish
Kloss
Quinn \ Serrett
Simmons
LF (Sanchez, Satchell, Bourg)
Griggs

Observation 3) Don't know if Thornhill is the answer at LF. Seems overmatched at times by top SEC pitching. Good lateral speed in outfield but seems slow moving forward. I wonder if Sanchez, Satchell or Bourg would be a better option.

Obsevation 4) Nice to see Walljasper pitch so well against A&M and Florida. However, think Smith has earned a shot to pitch more during conference play. I think if they are going to make a national title run they will need her ready to pitch in spots and pitching only against second tier teams isn't going to give her the confidence. Nice to see she got a little work against Florida.

Hopefully this team will turn it around and peak as they head into the SEC tournament and post season play vs last year when they started hot and limped into the post season.