The catcher for the 2020 and 2021 seasons was Morgan Cummins, but she did struggle last year a lot. She batted .186 and really struggled defensively too. She had 15 past balls in her 46 starts. I believe that Morgan Cummins isn't good enough behind the plate for us and we should look at our 3 other options if she doesn't improve massively.

Ali Newland - Had a pretty good freshman season last spring. She batted .200 and had 3 home runs with only 40 AB. I believe Ali has the 2nd best swing on the team this season. She mainly saw playing time in the outfield last year but she had played catcher throughout her HS and travel ball. Ali was ranked 20th by Extra Inning Softball and 55th by Flo Softball.

Hayden Brown - In her freshman season, Hayden had 7 ABs while playing in the DH role in 2 games. She was a high rated recruit with being ranked 14th on Extra Inning Softball and 43rd Flo Softball. She had made 5 defensive replacements at catcher and having 1 past ball

Cait Calland - Calland had started 15 games behind the plate last year and had 5 past balls. In 2021 she batted .125 in 16 ABs.

I believe that we should start the season with Ali, Cait, and Morgan getting equal time and seeing who is better from there. I expect to see Ali and Morgan being 1 and 2 for the rest of Non Con and giving Ali most of the starts later in the season

This post was edited on 2/2/22 at 8:41 am

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Posted by subidc

CharlestonSC

Member since Nov 2019

2909 posts

Posted on 2/2/22 at 8:50 am to bcolimpo

Good write up. I believe the coaches can tell who is better in practice. The best player should start weekend series the others split mid week or weekday games.

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Posted by Chad504boy

4 posts

Member since Feb 2005

166502 posts

Posted on 2/2/22 at 9:00 am to bcolimpo

quote:
She had 15 past balls

*passed balls

Start with Ali. We need the best bat possible with good speed. None of them are good enough technicians that are huge difference makers back there.

This post was edited on 2/2/22 at 9:02 am

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Posted by tigers0615

Member since Feb 2019

371 posts

Posted on 2/2/22 at 9:32 am to bcolimpo

We should start with Ali. I remember her having quality at bats when give chances and she seems very athletic.

Im with you .. Morgan has to improve drastically. Some plate appearances she would swing at a good pitch others.. bad decision making not seeing enough pitches and getting deep into counts. I also do not remember us throwing anyone out last year

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Posted by coondaddy21

Louisiana

Member since Oct 2012

3222 posts

Posted on 2/2/22 at 10:35 am to bcolimpo

Your answer at catcher will be there next year in Maci Bergeron. She is the number 1 player in the nation and should be a 4 year starter.