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re: LSU SOFTBALL Adds #3, #4 and #5 2026 Recruits
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:30 am to tigerbait2010
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:30 am to tigerbait2010
quote:
I’m a huge critic of Torina but I have to ask what a softball recruit’s expectations actually are for NIL?
To clarify, we were looking for a plan to give my daughter opportunities. Not where's our bag. Other schools had a clear vision of how the collective worked, how introductions to opportunities happen, what the expectation of her was to futher any potential opportunities, and the tools to do so. For example, one Big 12 school has an app built to consolidate the opportunities. The company/person offering could target one or several athletes or it could go in for bid/proposal from the athlete. This is what I'm offering or will accept for what you want done.
Generally speaking, Tornia just doesn't have a plan. Any maybe as the other posted said the message isn't the same and I get that, but the amount of her scholarship offer and the timing she was brought it indicates she was one she wanted. Also, two of her teammates committed there in the same class and their experiences were similar.
2
Posted on 1/27/25 at 10:08 am to TexasNTiger
Or she didn’t really know since NIL is so fluid. Most likely collectives will be diminishing and NIL will be through the school through rev share and donations. It’s really unknown what NIL will look like in August much less August 2026 or 2027. I will say as far as the 2026 class Torina crushed it by all accounts according to everybody and as I said she beat schools like Florida, Texas, UCLA and Oklahoma so she is back on track in recruiting and evaluating
Posted on 1/27/25 at 5:05 pm to TexasNTiger
I disagree with several of your points. I have a close friend of my family who's daughter was really close to coming to LSU. She really liked Beth and knew that she would help make her an even better pitcher. There was one problem, Oklahoma wanted her too and something about OU draws great players to that program. Patty is an awesome coach and person, but I never thought of Norman, Oklahoma as a destination, but she & her staff make it that way. She was rewarded by getting multiple rings this year for conference, national championships, and mvp... but she still has a ton of respect for Beth.
I saw a couple of fall practices and the team is talented and works really hard. They looked good in the fall games I watched... but I know from experience coaching that experience trumps talent until the talent gets that needed experience. The coaches have a lot to do with that, but the players have to make it work together. I had a couple of teams with multiple D1 players and didn't win state, but did win it with a middle of the road group. The loaded teams worked hard and got along well, but we couldn't catch a break in crunch time, where the less talented team willed it's way to winning it all.
Getting to the WCWS and winning it has a lot to do with timing and if your team gets hot at that right time. I've seen the best team many times not win the championship.
By the way, if your kid and good friend's kid didn't come here, why are you here? Unless you're an alum and then that's perfectly fine.
I saw a couple of fall practices and the team is talented and works really hard. They looked good in the fall games I watched... but I know from experience coaching that experience trumps talent until the talent gets that needed experience. The coaches have a lot to do with that, but the players have to make it work together. I had a couple of teams with multiple D1 players and didn't win state, but did win it with a middle of the road group. The loaded teams worked hard and got along well, but we couldn't catch a break in crunch time, where the less talented team willed it's way to winning it all.
Getting to the WCWS and winning it has a lot to do with timing and if your team gets hot at that right time. I've seen the best team many times not win the championship.
By the way, if your kid and good friend's kid didn't come here, why are you here? Unless you're an alum and then that's perfectly fine.
This post was edited on 1/27/25 at 5:07 pm
Posted on 1/28/25 at 12:24 pm to 18handicap
quote:
I have a close friend of my family who's daughter was really close to coming to LSU.
Disagree all you want. This is our personal experience that is validated by someone else. I never said we disliked Beth, I said she never spoke about winning during our conversations and she seemed unprepared versus the other schools we visited when it came to our questions. I'm not going to give her a pass because other coaches were prepared, and she wasn't.
quote:
Unless you're an alum and then that's perfectly fine.
Yes, I am if that is ok with you.
Posted on 1/28/25 at 1:23 pm to TexasNTiger
quote:
Unless you're an alum and then that's perfectly fine.
What part of this statement did you not understand???
Posted on 1/28/25 at 8:54 pm to TexasNTiger
She had a plan to have the number 1 class in 2026, despite not taking your friends kid…Again NIL is so fluid she did the right thing not misleading you, I appreciate her honesty not promising something she can’t deliver.
This post was edited on 1/28/25 at 8:58 pm
Posted on 1/29/25 at 8:39 pm to TigerAlum4Life
Is Beth Torina still the head coach?
Posted on 1/29/25 at 10:09 pm to TigerAlum4Life
Nice job
Posted on 2/3/25 at 8:41 am to TigerAlum4Life
Meant to post on the weekend but weekend BBQ on such a beautiful day got in the way!! I got out to see the squad scrimmage on Saturday and caught almost all of it and found it very interesting!!! So curious to see how things play out! Notable observations:
1) I still think the strength of the team will be its pitching. Berzon will be Berzon which will be the rock of any success this team has. Heavener has looked promising save for some control issues from what I've seen in the Fall and a couple of scrimmages I've watched. Assuming Coach Torina gets Heavener's control issues under control she could end up the 2 with two strong arms behind them in Clopton and Vallejo.
2) With that said, I saw Berzon dominate in one scrimmage I caught, but Saturday the hitters got to her a bit. Surprisingly it looked like the freshmen stood out, especially Jones!
3) Jones hit a grand slam!!!!! And she had another streaming shot up the middle and was like lightning released from a bottle on the bases. She got on all 3 times I saw her up to bat and had more runs/rbi's than anyone else. She split 2B time it seems but made a few very nice defensive plays and her arm actually looks pretty damn good (I recall someone mentioning she might have an arm issue). Fielded a ball glove side behind the baseline with bases loaded and gunned a kid out at home. That kid could start in the SEC right now in my view but would have some freshman growing pains. Her glove is elite and she has great range. Hell I think her hits were off of 3 different pitchers and stole 2B with ease.
4) Franklin looks really strong. She won't start given she seems to be a 3B with Coffey in front of her but she looks like she might be the future at 3B. Had one nice hit and clearly shows power albeit could be a little more disciplined at the plate but no one talked about her much and she looks a lot better than I expected.
5) Hodge is definitely starting SS. Honestly think her glove is comparable to Jones and Daniel but she looks like she has one of the strongest arms on the team and is taller than Jones and Daniel. McKee was at 2B but doesn't move as fluidly as Hodge, Jones and Daniel and glove isn't as good but she looks like she has a strong arm too. McKee natural outfielder so not sure why she was infield except it may be crowded in the outfield.
6) Outfield has a lot of talent in it. Speaking of outfield I heard yesterday that Lassiter is still having issues with her shin splints. Hoping that isn't a nagging problem during season. Redoutey and Laneaux stood out at the plate and on defense.
Redoutey and Lassiter will start outfield for sure. I think there is an open spot that is up in the air and probably between Mikayla Walker, Jayden Laneaux (who looked great!) and Maddie McKee. This assumes Mckee is not transitioning infield which I think would be a mistake. She's not as good as the other middle infielders--definitely not defensively and behind Jones and Daniel offensively too. Infield locks are Coffey, Hodge, Bergeron and probably Edwards (1B). It looks like a battle going on at 2B between Jones and Daniel, and probably a little bit of a battle at 1B between Edwards and Manning.
All in all I like what I've seen. The athleticism and speed on this team is probably at the highest level I've seen it. Pitching is gonna be strong. Coach Torina has tough decisions outfield and looks like a tough decision at 2B. 1B gonna be a matter of hitting and I understand Edwards has been doing well with the most power on the team. Also the Phillips kid had a solid hit--deep triple. But she is still a fair distance behind Bergeron defensively at catcher. 4 more days til GEAUX TIME Tigers!
1) I still think the strength of the team will be its pitching. Berzon will be Berzon which will be the rock of any success this team has. Heavener has looked promising save for some control issues from what I've seen in the Fall and a couple of scrimmages I've watched. Assuming Coach Torina gets Heavener's control issues under control she could end up the 2 with two strong arms behind them in Clopton and Vallejo.
2) With that said, I saw Berzon dominate in one scrimmage I caught, but Saturday the hitters got to her a bit. Surprisingly it looked like the freshmen stood out, especially Jones!
3) Jones hit a grand slam!!!!! And she had another streaming shot up the middle and was like lightning released from a bottle on the bases. She got on all 3 times I saw her up to bat and had more runs/rbi's than anyone else. She split 2B time it seems but made a few very nice defensive plays and her arm actually looks pretty damn good (I recall someone mentioning she might have an arm issue). Fielded a ball glove side behind the baseline with bases loaded and gunned a kid out at home. That kid could start in the SEC right now in my view but would have some freshman growing pains. Her glove is elite and she has great range. Hell I think her hits were off of 3 different pitchers and stole 2B with ease.
4) Franklin looks really strong. She won't start given she seems to be a 3B with Coffey in front of her but she looks like she might be the future at 3B. Had one nice hit and clearly shows power albeit could be a little more disciplined at the plate but no one talked about her much and she looks a lot better than I expected.
5) Hodge is definitely starting SS. Honestly think her glove is comparable to Jones and Daniel but she looks like she has one of the strongest arms on the team and is taller than Jones and Daniel. McKee was at 2B but doesn't move as fluidly as Hodge, Jones and Daniel and glove isn't as good but she looks like she has a strong arm too. McKee natural outfielder so not sure why she was infield except it may be crowded in the outfield.
6) Outfield has a lot of talent in it. Speaking of outfield I heard yesterday that Lassiter is still having issues with her shin splints. Hoping that isn't a nagging problem during season. Redoutey and Laneaux stood out at the plate and on defense.
Redoutey and Lassiter will start outfield for sure. I think there is an open spot that is up in the air and probably between Mikayla Walker, Jayden Laneaux (who looked great!) and Maddie McKee. This assumes Mckee is not transitioning infield which I think would be a mistake. She's not as good as the other middle infielders--definitely not defensively and behind Jones and Daniel offensively too. Infield locks are Coffey, Hodge, Bergeron and probably Edwards (1B). It looks like a battle going on at 2B between Jones and Daniel, and probably a little bit of a battle at 1B between Edwards and Manning.
All in all I like what I've seen. The athleticism and speed on this team is probably at the highest level I've seen it. Pitching is gonna be strong. Coach Torina has tough decisions outfield and looks like a tough decision at 2B. 1B gonna be a matter of hitting and I understand Edwards has been doing well with the most power on the team. Also the Phillips kid had a solid hit--deep triple. But she is still a fair distance behind Bergeron defensively at catcher. 4 more days til GEAUX TIME Tigers!
This post was edited on 2/3/25 at 1:40 pm
Posted on 2/4/25 at 7:26 am to TigerAlum4Life
I saw the LSU daily yesterday and no mention of Jones or Daniel, they said it’s McKee or Peterson at 2nd. I’m sure they get their info from coaches or going to practices/scrimmages. It’s good to hear that players are progressing whether they play this yr or not… maybe next yr !!!
This post was edited on 2/4/25 at 7:27 am
Posted on 2/4/25 at 8:09 am to Casualobserver1985
I saw that this morning and that is the most egregiously bad projection I could imagine as I know all those players pretty well. And I've seen them all play. Either there are some personal connections with the publisher of that internet publication or Beth just doesn't want to win. McKee is literally NO WHERE NEAR the player that Daniel or Jones is at 2B so there's got to be more to this story. Defensively she might even be a liability there based on all the Fall games (where she got some back up work at SS with several errors but was mostly outfield) and the couple of scrimmages and practice I saw.
Instead of the eye test lets just use logic of McKee and Peterson battling over Daniel and Jones (which really sounds absurd as I type this):
1) Peterson hasn't played due to injury in 3 years. When she did play she hit .213. She didn't even start throwing again until LATE fall.
2) McKee was an outfielder all of travel ball I'm told. They brought her in last year to attempt to fill the Coffey void (along with Manning & Daniel) and she struggled far more than both Manning and Daniel at 3B so wasn't surprised to see her outfield in the Fall (with some backup work at SS). Moreover, Daniel hit .300 vs McKee .237, Daniel (& Jones) is a better baserunner, much better glove and more versatile. Other than some vested interest make it make sense.
3) Jones is a freshman yes, but she (& Daniel) clearly is a far more seasoned infielder already than McKee, with a FAR better glove, much faster, has looked a lot better in scrimmages defensively and has more offensive potential than McKee. If McKee hadn't been outfield and working I'd say maybe simply because Coach Torina favors experience more than talent it may give her an edge but she honestly didn't look good infield at all.
Look I have not dog in this second base fight but I'd like the team to do their best considering the challenges they'll likely face. NO WAY IN HECK the coaches say Peterson and McKee are the two battling for 2B. And if they did maybe you have been right all along about coaching.
Side note is that the person that sent me that "LSU Daily" thing did suggest there are personal connections between the person that runs that independent publication and some of the players' families. Maybe that explains it. I've NEVER seen or heard of Torina or any of the other coaching staffs reference or mention LSU Daily whereas they have other publications and podcasts. Just doesn't sound objective to me at all. The other positions they note seem to make sense though.
Instead of the eye test lets just use logic of McKee and Peterson battling over Daniel and Jones (which really sounds absurd as I type this):
1) Peterson hasn't played due to injury in 3 years. When she did play she hit .213. She didn't even start throwing again until LATE fall.
2) McKee was an outfielder all of travel ball I'm told. They brought her in last year to attempt to fill the Coffey void (along with Manning & Daniel) and she struggled far more than both Manning and Daniel at 3B so wasn't surprised to see her outfield in the Fall (with some backup work at SS). Moreover, Daniel hit .300 vs McKee .237, Daniel (& Jones) is a better baserunner, much better glove and more versatile. Other than some vested interest make it make sense.
3) Jones is a freshman yes, but she (& Daniel) clearly is a far more seasoned infielder already than McKee, with a FAR better glove, much faster, has looked a lot better in scrimmages defensively and has more offensive potential than McKee. If McKee hadn't been outfield and working I'd say maybe simply because Coach Torina favors experience more than talent it may give her an edge but she honestly didn't look good infield at all.
Look I have not dog in this second base fight but I'd like the team to do their best considering the challenges they'll likely face. NO WAY IN HECK the coaches say Peterson and McKee are the two battling for 2B. And if they did maybe you have been right all along about coaching.
Side note is that the person that sent me that "LSU Daily" thing did suggest there are personal connections between the person that runs that independent publication and some of the players' families. Maybe that explains it. I've NEVER seen or heard of Torina or any of the other coaching staffs reference or mention LSU Daily whereas they have other publications and podcasts. Just doesn't sound objective to me at all. The other positions they note seem to make sense though.
This post was edited on 2/5/25 at 10:17 am
Posted on 2/4/25 at 8:23 am to TigerAlum4Life
Oh wow!! Interesting/perplexing!!! I just looked this article up.
Posted on 2/4/25 at 8:27 am to TigerAlum4Life
Could be idk, I would just caution not to be surprised by anything as no one has seen ALL the scrimmages or practices. Just like football where a kid will flash in the spring game and then is never heard from in the fall. As far as the coaches, I think the coaches are fine, Beth is the same coach who coached in 4 WS…imo they lost focus on recruiting the top players, the players that Texas, Florida, OU, UCLA are recruiting…they got back to this with the most recent commits. I have made my opinion known and that is the roster isnt a upper tier SEC roster outside of 2 pitchers and a few position players i.e Bergeron, Coffey, Redoutey and Lassiter
This post was edited on 2/4/25 at 8:57 am
Posted on 2/4/25 at 8:35 am to TigerAlum4Life
@TigerAlumn: I know this is a public forum with some sense of anonymity, but would you mind catching up at a game if we both are in attendance? Can shoot you a description of what I'm wearing and where I'm at. I typically sit on the side of the visitors on the top row near the railing when you first enter into the stadium. Plan to be at all 3 games this weekend if you happen to be there.
And yes, I can confirm for you that McKee was an outfielder the last several years in travel ball, but played infield in travel ball when she was young and I think she was at SS in high school but most high level travel ball players are at SS in high school in TX. Played travel ball for Hotshots Nelson team last several years as an outfielder. But interesting tidbit is she also played on Hotshots with Jones at a younger age--I think in 14s and she was an infielder then playing 2B and Jones was SS. Those teams were extremely good. I coached against those hotshot teams several times.
And yes, I can confirm for you that McKee was an outfielder the last several years in travel ball, but played infield in travel ball when she was young and I think she was at SS in high school but most high level travel ball players are at SS in high school in TX. Played travel ball for Hotshots Nelson team last several years as an outfielder. But interesting tidbit is she also played on Hotshots with Jones at a younger age--I think in 14s and she was an infielder then playing 2B and Jones was SS. Those teams were extremely good. I coached against those hotshot teams several times.
This post was edited on 2/4/25 at 8:53 am
Posted on 2/4/25 at 10:20 am to Casualobserver1985
Agreed Casualobserver1985; no one has seen ALL the scrimmages/practices except the coaches and the players but I have seen a large enough sample AND have information on most of those I haven't seen from those in attendance to not speak out of turn. Otherwise I wouldn't have such a convictional opinion. So I'm not talking about "flash(es)" here: Views based both on likely a larger body of evidence than that alluded to in that article I saw this morning and being very familiar with the games of the players in question (except Peterson because she just hasn't played). Saw most Fall games, several scrimmages and a couple of practices and got firsthand accounts of most of the others.
And yes we agreed to disagree on views about some of the talent on the roster which is understandable. Although one of your premises is flawed given a couple of those you dismiss were recruited by the very schools you list but they chose LSU. And you include in your subjective list of "upper tier SEC players" one player ranked outside of the Top 100 players in the SEC in batting last season and you leave out of your list several that ranked in the Top 100 SEC players in batting. Reality is of the returners from this roster only the following ranked in the Top 100 in batting: Coffey (limited), Lassiter, Redoutey, Manning and Daniel. Agree on the pitchers but mainly because limited body of work to make such judgements (good or bad) of Clopton and Vallejo (like Peterson).
But that is what this forum is for right?!--Arm chair QBs. That's why I try to stick to logic and factual evidence to the extent possible and that is what generally guides my reasoning. I could question the LF choice too but it is easier and reasonable to defend Walker who looks a ton better this year in Fall games and scrimmages over the freshmen compared to the other options of Bedell, Laneaux and Townsend. But it is pretty difficult to reasonably defend the second-base "projections" they posted which make absolutely no sense.
Personally think the "talent" level on the team IS upper SEC talent but whether that talent is cultivated and utilized in a way that results in the team being in the Top 3/4 this year is a more debatable question. Compare the LSU roster to other rosters in the SEC and I would argue they are at least in the Top 6 of the 15 teams in the league now as a whole. But like you said, we shall see. But if decisions are made by the coaches like that suggested in that LSU Daily article throughout the season I think what we shall see is a pretty depressing season of LSU softball and remember I'm the big time optimist.
And yes we agreed to disagree on views about some of the talent on the roster which is understandable. Although one of your premises is flawed given a couple of those you dismiss were recruited by the very schools you list but they chose LSU. And you include in your subjective list of "upper tier SEC players" one player ranked outside of the Top 100 players in the SEC in batting last season and you leave out of your list several that ranked in the Top 100 SEC players in batting. Reality is of the returners from this roster only the following ranked in the Top 100 in batting: Coffey (limited), Lassiter, Redoutey, Manning and Daniel. Agree on the pitchers but mainly because limited body of work to make such judgements (good or bad) of Clopton and Vallejo (like Peterson).
But that is what this forum is for right?!--Arm chair QBs. That's why I try to stick to logic and factual evidence to the extent possible and that is what generally guides my reasoning. I could question the LF choice too but it is easier and reasonable to defend Walker who looks a ton better this year in Fall games and scrimmages over the freshmen compared to the other options of Bedell, Laneaux and Townsend. But it is pretty difficult to reasonably defend the second-base "projections" they posted which make absolutely no sense.
Personally think the "talent" level on the team IS upper SEC talent but whether that talent is cultivated and utilized in a way that results in the team being in the Top 3/4 this year is a more debatable question. Compare the LSU roster to other rosters in the SEC and I would argue they are at least in the Top 6 of the 15 teams in the league now as a whole. But like you said, we shall see. But if decisions are made by the coaches like that suggested in that LSU Daily article throughout the season I think what we shall see is a pretty depressing season of LSU softball and remember I'm the big time optimist.
This post was edited on 2/5/25 at 10:14 am
Posted on 2/4/25 at 10:30 am to TigerByAssociation1
@TigerAssociation: I wouldn't mind at all meeting you and catching up. Would be great to chat with a travel ball mind. You guys are in the thick of things. I plan to be at the Saturday game. Let me know what you're wearing. Guy or girl? You annoyingly muscular, unabashedly well-fed, confidently slender or just unassumingly pedestrian?? :-)
Posted on 2/4/25 at 10:42 am to TigerByAssociation1
@TigerByAss:
Interesting that McKee and Jones played travel ball together before!!! That's what I mean by travel ball info. I bet the team was good. Hotshots teams have a good reputation as having some of the best players. High level travel ball is a intimate community it seems even if players live states away from each other.
Interesting that McKee and Jones played travel ball together before!!! That's what I mean by travel ball info. I bet the team was good. Hotshots teams have a good reputation as having some of the best players. High level travel ball is a intimate community it seems even if players live states away from each other.
Posted on 2/4/25 at 4:54 pm to TigerAlum4Life
LMAO!!!!!!!!! I would love to say that I am annoyingly muscular but I have to go with the pedestrian description. But I'm still on my New Years Resolution lol. Look for the guy with the LSU cap turned backward and purple LSU shirt.
And I made a mistake: I will not be at Friday's game but will be there Saturday.
And I made a mistake: I will not be at Friday's game but will be there Saturday.
Posted on 2/5/25 at 5:48 am to TigerByAssociation1
@TigerAssociation: I'll look for you!
Posted on 2/8/25 at 10:05 pm to TigerAlum4Life
Where the freshmen? They will never play as I said( Edwards is a redshirt freshman)
This post was edited on 2/8/25 at 10:07 pm
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