re: Anybody hear how the softball team did yesterday? 2 fall games.

Oh they say Jones can hit ok but cannot play defense because she can’t throw…time will tell..again, I hope I’m wrong but my guess is the freshmen kid who played at 2nd last yr in Petty’s absence is a 3 yr starter there.

Ah yeah, that's crazy. That kid was starting shortstop for one of the best teams in the country. Seen the kid make some great plays there myself with glove AND arm. Unless something has changed she looked pretty damn good to us and I heard she has done well on defense in the fall exhibitions. And she hits far better than ok. Seen her own some of the top college freshmen and sophomores before they went to college.

I just messaged a coach that knows Jones much better than I do to ask about the throwing thing, and he laughed at me..... Told me to stay off the message boards LMBO! I know what I've seen but thought I'd ask to see if I am unaware of something given your comments. She definitely has a shot at earning a spot on field based on what I know of her but like you said time will tell.

And also think Jada Phillips is not given enough credit either. Phillips has some real pop if she can get comfortable. Agree with a few people I've read saying the Bergon kid has a monster arm but also hear she struggles at the plate since she's been there. The phillips kid is athletic but hitting will be of need from what I have seen on that roster. Anyone hitting can earn their way on the field. If Calvez had some power I'd give her a shot to earn time too but I hear the outfield is crowded and some of them have power. Harris is athletic but I've never found her particularly frightening offensively when I've seen her play.

Pitchers will always get their chances so Heavener will find her place for sure. Position players are gonna have to hit their way on the field but we have to let them settle before we judge them like LSUFan points out. I'm now an LSU Fan so hoping my take on the coaching staff and the incoming class ends up being closer to facts than yours, but I know they have more talent than you suggest on that roster. .

Fair post, I hope I’m on here in a few months saying how big an idiot I was!!! I will add 1 thing Jones apparently is at 2nd and isn’t the backup at SS, Maddox McKee is so that tells me a lot…just checked Bergeron the catcher average..she hit .300 in the SEC..I wouldn’t call that struggling

We shall see....but I don't think you know those players well then (or for some reason biased against them) because a few of those freshmen players are more talented than (and have potential to be better than) the majority of the SEC players playing now IMHO and I've coached several of the SEC players that are playing right now so not just speaking out of turn here....

Hodge is solid, but just note the "OU transfer" was not a starter at OU either. And hopefully Phillips gets her shots and settles in. Defensively I don't think she has the big arm Bergron has or is as refined of a receiver but she can be comparable offensively if not better (Bergron hit .214 as a freshman). Defense will not be the cats' issue this season as I think any of those we've debated will do quite well defensively--Hitting is going to be the biggest concern it seems to me and if a few don't step up there could be a lot of low scoring losses.

We agree aftterall!!!--On something :-).

I actually won't be surprised at all at how little they play: My comments weren't about how much they will play but their ability to play. Coach Beth explicitly stated on several occasions how much she values playing experience in the past. Quite frankly NONE of the freshmen last year would have played but for injury. I suspect the same will happen this year as well (except pitchers which are a different animal), unless either 1. injuries occur again or 2. one of those freshmen not only show that they can be good or slightly better than the upperclassmen ahead of them but shows they can be far better, especially offensively. That's a tall task without the opportunities, so no we agree--they won't play much but that's not because they aren't talented.

And totally agree that Hodge will be at SS the entire year without a doubt. Same as Lassiter being CF without a doubt. Both brought over for that purpose. And Hodge has looked wonderful at SS defensively from what I've heard but I've heard all have looked solid on defense for the most part. No way Hodge comes off the field without injury.

Agree with 100% too on Torina's philosophy. I've always heard she is extremely loyal--apparently sometimes to a fault. That's the one thing I'll concede she could probably improve at. Other successful Power 5 coaches have no problem making adjustments when they see a need to and she is a lot slower to doing so. See Walton at Florida with several freshmen playing key roles, same with Florida State, AL, and others. Loyalty is actually a great thing in my book---until it isn't :-).

Hopefully we both will reconnect in months and both be very happy (even surprised) with the results.

I will be at the last Fall game and will attend several of their games in the Spring cheering them on.

I absolutely will. Love bantering with you!! In today's climate it's rare to disagree with respect, stay open to alternative perspectives, and acknowledge validity of others' views with civility. I can agree with, debate with, even hangout with people like that!! LoL

Looking forward to checking them out next week. Someone told me they do an intrasquad competitive game series (similar to OU Battle Series) the week after their last Fall Games too which is probably far more indicative of abilities given they will face high end pitching. If I find out more about that I'd love to catch one of those.

Til' next time CasualObserver!! I'll return to post after I watch the fall games next week.