Wow. Away a couple days and of course fireworks after the team loses. Lots of flawed logic and untrue statements but it I get it--losses reveal a lot. Everyone entitled to opinions, including me, but I'll take a different approach and won't pretend my opinions are facts and identify some fallacies:

1) It is absolutely untrue that Simmons has real influence on the offense. Bryce Neal has total control of the offense and makes the decisions with Torina having veto power of course which she apparently rarely exercises. Simmons helps coach the slappers, but there are not many slappers in the lineup save for Hodge & Daniel, and Daniel. Leading up to the South Carolina series (and through the first game) Neal seems to have had a positive influence on the offense. And save for his odd affection for Maddox McKee who is clearly outmatched and not a good offensive player and the quick trigger on pulling one or two players from the line up, his decision making seems to have been relatively solid too. The approach to the offense is similar to the pitching approach--they refuse to leverage talent sometimes (Savanna Bedell is a case in point)

2) Torina is a good coach--there I said it. She knows what she's doing but she has her flaws just like all other coaches do. The question is if her flaws are fatal flaws or not.

3) LSU has as talented of a roster or more talented than most SEC teams without a doubt. Don't know how one can take that view on a Top 10 Utilizing that talent properly is the open question. But Coach Torina has her way just as other coaches have their ways. Torina likes to ride what she believes are her horses in the circle and they don't like playing younger players, both of which are approaches that are contrary to essentially every other Top 25 team in the country but the team has faired well with her approaches thus far. But to one posters' point, a lot of the record was built on the backs of lesser teams. However, we shouldn't forget they have a UCLA win under their belts and 2 SEC series wins under their belts prior to this South Carolina series.

4) Berzon is one of the best pitchers in NCAA softball period. Is she Canady or Pickens or maybe Ball--no, she isn't but she is closer to that group than 98% of the other pitches in Division 1 softball. I personally would consider that elite and all american worthy. Some would argue she is overused and I wouldn't argue back most times. I also heard she pitched last weekend while nicked up a bit, yet she still gave it her all. I just can't cosign on another view of a pitcher who has been so good against some of the best teams in the country---the UCLA win was Berzon and the two SEC series wins were led by her arm.

5) Heavener has a lot of growing to do but will be one of the elite pitchers in softball as she matures. Right now she has to learn to navigate lineups with elite hitters and has to continue to build on improving her control.

Not sure if Berzon starting the first game on Sunday was a bad call by Torina or not. Turned out that way but if Berzon shut them down she may have been praised for knowing they were preparing for Heavener. Could be plenty of reasons she went that route and it's easy to Monday Morning QB the call. Propensity to leave the arms in is another matter, but I get the feeling it is her lack of confidence in the rest of the pitchers which is sad.

Lots more to say but figure I'd jump in a little with some initial thoughts........