TigerSoftballFan

Freshman Doyle & Springfield played very well for their first time out. Griggs, Landry, SJ, Sanchez played well. Serrett, Quinn & Thornhill struggled at times at the plate. Defense was good - I think only 1 error in five games. Pitching was decent. I question starting a freshman in game 2 with a rookie catcher before you even pitched Smith or Hoover. Should have brought her in with big leads to see what she could do.

While I understand the frustration with Serrett's hitting. Seems the coaching staff has already given up on her. They pinch hit for three times the first three games and after only two at bats for the year. How much confidence can she have in herself when they have none in her.

:banghead: :banghead:

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.

:geauxtigers: :geauxtigers: :geauxtigers:

What a performance. Glad to see all the bats getting hot at the same time. Serrett ended the slump. Kloss & Bell are going crazy and catching SJ. Hope they bring the bats to A&M this weekend and pound the Aggies. Hope we gets a big LSU crowd to offsett the roudy A&M fans......... Texas Tigers come out and support our team!!!!!!!! :nana: :cool: :geauxtigers:

Beth really doesn't have a problem. She is returning eight starters and five all americans. The freshman are good but don't see her changing much. IMO really only using them to push the returners. I've been to half the games and some practices. Sanchez may win the second base job, good all around player. An outfield spot is up for grabs but see that probably going to Bourg. Satchell is also a solid player but practicing at thrid don't see her unseating the returners. The pitching staff is good but Hoover has changed her delivery, Walljasper had arm surgery and Smith while good is an untested Freshman. Corbello has been throwing better. Her real problem is what to do with Serrett. IMO best defensive player on the team but can't hit like Bianca so where does she put her? I've only seen her working at SS. You will probably have to live for another year with Bianka's errors to get her offensive production. At least Beth now has options at almost every position if things are not going well. Good problem to have and they will be fun to watch. Should make another strong run to the WCWS.

Did anybody have time to check out the first softball scrimmage this weekend? How did the team look? Any surprises on the returning player? Did the new freshman look decent? Hopeful to get out this weekend and watch them play.

Go Tigers :booboo:

Alabama, OU, Univ of Tenn, Baylor etc... all have indoor hitting facilities.

LSU has one of the best fields in the country and now with the addition of the hitting facility they will be right at the top of the list!!!

If you want the top recruits you need to keep up!!!!!!

:geauxtigers:

Many of the softball verbals from around the country are posted on the robocoach website.


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