The silver lining of Megan Good's injury and surgery is that it'll force some much needed depth elsewhere in our pitching roster and hopefully develop our hitters to not get by in games with just 1 or 2 runs across.

(01-28-2018 11:44 AM)Potomac Wrote:  The silver lining of Megan Good's injury and surgery is that it'll force some much needed depth elsewhere in our pitching roster and hopefully develop our hitters to not get by in games with just 1 or 2 runs across.

True and very half full.

The biggest jump of improvement in college baseball and softball is between the Fr. and Soph. seasons. This has been stated for other sports as well. CC Alexander had a terrific ERA in the circle as a Fr. last year. She is very capable of being VERY good as a Soph and continuing into her Jr. year. We will miss Megan's bat and the fear she puts into opposing pitchers. She gets pitched around a lot, for example.

(01-28-2018 10:26 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(01-28-2018 10:16 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  Who can lend insight to the transfer rules? Does the transfer process in softball require that a player be granted their release prior to start the one-year “lay over” so they retain what eligibility the player has left?

Seems to me, that if Megan has not already requested her release, and any transfer requires a year off, she won’t be transferring anywhere with only one year of eligibility left.

Transfers requiring a year off are only in football and men's & women's basketball. Sports like baseball, softball, tennis, etc., do not require a mandatory year off. So, it doesn't really apply to her situation. If she played women's basketball, she could avoid having to sit out a year also because she is due to graduate in May (or at least that is what's been stated) and graduate transfer rules - at least for now as they are being discussed as to whether they will continue - waive the requirement to sit out a year in those 3 sports.

My personal opinion (not directed at you) is that folks should 1) take Megan at her word (she's earned that IMO); 2) realize that she bleeds purple; 3) realize that her jersey likely will be retired one day - maybe her last home game in 2019; and 4) she has a good chance to make the WCWS in 2019 wearing a JMU jersey and if you make it there you have as good a chance as any other player to win a national title.

edit note: one more thing...I think Megan Good will be a head coach at JMU one day when her playing days are over...which, considering pro ball and US National Team and so forth will hopefully be a long time off...though, a lot of those gals work as assistant coaches at colleges in parallel to their playing pro/USA/etc.

Thanks for the clear explanation! I agree that I don’t think MG is going anywhere.

Dukes start the season ranked... http://www.jmusports.com/news/2018/1/30/...polls.aspx

Also, I did a little research on the opening-season event in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, regarding internet streaming. The organizers of the event, Triple Crown Sports, has a YouTube channel and apparently they streamed some games from this event last year. Unclear yet as to whether they will do it again this year and if so, whether the Good Gals will be featured. Stay tuned...

This is just my own personal opinion, but I have tempered my expectations for the JMU Softball program now that Mickey has left, and especially now that Megan is out for the year. I think winning the CAA regular season and CAA tourney would be a great year. I don't expect us to be nationally ranked at the end of regular season but hope that we can actually play the role of underdog in the NCAA tourney.

(01-31-2018 06:26 PM)PurpleRain Wrote:  This is just my own personal opinion, but I have tempered my expectations for the JMU Softball program now that Mickey has left, and especially now that Megan is out for the year. I think winning the CAA regular season and CAA tourney would be a great year. I don't expect us to be nationally ranked at the end of regular season but hope that we can actually play the role of underdog in the NCAA tourney.

JMU may not win 50+ games this season, but winning the conference and making another NCAA appearance (would that be 6 in a row?) would be great, and is certainly within reach. I don’t think a national ranking at year’s end is an unreasonable expectation either. The program has national cred now. The gals just need to post a solid OOC record.

There’s lots of talent on the team, Megan just boosts the team into elite status.

It's prudent that LaPorte and staff do everything they can to keep CC as healthy as possible. She was one of the most potent bats in the lineup during her frosh season as well. I can see the staff doing everything they can to keep her as fresh as possible.

(01-31-2018 06:26 PM)PurpleRain Wrote:  This is just my own personal opinion, but I have tempered my expectations for the JMU Softball program now that Mickey has left, and especially now that Megan is out for the year. I think winning the CAA regular season and CAA tourney would be a great year. I don't expect us to be nationally ranked at the end of regular season but hope that we can actually play the role of underdog in the NCAA tourney.

I feel the same. We've been picked to win the CAA, but Hofstra did receive 2 of the 8 votes. I didn't realize we only have 4 returning starters. Hofstra was always the team to beat in the CAA prior to our current run.

Alexander gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3 vs Hofstra, McCabe finished the other 2 games which included a conference loss for Good. That was her first loss of the season, she was 18-0 up to that point. Hofstra is typically legit.

(02-01-2018 03:37 PM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Alexander gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3 vs Hofstra, McCabe finished the other 2 games which included a conference loss for Good. That was her first loss of the season, she was 18-0 up to that point. Hofstra is typically legit.

Yeah, Hofstra is usually pretty solid and a legit softball team that is more than capable of winning the CAA. I am hoping without Good out there pitching, this will cause the offense to elevate as they realize they are going to need to score a few more runs. This includes players upping their game on offense as well as coaching philosophy to score more. I do not mean this to sound critical and I if I had someone as talented as Good pitching I can see how you would skew your team toward pitching and defense and make offense take a tad of a backseat.

CollegeSportsLive.com will be streaming the Puerto Vallarta opening weekend event... http://www.collegesportslive.com/

Thu. vs Nevada, 8pmET: must have subscription
Fri. vs Long Beach State, 3pm: FREE
Fri. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription
Sat. vs Long Beach State, 6pm: FREE
Sat. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription

(02-02-2018 08:50 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  CollegeSportsLive.com will be streaming the Puerto Vallarta opening weekend event... http://www.collegesportslive.com/

Thu. vs Nevada, 8pmET: must have subscription
Fri. vs Long Beach State, 3pm: FREE
Fri. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription
Sat. vs Long Beach State, 6pm: FREE
Sat. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription

Besides Louisiana Tech, are any of the others a perrennial top program? At least I think it's LT that almost always is good. I know it's one of the Louisiana schools.

(02-02-2018 09:24 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 08:50 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  CollegeSportsLive.com will be streaming the Puerto Vallarta opening weekend event... http://www.collegesportslive.com/

Thu. vs Nevada, 8pmET: must have subscription
Fri. vs Long Beach State, 3pm: FREE
Fri. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription
Sat. vs Long Beach State, 6pm: FREE
Sat. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription

Besides Louisiana Tech, are any of the others a perrennial top program? At least I think it's LT that almost always is good. I know it's one of the Louisiana schools.

ULL, the Rajun Cajuns, is the perennial top team.

(02-02-2018 08:40 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(02-01-2018 03:37 PM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Alexander gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3 vs Hofstra, McCabe finished the other 2 games which included a conference loss for Good. That was her first loss of the season, she was 18-0 up to that point. Hofstra is typically legit.

Yeah, Hofstra is usually pretty solid and a legit softball team that is more than capable of winning the CAA. I am hoping without Good out there pitching, this will cause the offense to elevate as they realize they are going to need to score a few more runs. This includes players upping their game on offense as well as coaching philosophy to score more. I do not mean this to sound critical and I if I had someone as talented as Good pitching I can see how you would skew your team toward pitching and defense and make offense take a tad of a backseat.

No question some of our most talented offensive players weren't playing much. For example, the Mitchell kid from Patrick Henry HS batted .419 with a .677 SLG% and a .500 OB% mostly as a pinch hitter (including a pinch hit double in the last game against Baylor). Mickey didn't like her as much at 2nd or in the OF as he did some others, same was true of a couple of other players including 1 that left the program and is now a starter and captain at Duke. Throw in Roadcap and Gordon in that conversation as well. It's always tough when you have more good players than spots, but you're right with Good 1-2 runs might win the game.

(02-02-2018 09:26 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 09:24 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 08:50 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  CollegeSportsLive.com will be streaming the Puerto Vallarta opening weekend event... http://www.collegesportslive.com/

Thu. vs Nevada, 8pmET: must have subscription
Fri. vs Long Beach State, 3pm: FREE
Fri. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription
Sat. vs Long Beach State, 6pm: FREE
Sat. vs Louisiana Tech, 9pm: must have subscription

Besides Louisiana Tech, are any of the others a perrennial top program? At least I think it's LT that almost always is good. I know it's one of the Louisiana schools.

ULL, the Rajun Cajuns, is the perennial top team.

Thanks, can't keep 'em straight.

(02-02-2018 09:27 AM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 08:40 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(02-01-2018 03:37 PM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Alexander gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3 vs Hofstra, McCabe finished the other 2 games which included a conference loss for Good. That was her first loss of the season, she was 18-0 up to that point. Hofstra is typically legit.

Yeah, Hofstra is usually pretty solid and a legit softball team that is more than capable of winning the CAA. I am hoping without Good out there pitching, this will cause the offense to elevate as they realize they are going to need to score a few more runs. This includes players upping their game on offense as well as coaching philosophy to score more. I do not mean this to sound critical and I if I had someone as talented as Good pitching I can see how you would skew your team toward pitching and defense and make offense take a tad of a backseat.

No question some of our most talented offensive players weren't playing much. For example, the Mitchell kid from Patrick Henry HS batted .419 with a .677 SLG% and a .500 OB% mostly as a pinch hitter (including a pinch hit double in the last game against Baylor). Mickey didn't like her as much at 2nd or in the OF as he did some others, same was true of a couple of other players including 1 that left the program and is now a starter and captain at Duke. Throw in Roadcap and Gordon in that conversation as well. It's always tough when you have more good players than spots, but you're right with Good 1-2 runs might win the game.

Throw in Jessica Mrozek with the others. She always hits the ball hard and is a clutch hitter.

(02-02-2018 12:45 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 09:27 AM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  

(02-02-2018 08:40 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(02-01-2018 03:37 PM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Alexander gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3 vs Hofstra, McCabe finished the other 2 games which included a conference loss for Good. That was her first loss of the season, she was 18-0 up to that point. Hofstra is typically legit.

Yeah, Hofstra is usually pretty solid and a legit softball team that is more than capable of winning the CAA. I am hoping without Good out there pitching, this will cause the offense to elevate as they realize they are going to need to score a few more runs. This includes players upping their game on offense as well as coaching philosophy to score more. I do not mean this to sound critical and I if I had someone as talented as Good pitching I can see how you would skew your team toward pitching and defense and make offense take a tad of a backseat.

No question some of our most talented offensive players weren't playing much. For example, the Mitchell kid from Patrick Henry HS batted .419 with a .677 SLG% and a .500 OB% mostly as a pinch hitter (including a pinch hit double in the last game against Baylor). Mickey didn't like her as much at 2nd or in the OF as he did some others, same was true of a couple of other players including 1 that left the program and is now a starter and captain at Duke. Throw in Roadcap and Gordon in that conversation as well. It's always tough when you have more good players than spots, but you're right with Good 1-2 runs might win the game.

Throw in Jessica Mrozek with the others. She always hits the ball hard and is a clutch hitter.

Yeah, including the biggest hit in JMU history (arguably).

Softball gets started on Thursday!!! Spring can not be far around the corner!!

Go Dukes!!

Brian

Dukes face Nevada at 8pmET tonight to get the season going. Nevada will face Louisiana Tech at 2pmET this afternoon in an earlier game.

The Wolfpack from Reno went 30-25 overall a year ago in the first year under current head coach, Josh Taylor. This was a bit down from the previous season when they finished 32-15. In 2015, they went 16-37.

Nevada dropped their softball program after the 1989 season, but reinstated it in 2003. Their first bid to the NCAAT was 3 years later in 2006 when they won the WAC tournament.

I assume CC Alexander will take the circle in the opener for Coach LaPorte's first game as head coach with the Good Gals in Purple.