(05-01-2024 03:55 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(04-29-2024 11:12 AM)Cmore Wrote:  The Dukes are no longer in the CAA. The Sunbelt is a premier conference right below the P4 conferences. When you jump into a big pond, it's harder to swim around. Still ranked 53rd as of today by this website. I agree with the Chicken Littles statement.

http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/isr/confisr.html

I'm in between.

LaPorte got this team further than Dean did. Any coach from a non P5 that can have a run (years after Dean's departure) to the WS including knocking off Ok can coach.

On the flip side, the current level of the softball team is not lower because we are in a better conference. The teams of Ford, Good, and O's senior season would of topped the Sunbelt as well.

The Difference is our Ace is not as good as those 3 were. Not even close.....

Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Dropped another today.

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(05-01-2024 03:55 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(04-29-2024 11:12 AM)Cmore Wrote:  The Dukes are no longer in the CAA. The Sunbelt is a premier conference right below the P4 conferences. When you jump into a big pond, it's harder to swim around. Still ranked 53rd as of today by this website. I agree with the Chicken Littles statement.

http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/isr/confisr.html

I'm in between.

LaPorte got this team further than Dean did. Any coach from a non P5 that can have a run (years after Dean's departure) to the WS including knocking off Ok can coach.

On the flip side, the current level of the softball team is not lower because we are in a better conference. The teams of Ford, Good, and O's senior season would of topped the Sunbelt as well.

The Difference is our Ace is not as good as those 3 were. Not even close.....

Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(05-01-2024 03:55 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(04-29-2024 11:12 AM)Cmore Wrote:  The Dukes are no longer in the CAA. The Sunbelt is a premier conference right below the P4 conferences. When you jump into a big pond, it's harder to swim around. Still ranked 53rd as of today by this website. I agree with the Chicken Littles statement.

http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/isr/confisr.html

I'm in between.

LaPorte got this team further than Dean did. Any coach from a non P5 that can have a run (years after Dean's departure) to the WS including knocking off Ok can coach.

On the flip side, the current level of the softball team is not lower because we are in a better conference. The teams of Ford, Good, and O's senior season would of topped the Sunbelt as well.

The Difference is our Ace is not as good as those 3 were. Not even close.....

Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(05-01-2024 03:55 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(04-29-2024 11:12 AM)Cmore Wrote:  The Dukes are no longer in the CAA. The Sunbelt is a premier conference right below the P4 conferences. When you jump into a big pond, it's harder to swim around. Still ranked 53rd as of today by this website. I agree with the Chicken Littles statement.

http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/isr/confisr.html

I'm in between.

LaPorte got this team further than Dean did. Any coach from a non P5 that can have a run (years after Dean's departure) to the WS including knocking off Ok can coach.

On the flip side, the current level of the softball team is not lower because we are in a better conference. The teams of Ford, Good, and O's senior season would of topped the Sunbelt as well.

The Difference is our Ace is not as good as those 3 were. Not even close.....

Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(05-01-2024 03:55 PM)Dukester Wrote:  I'm in between.

LaPorte got this team further than Dean did. Any coach from a non P5 that can have a run (years after Dean's departure) to the WS including knocking off Ok can coach.

On the flip side, the current level of the softball team is not lower because we are in a better conference. The teams of Ford, Good, and O's senior season would of topped the Sunbelt as well.

The Difference is our Ace is not as good as those 3 were. Not even close.....

Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

I agree Good was POY caliber, but recruiting has fallen off and I'm not sure even with Good we would be top 10-20. I just feel we haven't reaped the rewards of being a top 4 team just a few years ago.

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

As a junior she was the NFCA National Player of the Year, and was top 3 for USA Softball Player of Year.

2017 Stats:
Pitching - 38-3, 0.81 ERA, 244IP, 271K,
Batting - .383AVG, 12 HR, 11 Doubles, .464 OBP
Notable teams she beat as a pitcher: Missouri, Oklahoma St, Wisconsin, Auburn, Kansas, UCF, Pitt, Maryland, VA Tech, UVA, UNC, Oregon State.

Edit: With 2017 Good this years team would likely be in the conversation to host a regional.

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 12:18 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  Nailed it. I think the offense has showed progress throughout the year, the pitching, in my opinion, has not.

It's probably not realistic to hope for another Good or Ford but I would like to see progress for the young pitchers.

Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

duh.....if any all american quality ace pitcher was on this team would probably be top 25 type team. that just further highlights my point that LaPorte cannot attract all american quality pitching to date.

If JMU had UVa's top pitcher they would be top 25......we are not builidng an all-time fantasy team here....this is the 2024 Softball team and Good has not suited up for JMU is years.

(Today 09:06 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Yesterday 07:15 PM)JMU83 Wrote:  Why not?

Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

duh.....if any all american quality ace pitcher was on this team would probably be top 25 type team. that just further highlights my point that LaPorte cannot attract all american quality pitching to date.

If JMU had UVa's top pitcher they would be top 25......we are not builidng an all-time fantasy team here....this is the 2024 Softball team and Good has not suited up for JMU is years.

Pitching is definitely the big issue with the current team. I wonder if there is any chance of a change at pitching coach moving forward.

(Today 09:18 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Today 09:06 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 07:05 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  Having literally the best player in the country on a non power 5 team is just fairly unlikely IMO. I certainly hope it does happen.

All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

duh.....if any all american quality ace pitcher was on this team would probably be top 25 type team. that just further highlights my point that LaPorte cannot attract all american quality pitching to date.

If JMU had UVa's top pitcher they would be top 25......we are not builidng an all-time fantasy team here....this is the 2024 Softball team and Good has not suited up for JMU is years.

Pitching is definitely the big issue with the current team. I wonder if there is any chance of a change at pitching coach moving forward.

I don't think it's a pitching coach issue. I think it's more how hard it is to find someone as talented as our prior 3 aces.

(Today 09:59 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 09:18 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Today 09:06 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

duh.....if any all american quality ace pitcher was on this team would probably be top 25 type team. that just further highlights my point that LaPorte cannot attract all american quality pitching to date.

If JMU had UVa's top pitcher they would be top 25......we are not builidng an all-time fantasy team here....this is the 2024 Softball team and Good has not suited up for JMU is years.

Pitching is definitely the big issue with the current team. I wonder if there is any chance of a change at pitching coach moving forward.

I don't think it's a pitching coach issue. I think it's more how hard it is to find someone as talented as our prior 3 aces.

I think a pitching coach change might be the thing that's needed even though I don't see Laporte making a change.

Too many walks by our pitchers. That seems like maybe a mechanics issue which a pitching coach should help with. Still surprised Herzig makes pitching calls during games when Bowman pitching coach.

Watching List as we speak in Game #2 against the "Chin Chickens" and she started off the game with a 4 pitch walk. Constantly going to the rosin bag after each pitch. List had 2 walks and 2 Ks in the 1st Inning. She's got 60+ strikeouts on the season along with 50+ walks. Not good. There's a breakdown somewhere. Could it be who's calling the pitches for List?

we have 11 Sun Belt wins.

6 have come against, by far, the two worst teams in the league (App and GSU)
3 game against arguably the 3rd worst team in the league (Marshall)
the other two were both extra inning wins. (Tx State and Troy)

It's very discouraging to not have a pitcher who seems to be able to throw a complete game any longer.

In most games we seem to use at least 3 pitchers with the starter usually going 2 to 3 innings.

(Today 11:59 AM)JMU1987UVA1998 Wrote:  It's very discouraging to not have a pitcher who seems to be able to throw a complete game any longer.

In most games we seem to use at least 3 pitchers with the starter usually going 2 to 3 innings.

they don't even come close to getting a CG anymore

Coastal with the win in game 2 of the series 8-4......shocker, smh.

(Today 01:41 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  Coastal with the win in game 2 of the series 8-4......shocker, smh.

And Mathis got hurt

Dukes win Game #3 against the "Chin Chickens" 8-5 to end up tied for 6th place with GASO who they were swept by last weekend.

I believe that means we'll be the 7th seed and play the #10 seed Southern Miss next Wednesday. If we win we'll draw the #2 seed and home team Texas State in the Quarterfinals.

Guess it's a good thing we're not going into the tournament with a 6 game losing streak after having an 8 game winning streak.

(Today 09:59 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 09:18 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(Today 09:06 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(Today 08:49 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(Today 08:08 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  All American type players yes....best player in the country no way.

It is amazing the excuses that are made to rationalize softball being mediocre.

As a two way plus player, you could argue Good was POY caliber.

Sandy - if Good was on this team, they would likely be top 10-20 like they were when Megan was with JMU.

duh.....if any all american quality ace pitcher was on this team would probably be top 25 type team. that just further highlights my point that LaPorte cannot attract all american quality pitching to date.

If JMU had UVa's top pitcher they would be top 25......we are not builidng an all-time fantasy team here....this is the 2024 Softball team and Good has not suited up for JMU is years.

Pitching is definitely the big issue with the current team. I wonder if there is any chance of a change at pitching coach moving forward.

I don't think it's a pitching coach issue. I think it's more how hard it is to find someone as talented as our prior 3 aces.

Shouldn't be hard. Great school. Great facilities. Great softball history/College World Series. I wonder what the problem could be?

I’ve followed softball since the Ford years(slightly after I graduated). I’ve been a long time fan.

Softball is simple is that you need one big time ace. Secondary “ace” to clean up and eat innings.

It’s truly unfortunate we have neither. You can’t have two secondary aces.

We had Ford.
We had Good.
We had CC.

These ladies need to throw to get in a grove. Can you imagine starting a game and constantly seeing when you are going to be replaced?

Those three couldn’t find a grove if they didn’t pitch. Good backed up Ford.
CC was on the bench when Good took us to regionals.
Hump was on the bench when CC took us to WCWS.

Why are we now being nice? Play the ace and let them pitch! If we don’t have an ace, then we have a coaching problem.

The history, facilities, and environment of JMU we top notch.