(10-13-2023 09:41 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(10-13-2023 09:07 AM)JMad Wrote:  

(10-12-2023 02:24 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  Thought I'd share some observations from the Fall game against BC since info on Fall games seems to be scarce. No numbers on players so it wasn't super easy to ID everyone especially on defense but I think I got most things right.

Lineup:
Fishman - CF (2 line drive singles in the ABs I saw)
Henzler - C (2B to LCF, single)
Mathis - 1B (Line drive HR to right, Sac, bloop single to right)
J. Hall - (SF8, 1B)
Edwards - 2B (Sac bunt, 6-3, L7)
Butler - RF (BB, BB, Pop up)
Campbell (F7, 1B)
Fulten - LF (K, BB)
Thress (F7, 1B)
Rogers (1B, K)

Grube pitched and BC couldn't touch her, Humphrey had a walk but otherwise looked fine (I left shortly after she came in)

Observations/Thoughts:
-Edwards started at 2B, curious to see if that sticks or if she was just getting some time since its Fall Ball.
-Fishman in CF, Pinder is back so I wonder how the playing time will look in the outfield.
-Butler in Right, seems to have all the tools but the numbers haven't been there so far in her career.
-No sign of Peyton List in the time I was there, curious if she will get used on offense or if she will focus on pitching
-Mathis at 1B, she looked good at 2nd last year to me but I wondered if they would move her to 1st.
-H. Hall at 3B, seemed to get replaced defensively a lot last year so I was half expecting her to be the one moving to first.

My way to early guess at the lineup for game #1 in 2024
Gleason - LF
Mathis - 1B
J. Hall - SS
Henzler - C
H. Hall - 3B
List - DP
Fishman - RF
Edwards - 2B
Pinder - CF

Grube - P

Mathis did yeoman work last year a 2B but Edwards has much more range than her. With Edwards we are going to see more double plays too. 3B and 1B are normal positions for Mathis. By the way, Mathis is probably the lead off hitter.
Looking at Fishman to back up Pinder, but Pinder is clearly the CF. However, I expect her to do a lot better at the plate and use her speed more often.
Butler is the RF. The light bulb switched on last year. Finally may be realizing her potential. She is going to be fun to watch.

I'm sure you're right about Edwards being better defensively at 2B.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Mathis leads off, that would track with previous years strategy.

I think the outfield is the hardest to predict, probably comes down to who is hitting. I hope you're right about Butler, like I said above she seems to have all the tools but the results haven't been there. Only hit .239 last year, decent OBP and Slg though.

All I am looking for in Butler is walks and homers. I think she will do fairly well in both. Good arm, decent speed. Anything else would be gravy.

I'm still hopeful Fleet is a super star.

Should we start a 2024 softball thread?

Mathis homer vs GMU today. The outfielders did not move. See ball end up right of metal pole.

https://youtu.be/QJ9CLcbgZCE

(10-15-2023 08:51 PM)JMad Wrote:  Mathis homer vs GMU today. The outfielders did not move. See ball end up right of metal pole.

https://youtu.be/QJ9CLcbgZCE

Team may need to be reminded (again) to stand well away from home plate when greeting HRs.

(10-15-2023 08:51 PM)JMad Wrote:  Mathis homer vs GMU today. The outfielders did not move. See ball end up right of metal pole.

https://youtu.be/QJ9CLcbgZCE

Thanks for posting!

Here is some more:
https://youtu.be/F8sZTsuF8fQ - Kirsten Fleet Strikeout
https://youtu.be/4WfMMsOccfE - Payton List Strikeout

Pitcher Innings Runs ER Hits Walks Strikeouts
Fleet 3 0 0 2 1 6 Fleet probably struck out more but I got there after two outs in the first inning.
Muh 2 2 1 2 0 3
List 3 0 0 0 2 2
Grube 2 0 0 2 2 3
Totals 10 2 1 6 5 14

(10-16-2023 07:08 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(10-15-2023 08:51 PM)JMad Wrote:  Mathis homer vs GMU today. The outfielders did not move. See ball end up right of metal pole.

https://youtu.be/QJ9CLcbgZCE

Thanks for posting!

That home run reminded me of a Crash Davis quote- “Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?”

(10-16-2023 08:45 AM)JMad Wrote:  Here is some more:
https://youtu.be/F8sZTsuF8fQ - Kirsten Fleet Strikeout
https://youtu.be/4WfMMsOccfE - Payton List Strikeout

Pitcher Innings Runs ER Hits Walks Strikeouts
Fleet 3 0 0 2 1 6 Fleet probably struck out more but I got there after two outs in the first inning.
Muh 2 2 1 2 0 3
List 3 0 0 0 2 2
Grube 2 0 0 2 2 3
Totals 10 2 1 6 5 14

Again thanks for sharing!

List looks the part there to me, looked like some good zip. Seems like Fleet is looking really good! This team could be very good for the next 4 years if those two are both hits.

(10-13-2023 10:24 PM)Navyduke 07 Wrote:  Should we start a 2024 softball thread?

Well, the merge feature doesn't work, but apparently the split feature does!

(10-16-2023 08:58 AM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  

(10-16-2023 08:45 AM)JMad Wrote:  Here is some more:
https://youtu.be/F8sZTsuF8fQ - Kirsten Fleet Strikeout
https://youtu.be/4WfMMsOccfE - Payton List Strikeout

Pitcher Innings Runs ER Hits Walks Strikeouts
Fleet 3 0 0 2 1 6 Fleet probably struck out more but I got there after two outs in the first inning.
Muh 2 2 1 2 0 3
List 3 0 0 0 2 2
Grube 2 0 0 2 2 3
Totals 10 2 1 6 5 14

Again thanks for sharing!

List looks the part there to me, looked like some good zip. Seems like Fleet is looking really good! This team could be very good for the next 4 years if those two are both hits.

So many pitching options. Couple other notes, Mathis hit for the cycle and Pinder tripled and got a bunt single. No strikeouts. There was only strikeout for us in 10 innings.

JMU 5 UVA 3. Fleet CG 7 inn 3 h 3 er 2 bb 6K. She gave up 2 run HR in 1st and lead off homer in 2nd. Then retired 17 of last 18 batters.

(10-21-2023 10:15 PM)JMad Wrote:  JMU 5 UVA 3. Fleet CG 7 inn 3 h 3 er 2 bb 6K. She gave up 2 run HR in 1st and lead off homer in 2nd. Then retired 17 of last 18 batters.

Nice to see Fleet getting some reps!

(10-21-2023 10:15 PM)JMad Wrote:  JMU 5 UVA 3. Fleet CG 7 inn 3 h 3 er 2 bb 6K. She gave up 2 run HR in 1st and lead off homer in 2nd. Then retired 17 of last 18 batters.

Chalk up HRs to nerves, then she settled-in and focused. Fleet is going to be the next AA pitcher for JMU.

(10-22-2023 02:48 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-21-2023 10:15 PM)JMad Wrote:  JMU 5 UVA 3. Fleet CG 7 inn 3 h 3 er 2 bb 6K. She gave up 2 run HR in 1st and lead off homer in 2nd. Then retired 17 of last 18 batters.

Chalk up HRs to nerves, then she settled-in and focused. Fleet is going to be the next AA pitcher for JMU.

Well, she looked pretty comfortable to me. She didn’t get rattled and start walking everyone. All the hits were on first pitches trying to get ahead quickly, but she made the adjustment.

I’m still very excited about Fleet.

(10-22-2023 02:48 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-21-2023 10:15 PM)JMad Wrote:  JMU 5 UVA 3. Fleet CG 7 inn 3 h 3 er 2 bb 6K. She gave up 2 run HR in 1st and lead off homer in 2nd. Then retired 17 of last 18 batters.

Chalk up HRs to nerves, then she settled-in and focused. Fleet is going to be the next AA pitcher for JMU.

Well, she looked pretty comfortable to me. She didn’t get rattled and start walking everyone. All the hits were on first pitches trying to get ahead quickly, but she made the adjustment.

This is anecdotal but it feels to me like elite softball pitchers give up the majority of their runs on HR's. Like no matter how good you are, occasionally someone will square one up. The true aces just don't give up many runs from anything else. Example last year Nicole May for OU had 14 earned runs on the season, allowed 7 homers. In Megan Good's best year she allowed 22 earned runs, 9 homers.

Fleets line vs UVA sounds super promising!

The elite pitchers, while they may give up a long ball or two from time to time generally help themselves by not putting people on base before said HR's. The majority of the HR's are usually sole shots which hurt but are much more manageable than 2 or 3 run shots.

Brian

(10-23-2023 01:21 PM)lostinbaseball7 Wrote:  This is anecdotal but it feels to me like elite softball pitchers give up the majority of their runs on HR's. Like no matter how good you are, occasionally someone will square one up. The true aces just don't give up many runs from anything else. Example last year Nicole May for OU had 14 earned runs on the season, allowed 7 homers. In Megan Good's best year she allowed 22 earned runs, 9 homers.

Fleets line vs UVA sounds super promising!

I agree.