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Posted on 10/31/16 at 7:53 pm to LSUAshlyn
What about the fielding? That has to get better
Posted on 11/1/16 at 8:17 am to SPEEDY
quote:
What about the fielding? That has to get better
Long post, I know.
You would surely think defense would improve with the influx of such great talent. LSU was one of the worst defensive teams up the middle (CF, SS, CF) early in the year. Bell and Quinn were awful and although Griggs is a solid player she is probably the slowest position player on the team and was placed in CF by default to try and plug the defensive vacuum left by AJ Andrews. I have been puzzled as to why she wasn't immediately moved back to left on the arrival of Andrews and Dawson.
Early last season, the staff moved toward youth and placed a freshman (Serrett) at short and moved Bell to third. Serrett was an immediate defensive upgrade and by all accounts from this fall has continued to excel and has looked very comfortable at the plate as well. My bet is Serrett will end up being one of the best defensive SS in the SEC this year and will continue to progress at the plate.
The other issue was second base both offensively and defensively and in CF offensively and from a defensive range perspective.
The second base production was the worst in the SEC with a below .200 average and league leading error total. On top of that, the position produced no "extras" as far as extra base hits, steals, taking the extra base or being able to produce offensive results through speed or instincts. When you are this poor on defense and extras you better be able to absolutely hit and this was never the case.
To contradict second base, Bell was such a great hitter that you can justify a lack of defensive production. She hit almost as well in the SEC as she did in non conference games which is amazing within itself. Bell is simply one of the best hitters to ever play at LSU and was adequate defensively. Her bat made up for any other part of the game.
CF production was arguably as bad as 2B in SEC play since it produced zero extra base hits, zero steals and the most limited range of any CF defender in the league. Typically if you don't bring tremendous defensive play to the field you better be a great hitter. As was the case at 2B, this didn't play out in CF either.
This year we have options if the staff will put them in place. The freshman are significant upgrades in all phases and bring explosiveness and game changing attributes that we did not have last year. If implemented earlier rather than later and not after failure like last year I believe we can have the best team Beth and company have ever produced. If the staff decides to stick with the familiar then I believe we could struggle as we did last year while leaving some of the best talent and game changers this program has ever seen sitting on the bench getting no experience.
Everyone knows the old insanity saying about doing things the same and expecting a different result. So far, I really haven't seen a desire to get the old out of the way and transition to the new. To be the best we can be, we have to get these freshman on the field and live through the early season growing pains. They are so talented and explosive that they can do things on the field the others simply have no ability to do.
Due to great recruiting, the tools are in place, the vacuum from last year has been filled. Now its up to those in charge to put the pieces together and figure out how to get the program to the next level of bringing home a title. I have the utmost confidence in this great staff to figure out how to get it done.
Geaux Tigers!!!!!
Posted on 11/1/16 at 8:57 pm to LSUAshlyn
(This will be a long post)
Schedule Update: The Mary Nutter Classic's games have been posted.
Feb. 23:
LSU vs. New Mexico State
LSU vs. Oklahoma State
Feb. 24:
LSU vs. CSU Long Beach
Feb. 25:
LSU vs. UCLA
LSU vs. Florida State
Predicted SEC schedule (based on previous seasons and other teams schedules)
Alabama
South Carolina
Tennessee
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
Georgia
Missouri
Auburn
Now for the fun part. Predicting Lineups!
Pitching Staff
1. Carley Hoover
2. Allie Walljasper
3. Sydney Smith
4. Maribeth Gorsuch
Lineup:
1.) Aliyah Andrews CF L
2.)Bailey Landry RF L
3.)Sahvanna Jaquish C R
4.)Amanda Doyle 3B R
5.)Sydney Springfield 1B R
6.)Nicky Dawson 2B L
7.)DH(hardest to predict, Quinn, Sanchez, Thornhill, Cummingham, Walljasper, etc.)
8.)Amber Serrett SS R
9.)Emily Griggs/Claire Weinberger LF L
Analysis:I feel that Andrews at the top of the lineup is pretty solid because LSU's offense flourished when her sister was at the top of the Lineup. The only other person that I would put at the top is Nicky Dawson. The 2 and 3 spots were the easiest to fill out, Landry has been great in the two hole. Her versatility allows LSU to do so many different things. Jaquish will have to fill in big shoes (Bianka Bell) in the 3 hole, but she'll still be a great player. The 4,5, and 6 spots are all freshman. This is where the growing pains might happen, but they get through it. The only way i feel that this might change is the moving up of the DH spot, if one of the upperclassmen can secure that job and do well, they should move up to 5. I really like Nicky Dawson. I feel as if she could be 2016 Sandra Simmons, but as a freshman. The DH spot is up for grabs, anyone can get it. The 8 spot is for Serrett, she will hit pretty decently, but fielding is why she's so good. Lastly, the 9 hole will be taken be either Emily Griggs or Claire Weinberger. Even though Griggs struggled last year, she is still a great player and has a lot of experience from being a junior and playing with Women's Junior National team.
Schedule Update: The Mary Nutter Classic's games have been posted.
Feb. 23:
LSU vs. New Mexico State
LSU vs. Oklahoma State
Feb. 24:
LSU vs. CSU Long Beach
Feb. 25:
LSU vs. UCLA
LSU vs. Florida State
Predicted SEC schedule (based on previous seasons and other teams schedules)
Alabama
South Carolina
Tennessee
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
Georgia
Missouri
Auburn
Now for the fun part. Predicting Lineups!
Pitching Staff
1. Carley Hoover
2. Allie Walljasper
3. Sydney Smith
4. Maribeth Gorsuch
Lineup:
1.) Aliyah Andrews CF L
2.)Bailey Landry RF L
3.)Sahvanna Jaquish C R
4.)Amanda Doyle 3B R
5.)Sydney Springfield 1B R
6.)Nicky Dawson 2B L
7.)DH(hardest to predict, Quinn, Sanchez, Thornhill, Cummingham, Walljasper, etc.)
8.)Amber Serrett SS R
9.)Emily Griggs/Claire Weinberger LF L
Analysis:I feel that Andrews at the top of the lineup is pretty solid because LSU's offense flourished when her sister was at the top of the Lineup. The only other person that I would put at the top is Nicky Dawson. The 2 and 3 spots were the easiest to fill out, Landry has been great in the two hole. Her versatility allows LSU to do so many different things. Jaquish will have to fill in big shoes (Bianka Bell) in the 3 hole, but she'll still be a great player. The 4,5, and 6 spots are all freshman. This is where the growing pains might happen, but they get through it. The only way i feel that this might change is the moving up of the DH spot, if one of the upperclassmen can secure that job and do well, they should move up to 5. I really like Nicky Dawson. I feel as if she could be 2016 Sandra Simmons, but as a freshman. The DH spot is up for grabs, anyone can get it. The 8 spot is for Serrett, she will hit pretty decently, but fielding is why she's so good. Lastly, the 9 hole will be taken be either Emily Griggs or Claire Weinberger. Even though Griggs struggled last year, she is still a great player and has a lot of experience from being a junior and playing with Women's Junior National team.
Posted on 11/1/16 at 9:04 pm to lovepurplelivegold14
Quinn will find her way into the lineup somehow, even if it is just as DH. Yes, she made way too many errors last year...on the other hand, she is capable of unbelievable plays, also. The play she made in the last inning of the super regional at James Madison, catching a line drive, probably saved the game. Offensively, she is a good enough hitter but she is a great base runner and knows when to take the extra base. In the last game vs. Washington at home, with LSU down a run and 2 out in the 7th, she turned a single into a double by reading the outfielder's throw into the infield and eventually scored on a single to tie the game, and LSU later won on a Walljasper homer.
Point being, she is a senior and does things well and I think she will play a big role on the team.
Point being, she is a senior and does things well and I think she will play a big role on the team.
Posted on 11/1/16 at 9:12 pm to LSUAshlyn
I'm glad that we have the players to fill those holes. I said the same last season and Griggs supporters didn't want to hear it. To me putting Dawson and Andrews in OF will solidify the grass and the batting order but, if Dawson is the answer at 2nd then putting Griggs in LF wouldn't be bad. I just think that we have better options.
Walljasper not being in the regular order is what I'm most excited about.
Walljasper not being in the regular order is what I'm most excited about.
Posted on 11/2/16 at 4:53 am to LSUAshlyn
Nice to see all of the experts starting early this year. Maybe I won't need to come to any games to see for myself and just read the rant for the full recap. Would save me a lot of money traveling from Houston. LOL
Seriously, thanks for the reports as I rarely get to see fall ball. Lots of time to put things together before the season starts and lots of optimism for this year's team. Our staff and players will put together another great team.
Just sad that I won't be traveling much at all to BR this season, but happy at a new opportunity to serve our great sport which will cut my travel. Plus with my mother turning 93 last week, I can't get away like I used to on every weekend.
Keep up the reports! Whether I agree or not, I always read them.
Seriously, thanks for the reports as I rarely get to see fall ball. Lots of time to put things together before the season starts and lots of optimism for this year's team. Our staff and players will put together another great team.
Just sad that I won't be traveling much at all to BR this season, but happy at a new opportunity to serve our great sport which will cut my travel. Plus with my mother turning 93 last week, I can't get away like I used to on every weekend.
Keep up the reports! Whether I agree or not, I always read them.
This post was edited on 11/2/16 at 4:54 am
Posted on 11/2/16 at 1:14 pm to 18handicap
If we all agreed we wouldn't need the Rant! 
You will be missed at the games and you picked a bad year because we are going to win it all!!
The best thing about this whole conversation is the fact softball is being discussed at all. 3 or 4 years ago it would have never happened. This is a direct tribute to Beth and the rise of the program.
My only comments on the line up is this. Whoever leads off (Andrews, Dawson, Landry, Griggs) brings a different strength. Andrews who I believe is very good is solely touch and go. At this point in her career, she has shown no ability to drive the ball. I am not sure you would want her to get the extra at bat in the game while a more multi-dimensional hitter may lose that at bat that can still do the same small ball things she can.
Landry (not an option, really) or Dawson on the other hand bring equal or better speed but have the ability to drive the ball if necessary. Both can hit a sac fly, double, triple or occasionally a HR. Griggs is a single's hitter like Andrews but is one of the slower players on the team and puts little pressure on the D.
It depends on the philosophy of which hitters do you want to get the extra at bat. Typically 1-4 get one more per game. I want to see the most dangerous hitter that can drive the ball when necessary at the plate as many times as possible. For me, Andrews would be a terrific 9 hitter for now until she gets stronger and more dimensional at the plate.
It's great to have options. We had no options last year and the lead off spot was a turnstile until Simmons had a career year. I don't see Dawson leading off simply because she has been given zero lead off at bats in every fall game I have seen. There has to be an internal reason that we don't know about. It makes no sense at all. From what I have seen it looks to be Griggs (head scratcher) or Andrews in that spot.
Doyle will be a fine third baseman both defensively and offensively. Springfield will also be a very good hitter. Both bring some pop to try and protect Jaquish. Cunningham will get alot of time behind the plate when Jaquish is at 3rd. LF is a toss up between Griggs and Weinberger I think. CF should be a no contest to Andrews from what I have seen. I think we will see plenty of freshman and sophomores on the field.
Geaux Tigers!!!!!!
You will be missed at the games and you picked a bad year because we are going to win it all!! The best thing about this whole conversation is the fact softball is being discussed at all. 3 or 4 years ago it would have never happened. This is a direct tribute to Beth and the rise of the program.
My only comments on the line up is this. Whoever leads off (Andrews, Dawson, Landry, Griggs) brings a different strength. Andrews who I believe is very good is solely touch and go. At this point in her career, she has shown no ability to drive the ball. I am not sure you would want her to get the extra at bat in the game while a more multi-dimensional hitter may lose that at bat that can still do the same small ball things she can.
Landry (not an option, really) or Dawson on the other hand bring equal or better speed but have the ability to drive the ball if necessary. Both can hit a sac fly, double, triple or occasionally a HR. Griggs is a single's hitter like Andrews but is one of the slower players on the team and puts little pressure on the D.
It depends on the philosophy of which hitters do you want to get the extra at bat. Typically 1-4 get one more per game. I want to see the most dangerous hitter that can drive the ball when necessary at the plate as many times as possible. For me, Andrews would be a terrific 9 hitter for now until she gets stronger and more dimensional at the plate.
It's great to have options. We had no options last year and the lead off spot was a turnstile until Simmons had a career year. I don't see Dawson leading off simply because she has been given zero lead off at bats in every fall game I have seen. There has to be an internal reason that we don't know about. It makes no sense at all. From what I have seen it looks to be Griggs (head scratcher) or Andrews in that spot.
Doyle will be a fine third baseman both defensively and offensively. Springfield will also be a very good hitter. Both bring some pop to try and protect Jaquish. Cunningham will get alot of time behind the plate when Jaquish is at 3rd. LF is a toss up between Griggs and Weinberger I think. CF should be a no contest to Andrews from what I have seen. I think we will see plenty of freshman and sophomores on the field.
Geaux Tigers!!!!!!
Posted on 11/26/16 at 3:20 pm to LSUAshlyn
Andrews might play CF, she might just DP to start the season. I still think Griggs will be given the nod to start, but Andrews is the better player, was the best freshman in the fall.
Connie will start at 2B. She might not last all season, but she'll get the nod due to being a senior. There are few who could fill in though if she falters.
Jaquish will/should play some 3B but that will probably only be 1 game per weekend, if there is an solid backup option.
Dawson will not play the OF, her arm doesn't allow for it. If you attended the entire fall season, and you're willing to be honest, you know this. All of the available OF options have stronger arms.
Springfield has to improve her hitting. Her size doesn't allow for her to play anywhere besides 1B IMO.
Doyle can play 3B and 1B if needed. There are a few options at 3B and LF, so I'd venture the best hitters are going to play as per the custom in baseball/softball.
Connie will start at 2B. She might not last all season, but she'll get the nod due to being a senior. There are few who could fill in though if she falters.
Jaquish will/should play some 3B but that will probably only be 1 game per weekend, if there is an solid backup option.
Dawson will not play the OF, her arm doesn't allow for it. If you attended the entire fall season, and you're willing to be honest, you know this. All of the available OF options have stronger arms.
Springfield has to improve her hitting. Her size doesn't allow for her to play anywhere besides 1B IMO.
Doyle can play 3B and 1B if needed. There are a few options at 3B and LF, so I'd venture the best hitters are going to play as per the custom in baseball/softball.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 8:14 pm to paintthecorner
quote:
I still think Griggs will be given the nod to start, but Andrews is the better player, was the best freshman in the fall.
Andrews and Doyle were given more opportunity in the fall than any other freshman. Andrews was fantastic. I agree this may very well happen with Griggs but it is obvious and apparent to anyone that watched the fall that Andrews is superior in every single facet of the game. We have to find a way to get this Freshman on the field. She is to explosive to be on the bench.
quote:
Connie will start at 2B. She might not last all season, but she'll get the nod due to being a senior. There are few who could fill in though if she falters.
Sad if true. If you play a Sr. over a Fr. simply because she is a senior then you are not building experience for the future. I don't see one single thing she can do that is superior to Dawson. When in doubt, play the best athlete and play the freshman. This girl has 4 years left so get her as much experience as possible.
quote:
Dawson will not play the OF, her arm doesn't allow for it. If you attended the entire fall season, and you're willing to be honest, you know this. All of the available OF options have stronger arms.
Haha, as if the strength of the outfield arm outweighs every other tool. Dawson's arm strength is more than adequate and is stronger than Landry's in right field. Just take 60 seconds to watch her long toss with Landry and you will see the arm strength of the two is not close. It's not Dawson's arm strength, it is her arm slot that catches your eye when you watch her throw. Aside from that, she is better in every other category (speed, range, offense) than any other outfield with the exception of Landry. Arm strength is probably the least determining tool for an outfielder.
quote:
Doyle can play 3B and 1B if needed. There are a few options at 3B and LF, so I'd venture the best hitters are going to play as per the custom in baseball/softball.
Agree Doyle can be a good player at either and I believe is the top prospect to protect Jaquish in the middle of the order.
This team has to get these freshman on the field in my opinion. If the staff doesn't have Andrews and Dawson in the line up on opening day then they are playing upper classmen for the simple reason to play upper classmen. These two are dynamic game changers. Put them in the line up and get out of the way and these two freshman will make plays on both offense and defense that we haven't seen in a while at Tiger Park. Add Doyle and Springfield's bat and we should see 4 freshman in the lineup everyday. Claire and Michael will end up with alot of PT making LSU one of the youngest and most talented teams in the country.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 10:59 pm to LSUAshlyn
Thanks for the nice words and keep the updates coming.
We started on the field off season this week and I really enjoyed being back out there. My last season was 2012. My mom has been in the hospital and now rehab the past 3 weeks so getting on the field has been a great outlet to relieve the stress.
We started on the field off season this week and I really enjoyed being back out there. My last season was 2012. My mom has been in the hospital and now rehab the past 3 weeks so getting on the field has been a great outlet to relieve the stress.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 10:47 pm to LSUAshlyn
Having watched Dawson throw, the arm slot is the issue. I agree. That said, I don't see her playing OF. That slot doesn't allow for the throws needed IMO.
The only freshman I'd pencil in if I were a fan is Doyle, because she has shown to this point, she can hit.
The only freshman I'd pencil in if I were a fan is Doyle, because she has shown to this point, she can hit.
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 10:49 pm
Posted on 12/2/16 at 11:31 pm to paintthecorner
Dawson isn't hitting?
Posted on 12/2/16 at 11:35 pm to LSUAshlyn
Great synopsis, but when it really comes down to it... it's women's sports! Pass.
Posted on 12/5/16 at 3:56 pm to paintthecorner
quote:
The only freshman I'd pencil in if I were a fan is Doyle, because she has shown to this point, she can hit.
I am beginning to wonder if you went to any of the fall games, haha, because we definitely didn't see the same things. Granted that I do believe Doyle will be a hitter, she was probably the biggest offensive underachiever of the fall. Both Andrews and Dawson out hit her for average and Dawson had more extra base hits and runs scored than any other freshman even though she routinely received fewer at bats than Doyle or Andrews.
Doyle is the player penciled in for two reasons in my opinion. One, we have a terrible lack of depth on the corners and she will play third or first well. The other reason, she is from Cali and therefore given the benefit of the doubt that she must be better than recruits from other states. She did not have a great fall but we have to get these freshman on the field early and often and I believe Doyle will perform well.
Anyone that reads this board knows I am a big Dawson believer and the way she was handled in the fall is baffling. The rumblings I hear are that the staff heavily discounted her accomplishments in travel and high school ball because she is a "local" kid and not from a high profile state (which is ridiculous). I am told they may have simply taken her as a local token recruit. That assertion could be backed up with what I saw in the fall. Dawson was an LSU through and through and the staff did not have to spend much time wooing her services. They seemed to treat her as such this fall. I would not be shocked if she red shirted even though she is superior is every facet to the upper classmen at her position.
Andrews and Dawson are such massive upgrades to returning players that if they don't start then something other than ability, upside and performance are in play. Doyle will absolutely start and I believe will be a very good hitter. Cunningham will be very good behind the plate and will rotate nicely with Jaquish. Springfield should also get plenty of at bats rotating between first and DP. Weinberger got a lot of time in LF this fall. This freshman class is special.
The line up is pretty easy to come up with if you watched each game:
C: Jaquish rotate with Cunningham
3B: Doyle rotate with Jaquish
SS: Serrett
2B: Dawson
1B: Springfield rotate with Doyle
RF: Landry
CF: Andrews
LF: Griggs/Weinberger
DP: Whoever hits: Thornhill, Quinn, Cunningham, Griggs, Weinberger, Satchell, Sanchez, Walljasper
My two cents...
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