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way too early look at women's softball for next Year

Started by flippinhogmana, May 18, 2017, 03:10:38 pm

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flippinhogmana

A special thanks to Psych for the recruiting info for next year's class-

My first prediction is that our pitching staff wiill be lead by two sophomores and a freshmen reprising the role of the power puff girls-

The red headed Autumn Storms kind of fits the role Blossom already

Caroline Hitchcock has already showed some form as Bubbles

Next year Mary Haff will mow down opposing batters a plenty like Buttercup dispatching villains. 

Hitters, next segmnet-

Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

flippinhogmana

Here are the recruits joining us next year and Psych's comments on them

Hannah McEwen   OF   (So Cal A's)
Jada   Dotson Of/UT   (Tennessee Ballhawks)
Kayla Green C           (So Cal A's)
Kennedy Ratliff MIF   (Texas Glory - Adkins)
Mary   Haff P               (Rhode Island Thunder)
Nicole Duncan C/MIF   (DeMarini Aces)

Valerie Ventura IF   (Firecrackers - Redmond)
Linnie Malkin 3B         (Colorado Stars Gold)



Also, don't forget we have some good players (I think?) on the team now as freshmen. Aly Manzo is supposed to be very good. She's behind Belans right now, and even though Belans makes too many errors, I don't think you take her bat out of the lineup for a freshman. Also curious about how good Parr and MacKay might turn out to be.

The best rated players are Haff (#42 on FloSoftball), Duncan (#103) and Ratliff (#115). Dotson and Malkin are apparently big hitters, though Malkin also didn't make an error for the last two years of her high school career at 3b. FloSoftball ranks it as the #21 recruiting class for 2017. Dotson is apparently pretty raw but with a lot of upside and athleticism. Haff is evidently something of a character -- she certainly doesn't seem to lack confidence, and she is definitely a good pitcher.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

 

flippinhogmana

Here is our current roster:

00   Carley Haizlip   OF   L/R   Soph   5-8   Midlothian, Texas / Midlothian   
2   A.J. Belans   INF   R/R   Jr   5-5   Hollywood, Fla. / FIU   
3   Parker Pocklington   INF   R/R   Sr   5-4   Centralia, Wash. / Centralia   
4   Marley Harmon   C   R/R   Sr   5-10   Kimberling City, Mo. / Western Kentucky   
5   Hailey MacKay   INF   R/R   Fr   5-8   Leander, Texas / Leander   
6   Tori Cooper   OF   L/L   Jr   5-5   Nederland, Texas / Nederland   
7   Sydney Parr   OF   R/L   Fr   5-7   North Little Rock, Ark. / North Little Rock   
8   Autumn Russell   OF   R/R   Jr   5-7   Greenbrier, Ark. / Greenbrier   
9   Autumn Storms   RHP   R/R   Fr   5-10   Temecula, Calif. / Great Oak HS   
10   Haydi Bugarin   OF/INF   R/R   Soph   5-3   San Antonio, Texas / East Central HS   
11   Betina Beringhele   INF   R/R   Jr   5-4   Culver City, Calif. / Golden West College   
12   Loren Krzysko   OF   R/R   R-Jr   5-3   Barrington, Ill. / Barrington   
13   Grace Moll   RHP   R/R   Sr   5-9   Shelbyville, Ill. / Shelbyville   
14   Stephanie Canfield   OF   L/R   R-Sr   5-9   St. Joseph, Ill. / Ogden HS   
15   Rachel Box   C   R/R   R-Jr   5-6   White Hall, Ark. / White Hall   
16   Keely Edwards   INF   R/R   Fr   5-6   Harrisburg, Ark. / Harrisburg   
17   Madison Yannetti   INF   R/R   Jr   5-8   Mesquite, Texas / Poteet HS   
18   Ashley Diaz   INF   R/R   Soph   5-10   South El Monte, Calif. / South El Monte   
19   Lauren Archuleta   C   R/R   R-Soph   5-8   Rockwall, Texas / Heath HS   
20   Macy Brotherton   C   R/R   Fr   5-9   Mena, Ark. / Mena   
21   Kylie Smith   OF   L/L   R-Jr   5-4   Manhattan, Kan. / Manhattan   
24   Shelby Hiers   C/OF   R/R   Sr   5-7   Quitman, Ga. / Brooks County HS   
28   Sydney Benz   INF   R/R   Soph   5-5   Carol Stream, Ill. / Louisville   
29   Nicole Schroeder   INF/OF   R/R   R-Sr   5-10   Yorba Linda, Calif. / Esperanza HS   
31   Caroline Hedgcock   LHP   L/L   Fr   5-8   Downers Grove, Ill. / South HS   
32   Allison Stewart   RHP   R/R   Jr   5-11   Olathe, Kan. / East HS   
34   Madelyn Brotherton   UTL   R/R   Fr   5-9   Mena, Ark. / Mena   
55   Katie Warrick   INF/RHP   R/R   Soph   6-0   Chapel Hill, Tenn. / UT Martin   
66   Aly Manzo   INF   R/R   Fr   5-7   Roseville, Calif. / Roseville   

the five names in bold are who we lose, the main contributros we lose this year are RF Nicole Schroeder and Cathcer Shelby Hiers.  that and their place in the batting order is mainly what we have to replace.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

flippinhogmana

May 18, 2017, 03:36:45 pm #3 Last Edit: May 18, 2017, 03:56:39 pm by flippinhogmana
00   Carley Haizlip   OF   L/R   Soph   5-8   Midlothian, Texas / Midlothian   
2   A.J. Belans   INF   R/R   Jr   5-5   Hollywood, Fla. / FIU   
3   Parker Pocklington   INF   R/R   Sr   5-4   Centralia, Wash. / Centralia   

5   Hailey MacKay   INF   R/R   Fr   5-8   Leander, Texas / Leander   
6   Tori Cooper   OF   L/L   Jr   5-5   Nederland, Texas / Nederland   
7   Sydney Parr   OF   R/L   Fr   5-7   North Little Rock, Ark. / North Little Rock   
8   Autumn Russell   OF   R/R   Jr   5-7   Greenbrier, Ark. / Greenbrier   
9   Autumn Storms   RHP   R/R   Fr   5-10   Temecula, Calif. / Great Oak HS   
10   Haydi Bugarin   OF/INF   R/R   Soph   5-3   San Antonio, Texas / East Central HS   
11   Betina Beringhele   INF   R/R   Jr   5-4   Culver City, Calif. / Golden West College   
12   Loren Krzysko   OF   R/R   R-Jr   5-3   Barrington, Ill. / Barrington   

   
15   Rachel Box   C   R/R   R-Jr   5-6   White Hall, Ark. / White Hall   
16   Keely Edwards   INF   R/R   Fr   5-6   Harrisburg, Ark. / Harrisburg   
17   Madison Yannetti   INF   R/R   Jr   5-8   Mesquite, Texas / Poteet HS   
18   Ashley Diaz   INF   R/R   Soph   5-10   South El Monte, Calif. / South El Monte   
19   Lauren Archuleta   C   R/R   R-Soph   5-8   Rockwall, Texas / Heath HS   
20   Macy Brotherton   C   R/R   Fr   5-9   Mena, Ark. / Mena   
21   Kylie Smith   OF   L/L   R-Jr   5-4   Manhattan, Kan. / Manhattan   
   
28   Sydney Benz   INF   R/R   Soph   5-5   Carol Stream, Ill. / Louisville   

31   Caroline Hedgcock   LHP   L/L   Fr   5-8   Downers Grove, Ill. / South HS   
32   Allison Stewart   RHP   R/R   Jr   5-11   Olathe, Kan. / East HS   
34   Madelyn Brotherton   UTL   R/R   Fr   5-9   Mena, Ark. / Mena   
55   Katie Warrick   INF/RHP   R/R   Soph   6-0   Chapel Hill, Tenn. / UT Martin   
66   Aly Manzo   INF   R/R   Fr   5-7   Roseville, Calif. / Roseville   

Krzysko seems to have already secured center field for Canfield spot, Russell is actually an outfieder, we dont know if she stays at third or takes the vacant outfield spot, I would assume she stays at third. 

another possibility for the outfield might be one of the newcomers Jada Dodson who is an outfield/utility player and a big hitter.

A possibility for catcher might also be another newcomer in Kayla Green or Nicole Duncan.

Russell might also be pushed to the outfield if Linne Malkin comes is as adverted (3B and a reputed heavy hitter)

As far as the batting order:

Autumn Russell leads off
Second Loren Krzysko
3rd Tori Cooper
4th AJ Belans
5th Ashley Diaz returns to her freshman form and hits 5th with power and average
6th unless a younger proves more valuable Madison Yanetti
7th whoever wins the right field position
8th whoever wins the catcher position
Heidi Bugarin or one of the youngsters who might supplant her (but either of the last three might move up in the order)


That is not to say that I think this lineup or batting order is set in stone my any stretch of the imagination.  There are some younger players already on the team that might emerge as well.  Katie Warrick might also emerge more as a pitcher and might lock down the DH role, or Caroline Hedgcock might emerge more as a DH as well.  There should be five senior starters as position players however.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

hawg1221

Hopefully, there's improvement by the pitching. The freshman pitchers did good this year, but I would like to see forward progess in their development. I would also like to see improvement with the defense. I thought that was the weakest part of the team this year.

flippinhogmana

Quote from: hawg1221 on May 21, 2017, 10:16:31 am
Hopefully, there's improvement by the pitching. The freshman pitchers did good this year, but I would like to see forward progess in their development. I would also like to see improvement with the defense. I thought that was the weakest part of the team this year.

I think coach D addressed two critical areas this year, but had to sacrifice the third for the sake of one of those two.  We had such a wide disparity in the runs scored by us compared to the opposition, she addressed the batting order and she addressed pitching with the addition of storms, warrick and hedgcock.  But it also meant to get Belans in the lineup she had to go with her defense.  She got the best bats available (same with Hiers) on the field despite some defensive liabilities.

We need better catching (less passed balls and an equally strong arm), we need better play in the field, particularly at shortstop and 2nd base.  I think Yani improved as the year went on at 2nd, Belans, not so much.  I think having pitchers who fill up the zone, and yet use change of pace and a variety of pitches help cut down on passed balls too though (sometimes throwing an off speed can keep the pitcher from having to think they have to throw it by the hitter and sometimes over throwing it as a result). 

I look for Storms and Hedgcock to improve over their freshmen campaigns not stay stagnant.  Storms is a tigress, I dont think she will be content to come back with the same stuff, the same way, plus I think she just tired at the end.  Hedgcock too, had a period where she was first rate, but didnt carry it into late in the season, I think she will, as a lefty, be a strong ace before its all said and done; Haff though, I see great things in her.

I think Warrick will prove valuable before its over too, and their are a lot of good players coming.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

hawg1221

Glad to hear about the incoming freshman being talented. I'm pretty excited about the future. My hope is that CCD is successful and stays for a while.

flippinhogmana

I should point out that Kennedy Ratliff (ss) who is listed as playing with the Texas Glory is also from Rison and recently won a state championship playing in Bogle Park, a harbinger of things to come for her and the team?
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

psycHOGlogist

And her little sister Macy is also a national level recruit (though not, so far, showing all that much interest in the Hogs).

psycHOGlogist

May 30, 2017, 01:14:56 am #9 Last Edit: May 30, 2017, 12:38:50 pm by psycHOGlogist
Here is something I wrote up for another softball-only board (slightly edited for a Hog-friendly audience):

Arkansas had, by any reasonable standard that takes history in context, a fantastic season.

They improved from a 17-39, 1-23 season to a 31-24, 7-17 record, a 14 game improvement in the win column overall and an improvement of 6 wins in conference. They went 0-2-BBQ in a pretty tough NCAAT regional with a one-run loss to Tulsa and a two-run loss to Oklahoma (both of which they had opportunities to win).

How'd they do it?

I have a couple answers to that:
1) Autumn Storms' emergence. While she is not a flame-throwing, you-can't-hit-me pitcher, she is consistent, has a tough mentality, and is a good spinner of the ball. Moll did not have the season the Hogs were hoping for, and had some nagging injuries, and the Hogs didn't miss a beat behind Storms. (It was too bad for Grace, though, to have such a mixed bag of a senior season.)

2) The growth of the rest of the pitching staff. Moll pitched pretty well preseason, but as the season went on, you had Caroline Hedgcock start to hit her stride. She pitched some very good games (and some great innings of relief) at various times during the second half of the season. She struggled a little bit at times with her location, and she really needs to develop more of an off-speed pitch to have the kind of success she's capable of, but she's been a big addition to the team. Also, Katie Warrick pitched some very good innings of relief and was a passable starter in some non-con games. When compared to the staff last year, which was basically Grace Moll and some outfielders, this was just a huge step forward. (And Deifel took over pitching coach duties after Boo left for Purdue, but that didn't seem like a problem at all.) Last year's ERA: 6.98. This year's ERA: 2.82. I'll take it.

3. Deifel, McRae, and Meuchel, as a staff, really got the team's collective head turned in the right direction. The team had an extremely positive, "never-say-die" attitude all year and never seemed like they weren't expecting to win. After the last two Larabee seasons and Deifel's first, this is really a remarkable achievement. The players also seemed to take some very good steps forward in development. Raise your hand if you saw Nicole Schroeder leading the conference in HR's, or Autumn Russell having the best batting average on the team. Or Tori Cooper having 10 HR's and 40 RBI's. Or a team that would lose Stephanie Canfield for the last third of a season not missing a beat offensively. I'm really impressed with how much several players took steps forward this year. The fielding % improved from .956 to .968, and the batting average improved from .260 to .284.

4. Impact transfers - getting Belans and Warrick to Fayetteville was really impressive. Now, I still think Belans needs to shore up her defense (she makes too many errors on routine plays), but there's no doubt she helped in the defensive improvement. The Hogs didn't have anyone last year worth thinking about as a 2nd team All-SEC infielder. And Warrick not only pitched well at times but also had some clutch hits. Sydney Benz, the third transfer, didn't have too many opportunities to contribute.

Not everyone -- here on Hogville or elsewhere -- was sold on Deifel when she was hired. So far, though, I would say that if she's not yet a grand slam, she's a pretty clearly a stand-up triple. The leap from last year is remarkable.

Now, to the topic of this thread, is the improvement sustainable?

The team loses Schroeder, Canfield, Moll, and Hiers from its main/everyday contributors, and Pocklington as a key sub. Belans, Cooper, Russell, Yannetti, and Kryzsko are back for their senior years, and Diaz, Warrick, and some-time starter Bugarin will be juniors. The best two pitchers will be sophomores, and incoming freshman Mary Haff is pretty promising. Next year could be pretty good, but they'll have to replace Schroeder's pop at the plate and Hiers behind the plate. The latter may be harder than the former. Hiers was not an all-SEC caliber player on her best day, but she was a mature leader with a decent arm. I'm not sure who the next catcher on the roster is until Taco Greene arrives in 2018. Do we go back to the Archuleta experiment, now that she has a full season of back-up duty under her belt?

Will there be departures from the team this offseason? If so, it would probably be for playing time. Looking things over, you have to wonder about Carley Haizlip, who barely got a sniff of playing time this year in her sophomore year. I think that Beringhele and Smith both graduated, so I'm not sure if they'll be back or not. The only other players who didn't see much action are true freshmen, and unless they are miserable/homesick or feel trapped on the bench (and maybe starting out behind some of the incoming freshmen), I'm not seeing a reason for them to leave.

The 2018 class is going to be special. We have Taylor "Taco" Greene (C) and Lari Cesena (OF) committed, both of whom are top 25 recruits as of today. We also have Samantha Torres from one of the premier clubs in the country committed as an OF. (Not sure if we have a 2018 pitcher commit or not, but if we don't, there's probably nothing to worry about. We have Jenna Bloom and Rylin Hedgecock [2019] and Cally Kildow from Gravette and Lauren Howell from Missouri [2020] committed. All are pitchers, but Hedgecock and Kildow are versatile enough to contribute elsewhere, too.)

But there is a lot of promise on this team, and Deifel and her staff have done a really good job of injecting talent and enthusiasm back into the program.

As for next year - it seems likely to me that the infield probably stays as is: Diaz at 1b, Yanetti at 2b, Belans at SS, and Russell at 3b. If any one of them loses their spot, that will be fantastic news because it will mean that a youngster is emerging to challenge an established starter. Will Manzo, Edwards, or MacKay be able to do it? Or incoming freshmen Ventura or Ratliff?

In the outfield, there could be some intrigue. You have to think that Tori Cooper is a lock to play somewhere out there. She is pretty solid defensively and I don't want her bat out of the lineup. Krzysko is a legit hitter, but I think she's got room to improve on defense. Maybe move over to RF? So who takes over the open OF position? Sydney Parr got a few reps out there in RF this year. Does Haizlip emerge? Will either freshman Hannah McEwen or Jada Dotson be ready? (In Dotson's case, I would think she'd be more likely to get pinch-hit at bats than field reps as a true freshman.) Could be interesting.

As for the spot behind the plate, I assume it's Archuleta's to start with. The question is, does someone emerge to knock her out of the spot? How much has LA improved? She has a decent arm, but she struggled with the basic defensive responsibilities of the position in 2016 (understandable, as she'd never done it before). Does Brotherton or freshman Kayla Green challenge her?

The rotation seems set -- Storms and Hedgcock will be 1 and 2. The question is does Haff come in and give us a 3rd SEC-ready starter as a freshman? Or like Warrick is she best as an option out of the bullpen? She's pretty highly rated, so I'm hoping she's a third starter.

Isn't it nice to maybe have some options?

The SEC is brutal, so I don't know if there's a way for them to make a huge leap forward next year, but it seems like they have the potential to be on an upward trajectory that will place them solidly in the middle of the pack in the conference.

Next year, LSU loses its two best hitters and a very solid infield starter. They return both their stud pitchers, though. Similarly, Auburn loses both Kasey Cooper and Hayley Fagan, but they keep their best two pitchers. Bama loses one of their great pitchers (but returns Osorio) and some starting field players. TAMU brings almost everyone back, as does Tennessee. Ole Miss loses a couple field starters but should be in good shape. Mizzou loses its best pitcher and two of its best hitters. Kentucky loses its best pitcher, another decent pitcher, and an outfielder, but has some good pieces coming back. MSU loses their best pitcher, their best hitter, and their very good center-fielder. Florida loses one of its stud pitchers, but they have two other ones, so ... They also lose a starting outfielder, but they return their biggest threats. South Carolina may lose the most, with two of its best pitchers, their big hitting 1b, and some other contributors. UGA loses one of the speedy Emanuel sisters and good hitting catcher.

I would look for us to be a middle of the pack SEC team next year, a couple spots above where we were this year. I think we are better than SC, Mizzou, and UGA next year, and probably MSU and maybe (maybe?) Kentucky. How will Ole Miss look when they don't pitch Lee every game? The top of the conference looks to be Florida (duh), TAMU, and Tennessee next year. Auburn and LSU will ride their great pitchers. Of course, it's very hard to figure out what the standings will look like because the SEC schedule is unbalanced, and some teams usually get stuck with brutal conference schedules and others get relatively easy ones. Ours was relatively tough this year, though we did get to skip LSU and Auburn (and Ole Miss, who didn't really get hot until the post-season). We still had Bama, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and TAMU, but we also saw MSU, Mizzou, and UGA. The only bottom-half teams we missed out on were Ole Miss and South Carolina.

I hope we're looking at another step forward next year and about a 8th/9th place finish in conference, and another NCAAT berth.

psycHOGlogist

One other thing: I think it's important that the team develop the ability to play more small ball. We're not going to be able to hit HR's all the time against SEC pitching. We need to expand our offensive repertoire and manufacture runs with stolen bases (we have some fast players) and situational bunting. That will help us, I think, take the next step offensively.

nwahogfan1

Great insights and commentary.   SEC is is very good and balanced but was anyone surprised at only 3 teams making the world series or was about right?  I was surprise with Auburn losing at home. I guess Okla is for real.  Mississippi and Kentucky both lost on the road to a couple very good PAC 12 teams.  So maybe no surprise there.   Thoughts?

psycHOGlogist

Not really a surprise. None of the losses would be considered "upsets" except Auburn, and then only if you are not paying attention to the whole season. Auburn considerably underperformed expectations this year, and the Super Regional was that in a microcosm. Auburn got where it is now by having a high octane offense, but this season it just wasn't there.  I think in the second game of the Super, their 3-6 hitters were 0-11 at the plate. That's happened far too much this year for them to be considered an elite team. And OU is, in fact, the defending national champ.

Kentucky probably should have forced a 3rd game in their Super, but they collapsed in the bottom of the 7th in game 2 and allowed the Ducks to pull it out.

Ole Miss was, honestly, lucky to be in a Super. They got hot in the SECT, but it just wasn't sustainable with just one decent pitcher.

I think that overall the SEC is still easily the best conference top to bottom, but the PAC is actually better at the top this year (except for Florida, who still has their offensive issues).

So in a nutshell, no, I don't think the SEC has underperformed for what we have this year. Several PAC teams are trying to follow the SEC's lead and building new ball parks to try to compete for recruits, so the competition between the leagues will be interesting to watch going forward, but I still have very little doubt that the SEC is currently on top.

 

rolyat_2008


psycHOGlogist


howie76

I would like to add Maggie Hicks of Sheridan on this thread. She will be a senior next year and played shortstop for a back to back state champs. She has a great eye for the ball and I wouldn't be surprised if she wasn't the fastest player on the team whenever she steps on campus! She hit a 2 run shot in the state championship game this year that tied the game. She verbally committed to razorbacks in December.

flippinhogmana

thanks for the info Howie! Max Preps doesnt have reliable or complete stats on her, but it looks hike she has been part of a championship level team in all her play for the last seven years or so, since she was ten years old.  Plays SS it appears and is a good hitter.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

psycHOGlogist

Well, if she's a senior next year then technically she won't play until the 2019 season, but still - good to know, and good to see in-state talent stay in the program.

Here's a tweet with the announcement from early Jan:

https://twitter.com/YJ_Nation/status/816476454972231680

Thanks for the tip! Excited to see what she can do!

howie76

Quote from: flippinhogmana on June 19, 2017, 10:45:30 pm
thanks for the info Howie!
you bet! She's an outstanding softball player and even better young lady! Very competitive. I would have to ask her parents but Im pretty sure that growing up over the years she's been on numerous World Series championship teams and state championship teams. Very high motor that never quits.

howie76

Quote from: psycHOGlogist on June 19, 2017, 10:51:51 pm
Well, if she's a senior next year then technically she won't play until the 2019 season, but still - good to know, and good to see in-state talent stay in the program.

Here's a tweet with the announcement from early Jan:

https://twitter.com/YJ_Nation/status/816476454972231680

Thanks for the tip! Excited to see what she can do!
thanks! I had not seen that before.

psycHOGlogist

Would never have found it if not for your tip! Maggie's twitter account is private (good for her), so it's impossible to twitter-snoop as a stranger. :-)

flippinhogmana

with only losing five and with seven new players coming in, arent we in somewhat of a numbers game same as in baseball?  Arent we likely to see two or three sophomores/juniors who didnt get any playing time this year (and arent likely to next year since we only lost two players who played much) transfer out?

I expect four freshmen to play this year (particularly Haff and Dotson, who possesses both power and speed, but maybe also Duncan and Green).
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

psycHOGlogist

June 27, 2017, 12:48:13 am #22 Last Edit: June 27, 2017, 01:58:34 am by psycHOGlogist
I think your math may be a bit off. We are losing more than 5.

We will certainly be without the academic seniors (Pocklington, Moll, Harmon, Hiers) and R/S seniors (Schroeder, Canfield), but we are also apparently losing Smith, Beringhele, and Box to graduation.

Also, rather surprisingly, Madison Yannetti is not currently listed on the roster for 2017-18. Not sure if she graduated early, transferred, or just hung it up (or none of the above and is just left off the roster). Her twitter feed is all about Jake Arledge, the former Hog baseball player, so maybe she is leaving and following him to wherever his minor league career takes him? (Total speculation). But it's surprising to not see her on the roster.

So, that gives us plenty of roster room for the incoming players, and opens a starting infield spot for Manzo, Benz, Ratliff,  Edwards, or someone else.

Also, according to her twitter account, Storms had surgery on June 14. Looks like maybe for a hip? That scares me. (ETA - yes, hip. Torn labrum in her hip. Google tells me that's a 4-6 month rehab.)

As for the freshmen, I also expect to see Haff get some work in the non-conference schedule and if that goes well, in SEC games. That becomes pretty important if Storms struggles to come back.

I think Dotson is a project, tbh, though I'm not sure what I base that on.

Still scratching my head over Yannetti. But should be interesting!


flippinhogmana

I didn't compare last years roster to this one, I just went with deducting those who were listed as seniors.  With the exception of Yannetti, however, we only lost two position players and players who actually contributed.  I am also a little concerned about Storms.  Thanks for that information.

If we lost more than I knew, then thats actually a good thing.  If Dotson can hit at this level, even if she doesn't have a position, her stolen bases and power numbers should get her a look at DH.  Hitting a ton at the AAU level or in HS, doesnt mean you can in SEC though.  Haff and pitching is the same thing.  Hedgcock was rater higher than Storms, but Storms was clearly the better pitcher.  I think Hedgcock will emerge this year though.  Haff, I just have a feeling about.

I really hope that Diaz becomes the big bat in the lineup this year-I think she is capable.  Katie Warrick might also play in as the big bat as well, and Belans is going to hit for power as well, as is Cooper. 

Catcher is a position that I am most concerned about (except if Yanetti is gone).  Green might be the answer or maybe Archuleta gets a second look.  But Duncan also caught some.  Unless the coach pulls a Hiers on us, those look like our three best options for that position.  If Yani is gone, who plays second?  Might Belans shift there is we have a better ss?  Does Benz factor in?

how about the vacated OF position?  Does Carley Haizlip, Parr, Bugarin or a new comer step in?
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

 

psycHOGlogist

Manzo and Benz are my top guesses (and they are just that - guesses) for 2b. Maybe Ratliff. But all shots in the dark, really.

I think C is Archuleta's to lose. One of the Brothertons catches, too. So there are options -- and some of them have actually been catchers before! lol

Malkin might also be a bat to remember among the freshmen.

flippinhogmana

Quote from: psycHOGlogist on June 27, 2017, 01:26:31 am
Manzo and Benz are my top guesses (and they are just that - guesses) for 2b. Maybe Ratliff. But all shots in the dark, really.

I think C is Archuleta's to lose. One of the Brothertons catches, too. So there are options -- and some of them have actually been catchers before! lol

Malkin might also be a bat to remember among the freshmen.

I had forgotten that one of the Brotherton's was a catcher, but you are right.  As far as Archuleta, it is curious why she didnt catch at all this year.  Biers sure could have used the rest once in a while.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.


howie76

My last post is a link to an article that was in the paper today regarding Maggie Hicks

flippinhogmana

Quote from: howie76 on July 02, 2017, 06:01:06 pm
My last post is a link to an article that was in the paper today regarding Maggie Hicks

thanks for the info Howie
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

flippinhogmana

the roster as of today doesn't yet include any freshmen.  Do they report later than the freshmen basketball players or is the roster just behind time?
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

flippinhogmana

the softball roster was finally posted today.  No surprises.
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.

psycHOGlogist

Thanks - I know you are relieved! ;-)

Some things to wonder about:
1. Who replaces Hiers behind the plate?
2. Who replaces Schroeder's pop behind the plate?
3. How will Storms come back from hip surgery?
4. What youngsters will start to step up? Next year we lose Belans, Russell, Kryzsko, and Cooper. Half the infield and 2/3 of the outfield. Who shows up to be their replacements?

flippinhogmana

Quote from: psycHOGlogist on September 12, 2017, 08:16:51 pm
Thanks - I know you are relieved! ;-)

Some things to wonder about:
1. Who replaces Hiers behind the plate?
2. Who replaces Schroeder's pop behind the plate?
3. How will Storms come back from hip surgery?
4. What youngsters will start to step up? Next year we lose Belans, Russell, Kryzsko, and Cooper. Half the infield and 2/3 of the outfield. Who shows up to be their replacements?


As far as Storms, I hope Haff is the power pitcher who also doesn't allow many walks is the pitcher we need and that Hedgcock and Storms, and a couple others fill in. 

As far as power bats, I hope that Diaz and Warrick will be our power hitters for the next couple of years, along with the freshman from Colorado.  Hopefully Belens and Cooper will keep it cranked up too.  I am looking forward to seeing what Green (catcher from Storms school in Cali) and Jada Dotson can do.  Dotson, with her mix of speed and power is intriguing. 

One year at a time on the seniors!
Like the erstwhile Clark Kent, my true identity is shielded.  I am an author, Nathan J. Allison is my pen name.