[ballcoach15]

The dude switched and actually pulled for JMU today. He even watched the game.

[thesportscritic]

Whatever

[olldflame]

The success of the Lady Dukes brings to mind an ongoing discussion we have had about the benefits of playing a killer schedule like we have been doing and getting "battle tough" (but also taking some lickings) vs. the JMU approach of playing a non-conference schedule that allows you to pile up a bunch of wins. Up until this week, I was pretty sold on Dot's approach. I am now having some second thoughts.

[Cider Jim]

The dude switched and actually pulled for JMU today. He even watched the game.

Ballcoach, I couldn't be prouder of you!

[flamehunter]

The success of the Lady Dukes brings to mind an ongoing discussion we have had about the benefits of playing a killer schedule like we have been doing and getting "battle tough" (but also taking some lickings) vs. the JMU approach of playing a non-conference schedule that allows you to pile up a bunch of wins. Up until this week, I was pretty sold on Dot's approach. I am now having some second thoughts.

JMU also played fewer games than we did this year by a fair margin. I wonder if that helped them any? Fresher legs/arms? They obviously are really good on top of whatever schedule advantages they may have had.

[Chippy]

Odicci Alexander, being a senior, an All-American, with her poise and composure, and her 71 mph rise ball helps.

[JK37]

Yeah, with that pitcher, it doesn’t matter what schedule you’re playing.

[olldflame]

Yeah, with that pitcher, it doesn’t matter what schedule you’re playing.

And yet, as good as she is, it's not like she completely dominated us. We took her deep 3 times if I recall correctly. Our problem turned out to be our own pitching moreso than hitting. As fantastic a job as Dot has done, IMHO the one area she seems to have come up short in is recruiting a true ace to take the mound. There is probably no other sport where one player can totally transform a team's fortunes like a dominant softball pitcher can.

[Chippy]

Yeah, with that pitcher, it doesn’t matter what schedule you’re playing.

And yet, as good as she is, it's not like she completely dominated us. We took her deep 3 times if I recall correctly. Our problem turned out to be our own pitching moreso than hitting. As fantastic a job as Dot has done, IMHO the one area she seems to have come up short in is recruiting a true ace to take the mound. There is probably no other sport where one player can totally transform a team's fortunes like a dominant softball pitcher can.

I know I'm repeating myself but JMU was under seeded at a 3 for the regional. We could have beat most any other 3 seed in the pool. "ands, if and buts . . . . " It's just unfortunate, as this was our best overall team. We say goodbye to 38 HRs (Bishops and Sweat) next year.

[olldflame]

The dude switched and actually pulled for JMU today. He even watched the game.

Ballcoach, I couldn't be prouder of you!

Quite frankly, I'm shocked.
Not accustomed to seeing the old ballcoach actually listen to reason and respond appropriately.

[ballcoach15]

Yeah, with that pitcher, it doesn’t matter what schedule you’re playing.

We say goodbye to 38 HRs (Bishops and Sweat) next year.

Goodbye to 44 HRs. Add Via's 2 HR, and there's 4 HRs in Transfer Portal.

[ballcoach15]

We say goodbye to 38 HRs (Bishops and Sweat) next year.

Goodbye to 44 HRs. Add Via's 2 HR, and there's 4 HRs in Transfer Portal.
I did the math a couple days ago, I think we lose 62% of our RBIs and 75% of our HRs.

[Chippy]

Who, pray tell, is the transfer who has the other 4 HRs? Obviously a starter which would mean we only return 3 of the 8 starters, excluding the pitcher.

[Cider Jim]

Who, pray tell, is the transfer who has the other 4 HRs?

Sources say it was one of our infielders.

[ballah09]

Jeez just say it, It's Channell.

[LU 57]

Jeez just say it, It's Channell.

Whoa. She is good. Any reason?

[ballcoach15]

Unofficially, I was told "her sister plays for Arkansas, and she has more fun sitting on bench, than Savannah does at LU, starting and playing every game", thus she decided to leave. I heard this several weeks ago..

???????

[Chippy]

Unofficially, I was told "her sister plays for Arkansas, and she has more fun sitting on bench, than Savannah does at LU, starting and playing every game", thus she decided to leave. I heard this several weeks ago..

???????

. . . and a better chance of going to college WCWS! Their best player will be a 1st team AA and plays SS!

[olldflame]

Unofficially, I was told "her sister plays for Arkansas, and she has more fun sitting on bench, than Savannah does at LU, starting and playing every game", thus she decided to leave. I heard this several weeks ago..

???????

That sounds like a "her" problem. Her sister probably has "more fun" no matter where she is or what she is doing. Either that, or she is looking for a kind of fun not allowed at LU, in which case she should by all means move on.

[Dalegarz1]

Huge win for JMU today as they beat Oklahoma (9-5 favorite to win national championship). I wonder how far they can go. Thoughts?

[thesportscritic]

Seems like they get the big hits in the latter stages of the game. Noticed that lately.

[flameshaw]

Huge win for JMU today as they beat Oklahoma (9-5 favorite to win national championship). I wonder how far they can go. Thoughts?

They will go as far as the pitcher they have will take them. Otherwise they are a pretty average team, she makes them very good. I hope they win it all.

[Chippy]

I posted this in the non LU sports:

Exactly! Never should have been a 3 seed given their record, their talent level (a lot of starters from regionals/superregionals in the last 5 years) and Alexander, who was an AA pitcher in 2019. I want to believe we could have beat any of the remaining 3 seeds in the tourney (teams 33-48). JMU was not a 33-48 rated team. The announcers said Alexander was spotted at an LU softball camp and was only offered by Longwood, West Virginia Wesleyan/or Virginia Wesleyan, and JMU. Not us!!!!

[Chippy]

I posted this in the non LU sports:

Exactly! Never should have been a 3 seed given their record, their talent level (a lot of starters from regionals/superregionals in the last 5 years) and Alexander, who was an AA pitcher in 2019. I want to believe we could have beat any of the remaining 3 seeds in the tourney (teams 33-48). JMU was not a 33-48 rated team. The announcers said Alexander was spotted at an LU softball camp and was only offered by Longwood, West Virginia Wesleyan/or Virginia Wesleyan, and JMU. Not us!!!!

Va Wesleyan won the D3 Softball Championship this year.

[flameshaw]

Hey Ballcoach, bring me back a "UCLA 2021 National Softball Championship" shirt. XXL.