Texas Softball 2024 - Farewell to the Big 12 (and back to OKC?)

[Gut Wagon 8052]

Just now, Mo Horn said:

I didn't expect them to go undefeated, but sad to see the undefeated steak end

If there's any good news tonight, it's that it took us going to extra innings in a defenseless game to barely lose to the "best" pitcher in the land. I'm still not calling that positive, but it wasn't like we got blasted. 

[perfectchaos007 6596]

And yesterday, the Stanford women’s tennis team also beat Texas by a score of 4 to 3. Not great for Directors cup implications.

[Js1 85104]

12 minutes ago, perfectchaos007 said:

And yesterday, the Stanford women’s tennis team also beat Texas by a score of 4 to 3. Not great for Directors cup implications.

It’s a regular season game. Not postseason 

[The_Great_Hornsby 3325]

Texas is clearly the better team. Took a mini miracle of errors and them pitching their girl for 8 innings in order to squeak out a win. Not worried if we face them again. 

[bschoolprof 6232]

It's good to play tough close games like this early in the season.  It's a long tough road to OKC.  

A few thoughts:

-- we're never gonna be a buttoned-up defense under White; he values hitting over fielding (I can't blame him). So we are gonna have some adventurous games.  This one seemed especially bad on the defensive side.  

-- I thought our pitching was great - we gave up one earned run all night.

-- We had some big hits in key moments, but I didn't really like our approach at the plate all night.  Canady's elite, so it's gonna be a battle.  But we were way too aggressive at anything middle up all night, and that played right into her strength as a riseball pitcher.  We have to spit on that early in counts and make her throw strikes up in the zone. Her change is devastating - can't let her get to two strikes easily or it's over. I hope we learn from that for later in the season.  

--Harping on the above again, we even fucked this up with our bunts. Late in the game, we tried to sac bunt Bella over to third with no outs.  The whole stadium knows we are likely bunting, so we have to know Stanford's gonna go up in the zone to try to get us to pop up a bunt.  That's just what we did. Mia absolutely has to lay off anything that looks middle up there. She did the #1 thing you absolutely cannot do in that spot.  Was she coached at all on that?

--I didn't know leaving early was now reviewable.  That's gonna be quite interesting as the season goes on.    

--Hunter needs to play more.  

--Atwood is a fucking monster at the plate.  Just unreal.  She's not a great blocker, but see my first point.  

--Even though we lost, it was a great game to watch.  Pretty nerve racking.  

[Pato del Muerto 52342]

2 minutes ago, bschoolprof said:

--I didn't know leaving early was now reviewable.  That's gonna be quite interesting as the season goes on.    

Stop leaving early. Problem solved. 

[Js1 85104]

One thing you can say, this team had been in a lot of easy games. Coaches do like that this game had a lot of lessons on execution, defense and timely hitting. We may find ourselves tied in the bottom of the 7th against OU or in extras against OKST at some point 

[Cairn Horn88 8167]

Remember rule #1....catch the ball.

[FloridaHorn 4735]

Just crazy that we lost a game on a dropped play at the plate, when Henry threw an absolute strike to Atwood. It was a comedy of errors all night on defense, and yet they were still in the game. Gotta find a way to keep Scott in the line up, but off of 3B.  Every play is an adventure with her

[bschoolprof 6232]

1 hour ago, FloridaHorn said:

Just crazy that we lost a game on a dropped play at the plate, when Henry threw an absolute strike to Atwood. It was a comedy of errors all night on defense, and yet they were still in the game. Gotta find a way to keep Scott in the line up, but off of 3B.  Every play is an adventure with her

The poor blocking technique by Atwood on the previous play to even allow the runner to third was just as bad.  So was the bunt that Scott put out there the previous inning and the leaving early by Bella.  It was a true team effort to fuck things up there at the end.  I wouldn't put it all on Atwood's drop.  That was a dime by Henry though . . . what a shame.  

I'm a catcher dad so excuse my obsession with blocking. I noticed that Atwood's technique was not the best last year as a freshman, but you live with it because of her incredible bat. The frustrating thing is, unlike hitting, almost anyone can be a better blocker - it's just technique and grit.  

Edited February 25 by bschoolprof

[Js1 85104]

1 hour ago, bschoolprof said:

The poor blocking technique by Atwood on the previous play to even allow the runner to third was just as bad.  So was the bunt that Scott put out there the previous inning and the leaving early by Bella.  It was a true team effort to fuck things up there at the end.  I wouldn't put it all on Atwood's drop.  That was a dime by Henry though . . . what a shame.  

I'm a catcher dad so excuse my obsession with blocking. I noticed that Atwood's technique was not the best last year as a freshman, but you live with it because of her incredible bat. The frustrating thing is, unlike hitting, almost anyone can be a better blocker - it's just technique and grit.  

I wonder if we continue to ease Stewie into catching and then switch her and Atwood at 1B/C eventually - get both bats in and Stewie may be the better defensive catcher. I don’t want Mitchell playing 1st at all. I’m almost thinking:

C Stewie/Atwood

1B Atwood/Stewie

2B Goode/Washington

SS Martinez

3B Mitchell

OF Dayton/Henry/Maloney

DP Scott (or Henry and put Mia in the OF)

[D3zii 3642]

This team is deep, Mike just has to find the best lineup. . We know Mike values Bats over the gloves but Other than yesterday we have been pretty solid on the defensive end. Yesterday was just one of those days, if we play them 10times we most likely win 8

 

Stanford is a good team though, was ranked top 5 preseason I believe, so it basically took a team with OKC potential a gifted runner in extra innings, probably the top pitcher in the nation and multiple blunders for them to beat us by 1. 
 

we’ll be alright 

[bschoolprof 6232]

1 hour ago, Js1 said:

I wonder if we continue to ease Stewie into catching and then switch her and Atwood at 1B/C eventually - get both bats in and Stewie may be the better defensive catcher. I don’t want Mitchell playing 1st at all. I’m almost thinking:

C Stewie/Atwood

1B Atwood/Stewie

2B Goode/Washington

SS Martinez

3B Mitchell

OF Dayton/Henry/Maloney

DP Scott (or Henry and put Mia in the OF)

great thoughts.  I do like that we are rotating Stewart at catcher, if for no other reason to take some wear off Atwood.  It's tough . . . she's got a great arm and can hose runners with it, so she's not a bad defensive catcher at all.  She's just not a great blocker IMO.  Her bat is something else though - she's a beast.  

I did notice that Mitchell's footwork at 1B needs work.  I actually like her better at third as well, which is weird because it's a much harder position than 1st. One note on Mitchell and Stewart: they are both surprisingly fast for big hitters.  Stewie in particular is a big chick, but she can scoot.  What an athlete.    

Mia's a tough one. She has the athleticism to play 3B, but she Roger Dorn's too many instead of squaring up and working through the ball.  I would also consider some rotation at RF with Maloney (Henry, Mia, Hunter?). Ashton gets on base, which is great for the 9 hole, but her short game/slapping tends to get shut down against good pitching/defenses.  Mike has some tough choices to make, but it's great to have so much talent to make the choices tough.

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

Stanford benefited … yet again … to mindless baserunning by their opponent.  Go ahead run picked off of 3B with one out in xtra innings.

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

Neither CSU nor St🍀nford scored in the 8th.  

[Gut Wagon 8052]

The depths of offensive ineptitude are being plumbed in this one. 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

3 minutes ago, Gut Wagon said:

The depths of offensive ineptitude are being plumbed in this one. 

Perfect timing! 😆

[perfectchaos007 6596]

Stanford wins on a walk off dinger. They clinched the Invitational trophy, for whatever that’s worth 

[Gut Wagon 8052]

1 minute ago, VirginiaLonghorn said:

Perfect timing! 😆

If that actually worked, I'd have posted it every time we batted after the Atwood HR last night. 😝

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

22 minutes ago, Gut Wagon said:

If that actually worked, I'd have posted it every time we batted after the Atwood HR last night. 😝

I’m still pissed about last night .. especially losing (giving away) a game to Stanford.  Everyone seems to be pointing to Atwood dropping a perfect throw from LF resulting in the game winning run.  I understand that because of when it occurred.

But, I can’t really separate that play from Henry dropping a can of corn that directly led to Stanford’s first two runs in the 1st inning.  Add in the bunt snafu with Bella already in scoring position with no outs in the 7th … and then Bella leaving 2B too soon.

Game, set, match.

[Js1 85104]

2 minutes ago, VirginiaLonghorn said:

Add in the bunt snafu with Bella already in scoring position with no outs in the 7th … and then Bella leaving 2B too soon.

This pissed me off more than the defense. Bad offensive execution when we are supposed to be a better offense than defense 

[torre 1284]

Since we are throwing out thoughts:

-  That game hurts,  we will talk about it infinitely like '22 Clearwater.    Hopefully,  later in a positive way.

-  Katie Cimusz may be the best defensive catcher/1B of them all.   Though not seen enough of Stewart.    Katie's offense is not par compared but she still should be considered as late inning defensive replacement when needed.

  - That said,  would have liked to have seen Goode (if healthy, though she is batting .100) get the pinch hit role vs Katie last night.   Goode has a better compact swing vs Canady.

-  Small sample size,  but we are currently 8th in the B12 in fielding (.959), 1st in hitting (.402) and pitching (0.76).

 

-  Likely challenging game which we need in San Marcos Wed night.      Texas St is 13-4,  currently 5-0 at a tournament at Arizona St.  Beat Ariz St (11-5) 12-2.

 

 

 

 

 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

1 minute ago, Js1 said:

This pissed me off more than the defense. Bad offensive execution when we are supposed to be a better offense than defense 

I didn’t like giving up an out with the 2, 3, and 4 hitters coming up with Bella in scoring (walkoff) position.

[perfectchaos007 6596]

Hangover game against ULL

[orangeut 212]

0-4  Cajuns still batting in the first

[Gut Wagon 8052]

12 minutes ago, VirginiaLonghorn said:

I’m still pissed about last night .. especially losing (giving away) a game to Stanford.  Everyone seems to be pointing to Atwood dropping a perfect throw from LF resulting in the game winning run.  I understand that because of when it occurred.

But, I can’t really separate that play from Henry dropping a can of corn that directly led to Stanford’s first two runs in the 1st inning.  Add in the bunt snafu with Bella already in scoring position with no outs in the 7th … and then Bella leaving 2B too soon.

Game, set, match.

So let's follow that up by being even worse so far today. Maybe our leaders need to lead. 

[torre 1284]

Atwood again fails to block and misses a tag.

[Cairn Horn88 8167]

Somebody came to the park ready to play today….and that ain’t us.

[Js1 85104]

2 minutes ago, Cairn Horn88 said:

Somebody came to the park ready to play today….and that ain’t us.

Fucking hell Mac

[orangeut 212]

1-4 after 1

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

Replays are going to make softball unwatchable … every play … Geezus. 

[The_Great_Hornsby 3325]

We are quickly learning that Kavan and Citaly are the only pitchers we can truly trust

[Cairn Horn88 8167]

Well, refs totally screwed yes out of a bunt basehit…period.

[shadow_operative2.0 15826]

Damn, they're flashing the leather. 

[shadow_operative2.0 15826]

Ha, then they give us that run. 

[shadow_operative2.0 15826]

And tied, easy game. 

[shadow_operative2.0 15826]

And winning after another gift. 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4750]

1 minute ago, shadow_operative2.0 said:

And winning after another gift. 

🌞

[shadow_operative2.0 15826]

We’re giving it right back though. 

[perfectchaos007 6596]

Citlaly cleaned up Mac's mess

[bschoolprof 6232]

We need more out of town tournaments apparently. 

[perfectchaos007 6596]

ULL's catcher makes plays at the plate look so easy.

[shadow_operative2.0 15826]

Never a doubt.

Now go chill for a little while, ladies. 

[Js1 85104]

Nice comeback win after we shit the bed to start the game 

[FloridaHorn 4735]

6 hours ago, bschoolprof said:

great thoughts.  I do like that we are rotating Stewart at catcher, if for no other reason to take some wear off Atwood.  It's tough . . . she's got a great arm and can hose runners with it, so she's not a bad defensive catcher at all.  She's just not a great blocker IMO.  Her bat is something else though - she's a beast.  

I did notice that Mitchell's footwork at 1B needs work.  I actually like her better at third as well, which is weird because it's a much harder position than 1st. One note on Mitchell and Stewart: they are both surprisingly fast for big hitters.  Stewie in particular is a big chick, but she can scoot.  What an athlete.    

Mia's a tough one. She has the athleticism to play 3B, but she Roger Dorn's too many instead of squaring up and working through the ball.  I would also consider some rotation at RF with Maloney (Henry, Mia, Hunter?). Ashton gets on base, which is great for the 9 hole, but her short game/slapping tends to get shut down against good pitching/defenses.  Mike has some tough choices to make, but it's great to have so much talent to make the choices tough.

Stewart has the strongest arm on the team. I too am a catchers dad. Daughter played D1 softball as a 4 year starter behind the plate. Blocking pitches is a mindset and sometimes kids get a little lazy back there. Atwood is also 6’ tall and that can be a challenge as well. I would like to see Atwood get more time at first and keep her body fresh so her bat stays in the lineup. Feels like we actually have a team that can win a game or two against OU.

[LTtxfan 48966]

Glad Texas won today.  But this team has to rebound off a loss better than that...

Mike has some shit to get players to work on.

Keep improving Horns !!!  🤘

[hornag 18]

Another thing about the Stanford game last night involving a lack of focus or a brain fart is when Atwood was batting with runners in scoring position and 2 strikes.  She was called out for not being in the batter’s box by the time the pitch clock reached the 10 second mark.  Although we have no idea what would have happened if she had not made such an egregious mistake, it is a mental error that should never happen!!! 🤘

 

[FloridaHorn 4735]

11 hours ago, hornag said:

Another thing about the Stanford game last night involving a lack of focus or a brain fart is when Atwood was batting with runners in scoring position and 2 strikes.  She was called out for not being in the batter’s box by the time the pitch clock reached the 10 second mark.  Although we have no idea what would have happened if she had not made such an egregious mistake, it is a mental error that should never happen!!! 🤘

 

I wouldn't put too much stock in that one. The player clock is new, it is early in the year, the clock start time was very inconsistent all night. Alyssa Washington steps out of the box and removes her gloves and meanders around and yet never got a call against her. Atwood backed out of the box, took a sign from the coach and got back in and was charged with the 10 second violation. It was a ticky tack call that you won't see more than 10 times all year, if you watch a lot of softball.

[hornag 18]

9 hours ago, FloridaHorn said:

I wouldn't put too much stock in that one. The player clock is new, it is early in the year, the clock start time was very inconsistent all night. Alyssa Washington steps out of the box and removes her gloves and meanders around and yet never got a call against her. Atwood backed out of the box, took a sign from the coach and got back in and was charged with the 10 second violation. It was a ticky tack call that you won't see more than 10 times all year, if you watch a lot of softball.

I had the same thought at the time of the call that it was a ticky tack call.  Felt that the ump was placing his priority a little above his wage rate.  Don’t think it was a very appropriate time to make such a critical/crucial call.

 

[Js1 85104]

1 minute ago, hornag said:

I had the same thought at the time of the call that it was a ticky tack call.  Felt that the ump was placing his priority a little above his wage rate.  Don’t think it was a very appropriate time to make such a critical/crucial call.

 

Sounds exactly like an ump/ref then