frankie00 said:
I completely understand your take on Allie and Kramer. I have thought about it several times. But they are great in the outfield. Fast, great gloves and great arms. These save a lot of hits and runs. I think these are the reasons Coach leaves them in the lineup. It DOES stick out when we really need a hit and they do not come through, in really low scoring games, etc.. Note that Coach has PH'ed them a few times this year. She wants some hits but does not want to give up their defensive abilities.
Note that Kelsey Mathis had two PH AB's this weekend. She has put her in as a PR several times, too. She was an awesome hitter and outfielder in HS. Just a wild guess but Coach 'might' have her in mind to stick her out there in one or more of the upcoming non-conference games. I think we might, just might, see a few small lineup changes like this in these non-conference games. It's the last chance to try out new girls before the SEC minefield starts up again. And some coaches might like to do that to give a starter a quick mental 'kick' - "hey, we DO have other players".
On Lefty in the 6th. I completely understand you there, too. I wrote a long comment above (I know, sometimes I write too much!) on that. I would not have put in Leavitt or Grace or freshman Munnerlyn. Only Sidne or Lessentine because they have both proven themselves this year. But I would go with Lessentine first because she throws strikes. I DID forget to add to my long post that Coach knows way more than I do about softball in general and pitching in particular. She knows her girls. She trusts her pitchers. She trusts her instincts. This is the third season with Lefty. IF I was the coach, and I am certainly NOT, I would have put in Lessentine. Early. But Coach has the pulse of the team and her players. She is the pitching coach. I will not criticize her for any call because I think she is great and knows what she is doing. But I am a huge fan of the game and I always like playing the 'what if' game. So, is it possible for me to question the call while at the same time not criticizing it? I think so - because it is what I am doing!
The what if game is what fans are best at. I think Ford is the best softball coach we have ever had (I know Bob Brock won 2 national championships but the game was so different then) and I trust her going with her ace to try and close out a big home series win. I think what you are doing is completely fair while others are just plain ignorant.