Anybody have any opinions about next season?
-Who will start in center? Does Geathers move over from left and McClain take her spot or does McClain start in center? McClain is supposedly the fastest player on the team and CF is a position needing speed. I don't know how strong of an arm she has. Gaffin seems safe in right. Right is where you need a strong arm and Gaffin has the strongest of the outfielder's.
-Where does Overstreet play? Third, outfield, catcher, or first? She's very versatile and can play all positions. My sense is, Ralph wants McSwain's bat in the lineup so unless McSwain's fielding doesn't improve, McSwain will be at third. Aldrete is the starting catcher for sure so unless she's injured Overstreet will only occasionally catch. This leaves the OF but see above, the OF should be set. First base is a possibility if Koenig cannot get her bat going again. So where does she play?
-Who is the starting pitcher? Hard to answer this one without knowing the health of Gabriel's hip and not knowing how the freshman pitchers will perform. The pre-conference schedule will probably be more of the pitch-by-committee we had this season, while the coaches take a look at all the pitchers. If there isn't a clear-cut number one pitcher by the time conference season rolls around, next season will be a repeat of this one.
-Will the team surpass this season's home run total of 100? No.
-Will Aldrete and Koenig break out of their sophomore slumps? Yes and no, respectively.
-Where will the team finish in the SEC? The SEC will be more stacked next season than this. Wow, this is a really brutal conference. Tennessee could be a much better team next season and still finish no better than fifth in the conference. Florida loses Haeger so I am betting the Gators don't take the title, but they return top pitchers plus most of their line up. Auburn, LSU, and Alabama all have their top pitchers returning. I am betting Tennessee finishes no better than fourth.
-Will Shipman still be with the team as a coach? I hope so.
-Will the team make it back to OKC? Tennessee received very favorable treatment from the NCAA this season in terms of seeding and opponents. My bet is that won't happen next season even if the team finishes several games better than this season. If a dominant pitcher doesn't emerge, a trip back to OKC will be a 50-50 or maybe a 60-40 proposition in favor.
-Who will start in center? Does Geathers move over from left and McClain take her spot or does McClain start in center? McClain is supposedly the fastest player on the team and CF is a position needing speed. I don't know how strong of an arm she has. Gaffin seems safe in right. Right is where you need a strong arm and Gaffin has the strongest of the outfielder's.
-Where does Overstreet play? Third, outfield, catcher, or first? She's very versatile and can play all positions. My sense is, Ralph wants McSwain's bat in the lineup so unless McSwain's fielding doesn't improve, McSwain will be at third. Aldrete is the starting catcher for sure so unless she's injured Overstreet will only occasionally catch. This leaves the OF but see above, the OF should be set. First base is a possibility if Koenig cannot get her bat going again. So where does she play?
-Who is the starting pitcher? Hard to answer this one without knowing the health of Gabriel's hip and not knowing how the freshman pitchers will perform. The pre-conference schedule will probably be more of the pitch-by-committee we had this season, while the coaches take a look at all the pitchers. If there isn't a clear-cut number one pitcher by the time conference season rolls around, next season will be a repeat of this one.
-Will the team surpass this season's home run total of 100? No.
-Will Aldrete and Koenig break out of their sophomore slumps? Yes and no, respectively.
-Where will the team finish in the SEC? The SEC will be more stacked next season than this. Wow, this is a really brutal conference. Tennessee could be a much better team next season and still finish no better than fifth in the conference. Florida loses Haeger so I am betting the Gators don't take the title, but they return top pitchers plus most of their line up. Auburn, LSU, and Alabama all have their top pitchers returning. I am betting Tennessee finishes no better than fourth.
-Will Shipman still be with the team as a coach? I hope so.
-Will the team make it back to OKC? Tennessee received very favorable treatment from the NCAA this season in terms of seeding and opponents. My bet is that won't happen next season even if the team finishes several games better than this season. If a dominant pitcher doesn't emerge, a trip back to OKC will be a 50-50 or maybe a 60-40 proposition in favor.
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