armchair
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I don't see McClain hitting 2nd in the lineup. I think Holcomb has the best shot at that spot. Though just a freshman last year, she had a slightly higher batting average than McClain, better slugging percentage and struck out fewer times (10 vs. 23 for McClain). They are similar in style, to be sure, but think Holcomb offers a bit more potential in that spot.
This team a few potential problem areas. One will be right-hand hitting. We have very little of it and thus the lineup is very unbalanced. The right-hand hitters we do have were all reserves last year with the exception of Lockman, who is not shown herself to be a good hitter...yet (being optimistic with the 'yet').
Another issue is a lack of power. I haven't checked the numbers but I'm guessing we had our lowest home run total in many years last year. In the tournament, when you are facing excellent pitching, it gets hard to put together three or more hits and score runs whereas as you can win a tight game with one timely blast over the wall--and you see that, quite often.
Finally, our 5-8 hitters were pretty anemic last year. That will have to change if the Vols want to challenge for a national title. Seggern definitely showed some potential, and I'm hoping that both Lockman and Weimer improve at the plate this year. They are right-hand hitters and will probably play quite a bit. The Vols absolutely need to get better hitting out of whoever is in the bottom half of the lineup. Last year we were outstanding 1-4 and fairly lousy 5-8, with McClain slapping in the 9 hole.
This team a few potential problem areas. One will be right-hand hitting. We have very little of it and thus the lineup is very unbalanced. The right-hand hitters we do have were all reserves last year with the exception of Lockman, who is not shown herself to be a good hitter...yet (being optimistic with the 'yet').
Another issue is a lack of power. I haven't checked the numbers but I'm guessing we had our lowest home run total in many years last year. In the tournament, when you are facing excellent pitching, it gets hard to put together three or more hits and score runs whereas as you can win a tight game with one timely blast over the wall--and you see that, quite often.
Finally, our 5-8 hitters were pretty anemic last year. That will have to change if the Vols want to challenge for a national title. Seggern definitely showed some potential, and I'm hoping that both Lockman and Weimer improve at the plate this year. They are right-hand hitters and will probably play quite a bit. The Vols absolutely need to get better hitting out of whoever is in the bottom half of the lineup. Last year we were outstanding 1-4 and fairly lousy 5-8, with McClain slapping in the 9 hole.