2Alum4EverVol
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- May 28, 2014
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Recent performance by our pitching staff as a whole has been very encouraging, and it looks as though we're gonna have another solid staff next year.
I for one will miss Erin Gabriel in the circle; her determination and fight through the major (hip) injuries to reinvent herself as an effective pitcher at the highest level have been nothing short of inspiring. The sheer joy--the hop and bounce, fist pumps, high fives, the constant encouragement that she displays on the mound will be greatly missed. And then there is our stoic, nae nae dancing, a jack of all trades (and a master of wicked drop ball!) Rainey Gaffin. When she's on, she's pretty much unhittable, and she is our most reliable closer. I just think she's more comfortable in a closer role, and her (critical) role and presence will be solely missed next year. Our effervescent Gretchen Aucoin's role as a pitcher has been pretty much non-existent this year, but she had her moments here and the there last year. But she won't be missed that much as a pitcher next year.
Next year the pitching staff will be comprised of the flame-thrower Matty Moss with 70+ mph fastball as our ace, Bria Bush the control freak with pinpoint accuracy (my fingers crossed), Kelsey Morrison who's tall, athletic and can consistently throw in the upper 60s, and incoming freshman sensation Caylan Arnold, another power pitcher whose fastball is already approaching 70mph! With our world-class strength & conditioning program plus our generous campus meal plan, you can bet that Arnold's fastball will rival Moss' very soon.
(if you don't know Caylan Arnold, you can read about her below:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiJhe_YtJjMAhUqsIMKHXknApkQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailytimes.com%2Fsports%2Fmaryville-softball-pitcher-caylan-arnold-commits-to-tennessee%2Farticle_21278b6a-b60c-11e4-bd2f-d776f585aa1c.html&usg=AFQjCNF-f957-RTkPC4ylD7dDD2ynX60kA&sig2=3TD0WbJpkPyj2k7kLJ53SA&bvm=bv.119745492,d.amc
Next year's pitching staff looks to be a group of hard throwers with one lone exception of Bush; our young pitchers will look to blow it past the hitters at first and then try to mix up the spins and speeds to confuse them, very different looks from this year's staff whose identity has been VARIETY. No matter we should have another solid pitching staff on Rocky Top and great year. I can't wait.
Any thoughts/comments/additional information?
I for one will miss Erin Gabriel in the circle; her determination and fight through the major (hip) injuries to reinvent herself as an effective pitcher at the highest level have been nothing short of inspiring. The sheer joy--the hop and bounce, fist pumps, high fives, the constant encouragement that she displays on the mound will be greatly missed. And then there is our stoic, nae nae dancing, a jack of all trades (and a master of wicked drop ball!) Rainey Gaffin. When she's on, she's pretty much unhittable, and she is our most reliable closer. I just think she's more comfortable in a closer role, and her (critical) role and presence will be solely missed next year. Our effervescent Gretchen Aucoin's role as a pitcher has been pretty much non-existent this year, but she had her moments here and the there last year. But she won't be missed that much as a pitcher next year.
Next year the pitching staff will be comprised of the flame-thrower Matty Moss with 70+ mph fastball as our ace, Bria Bush the control freak with pinpoint accuracy (my fingers crossed), Kelsey Morrison who's tall, athletic and can consistently throw in the upper 60s, and incoming freshman sensation Caylan Arnold, another power pitcher whose fastball is already approaching 70mph! With our world-class strength & conditioning program plus our generous campus meal plan, you can bet that Arnold's fastball will rival Moss' very soon.
(if you don't know Caylan Arnold, you can read about her below:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiJhe_YtJjMAhUqsIMKHXknApkQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailytimes.com%2Fsports%2Fmaryville-softball-pitcher-caylan-arnold-commits-to-tennessee%2Farticle_21278b6a-b60c-11e4-bd2f-d776f585aa1c.html&usg=AFQjCNF-f957-RTkPC4ylD7dDD2ynX60kA&sig2=3TD0WbJpkPyj2k7kLJ53SA&bvm=bv.119745492,d.amc
Next year's pitching staff looks to be a group of hard throwers with one lone exception of Bush; our young pitchers will look to blow it past the hitters at first and then try to mix up the spins and speeds to confuse them, very different looks from this year's staff whose identity has been VARIETY. No matter we should have another solid pitching staff on Rocky Top and great year. I can't wait.
Any thoughts/comments/additional information?