2020 Lady Vols Softball

#27
#27
I was looking at the UT softball website. It goes back 15 years with stats. Our pitching was absolutely good enough this post season to get us to the WCWS, so I didn't really look at pitching stats much. Our offense sucked so I was looking at those stats.

Our home run production is not much different than it has been many years. We hit 49 this year. We've been to the WCWS 7 times. 5 times we went to the WCWS with 52, 43, 40, 51, 45 HRs.

One difference is we used to make up for lack of power with speed. 6 of the times we made the WCWS we stole 127, 119, 168, 123, 115, 114 bases. The only time we made the WCWS without stealing at least 100 bases was the year we hit 100 homers in 2015. We stole 68 bases this year and 66 last year.

But to use your speed you have to get on base and I think the biggest difference is batting average against good teams ( I used the SEC games only because early season games have too many podunks included). Our batting average against SEC teams the 7 times we made the WCWS were .285 - .324 - .296 - .286 - .290 - .322 - .285. The last 3 years our SEC batting average has been .259 - .260 - .261. Those are the 3 worst over that 15 year period.

I don't think hitting more home runs is the answer. Hitting more singles and doubles is the answer. Making contact with the ball when there is a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs instead of striking out is the answer . Our problem is not that we can't hit home runs. Our problem is that we just can't hit. JMO
 
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#28
#28
DeerPark12 said:
Based on the numbers her sister has put up at Washington, I think she’ll be just fine.
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That’s assuming you have the coaching to develop hitters. Washington does for sure! Watch the other top tier programs before you compare apples to apples. Your better than that Deerpark.
 
#29
#29
larjoranj said:
Why? Hoover was 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts in the game. Reynoso was on deck - she already had a hit and an RBI in the game and she hadn't struck out once in the series. If you load the bases you add the pressure of possibly walking or hitting the batter and forcing in the winning run. Power doesn't factor into it, any hit wins the game. What do you gain by walking a batter who has looked like crap all day to get to the batter with the only RBI?
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What are their respective batting averages?
 
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#30
#30
larjoranj said:
I was looking at the UT softball website. It goes back 15 years with stats. Our pitching was absolutely good enough this post season to get us to the WCWS, so I didn't really look at pitching stats much. Our offense sucked so I was looking at those stats.

Our home run production is not much different than it has been many years. We hit 49 this year. We've been to the WCWS 7 times. 5 times we went to the WCWS with 52, 43, 40, 51, 45 HRs.

One difference is we used to make up for lack of power with speed. 6 of the times we made the WCWS we stole 127, 119, 168, 123, 115, 114 bases. The only time we made the WCWS without stealing at least 100 bases was the year we hit 100 homers in 2015. We stole 68 bases this year and 66 last year.

But to use your speed you have to get on base and I think the biggest difference is batting average against good teams ( I used the SEC games only because early season games have too many podunks included). Our batting average against SEC teams the 7 times we made the WCWS were .285 - .324 - .296 - .286 - .290 - .322 - .285. The last 3 years our SEC batting average has been .259 - .260 - .261. Those are the 3 worst over that 15 year period.

I don't think hitting more home runs is the answer. Hitting more singles and doubles is the answer. Making contact with the ball when there is a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs instead of striking out is the answer . Our problem is not that we can't hit home runs. Our problem is that we just can't hit. JMO
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I don't think you're wrong there, but the batting averages in five of those years were from an era where slappers dominated the 9, 1, 2 spots of most teams' lineups and UT had some of the best to ever hit that way at the plate. 05-07 had Fekete and Chiles, 10, 12 and 13 had Chavanne and Dotson (with Gibson hitting right behind them).

My point being, having two slappers in the lineup that hit in the high .400s artificially inflated the overall BA of the team. It wasn't necessarily indicative of the overall ability to actually produce runs. The two best seasons, 06 and 13 (I know the team in 07 went farther, but most would agree the 06 team was actually better), not only had the two best overall averages, but they also had the most clutch hits behind the players that actually got on.
 
#31
#31
The only ones who should have starting jobs next spring based off this year are:
Holcomb LF
Parsons 2B
Seggern 3B
Shipman C

No one else deserves a starting spot

Incoming players with a chance
Milloy CF
Webber 1B
McCrary DH
Willingham SS


After this post-season showing they better find bats period

2019 PostSeason Batting
1-4 in batting order hit .320 31 of 97 with 17 walks
5-9 in batting order hit .183 25 of 85 with 9 walks


Slapping has its place but Ralph puts too mush emphasis on slapping and not enough on just plain hitting and bunting.

The only ones to count on Pitching are:
Rogers
Arnold
Turner

Those getting looks on the mound in the fall will be Hazelwood and Curran
 
#32
#32
SEC FAN 1111 said:
That’s assuming you have the coaching to develop hitters. Washington does for sure! Watch the other top tier programs before you compare apples to apples. Your better than that Deerpark.
Click to expand...

So you don't think Seggern has developed as a hitter? .259 - .330 - .366 shows a pretty big progression to me. Haley Bearden ring a bell? From not being able to hit a beach ball to .313, 15 homers and 47 RBI?
 
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#33
#33
I absolutely think we need more power but what killed us this year was leaving runners in scoring position. I not sure anyone can teach clutch hitting some people just have it. Some are great til crunch time. The big lost was Ally cause she seemed to be clutch not just with home runs. She thrived in those situations. Recruiting is an art stats are one thing finding someone that can hit when it matters is the holy grail.
 
#34
#34
SEC FAN 1111 said:
That’s assuming you have the coaching to develop hitters. Washington does for sure! Watch the other top tier programs before you compare apples to apples. Your better than that Deerpark.
Click to expand...

Do you know that we don't have the coaching to develop hitters? Every team will have a down cycle now and then when a few players may not pan out like you hope. We've had a lot of good hitting teams and a lot of good hitters. Doesn't seem fair to say the coaches are responsible for the ones that suck but not give them any of the credit for Gregg,Shipman, Gibson, Callahan, Durant, etc.
 
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#35
#35
2019 UT Post Season Batting Average:
Batting Order 1-4: .320 Batting Order 5-9: .183

2018 UT Post Season Batting Average:
Batting Order 1-4: .326 Batting Order 5-9: .207

2017 UT Post Season Batting Average:
Batting Order 1-4: .374 Batting Order 5-9: .177

and that is why UT doesn't make it to Oklahoma and that is on coaching

The first chance for UT to make it to Oklahoma will be the 2021 season. next year will be another SR and done
 
#37
#37
larjoranj said:
Do you know that we don't have the coaching to develop hitters? Every team will have a down cycle now and then when a few players may not pan out like you hope. We've had a lot of good hitting teams and a lot of good hitters. Doesn't seem fair to say the coaches are responsible for the ones that suck but not give them any of the credit for Gregg,Shipman, Gibson, Callahan, Durant, etc.
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I’ll give them credit when they win a title. I saw the hitting philosophy the las couple of months to know they got worse at hitting as the season went on. The good hitting programs are still playing other than Florida
 
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#38
#38
Vol67 said:
2019 UT Post Season Batting Average:
Batting Order 1-4: .320 Batting Order 5-9: .183

2018 UT Post Season Batting Average:
Batting Order 1-4: .326 Batting Order 5-9: .207

2017 UT Post Season Batting Average:
Batting Order 1-4: .374 Batting Order 5-9: .177

and that is why UT doesn't make it to Oklahoma and that is on coaching

The first chance for UT to make it to Oklahoma will be the 2021 season. next year will be another SR and done
Click to expand...

They were a run away from OKC Sunday and now we’re suddenly two years away? Ok guy.
 
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#39
#39
DeerPark12 said:
They were a run away from OKC Sunday and now we’re suddenly two years away? Ok guy.
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They were a run away 2 years ago
They were a run away last year
and they were a run away this year
will be no change next year
 
#40
#40
larjoranj said:
Not sure I understand what you mean by 'doesn't help the development of the game'. You think it's unfair that a team with a dominant pitcher can use her every day - and having an innings or pitch limit would allow teams without 1 dominant pitcher to be more competitive? Or do you mean if more pitchers were required to be used eventually overall pitching would improve? Or do you mean strictly a participation thing, like Little League, and since a player signed up they should be allowed to play a certain number of innings? Or something else?
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I personally don't like one person to dominant an overall team sport. There is another angle to this question that I would like to know more about, that is the long term health of a pitchers shoulder, elbow, and other parts of the "gun". I have little to no health knowledge, but you can't tell me that the excessive use of the "arm" does not have consequences.
 
#41
#41
UTKVolsfan2013 said:
Well...it really sucks being in this spot again.

A very bitter and unfortunate end to the season in the Super Regionals. Unfortunate we had to deal with so many injuries in the 2019 season that caused lineup shifts galore and we had to face a pitcher who can do whatever she wants with no consequence...but the future is very bright for Tennessee softball. No. 1 ranked recruiting class that fills a lot of needs (right-handed batters to be specific), fully-healthy Ally Shipman and Gracie Osbron, and Caylan Arnold and Ashley Rogers both ended the season looking better than ever. Here's a very early look at 2020 for Tennessee softball:

Losses (with no offseason transfers): Aubrey Leach, Haley Bearden, Matty Moss, Katie Weimer, Savannah Hufstetler

Additions: Amanda Curran (UT/P; No. 46 FS Hot 100), Anna Fox (SS/OF), Anna Hazlewood (P/1B), Caitlyn McCrary (3B, No. 54 FS Hot 100), KiKi Milloy (OF/P, No. 2 FS Hot 100), Callie Turner (LHP, No. 14 FS Hot 100), Madison Webber (1B/OF, No. 27 FS Hot 100), Josie Willingham (SS/C, No. 79 FS Hot 100)

Looking at the 2020 lineup there's a lot of competition that will happen and we could see a balanced lineup of leftys and rightys:

1. Kaitlin Parsons-2B (L)
2. Kiki Milloy- RF/CF (R)
3. Chelsea Seggern-3B (L)
4. Ally Shipman-C (R)
5. Ashley Morgan-1B (L)
6. Kalei Phillips-DP (R)
7. Gracie Osbron-SS (R)
8. Cailin Hannon-CF/RF (L)
9. Jenna Holcomb-LF (L)

Alternates: Amanda Ayala-OF (L), Madison Webber 1B/OF (L), Amanda Curran-UT (R), Josie Willingham-SS (R), Madison Pacini-OF/C (R), Caitlyn McCrary-3B (R)

Pitchers:
Ashley Rogers (R)
Caylan Arnold (R)
Callie Turner (L)
Kiki Milloy (R)
Amanda Curran (R)
Anna Hazlewood (R)

With a solid amount of pitching and hitting returning, I think 2020 could be the year you see Tennessee turn into a more power hitting team and see them take their rightful place in OKC.
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Gonna be tough to keep Madison Webber out of the starting lineup Morgan better get a lot better offensively because Webber is gonna be tremendous competition for that first base job. Milloy and the return of Shipman will be two huge bats returning to the lineup.
 
#42
#42
The key to getting the the World Series is playing well enough in the regular season to be a host team. The hitting was weak some players failed to do little if anything the last several weeks of the season. We can lead off with Parsons next season and not lose to much in the leadoff position. She is capable of close to .400 hitting and is a reliable fielder. Milloy looks like the perfect two spot hitter she has speed and can also hit for power. Seggern in the three hopefully looking at her best season next year. She did a great job this season her numbers were great. I think Shipman takes the four spot she is a key player for us next season she can hit for power and is a clutch hitter with players on base. Webber vs. Morgan for first base job Morgan is fabulous in the field she has to hit more Webber could challenge because she is excellent hitter. Phillips high hopes for she took a huge nose dive last month of season but she has tremendous power and should be a 20 homer player hopefully next season. She has a good obp needs to hit for a higher average. Hannon probably wins the centerfield job Pacini could challenge would need to improve her fielding. Osbron at short just needs to hit and we'll certainly see Holcomb back in right she gets on base consistently has to work on her footwork in the box.

We hope that Arnold will have a super senior season she really came on the last couple weeks of the season didn't get a lot of run support. Rogers should be better. Turner and Milloy hopefully can be as good as Rogers was as freshmen.
 
#43
#43
savannahfan said:
I personally don't like one person to dominant an overall team sport. There is another angle to this question that I would like to know more about, that is the long term health of a pitchers shoulder, elbow, and other parts of the "gun". I have little to no health knowledge, but you can't tell me that the excessive use of the "arm" does not have consequences.
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I'm no pitching expert but have dealt with it a lot. Softball pitchers are driven by their legs not their arms unless you have some bad mechanics. Take a look this week at the great pitchers left in the wcws look at their legs. Barnhill has tree trunks. So a softball pitcher can certainly get tired but rarely have shoulder, elbow, maybe wrist injuries. They do sometimes develop leg problems they said on a telecast that Barnhilll dealt with stress fractures in her leg. So long story short softball pitchers can pitch a lot which I don't think causes many injuries but fatigue can cause them being less effective. The overhead motion of baseball is unnatural which causes lots of problems if not managed properly. Take that for what it is worth!
 
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#44
#44
kregman said:
I'm no pitching expert but have dealt with it a lot. Softball pitchers are driven by their legs not their arms unless you have some bad mechanics. Take a look this week at the great pitchers left in the wcws look at their legs. Barnhill has tree trunks. So a softball pitcher can certainly get tired but rarely have shoulder, elbow, maybe wrist injuries. They do sometimes develop leg problems they said on a telecast that Barnhilll dealt with stress fractures in her leg. So long story short softball pitchers can pitch a lot which I don't think causes many injuries but fatigue can cause them being less effective. The overhead motion of baseball is unnatural which causes lots of problems if not managed properly. Take that for what it is worth!
Click to expand...
I understand what you say, however the pitching action looks somewhat unnatural to me. That being said I just wonder what the long term effect could be or is for these pitchers. Have never seen or heard of a study along these lines.
 
#45
#45
DeerPark12 said:
So you don't think Seggern has developed as a hitter? .259 - .330 - .366 shows a pretty big progression to me. Haley Bearden ring a bell? From not being able to hit a beach ball to .313, 15 homers and 47 RBI?
Click to expand...


I look at it like this if Seggern was at Washington or Oklahoma or Arizona UCLA etc she would be an all American by now.
 
#46
#46
SEC FAN 1111 said:
I look at it like this if Seggern was at Washington or Oklahoma or Arizona UCLA etc she would be an all American by now.
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She was an AA last year and deserved it. She was not that player after she got hurt and did not look comfortable at the plate. Her pitch selection and lack there of got worse . She should have hit 10-12 HRs and we needed that many. Our pitching has been adequate for a lot of years but as all of know lack of consistence offense hampered us. JMHO as always!
 
#47
#47
Aren't Gregg and Leach the only AAs we've had in the past few years? Seemed like Seggern would have a shot this year, but I think Leach will be our only AA (possibly Rogers). Seggern definitely can be an AA, though-- just needs that consistency.
 
#48
#48
sccshortstop said:
She was an AA last year and deserved it. She was not that player after she got hurt and did not look comfortable at the plate. Her pitch selection and lack there of got worse . She should have hit 10-12 HRs and we needed that many. Our pitching has been adequate for a lot of years but as all of know lack of consistence offense hampered us. JMHO as always!
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Your wrong. Leach was first team Gregg was 3rd team. And funny enough Taylor Rowland was 2nd team at Long Beach st!
 
#49
#49
LA Vol said:
Aren't Gregg and Leach the only AAs we've had in the past few years? Seemed like Seggern would have a shot this year, but I think Leach will be our only AA (possibly Rogers). Seggern definitely can be an AA, though-- just needs that consistency.
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I will be surprised if CS is this year myself. Leach may
 
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