Softball - Where do we go from here?
I guess that's the real question. Lots of comments here about the pitching. Heck, we are 2nd in the ACC in pitching behind FSU with a sophomore and 2 freshman. We are 10th (soon to be 11th or 12th) in hitting. So despite the pitching comments, it really is about scoring runs and winning games. Eberle is one of the best pitchers in the country right now with a 1.11 ERA pitching against the best teams but is 3-5. Her 3 wins are all by shutout which leads the ACC. So when she gives up a run, we lose!? Dail's ERA is under 2 and Rochard is getting better every time out. This is about hitting and scoring runs. Our offense is struggling mightily.....why? Different line-up everyday. Limited use of pinch hitters. Limited use of pinch runners. Lots of games with very few hits, and then some games where we leave 10 runners on. Hitting in lots of bad luck? Maybe, but we need to do a better job of making our own good luck. A good coach is good for .5 - 1.5 runs per game with successful execution of small ball, running the bases, using their roster to its fullest, etc. VTSB's record in games decided by 2 runs or less in 2018 is 2-5. Last year the record in one run games was 5-10. So yes we have some lean years in recruiting which starts at the top. But we are also, performing very poorly in one run games, where I believe we are being outcoached. This is frustrating to these girls that are working so incredibly hard as student-athletes, but also frustrating to alumni, etc that are trying to their best to support this non-revenue sport. There is a bright future at VTSB, but it is difficult to see under the current frame of reference. Let's hope the team, the collective team, figures out ways to "win" instead of more ways waiting to lose. The whole ACC schedule is ahead, so time to make the switch now.....if its even possible.
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Posted: 03/08/2018 at 12:29AM