2021 Softball Season

[racerx5908]

Couple of thoughts and then pictures.

1. That home plate ump was shaky. We're down the first base line and can see his arms as he's behind the catcher. A couple of times, for both us and TxSt he was about to call strike, starting pull his arm out of his stance, started making a fist and then changed his mind, relaxed his arm and then called ball. Very iffy in his decision making. Plus that call at 3rd where he called out the TxSt player stealing. Yeah, that was bad. He hesitated, and then made the wrong call.
2. Disappointed in some of the mental mistakes of our more seasoned players. From poor base running decisions to errors.
3. Three errors! Sigh, I guess that's the hallmark of a Mike White team. Willing to live with the errors for strong pitching and good hitting
4. I like Cantu at third and Washington at SS
5. TxSt always plays us tough. Great pitching and fielding. On that last error, as she was throwing to third, I immediately thought "Would be ironic to make a bad throw and we win". Who knew I could see 5 seconds into the future?
6. When Jordyn Whitaker was on first, I was thinking "Ummm, Mike you not putting in a pinch runner there?" I mean we have LOTS of players not playing.
7. My wife was stunned at the large number of players (pictures later) not playing and I told her to count the TxSt squad. 20 came on the trip, but their online roster shows 23. Same as us

And now pictures. The first one to give an idea of how they're spacing out fans. The part of the benches that do not have tickets and thus no one can sit there are marked with stickers saying no one can sit there.

When Texas is batting, there's no enough room so the players in the batting rotation are in the dugout

But the players not playing are out in the bullpen. Makes me wonder when it's bad weather or raining (note Del Conte on his phone at end of bullpen)

And finally, the bullpen. I scoffed that this "ally" between the new facility and the old part of the stadium was too raw to be the bullpen. Where is the protective netting so players don't get hit with fouls? But it is a really plain bullpen

I guess that's what these giant fans/heaters are for. But awkward having those doors there.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

I think the lineup we had last year with Lauren Burke leading off did us the most good to score runs and set the tone early. I would also move Alyssa Washington up in the lineup.

 

[racerx5908]

Saw the double-header today at McCombs. Thoughts:

• Hey, visitors had better seats (closer to the plate) than our season ticket holders! I know they have to reserve seats for visitor fans, but c'mon?
• Jordyn Whitaker is going to be a interesting player to watch. First, her swing has this visual effect of a slow stroke. Like she's going through a golfing motion. But obviously, with her moon-shot HR she's got power at the connect
• Second, there doesn't seem to be a pitch between the knees and the shoulder, she's not shy about taking a swing at. I mean she goes after every ball that's not in the dirt or above her head
• It's frustrating to see juniors and seniors leading the team with errors, AGAIN
• Am I weird or did I see it strange to see base runners holding their gloves while they were on base? I thought it was only one player, but then I saw some players who reached base still wearing their gloves or had them in each hand. I saw them steal bases and dive onto the bags with the gloves in their hands. Has this always been the case? I'm used to them tucking the gloves in their back pockets when they reach base if they're not still wearing them
• JJ Smith, what a bat! I know that I've seen players in their debut that really wowed me and then, that was pretty much it. They peaked their freshman year (Ellsworth)
• Speaking of which I heard the Connie Clark was somewhere in attendance. It puzzled me until I put two-two together. Maybe she came to see her old player and volunteer assistant coach Amy Hooks coach in Austin?
• For a team led by a former catcher, the infield defense was not that great for Lamar
• And Hooks, and then the assistant coach really got after them when they got off the field after that 4 run 4th inning. Pointing at some displeasure in direction of 3rd base
• But she didn't scream at them, just spoke "emphatically"
• That was the best I've seen Ariana Adams pitch, ever
• Sheesh what happened to Courtney Day's pitches?
• Just when I wonder why Mary or Shannon are still allowed to hit, they show me why. They just need to be in the groove when it's tournament time

 

[racerx5908]

Escape of MSU!

• Sometimes when I see Shannon or Mary get called out at the plate looking at the ball go by, I pull my hair and wonder if another player should be in the lineup. But this weekend while I'm watching balls go over the sign in the outfield, I'm reminded why they're in the lineup
• It was not their day for several impressive hitters from the previous game
• Going from the edge of run rule to just get us one more out is draining, but gotta give credit to the fight of MSU for grinding away
• When Mike left Shea in the game during the 5 run inning and then the entire next inning I had flashbacks to Connie Clark's "let them pitch out of it". Maybe(?) that'll make Shea a stronger pitcher later in the year?
• Brain fart running from an experienced runner. Not when we have 2 outs!
• Jordyn a liability in right field. Besides being slow to the ball, slow to decide who to throw the ball to
• Well, they weren't WBB today!

 

[racerx5908]

Man, after today's MSU game I was hoping that UConn would be a gimmie. They just beat Baylor in Waco.

 

[racerx5908]

During one of the HR celebrations during the UConn game, I got a chance to yell through the netting and get Coach Barlett's attention. I asked her why some of the girls were running with their gloves in their fists (one glove each hand). She answered that it was a precaution so that if they had to slide head first towards a bag, their fingers wouldn't be pointing out towards the bag and the player suffer a broken finger.

Hmmmm, okay makes sense.

But what I should have done and didn't was followup and ask what about the girls who keep their battling gloves on when they're running bases?

 

[racerx5908]

Last night's game against UH and shown on ESPN+ has quickly made it to YouTube

Played against Hailey Hudson, former Texas commit!

 

[racerx5908]

Not pretty wrap up to the LSU series. Going in, I thought Texas would be lucky to win 2 out of 3. The second game when we lost the long lead and then to lose the game with a walkoff error pretty much spelled how badly it would be in the 3rd game. LSU pitching wasn't superior, it's just our hitting lost it's confidence during the second game.

I guess it's back for more tuneup and confidence building against lesser opponents before we get to Big 12 play, especially against OU.

Last year:
Pitching: "9"
Hitting: "7"

This year:
Pitching: "7"
Hitting: "9"

except this weekend when Pitching was a "7" and hitting was a "7", maybe "6"

 

[Malcom]

Tough day at the field but we will be fine. I'll just say we will probably be a bit better when we have played our 19th game. I didn't like some of the calls, especially the illegal pitch. Even though we had a bad day team did not give up, played hard to the end. The defense will get better. In time the errors will be corrected. Still my favorite Softball team...Hookem!!

 

[longhorn47]

Not pretty wrap up to the LSU series. Going in, I thought Texas would be lucky to win 2 out of 3. The second game when we lost the long lead and then to lose the game with a walkoff error pretty much spelled how badly it would be in the 3rd game. LSU pitching wasn't superior, it's just our hitting lost it's confidence during the second game.

I guess it's back for more tuneup and confidence building against lesser opponents before we get to Big 12 play, especially against OU.

Last year:
Pitching: "9"
Hitting: "7"

This year:
Pitching: "7"
Hitting: "9"

except this weekend when Pitching was a "7" and hitting was a "7", maybe "6"

You know it's a sh*t day when Iakopo gets the hat trick.

 

[Malcom]

Game Day!!....Finally we can get rid of that bad taste we finished road trip with...

 

[racerx5908]

Last night's game against TAMUCC was going well until the wheels came off in the top of the 7th innning. The score doesn't show it but leading 10-3, bases loaded a couple of times led to 10-6 with bases loaded. Ryleigh White was doing well in relief from the 5th inning onward until the 7th. I've come to the conclusion that Mike White is just as bad as Connie Clark - giving the pitchers too long to climb their way out of trouble. He should have put in Ari the moment Ryleigh walked in a run with bases loaded. Ryleigh tossed the ball to Ari, and then made a beeline through the dugout and into the new building.

My wife overheard an Islander family say, "Well at least we made it to the 7th", meaning they might have been run-ruled often. I looked up their record, with last night's loss they are now 7-9 with 4 run-ruled games. And, we almost run-ruled them in the bottom of the 5th if Mike hadn't decided to insert an average hitter (Parker) as last bat with 2 outs and one on the base.

Frustrating game. I mean, yeah Mike is treating it like preseason and getting to check out all players, but I'm really worried about the quality of pitching!

 

[Run Pincher]

Texas has had some great pitchers, the best ever and other greats. I consider Williams, Osterman the greats. I also consider Elish a great. When I read about her leaving my heart sunk. My thought was without Miranda I'm not sure we're top 10. We may have really good on the current roster, but I don't see great.

 

[racerx5908]

Texas has had some great pitchers, the best ever and other greats. I consider Williams, Osterman the greats. I also consider Elish a great. When I read about her leaving my heart sunk. My thought was without Miranda I'm not sure we're top 10. We may have really good on the current roster, but I don't see great.

I think about why Courtney Day and Shealyn O'Leary aren't as sharp as last year. I think it was that they were hidden behind the great pitching of Elish taking the Day 1 (best) pitchers of the other team. Then it was our #2 against their #3 and so on.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

Last night's game against TAMUCC was going well until the wheels came off in the top of the 7th innning. The score doesn't show it but leading 10-3, bases loaded a couple of times led to 10-6 with bases loaded. Ryleigh White was doing well in relief from the 5th inning onward until the 7th. I've come to the conclusion that Mike White is just as bad as Connie Clark - giving the pitchers too long to climb their way out of trouble. He should have put in Ari the moment Ryleigh walked in a run with bases loaded. Ryleigh tossed the ball to Ari, and then made a beeline through the dugout and into the new building.

My wife overheard an Islander family say, "Well at least we made it to the 7th", meaning they might have been run-ruled often. I looked up their record, with last night's loss they are now 7-9 with 4 run-ruled games. And, we almost run-ruled them in the bottom of the 5th if Mike hadn't decided to insert an average hitter (Parker) as last bat with 2 outs and one on the base.

Frustrating game. I mean, yeah Mike is treating it like preseason and getting to check out all players, but I'm really worried about the quality of pitching!

I hate when he subs in backup players after about 3-4 innings. I get he is trying to get his roster playing time but at this point we need a consistent rhythm. Now if he is making a sub because that previous hitter has been struggling then I understand because those type of subs are Normally successful but when he does it with batters who just hit a homerun or are 2-2 on the day it just confuses me. Hints at why Burke or Iakopo really can't get in a consistent rhythm because they are being pulled after 4 innings of work.

 

[racerx5908]

I hate when he subs in backup players after about 3-4 innings. I get he is trying to get his roster playing time but at this point we need a consistent rhythm. Now if he is making a sub because that previous hitter has been struggling then I understand because those type of subs are Normally successful but when he does it with batters who just hit a homerun or are 2-2 on the day it just confuses me. Hints at why Burke or Iakopo really can't get in a consistent rhythm because they are being pulled after 4 innings of work.

What made me confused is why he didn't have Burke bat in at the bottom of the 5th and player on 2nd. Like you said, giving everyone (except....Bailey Williams) playing time. Burke only inserted in 6th inning?

 

[Jacob Johnson]

 

[Malcom]

I agree with most of whats being said here. My question is running ourselfs out of a couple of innings. This team doesnt appear to have alot of speed so I dont understand running when we have a pretty good hitting team. I dont agree with the coaching comparison. I trust Coach White.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

I agree with most of whats being said here. My question is running ourselfs out of a couple of innings. This team doesnt appear to have alot of speed so I dont understand running when we have a pretty good hitting team. I dont agree with the coaching comparison. I trust Coach White.

Completely agree. My statement was not meant to compare CC and Mike White because I would take Mike any day, year, and month. I Completely trust what he does and the direction of this program. I was just skeptical about the constant subbing but allowing players to really get in a rhythm.

 

[racerx5908]

So far, my rankings of the pitchers in terms of their confidence level as they are pitching:
1. Arianna Adams - doesn't get too high or low, veteran who knows not much is expected from her
2. Molly Jacobson - doesn't have a history here, is a 5th year player in college softball. Came from a team in which she didn't have the bats to back her up. So, she's in gravy at Texas and pitches with confidence
3. Shealyn O'Leary - always thinks she's doing fine, even when she isn't. Keeps telling coach, "I'm fine. I'm good." even when injured and giving up homers
5. (tied) Ryleigh White - all these club day accolades. She's had good innings and bad innings. She goes into a mental funk when things are going bad
5. (tied) Courtney Day - wonders where last year's control is at. Can still throw hard, but isn't consistently getting strikes called and is getting singles hit off of her

 

[Malcom]

I am concerned about our pitching going into conference play. It could get rough on us if we dont improve. But even more so I dont know if its just me and my own expectations but Im feeling uneasy this year. I know we have talent but....I hope its just that I'm so much of a "homer"...To Be Continued...

 

[NBhornfan]

Worried about the pitching as well. Offense is deep with so many options.

 

[Ellis21d]

Ryleigh White does not appear to be our future in the pitcher position. Hope Simpson coming next year will be dominant?

 

[Jacob Johnson]

Anyone know what happened to Alyssa Washington? She was listed as a starter and I believe she was on the field before the rain delay then after they came out, it was Parker who was on the field.

 

[Run Pincher]

Dunno, but I'm a little pissed Camille Corona didn't get to bat in a blowout like that. It's ridiculous the coaches are afraid of catching the Corona virus.

 

[UTexRulz23]

Anyone know what happened to Alyssa Washington? She was listed as a starter and I believe she was on the field before the rain delay then after they came out, it was Parker who was on the field.

Isn't Washington the DP?

 

[racerx5908]

When Mike first showed up I started graphing how well the team was doing in the first year, compared to Connie's last year. And I was doing it in his second year until the season was called off. With the explosion of HRs, I took it back up. Offensively, great! Pitching...not so great. I'll post the other side of the coin later. This is up to and including today's BYU game. Sorry to make this an eye test, click on the picture to expand

I debated whether to keep including Connie's last year. But since a portion of the players played for Connie in her last year, I did include her last team's numbers.

 

[Malcom]

Isn't Washington the DP?

Dont know yet...haven't watched game but Wow Parker had a game huh?

 

[racerx5908]

And now, the other side. You can see a major change to our pitching staff's effectiveness this year.

 

[Sydney302]

I'm wondering if there's a way to get tickets to a game? I'd love to take my kids to the Saturday, 3/20, game when we'll be in town if at all possible but can't find tickets available for purchase. Does anyone know if they are typically available on game day at the box office? TIA for any advice!