Gopher Softball 2018

[Panthadad2]

So at the end of the NW game, couldn't Arneson have conceded 1 run and gotten the sure out at 3rd (and maybe getting a double play) instead of throwing home late? It didn't look like there was a chance to get the out at home to me, but it was bang bang. Tough loss.

 

[dlw4gophers]

2018 class has Bailey and Lowery for pitchers.

 

[rugger14]

2018 class has Bailey and Lowery for pitchers.

Ok. Well that class signed in 2016 and graduated from HS and enrolled in 2017 so I was referring to them as the 2017 class and the class that just signed in 2017 as the 2018 class. Maybe I have my nomenclature wrong... Bottom line: they probably need a pitcher in this next class.

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[Panthadad2]

Question for those more knowledgeable about fastpitch than I: What are the reasons for batting your highest OBP player 9th in the order? I asked my fastpitch-playing daughter this generic question and her only answer was "maybe the player is being punished" which made me chuckle.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Well, Gophers fall in extra innings 11-10. Lindaman with a couple of home runs. Partain and Houlihan each with a home run.

 

[MNsoftballfan]

Had to be very difficult conditions to play in. 28 degrees at game time? Need a win tomorrow!!

 

[GrudgeGuy]

Question for those more knowledgeable about fastpitch than I: What are the reasons for batting your highest OBP player 9th in the order? I asked my fastpitch-playing daughter this generic question and her only answer was "maybe the player is being punished" which made me chuckle.

Part of Jensen’s success is hitting in the bottom of the order. She will see more strikes because the opponent doesn’t want to flip the order. Don’t get me wrong - she is doing her job by getting on base and giving the top of the order a chance to drive in runs. But her arsenal is basically limited to bunting - slapping is still a work in progress. And she hasn’t shown a true power/hitting for average swing yet. At the top of the order she is an easier out because everyone knows what is coming. In the 9 hole her job is to either move runners and turn the lineup over. She is a future leadoff hitter in the making - but until she has better bat control she is better off at the bottom. That gives her a chance to learn without the pressure of being at the top of the order. She is the ideal 9 hole hitter right now.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Fiser again today against the Wildcats.

 

[60's Guy]

Part of Jensen’s success is hitting in the bottom of the order. She will see more strikes because the opponent doesn’t want to flip the order. Don’t get me wrong - she is doing her job by getting on base and giving the top of the order a chance to drive in runs. But her arsenal is basically limited to bunting - slapping is still a work in progress. And she hasn’t shown a true power/hitting for average swing yet. At the top of the order she is an easier out because everyone knows what is coming. In the 9 hole her job is to either move runners and turn the lineup over. She is a future leadoff hitter in the making - but until she has better bat control she is better off at the bottom. That gives her a chance to learn without the pressure of being at the top of the order. She is the ideal 9 hole hitter right now.

I don't know the personnel but it sounds like the 9th place hitter is fast? If true, that also is a good thing in making the lineup. Typically your leadoff hitter is also fast and the last thing you want is a station to station baserunner clogging things up in front of your best base runner, or one of. Also, after the first AB it in effect gives you two lead off hitters increasing your odds to start/continue an inning every time they come up.

 

[60's Guy]

17-13 overall and 0-2 in the conference is a bit of a contrast to last year with most of the same players?

 

[Hrothgar]

17-13 overall and 0-2 in the conference is a bit of a contrast to last year with most of the same players?

The key word in your line is "most." 2018 is missing an All-American performer of world-class ability, not just NCAA ability: Groenewegen. She recorded tons of KOs, which protected the infield. The Gophers' infield defense has had weaknesses for 3 years now, and it's shown this year. Their second-line pitching has also been questionable, as was evident in the 11-10 loss to NW. They needed to defend that 8-3 lead. What's been most puzzling is the hitting inconsistency. It would be interesting what others say about that. Any ideas? My homespun theory is: If the Gophers are to have a big break-through, it will likely come some time when least expected. 2018 maybe? They have more talent than most of the teams they're losing to.

 

[Panthadad2]

The key word in your line is "most." 2018 is missing an All-American performer of world-class ability, not just NCAA ability: Groenewegen. She recorded tons of KOs, which protected the infield. The Gophers' infield defense has had weaknesses for 3 years now, and it's shown this year. Their second-line pitching has also been questionable, as was evident in the 11-10 loss to NW. They needed to defend that 8-3 lead. What's been most puzzling is the hitting inconsistency. It would be interesting what others say about that. Any ideas? My homespun theory is: If the Gophers are to have a big break-through, it will likely come some time when least expected. 2018 maybe? They have more talent than most of the teams they're losing to.

Regarding the hitting, the heart of the order is starting to get their mojo back and it seems like the coaches are starting to figure out who else is gonna produce...I'm optimistic. As far as the Saturday loss, the Gophs were 1 or 2 bad defensive plays away from winning that one. Plus NW seemed to get all the breaks. (E.G. it didn't help that Smith seemed to have struck out Lewis on each of the 2 pitches prior to the 3 run homerun in the 4th but couldn't get the call).

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[fan of Ray Williams]

Fiser threw well. Pitching, pitching, pitching. Cures all ills. I do like that Partain. She can swing that bat. Nice lead off hitter. Good pop, good wheels. Sets that tone. Get Dwyer, Parlich and Houlihan to keep picking up the pace, ride Fiser and who knows? No world beaters on the schedule. All winnable games.

 

[ComoGopher]

I don't know the personnel but it sounds like the 9th place hitter is fast? If true, that also is a good thing in making the lineup. Typically your leadoff hitter is also fast and the last thing you want is a station to station baserunner clogging things up in front of your best base runner, or one of. Also, after the first AB it in effect gives you two lead off hitters increasing your odds to start/continue an inning every time they come up.

I agree with parts of what several of you have said about Partain vs. Jensen. Partain was the BEST hitter on the team early last year and they still kept Macken in the leadoff spot. There is a mental aspect to hitting in the #1 spot that can't be overlooked. There is a lot of pressure on that hitter. With Parlich, Dwyer, and Houlihan coming around it makes sense to have the order the way it is. We knew they would come around at some point. Jensen can learn and get experience without the pressure of leading off. Next year I anticipate Partain and Jensen in the #1 and #2 spots. Not sure which one goes where...

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Indiana
3-0-0

Wisconsin
1-0-0

Nebraska
2-1-0

Northwestern
2-1-0

Illinois
2-1-0

Maryland
2-1-0

Michigan
1-1-0

Iowa
1-1-0

Minnesota
1-2-0

Michigan State
1-2-0

Purdue
1-2-0

Penn State
1-2-0

Rutgers
0-1-0

Ohio State
0-3-0

 

[MNsoftballfan]

A small dip in the updated RPI rankings. Gophers are now at #34.

 

[MNsoftballfan]

BIG RPI rankings:

21. Nebraska
22. Michigan
33. Ohio State
34. Gophers
36. Northwestern
40. Wisconsin
47. Iowa
52. Illinois
98. Michigan State
101. Rutgers
135. Maryland
140. Indiana
218. Purdue
223. Penn State

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

BIG RPI rankings:

21. Nebraska
22. Michigan
33. Ohio State
34. Gophers
36. Northwestern
40. Wisconsin
47. Iowa
52. Illinois
98. Michigan State
101. Rutgers
135. Maryland
140. Indiana
218. Purdue
223. Penn State

Tara Trainer really threw well against Ohio State in the Hoosier sweep of the Buckeyes. 14 innings, 1 run, 21 strikeouts and and 6 hits. A few too many walks with 4 in each game, but probably the surprise of opening BIG play is Indiana winning those 3 games. They were 7-21 going into it.

 

[Panthadad2]

Tara Trainer really threw well against Ohio State in the Hoosier sweep of the Buckeyes. 14 innings, 1 run, 21 strikeouts and and 6 hits. A few too many walks with 4 in each game, but probably the surprise of opening BIG play is Indiana winning those 3 games. They were 7-21 going into it.

Agreed. The surprise for me wasn't that ranked Ohio State got swept by somebody; they seemed overrated with a weak schedule and the 2 times I saw them play (Oklahoma & Grand Canyon) they didn't look strong. The surprise was that it was Indiana doing the sweeping.

 

[MNsoftballfan]

So where do you want to go for regionals? The committee seems to love sending BIG schools to the Pacific northwest (Oregon and Washington). I think either of those schools would be pretty disastrous for the Gophers. Wouldn't mind another crack at Florida State. Arizona rematch? Baylor? LSU? South Carolina? Winnable, right??

 

[rugger14]

So where do you want to go for regionals? The committee seems to love sending BIG schools to the Pacific northwest (Oregon and Washington). I think either of those schools would be pretty disastrous for the Gophers. Wouldn't mind another crack at Florida State. Arizona rematch? Baylor? LSU? South Carolina? Winnable, right??

Knoxville. I want to see the Gophers wade into a sea of ugly orange and come out victorious!

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[Oregon Gopher]

So where do you want to go for regionals? The committee seems to love sending BIG schools to the Pacific northwest (Oregon and Washington). I think either of those schools would be pretty disastrous for the Gophers. Wouldn't mind another crack at Florida State. Arizona rematch? Baylor? LSU? South Carolina? Winnable, right??

Let's wait til we win a Big10 series before we contemplate our tournament locale


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[rugger14]

Let's wait til we win a Big10 series before we contemplate our tournament locale


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No thanks. I like to be an optimist.

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[Panthadad2]

So where do you want to go for regionals? The committee seems to love sending BIG schools to the Pacific northwest (Oregon and Washington). I think either of those schools would be pretty disastrous for the Gophers. Wouldn't mind another crack at Florida State. Arizona rematch? Baylor? LSU? South Carolina? Winnable, right??

Please NCAA committee, send the Gophers to a school that doesn't play small ball.

 

[Hrothgar]

Let's wait til we win a Big10 series before we contemplate our tournament locale


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I'd prefer to lie low and win the Big10 and then consider the NCAA after that. I believe the one time the Gophers won an NCAA regional, in 2014, was after they kinda snuck up and won the BIG tournament.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Former Gopher Colleen Powers squad is off to a rather slow start so far. St Catherine is sitting at 5-8 and their ace is getting hit pretty good this year. On a 4 game losing streak.

 

[Panthadad2]

Former Gopher Colleen Powers squad is off to a rather slow start so far. St Catherine is sitting at 5-8 and their ace is getting hit pretty good this year. On a 4 game losing streak.

I saw that. They are playing a wicked tough schedule right now. Thanks for the update too...I just realized the current game vs. Mary Hardin Baylor is being live streamed https://portal.stretchinternet.com/uttyler/portal.htm?eventId=438693&streamType=video

 

[ComoGopher]

Please NCAA committee, send the Gophers to a school that doesn't play small ball.

The infield defense HAS been suspect at best this season. I hope the bats we saw against NU are a sign of better things to come. The pitching debacle on Saturday is an aberration IMO.

 

[Panthadad2]

The infield defense HAS been suspect at best this season. I hope the bats we saw against NU are a sign of better things to come. The pitching debacle on Saturday is an aberration IMO.

I'll admit, I'm guilty of recency bias when critical of the infield D. Playing defense or pitching in freezing temps is no picnic. Plus, the frozen balls were really popping off the bats.

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[ComoGopher]

I'll admit, I'm guilty of recency bias when critical of the infield D. Playing defense or pitching in freezing temps is no picnic. Plus, the frozen balls were really popping off the bats.

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No recency bias at all from me. This trend started in Vegas. In all 61 games of the 2017 season the team had 53 errors for a .869 errors per game average. In 31 games so far this season the team already has 41 errors or a whopping 1.32 errors per game. It isn't the outfield making the errors and actually Dwyer has dramatically improved this year over last so it is not 1B accounting for the errors either.

Those numbers can't sit well with Trachsel who prides herself on being a defensive specialist. She has a reputation for being a disciplinarian. Does she have the team playing tight both at the plate and in the field?