Gopher softball 2023

[rowdaboat]

Michigan 1 hit 8-0 5 inning mercy rule vs ucla

 

[mngolf]

And we have 3 hits. Pitching was ok though.

 

[Hrothgar]

There are voices critiquing Strelow's hitting, but it's common for a nr. 9 batter not to hit much. More noticeable is the lack of hitting from the leadoff spot and Den Hartog. It seems forever since DenHartog got a base hit and even longer since she got a big hit. Today was another weak, hitless perormance by her. Is no one concerned about that?

 

[rwlarson]

There are voices critiquing Strelow's hitting, but it's common for a nr. 9 batter not to hit much. More noticeable is the lack of hitting from the leadoff spot and Den Hartog. It seems forever since DenHartog got a base hit and even longer since she got a big hit. Today was another weak, hitless perormance by her. Is no one concerned about that?

Somewhat, yes. She has always been a streaky hitter though. The problem is with a season that is only 50-60 games, a bad slump at any point can be devastating to a player’s overall stat line. Hope she comes around and destroys the B1G.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

The coaches just must learn to not make their top power hitters bunt.

 

[Panthadad2]

There are voices critiquing Strelow's hitting, but it's common for a nr. 9 batter not to hit much. More noticeable is the lack of hitting from the leadoff spot and Den Hartog. It seems forever since DenHartog got a base hit and even longer since she got a big hit. Today was another weak, hitless perormance by her. Is no one concerned about that?

Against CSF, Natalie damn near bounced one off the top of the fence (bounced off the fielder's glove) for an RBI in extra innings then got a single and scored off of the Chavez homerun. Clutch hitting for her and the team in general in extra innings tonight. What a game!

 

[Panthadad2]

When I'm retired, I'd love to gas up the motorhome and head down to the Judy Garmin some year. I hope the Gophs do Mary Nutter one of these years too.

 

[Hrothgar]

Somewhat, yes. She has always been a streaky hitter though. The problem is with a season that is only 50-60 games, a bad slump at any point can be devastating to a player’s overall stat line. Hope she comes around and destroys the B1G.

I guess I eat crow for my comments on SenHartog. She came through with a huge clutch double and even more indicative of her value to the team she beat out an 11th-inning bunt that must have set Fullerton back on their heels. Chavez's

Against CSF, Natalie damn near bounced one off the top of the fence (bounced off the fielder's glove) for an RBI in extra innings then got a single and scored off of the Chavez homerun. Clutch hitting for her and the team in general in extra innings tonight. What a game!

big homer came right after that bunt.

 

[Hrothgar]

Sorry I misspelled DenHartog's name. Yes, a very exciting game. I only followed on tracking, and it felt exciting. Can't praise Pease and Chavez (5 RBIs) enough. Really courageous by Pease w/ CSF having last at bats.

 

[Panthadad2]

Sorry I misspelled DenHartog's name. Yes, a very exciting game. I only followed on tracking, and it felt exciting. Can't praise Pease and Chavez (5 RBIs) enough. Really courageous by Pease w/ CSF having last at bats.

I didn’t hear the pitch count for Pease but the CSF pitcher had close to 200 according to the announcer. Unreal.

 

[John3298]

I didn’t hear the pitch count for Pease but the CSF pitcher had close to 200 according to the announcer. Unreal.

Pease was much more efficient - more like 120-130

 

[Nipomo 56]

Disappointing ending to Seattle game. Errors seem to be our undoing. Six good innings and then the wheels came off. Any guess on who will start against LMU? Pease or Enter?

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

What an absolute shitshow.

 

[John3298]

Disappointing ending to Seattle game. Errors seem to be our undoing. Six good innings and then the wheels came off. Any guess on who will start against LMU? Pease or Enter?

It better be Pease. If Enter starts there is little chance of winning

 

[Panthadad2]

It's becoming apparent that the Gophs are 2-deep in the circle. Hopefully the freshman can grow with experience.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

It's becoming apparent that the Gophs are 2-deep in the circle. Hopefully the freshman can grow with experience.

I mean… clearly we should have brought Pease into the circle in the 7th inning of that one-run lead against Seattle to close out that game. It would have been a nice win and I think Pease would have got the job done in the 7th by shutting them down.

 

[Hrothgar]

!I for one feel the Gophers have a talented squad

I mean… clearly we should have brought Pease into the circle in the 7th inning of that one-run lead against Seattle to close out that game. It would have been a nice win and I think Pease would have got the job done in the 7th by shutting them down.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Hrothgar]

For those of you watching the Gophers' game on TV or in person, what's up with our other 3 pitchers? What do you see? Are they regressing? Pease's poise and success are fantastic to observe even on Live Stats, but she can't be expected to pitch every inning of every game. Yet our chances of winning without her feel slim or none.

 

[Nipomo 56]

For those of you watching the Gophers' game on TV or in person, what's up with our other 3 pitchers? What do you see? Are they regressing? Pease's poise and success are fantastic to observe even on Live Stats, but she can't be expected to pitch every inning of every game. Yet our chances of winning without her feel slim or none.

I think Hambrick is doing well, the errors didn’t help today. I think Schwartz is being worked into the rotation slowly, building up the innings. Little concerned about Enter. Would like to see both Enter and Schwartz get significant innings in the Gophers indoor classic next week. It would help if the pitchers didn’t need to get 4 outs in multiple innings each game. Cleaning up the errors would help a lot.

 

[Panthadad2]

I think Hambrick is doing well, the errors didn’t help today. I think Schwartz is being worked into the rotation slowly, building up the innings. Little concerned about Enter. Would like to see both Enter and Schwartz get significant innings in the Gophers indoor classic next week. It would help if the pitchers didn’t need to get 4 outs in multiple innings each game. Cleaning up the errors would help a lot.

From the looks of the box score plays, Hambrick could have gotten out of the 7th inning except for her throwing error (I'm assuming to home plate) and then everything fell apart. Errors are contagious. This is a young team. If they can learn to fight through adversity and toughen up, they could grow into being a really tough out.

 

[Chase the Rise]

When I'm retired, I'd love to gas up the motorhome and head down to the Judy Garmin some year. I hope the Gophs do Mary Nutter one of these years too.

Clearwater is the place to be. Just a fantastic environment...next year!!!!!

 

[Hrothgar]

From the looks of the box score plays, Hambrick could have gotten out of the 7th inning except for her throwing error (I'm assuming to home plate) and then everything fell apart. Errors are contagious. This is a young team. If they can learn to fight through adversity and toughen up, they could grow into being a really tough out.

I've only "seen" the Gophers play on stats. They seem far more talented than their 11-8 record. Yes, they're a young team, but freshmen have often been the leaders while others who've been around for 2-4 years haven't taken the lead (maybe they're not talented enough to do so?). Early on it seemed the general opinion that defense was guaranteed to be their strength, but pitching is what concerns me most. Without Pease, they'd be in a sinking ship similar to last year's. The Gophers haven't recruited a single freshman stud pitcher who can step in and excel since Fiser was a sr in high school. True, those pitchers don't grow on trees, but do exist.

 

[mngolf]

I think Hambrick is doing well, the errors didn’t help today. I think Schwartz is being worked into the rotation slowly, building up the innings. Little concerned about Enter. Would like to see both Enter and Schwartz get significant innings in the Gophers indoor classic next week. It would help if the pitchers didn’t need to get 4 outs in multiple innings each game. Cleaning up the errors would help a lot.

Agreed, the defense is a problem. that's in addition to previously mentioned hitting problems. Defense almost cost them the Fullerton game as well.

 

[rwlarson]

Agreed, the defense is a problem. that's in addition to previously mentioned hitting problems. Defense almost cost them the Fullerton game as well.

They eventually won the Fullerton game in 11 innings but your point is well taken. It should never have gone to extras.

I remain encouraged by the potential of this team. It may not be a great team like 2017 or 2019, but I see the first official NCAA RPI calculations have us at #26. It’s way too early to take RPI very seriously but a team must position itself to stay within the Top 40 or so to gain a tournament bid. And a team sitting at #26 at this point actually has a chance at dropping into the 10-20 range if they play well, which would give themselves a punchers’ chance to at least be considered as a regional host.

That is a good position to be in right now with a team that I think isn’t close to reaching its full potential.

But four losses to teams greater than 75 in the current RPI. Ouch! They need to tighten up on D and put offensive pressure on those types of teams late in games to pull out wins going forward.

 

[Hrothgar]

They eventually won the Fullerton game in 11 innings but your point is well taken. It should never have gone to extras.

I remain encouraged by the potential of this team. It may not be a great team like 2017 or 2019, but I see the first official NCAA RPI calculations have us at #26. It’s way too early to take RPI very seriously but a team must position itself to stay within the Top 40 or so to gain a tournament bid. And a team sitting at #26 at this point actually has a chance at dropping into the 10-20 range if they play well, which would give themselves a punchers’ chance to at least be considered as a regional host.

That is a good position to be in right now with a team that I think isn’t close to reaching its full potential.

But four losses to teams greater than 75 in the current RPI. Ouch! They need to tighten up on D and put offensive pressure on those types of teams late in games to pull out wins going forward.

It was nice to see Elhke get some hits. A productive lefthanded power bat near the bottom would be great.

 

[John3298]

Initial RPI for Big Ten Teams:
Northwestern - 11
Maryland - 17
Michigan - 20
Minnesota - 26
Nebraska - 28
Ohio State - 38
Illinois - 51
Purdue - 74
Wisconsin - 75
Indiana - 80
Penn State - 81
Rutgers - 83
Iowa - 122
Michigan State - 154

 

[Panthadad2]

Initial RPI for Big Ten Teams:
Northwestern - 11
Maryland - 17
Michigan - 20
Minnesota - 26
Nebraska - 28
Ohio State - 38
Illinois - 51
Purdue - 74
Wisconsin - 75
Indiana - 80
Penn State - 81
Rutgers - 83
Iowa - 122
Michigan State - 154

Interesting that the NCAA has MN at 0-1 in home games. Hmm. Snowball anyone?

DI Softball Rankings - NCAA Women's Softball RPI | NCAA.com

Get updated NCAA Softball DI rankings from every source, including coaches and national polls.

www.ncaa.com

 

[LarBear]

The coaches just must learn to not make their top power hitters bunt.

Disagree on one point sometimes it is to get them out of mental funk.

 

[AZGopher8]

Disagree on one point sometimes it is to get them out of mental funk.

That is a valid reason for having a power hitter bunt. It can be effective at getting them reset and hitting better.

 

[Hrothgar]

Did Pease get any national attention for pitching 25 innings and winning 3 complete games over the weekend?