Hard to say, her timing was off but I thought she was swinging well at the last practice game. Looking forward to a report about tonight's game from
@ranger43.
Wow! It was great to see FSU softball in person once again. Forgive me if I go a little long but I will try to be as thorough as I can.
Muffley was not dressed out. Kerr did not play. DuBois, Prasad, Enter and Kendrick did not pitch.
Base coaches: Cameron at 3rd and Rafter at 1st
Starters tonight: Most played the first 3 innings
1st - Harding (made a nice defensive play at 1st). She looked very comfortable there. Starting clean-up hitter. I believe she batted just once with no success.
2nd - Ross - She was also the leadoff batter and has some serious wheels. Even after she subbed out, she was subbed in as a pinch runner later and stole at least one base (including 3rd). Look for her to be a part of this year's plan.
SS - Blankenship - Batted second. Going to be a player for FSU. I believe she was the only player to play all nine innings (ss, 3rd and 2nd). Has a good eye for the ball and as soon as her bat comes around to go along with her smooth defensive skills, I can't see out out of the line-up.
3rd - Hartley - A surprise player for me. She played a very smooth 3rd base. Batted 7th. I believe she had a walk, as well as a double that scored 2.
Of course the opening 3 inning battery:Kat and Kaia (I don't recall Kaia with a base hit)
In the starting outfield:
LF Leonard (batted fifth) - Struck out twice and flied out.
CF -Belvey (batted 6th) A strike out and a walk (stole a base). Good speed for a tall girl.
RF - Wacasser - Batted 3rd. Good to finally see her in action. 0-2 Two solid shots but great diving catch by 2nd base (more on her later).
DH - Chloe Culp - Can't tell you how good it was to see her back out there after her injury last year. I did not see any lingering effects. I had her down for a fielders choice, sac fly to deep center, and a double that scored two.
After 3 innings, TCC changed pitchers without giving the Noles a hit. TCC on the offensive end played situational base running and often started innings with one or more runners on 2nd and 3rd. Even though TCC scored a run early, I believe it occurred when they started with a runner on third and then got a follow-up base hit (their only one I think). Scoring wise, our base running was straight up and I believe we scored 8 runs in the 9 inning game.
In the fourth, Sid came in at third, Ross moved to SS, and Blankenship to 2nd. Leonard came in to 1st, Riggs to rf, Landers to left and Mudge to center. Emma came in to pitch with Edenfield behind the plate. Edenfield looked comfortable back there and I like her speed and ability to make it to first (very strong).
Some additional: Landers now bats with glasses on and seems to see the ball better. She had a single with an RBI. Mudge played all three outfield positions after not starting.
Top of the 7th- Keen came in at 1st. She looked very comfortable at 1st. Blankenship moved to 3rd. Flaherty at ss and Sid to 2nd.
Pitching - Kat pitched 3 innings and was in control throughout. Emma came in for 3. She was not in control as much as Kat, and you think she is about to lose it at any moment with her occasional lack of control - BUT she held them scoreless for 3. She also had a double off the right field wall. Watson came in for all but the last inning. At times she was good with her velocity, or times it was a lack of control. No runs allowed, but she reminded me of last year. If I had to pick a top pitching award after Kat, I would go with Leonard striking out the side in the 9th (the only inning she pitched). Did we throw our Top 4 pitchers (I don't know what is up with DuBois)? I did not see major improvements from pitchers who have developed over the Summer under Coacha's leadership into a solid #2.
Also playing were Saabye (mostly at 2nd), Riggs in right (got an infield single), Katie Bright got in the game at catcher in the 9th and had also an infield groundout. As previously mentioned, Keen looked very comfortable at 1st, but at the bat she was 1-2 with the out being solid stroke.
Sid had another double - what else is new? No hits for Flaherty and I don't recall any defensive opportunities for her at ss.
Overall, I was a little worried offensively after three. We came back (but it was a CC) so the jury is still out. Pitching is unfortunately what I expected but the jury is still hopeful on DuBois and Leonard (fingers crossed). Defense will be our strength. We have a young team but it will be fun to watch. Of the first and second year players, there are some good players to watch in their development as Noles. HR power is still on hold but I feel the potential is there with Kerr, Wacaser and Culp of course Harding. Come on offensive coaches.
Honestly, I think we have too many players who will ride the bench for the vast majority of the year. Will we have any that decide to leave at the Christmas break feeling that way?
It was just one game but it sure was nice to be out at the field again. I feel like I covered most things but if anyone has specific questions, let me know and I will do my best to answer them.
I mentioned the TCC 2nd baseman. Some really great defensive plays at 2nd that robbed our batters a few times. Mike Martin would have tipped his hat.
As always - go Noles! Is it February yet?
