FSU Softball Downs Number 4 Michigan
Posted by NoleCC
It figures that the only portion of softball I was able to catch this weekend was in their close (2-1) loss to East Carolina on Saturday. It wasn’t a bad loss, mind you, but it did feel a lot like last year, where the Noles had a lead and eventually gave it up, left a bunch of people on base, etc. However, FSU rebounded to finish out the weekend 3-1 with a HUGE victory over #4 Michigan on an 11th inning double by Jessica Gilmore (above). For an in depth game summary check out Seminoles.com. As for my thoughts after the weekend:
On Offense:
Kaleigh Rafter has cooled off just a bit at the plate, which means Ashley Stager grabbed the team lead with a .409 batting average. Rafter is just behind at .400.  Both are slugging over .600. Oh, and did I mention that Stager is on base 49.1% of the time? Nice! Carly Wynn is leading the categories I’d expect from a leadoff hitter, Runs Scored (14), Hits (22), 2B (5), 3B (2), but oddly enough she leads the team in RBI (12). And, don’t think that others aren’t contributing. Jessica Gilmore and Monica Montez remained at or above .300 on the season, while Kristie McConn has knocked in 12 RBI, tied for the team lead.
On Defense:
***One of my keys is holding up*** – Ashley Stager committed her first error (on a throw to 1B, which should have been picked, but you can’t assume the pick so the SS gets the throwing error), but Kristie McConn remained perfect. That means the Noles have 1 error up the middle through 15 games (78 chances), a tremendous improvement, and it’s held up against some better teams. The team fielding percentage is .974! Â That’s up from last year’s .957, and if it’s maintained will have the Noles competing well into the playoffs. Remember folks, defense wins championships. In other news, Brittany Joseph is settling it at 1B, she has pretty good bag presence over there, and I think she’ll improve as she gets used to playing every day. First base is tougher than most people think.
Pitching:
Sarah Hamilton dominated a poor Indiana Hoosiers team, with a 7-0 no-hitter. She now leads the team by far in the strike-out category, with 76 K’s in 48 innings pitched. Â She’s a bit off of Terese Gober’s team leading 1.29 ERA, but overall I’d give Hamilton the nod as the ace so far. Â She pitched 9.2 innings of the Michigan game, and managed to work out of some jams. So far Lauren Varsalona has pitched sparingly, and has been off and on in her appearances. I’m sure some more work with the coaches will pay off later in the season for her.
Coaching:
I’m eating some crow, I have to admit it. There’s excitement, confidence and an overall more business like manner to the team this year, and Lonnie Alameda and staff brought it.  I can’t argue with with 12-3… and if they beat Michigan again tonight Tuesday night, I really can’t argue with 13-3 with some very, very big wins. I hope the fast start is a trend for the 2009 season!
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Noleit on 
NoleCC, thanks for your take, its nice to have since I rarely get to go to games. Just curious looking at the stat sheet, it seems Montez plays a few games and sits a game, and plays a couple and sits one. In my opinion that is hurting her consistency and she should start every game, I don’t care if we are playing PoDunk State. It will give her confidence, which I think she struggled with last year, to know she is a regular starter and if necessary replace her in the 4th, but don’t sit her. My guess is the coaches just want to see what other players can bring to the table, however I just don’t think that should come by way of sitting a hitter with her ability. Also, glad to see Hamilton settle down yesterday. The first inning seemed like she was a little intimidated and hesitant to go after the hitters, OR she just wasn’t hitting the strike zone, hence the walked in run in the first. Walks are an abomination in my opinion, especially in softball, they just cannot happen, especially against top 10 teams. On the other hand, I am thrilled we won both games yesterday. What were your impressions of the East Carolina pitcher, she struck out Wynn twice, a rarity, and seemed to confound our hitters? Sorry for the long winded response, look forward to hearing from you.
Ed,
In regards to Montez, I think it’s a matter of the coaches wanting to see what they have with Amber Bryant. Bryant subs in for Gilmore too at times. I understand your point about it not being good for a player, but I don’t really know what the solution is for it. At some point a player has to produce, her freshman year that happened, last year it didn’t. So far, so good this year. 11/15 games started is pretty good. I think if Montez goes on a tear, the problem solves itself.
I agree totally about walks, in softball or baseball. Free passes are bad. Hell the Noles had 10 runs on 3 hits against Hofstra the other day (baseball) because the Pride pitchers couldn’t find the plate.
I think the ECU game was more of a function of FSU being off, than the ECU pitcher being fantastic. She was good, don’t get me wrong, but FSU left 6 on base, so they did manage to string together some hits, they just couldn’t knock them in. The other big thing for the ECU pitcher was that she threw strikes, which goes back to your theory on walks.
They are definitely an enjoyable team to watch though… I like a lot of what I see!
Montez has been hurt and is nursing a injury back to health. That is why she has been in and out of the lineup. She seems to be back at full strength, and I like how everyone has been contributing. The next two week-ends should be a big test playing some quality teams in Columbus and out in California. Hopefully the pitching will hold up.
Thanks a lot sbdude, I also wondered if it might be an injury, thanks for filling us in. Monica has a sweet swing. Speaking of pitching, what is the word on Morgan Bullock, have read a lot about her, is she Tincher good( lol, not many are ) or needs some work, or has the potential? Additionally are we going to see Jackson this season? Thanks for any info ya got.
Go Noles
sbdude… thanks a lot for the update on Montez… I agree about the pitching, hopefully they’ll continue to keep the Noles in games.