FSU Softball Splits With UNF, Lively Comments Flood ScalpEm.com
Posted by NoleCC
Before I get into some thoughts on FSU Softball, I would like to specifically thank the fans that are stopping by more and more to comment on the softball team and coverage! I love hearing from you, and I know the other softball fans out there like to have some discussion. This is one of the few places you’ll find it! I appreciate you stopping by and I appreciate you leaving your thoughts!
So things we’re not fantastic for FSU Softball yesterday… so what? It happens. The Noles fell 5-3 in the 2nd game of the doubleheader, after winning 7-0 in the first game. Yeah, it’s not perfect, and they should have swept UNF, but softball is a game like that. That’s why in baseball and softball there’s a series of games to really determine a winner. It’s not like football where 1 game usually makes it obvious which team is better.
ACC Team Stats
Right now FSU is batting .278 as a team through 30 games. That places them 4th, behind UNC, Georgia Tech and Virginia. FSU has scored 147 runs, nearly 50 more than 5th spot Maryland, but they’re 14 behind 3rd place UNC. Judging by that, there is quite a disparity between the top of the ACC and the bottom, FSU being in the top half of things. The Noles also stole the most bases (49) on the most attempts (63). However, one glaring offensive problem for the Noles is the fact that they’ve struck out 156 times, which leads the ACC.
On the pitching and fieldings fronts, the Noles pitching staff leads the league in ERA (1.14), least amount of walks (48) and they’re 2nd in batting average against (.192) and strike outs (273). The Noles are fielding .967 as a team, 3rd in the league, much better than last year’s 6th place effort (.957). Â Overall, by my account it’s a good showing so far, with much of the ACC play remaining.
Intangibles
Maybe it’s just me, but this team is just more fun to follow and more fun to watch in 2009. Why? I’m not sure if it’s an attitude, if it’s just me, or if it’s a combination of a lot of things. Maybe I just had low expectations for the new staff and the inherited players, but I remain realistically excited about 2009 Noles. Do I think they’re are WCWS material this year? No. Do I think they COULD do some damage in the ACC Tournament? Yes, but it depends on when they peak. Losing to UNF means to me, they haven’t peaked. That’s a good thing. As Nancy said in another comment, “Sometimes it’s good to lose because it makes you work harder – better now than at the end of the season.”
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We are actually hitting .276 now after yesterday. Besides the 6th inning outburst in the first game our bats were cold. Coach A and her staff more than likely have “big bats” on the top of their recruiting priority list. Hope Gober gets better fast, as I have already posted we simply cannot afford to pitch Lauren unless we have at least a 5 run lead. She had a surprisingly good outing against Washington, besides that she has been a huge liability with opponents hitting .304 off of her. In a perfect world we run rule FAMU tonight.
I should have checked that more closely and explained what stats I was talking about. They are sitting second last (just ahead of Maryland) batting .213 in CONFERENCE games but are sitting at the top in pitching (Varsalona hasn’t pitched yet in conference play). I know it’s only early in the season and they did play UNC but that doesn’t account for everything. It’s not really completely fair to compare stats against other ACC teams outside of conference play because not every team plays the same calibre of teams. However, FSU does need to improve their batting and not have to rely so heavily on the top of the order. As the season progresses the ACC competition will know exactly how to pitch to the top of the order (and give them nothing to hit) so they will be concentrating their efforts on those hitters. It’s easier to pitch against a team like FSU with only a handful of good hitters. They will concentrate their pitching efforts to stop those players, and will intentionally walk them if they have to. That’s standard strategy that shouldn’t affect the outcome too much if the remaining players are not hitting. We need some hero’s from the FSU players who haven’t hit well yet – if that’s possible. It’s easier said than done though – the harder you try and sometimes the more you seem focused on the “stats” and not hitting the more you get down on yourself. Time to start just putting the bat on the ball to put it in play – it’s amazing what that can create. But looking at strikes and swinging at ball pitches like you have no idea what you’re doing just doesn’t get the job done.
I love the excitement this softball team has created. I’m quite enjoying the comments on this blog. Make sure you get out to the games and support the team – I’m sure they could use some cheering to get things going.
@1 Ed, all good points. I’ll just take a win vs. FAMU tonight lol
@2 Nancy, thanks for clarifying that! I was confused royally! I’m not the biggest stat head, so I generally don’t dig that deep. Good find. And I completely agree on strikeouts, and more specifically called 3rd strikes. Swing the bat!
@3 Sam, doing my best to get there. When I do, I take photos… check out the photo albums (link at the top).
I have had it with the amount of “singles to second base” and errors on the 3b, and Ks by 2b.
Wow Ed, why so harsh? Have you ever played second base or the hot corner? how about trying to hit a rise ball? It’s not very easy.
@6… I think Ed’s just frustrated with things that continue to go on at those positions. I address them a bit in today’s post.
Yes, I played every position in the book in BASEBALL, so no I have no experience in SOFTBALL. However you need to quite making excuses for the terrible defense of the 3rd baseman and the pathetic attempts by our 2nd basemen to hit.
I ll edit what I said above, it was harsh, and out of frustration, but great teams do not make excuses, they go out and execute.