18 games against P5 teams. Love it! Might struggle a little bit out of the gate with so many games bunched together, but will be battle tested for sure come Tourney time. We have a lot of weapons back, just need a 3rd pitcher to step forward for tournament formats. We have only 4 pitchers listed on our roster, so it doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room for injury or ineffectiveness.
Games against 6 teams in top 25 and 5 more in others receiving votes. Loaded schedule
It was obvious that both Jailyn Ford and Megan Good were gassed at the end of the season, so a 3rd pitcher is very necessary. I think that's the primary reason for losing the CAA tournament and a very winnable regional, both of which we hosted. If neither of the other 2 pitchers on the roster are effective enough to pitch against top teams this season, we at least need someone else to play 1st base. Ford and Good split time at 1st base, playing there when they weren't pitching instead of resting their arm. That may have contributed a little bit to them being so worn out at the end.
Hofstra down in "others receiving votes" territory in both polls.
(01-27-2016 09:40 AM)GoJMUDukes Wrote: [ -> ]It was obvious that both Jailyn Ford and Megan Good were gassed at the end of the season, so a 3rd pitcher is very necessary. I think that's the primary reason for losing the CAA tournament and a very winnable regional, both of which we hosted. If neither of the other 2 pitchers on the roster are effective enough to pitch against top teams this season, we at least need someone else to play 1st base. Ford and Good split time at 1st base, playing there when they weren't pitching instead of resting their arm. That may have contributed a little bit to them being so worn out at the end.
The way Ford and Good hit, Dean will not keep them off the field when they are not pitching. Most pitchers don't hit the way those 2 do.
(01-27-2016 09:54 AM)JMU83 Wrote: [ -> ] (01-27-2016 09:40 AM)GoJMUDukes Wrote: [ -> ]It was obvious that both Jailyn Ford and Megan Good were gassed at the end of the season, so a 3rd pitcher is very necessary. I think that's the primary reason for losing the CAA tournament and a very winnable regional, both of which we hosted. If neither of the other 2 pitchers on the roster are effective enough to pitch against top teams this season, we at least need someone else to play 1st base. Ford and Good split time at 1st base, playing there when they weren't pitching instead of resting their arm. That may have contributed a little bit to them being so worn out at the end.
The way Ford and Good hit, Dean will not keep them off the field when they are not pitching. Most pitchers don't hit the way those 2 do.
I'll add that softball is not hardball. You don't need 3 overwhelming starters (or bull pen) to win. Having 2 ALL-American pitchers is all you need to make a solid team elite. Our gals lost, yes, but those losses are called upsets. We didn't lose because our top pitchers were "gassed".
(01-27-2016 10:51 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ] (01-27-2016 09:54 AM)JMU83 Wrote: [ -> ] (01-27-2016 09:40 AM)GoJMUDukes Wrote: [ -> ]It was obvious that both Jailyn Ford and Megan Good were gassed at the end of the season, so a 3rd pitcher is very necessary. I think that's the primary reason for losing the CAA tournament and a very winnable regional, both of which we hosted. If neither of the other 2 pitchers on the roster are effective enough to pitch against top teams this season, we at least need someone else to play 1st base. Ford and Good split time at 1st base, playing there when they weren't pitching instead of resting their arm. That may have contributed a little bit to them being so worn out at the end.
The way Ford and Good hit, Dean will not keep them off the field when they are not pitching. Most pitchers don't hit the way those 2 do.
I'll add that softball is not hardball. You don't need 3 overwhelming starters (or bull pen) to win. Having 2 ALL-American pitchers is all you need to make a solid team elite. Our gals lost, yes, but those losses are called upsets. We didn't lose because our top pitchers were "gassed".
Agree Good and Ford can really swing the bat and no way both of those girls are not gonna be in the lineup 95% of the time. LH is right on with 2 good starting pitchers you can go along way in softball. It would be nice to find that 3rd pitcher just to eat some innings along the way to save a little wear and tear. Does not have to be a great #3 just adequate to eat innings thru the season.
i knew the schedule this year for softball was really tough. so i spent 10 minutes today seeing how tough.
here are the rankings in the 2 major polls of teams on our schedule this year:
Alabama - 5/5
Auburn - 6/4
Tennessee - 9/8
UCF - 17/17
Arizona - 15/13
Arizona St - 20/22
Nebraska - 39/30
Ohio St - 40/33
UNC - 36/34
Va Tech - 30/NR
in addition to CAA foe Hofstra - 32/29
as well as BYU who went 40-14 last year, Depaul who eliminated us from the NCAA tourney 2 years ago and P5 schools UVa, Oklahoma St, Rutgers plus Georgetown and UTEP
this may be the single greatest schedule a JMU coach has ever put together as far as rankings and name schools.
The team opened up the season with a nice 1-0 win over Fordham. Big win, since Fordham is the team that beat us in the NCAA tournament to ultimately end our season last year.
and rounded out the DH today with a 5-0 win over Rutgers! True test of the weekend will be #17 ranked and tournament host UCF. We always seem to struggle against ranked teams, even if we're comparably ranked.
(02-12-2016 04:28 PM)JMUrcc06 Wrote: [ -> ]and rounded out the DH today with a 5-0 win over Rutgers! True test of the weekend will be #17 ranked and tournament host UCF. We always seem to struggle against ranked teams, even if we're comparably ranked.
um, #5 Alabama tomorrow. Decent test.
(02-12-2016 04:52 PM)jmu82 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-12-2016 04:28 PM)JMUrcc06 Wrote: [ -> ]and rounded out the DH today with a 5-0 win over Rutgers! True test of the weekend will be #17 ranked and tournament host UCF. We always seem to struggle against ranked teams, even if we're comparably ranked.
um, #5 Alabama tomorrow. Decent test.
TRUE!
Great start for the season by the Lady Dukes.
Good test tomorrow in both games.
Hope they do well.
Go Dukes!!
brian
(02-12-2016 09:15 PM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote: [ -> ]Great start for the season by the Lady Dukes.
Good test tomorrow in both games.
Hope they do well.
Go Dukes!!
brian
JMU 1
#5 Alabama 0
In 3rd
Yesterday UCF beat Alabama 8-1, so UCF may actually be tougher test, despite preseason rankings. Great start against Alabama. Ford hasn't allowed a hit through 3 innings, the only base runner so far was a walked batter.
(02-13-2016 05:24 PM)GoJMUDukes Wrote: [ -> ]Yesterday UCF beat Alabama 8-1, so UCF may actually be tougher test, despite preseason rankings. Great start against Alabama. Ford hasn't allowed a hit through 3 innings, the only base runner so far was a walked batter.
Otherwise known as no-hit ball.
I'll take a win over Bama versus UCF anyday.
Alabama switched pitchers and now has their ace in the circle. We still have a no-hitter through 5.
(02-13-2016 05:48 PM)GoJMUDukes Wrote: [ -> ]Alabama switched pitchers and now has their ace in the circle. We still have a no-hitter through 5.
Is there somewhere you are watching the game or are you just following the stats? I haven't found video anywhere.