Barring a miracle comeback, this ISU game will qualify as a bad loss. However, just being able to make such a statement about Iowa Softball after basically a decade and a half of futility means they may be on the right track.
2023 Softball
- Thread starter LinusPF
- Start date
It’s almost comical seeing our hitters stand there and watch the strikes go by. Do we have a hitting coach?
All. Game. Long. Right down the middle of the plate.
Despite the lack of runs, we had lots of good at bats in Minnesota. Today was an awful showing.
While we realize these talented women don’t show up to fail and we are all passionate about seeing our Hawkeyes win, reading these posts is comical given none of you have likely swung at a 62mph to 67mph softball. This is about being a young team and recruiting. This freshman class is good but young and inexperienced. Aside from Nia Carter, there’s a lot to be desired for the caliber of hitting talent being brought into Iowa. The players from Iowa State that hit the leather off the ball yesterday were from California. Just saying. If you’ve ever played this sport in college, understand that a Hitting coach doesn’t teach college players how to hit. You have to have talent and ability to know how to do this already when you arrive. A hitting coach in college is about refining your talent to become even more successful at this level. Having the ability to hit and knowledge about mechanics comes from solid coaching/training before arriving to a college team. Just my honest opinion.
Correct. Coaches need to find elite hitters who can hit elite pitching. A solid hitting coach or knowledgeable college coach out there recruiting should be able to identify strength and weaknesses of an incoming freshman hitter and project success in B1G. The ability to understand mechanics and be able to make in-game adjustments is a must. We are a Power 5 after all. We are chasing the Nebraska, Ohio State and Minnesota recruiting classes. They are able to find hitters outside and inside their states. We are improving but recruiting hitters needs to get stronger.
A lot of silly mental mistakes again. But some great defense and Nia made up for them.
Nia's just awesome!
Nia's just awesome!
Just checked the standings, we're currently in a 3-way tie for 5th. Compared with 14th at this time a year ago
Stepping on the home plate? I learned something new today. The scoreboard keeper is having a tough time. Also the Maryland runner pretending to score a run after being forced out.
Maybe not "pretending to score", but the scoreboard keeper mistakenly gave Maryland 2 runs when Maryland had two runners reach home, except the second runner was already forced out.
As for stepping on the home plate, an Iowa player seemingly hit an RBI single, but moments later the player was ruled out instead because she stepped on the home plate when hitting, so the Iowa run was taken off.
When I watched that I thought they were going to let it count. I was like what the hell just happened, she was out at third.
Guessing it will be Bre tomorrow after the complete game by Adams...Hopefully she's locked in🔒🤞
Some more confusion for me on Carter's hit when the base was loaded. After all the commotion and an Iowa runner being tagged out at the home plate, the graphics showed there was one runner on the third base. It took me a while to realize that Iowa had sent all three runners home, the one that was tagged out was the runner from the first base, and Carter was now on third. I had thought the one that was tagged was the the runner from the second, the one from the first was now on third, Carter should be on first or second.
Yes, the last outing did not go well
OTOH she looked really strong during the middle part of the season.Ump behind the plate is not good. Also why have review if your not going to get it right.
The zone behind the plate keeps moving and is generous. I thought the runner was out at second; seemed clear enough to overturn.
The season certainly didn't end like the team hoped but 31-27 was better than I thought they'd do. Adams, Bennett, Roman, catching duo of Doster/Pogue is a solid nucleus. They need to get that ace that can win 1-0 when the bats are struggling but that's probably easier said than done. Interested to see if Jackson, Streff, or someone else can make strides offensively. Incoming freshman candidates most likely to make an impact?
To me, they need some power hitters.Lots of times it seemed like we couldn’t get the ball out of the infield.
Little dribblers….
Do you think the team improved over the course of the season? why or why not? Just interested in some opinions from those who know far more than I.
We regressed. B1G batting average was quite a bit lower than non-conference. I think once the scouting report's out, Iowa hitters aren't able to adjust. Focus seemed to drop during B1G season too. Truly mind-boggling defense & running errors during the 2nd half of the season.
I'm mostly watching the games online, but I notice a couple things.. Back to focus -- the best teams have stud women ballers. Iowa has goofy girls. It's nice to have a good time, and silliness can have a place. But we go too far. Even on our own team, the best players aren't the silly ones. (At least on the field.)
Fitness: this may go back to focus too. It appears to me some of the upperclassmen have lost a step (and maybe gained a few). This team is woefully slow. Lack of fitness results in injuries too.
As for seeing improvement next year, under Gillispie almost no players improve from year to year. In fact, most regress. So it really comes down to recruiting and the portal. (And talking Nia into coming back!)
Pitching staff was terrific though!
Good post and I agree with you 100%. Makes me think maybe she wasn’t the best choice,but the only choice?
Your starting pitcher last night would be far better if she would not step way to the left when she strides out. Doing that screws with your release point. Pitchers that do that have trouble putting the ball where they want it.
We're playing in the NISC May 19-21
hawkeyesports.com
Hawkeyes Accept Postseason Invite To The NISC
hawkeyesports.com
Will be down a couple of players...We're playing in the NISC May 19-21
Hawkeyes Accept Postseason Invite To The NISC
Transfer portal opens today...it looks like Anna Henderson is in the portal.
During the B1G tournament they mentioned Nia was in the portal because there was not a scholrship available for her, but the staff has made adjustments. She can come back, but has gotten other offers.
I'm guessing more into the portal over the next few days.
During the B1G tournament they mentioned Nia was in the portal because there was not a scholrship available for her, but the staff has made adjustments. She can come back, but has gotten other offers.
I'm guessing more into the portal over the next few days.
That would seem likely, max scholarships are only 12 total (including partials), and we already have a larger-than-normal roster at 27 with only 3 graduations (at this time).
I was just wondering about that. Also wondering about the catching situation with Doster & Pogue.
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