Coach D'Amour sees the team just about every day and is in the best position to make the call. I know he is really impressed by Keely's stamina and determination and the fact that she has told him she feels stronger Day 3 than she does Day 1. And she WANTS the ball.

Keely is certainly our best option AND our most consistent. I think Kaylee has a world of potential (and I know Pete does too - he has said that repeatedly). It's the consistency that's her issue - which is not unusual for a freshman. Take a look at her outings this year:

*Iowa - solid performance in a run-rule win, but did have 7 walks
*Campbell - solid performance in a run-rule win
*OK State - tough spot for a freshman - ESPN, national TV, really, really tough spot and perhaps nerves got the best of her
*Minnesota - unbelievable performance - gave up 1 run in 6 innings going against one of the best opposing pitchers in the country and struck out 5 - WOW - That game alone may have saved Clearwater for VT
*Northwestern - got into trouble with control
*Darmouth - run-rule win, but 6 walks in 3 innings
*NC A&T - no hitter - enough said
Charleston - 3 walks in 3 innings
North Florida - 4 walks and 3 wild pitches in 4 innings

Pete has said that some days Kaylee is as good as Keely and some days, she looks like a freshman. We have seen exactly that before our eyes. She is going to be very, very good, but which Kaylee are you going to get on a given day? That is the $10,000 question. I am absolutely confident that she is going to be VERY good before she graduates anbd she has already shown signs of that.

I'll give you my opinion on what transpired this weekend and I want to stress that it's ONLY my opinion not based on any conversations. I think had we won the North Florida game on Friday, Kaylee would have started either Game 2 yesterday versus Jacksonville or today versus Stony Brook. Again, thbat is only a gut feeling on my part.

I don't think Pete wanted to leave Florida with less than 4 wins this weekend - I know I sure didn't and I think he felt Keely would get us there (which she did). I happened to run into Pete between games yesterday and when he told me he was starting Keely in Game 2, I emphatically uttered "yes!" without even thinking. I really wanted that second win badly, and if I felt that way as a fan, he probably felt that way times 10 as the coach. I also think he might have brought in Kaylee today if Keely wasn't working on the no hitter. Again, just my opinion - nothing to base it on but my own gut feelings.

The ACC schedules conference games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so theoretically, Keely will be fine pitching all the games (unless weather throws in a monkey wrench). What worries me (and probably you) a bit is the possibility that opposing hitters figure her out by the second and third game. I do think that's possible. I think it's also possible that Keely pitches Game 1, Kaylee starts game 2 with Keely ready to come in on a moment's notice.

Pro, I apologize for the long answer, but there's a LOT of moving pieces to your question. Your original question makes sense, but how do you know if you ever get that comfortable lead, and if you do, sometimes you want to put your foot on the throat and end it. Too many times, we have both seen leads that we thought were safe slip away (and I;m not talking just about softball). That's sometimes life as a Hokie fan.

Really tough call. But I do trust Pete's judgement - those are the decision that he was hired to make. And I really like this team a lot - they are fun to watch.

With all that being said.

Let's Go Hokies!!!






[Post edited by VTChip at 03/01/2020 11:22PM]