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hokiehigh2000

Joined: 07/09/2021 Posts: 96
Likes: 225


Lineup Projection


Where are the holes from last year, and who can plug those gaps?

The only real weak spot in the lineup last year was Darby Trull, who really struggled offensively and hit with no power -- she rolled over a ton of ground balls and popped up weakly to the outfield, though she did come on a bit towards the end of the season. However, she is excellent in the field, is very experienced/Coach D'Amour seems to love her, and could bounce back at the plate. She did hit .338 in 2020, though I can't possibly see her replicating her .642 SLG% from 2019. There also aren't any great candidates to replace her -- Maddy Baucom can play the position defensively, but had 1 at bat all last season.

Cana Davis is a loss; she had the most raw power on the team. However, she was limited to DP duty because she couldn't play the field with her knee issues, and Alexa Milius really surged and made that spot in the lineup her own. She can rotate there with Ally Repko this season, or give Mackenzie Lawter a night off behind the plate. I'd love to see Morgan Overaitis force herself back in the picture -- her playing time was cut to nothing by the end of 2021 but she had some bright spots and I like her at second base defensively more than Addy Greene. Bre Peck could get a look here as well.

Here's how I envision the lineup looking to start the season:

LF Kelsey Brown
3B/SS Cameron Fagan -- position depends on her mobility, but I think Kelsey Bennett is a better shortstop anyway and has a cannon for an arm
1B Jayme Bailey
SS/3B Kelsey Bennett
DP Alexa Milius
2B Addy Greene
RF Emma Ritter
C Mackenzie Lawter
CF Darby Trull

Last year's bench did not get any at-bats in big games, so I don't anticipate that changing much this year.

On the mound, based on reports online and from Chip firsthand, it seems like Emma Lemley has a real chance to push Ivy Rosenberry and Mackenzie Osborne as a strong option behind Keely Rochard. Either way, hopefully Keely will be throwing less innings this year (at least at the beginning of the season; I was fine with her usage in the NCAA Tournament).


[Post edited by hokiehigh2000 at 08/23/2021 4:19PM]

(In response to this post by VTChip)

Posted: 08/23/2021 at 2:43PM



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