Great sweep of UNCheat. My one gripe - pitching coaching
Hear me out.
We have very good pitching most of the time. I think the talent is there.
We do, though, struggle with control. We give up waaay too many walks, while also scoring a very high strikeout number.
I understand Mazz may be more prone to control issues. But I have trouble believing that ALL of our girls struggle, that consistently, that we end up putting on so many free passes no matter who’s pitching or the situation in a game.
I have come to believe they all are being coached to pitch a certain way. One that focuses on pitching outside the zone and angling for strikeouts. Lots of walks. A high number of passed balls. And a lot of strikeouts.
We have a phenomenal defensive team in the field. I know people around me get tired of me saying “make them hit the ball”.
Do others see what I’m seeing? Do you think I’m all wet here?
** Edited by Boblope at 4/26/2026, 5:14:32 PM
** Edited by Boblope at 4/26/2026, 5:15:02 PM
** Edited by Boblope at 4/26/2026, 5:15:41 PM
7 Replies
3mo
on BB is myopic, because walked runners who score count as earned runs. If the walks were so important then the ERA would be worse.
What's worse than walks is extra base hits. By far.
So if it's actually a strategy, which no one outside that dugout really knows, then it's a damn effective one.
** Edited by King of Hokies at 4/26/2026, 10:34:48 PM
(In response to this post by Boblope)
3mo
but we are tempting fate.
Case in point - UNCheat scored the go-ahead run in game 3 WITHOUT a hit.
Up 1-2, Mazz gives up a walk. Then a passed ball moves the runner to second. A fielder’s choice to first base gets an out - but the runner scores from 2nd.
It is worse when teams take advantage of those runners on base with hits. Case in point - GT games.
I fear it will be much worse against higher caliber teams, with higher caliber hitters throughout their lineup (like we have).
So I take your point. It’s not an unreasonable one. But IMO we are playing with fire with all these walks. It may turn out fine for awhile, but sooner or later you’re going to get burned.
Moreso, I worry about it as a cognitive decision our pitching coach is making. You and I seem to agree that it may be a purposeful strategy - but just disagree on the pros/cons of that strategy.
** Edited by Boblope at 4/27/2026, 8:19:24 PM
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)
3mo
the opposite hypothesis: what happens when you throw the ball over the plate more consistently. And, from the overall results this year, it appears that you give up more extra base hits and more runs. Thus disproving your original hypothesis.
So....
(In response to this post by Boblope)
3mo
You have just stated your idea of it, and said because we haven’t suffered the undesirable effects than your hypothesis is correct.
Your hypothesis has held so far. I sincerely hope it stays that way.
But we will see if my concerns are ultimately founded as we play better teams.
And even if we get away with it then, I won’t be convinced that walking lots of batters is a recipe for success. We have proven we can have some success DESPITE doing it, but that doesn’t make it a good plan.
(In response to this post by King of Hokies)
3mo
With that, throwing strikes early in the count is essential. With the ever decreasing umpire strike zones, the earlier in the count that you get batters swinging, the better it is.
(In response to this post by Boblope)
