How are we feeling about that loss? RR threw a shutout yesterday at UGA and looked great on the mound. Still confident about not picking up pitchers from the portal?

I remember one specific poster being very confident about our #21 ranking despite not having proven pitchers. Meanwhile, our upperclassmen, Orange and McDade, got lit up today.

This was supposed to be our year, yet we just lost to Marylanda team that went 24-30 last season, got crushed 7-1 by ASU, and barely edged out Marshall.

I know it's only two games in, but this is exactly what I was not hoping to see. The supposed upper class men who's suppose to lead did nothing and only our freshman had good numbers. The game is about both pitching and hitting, and even great hitting teams get shut out by elite pitchers. We're too reliant on offense alone, and it's frustrating that we don't have the arms to compete at the highest level.

They did beat Minnesota, but the Maryland loss does show a lack of pitching depth that could have been addressed in the portal.

"RR threw a shutout yesterday at UGA and looked great on the mound."

RR was a great Bear while she was here. She chose to leave for her own reasons, and from what I saw, she left with the support of her teammates and coaches. I wish her well, but I frankly don't care how she performs elsewhere. I see no reason to bring her performance up now as she is no longer on our team. Get over it.

"I remember one specific poster being very confident about our #21 ranking despite not having proven pitchers. Meanwhile, our upperclassmen, Orange and McDade, got lit up today."

Yawn...that was me. While both Orange and McDade are Juniors, neither has extensive game experience, in part due to injuries. Both have shown promise, but developing pitching takes time. One game simply doesn't tell you much. It is worth noting though that you do not have to be a NiJaree Canady to be considered an effective D1 pitcher (she lost today, by the way). You may not be able to win two games every weekend during Conference play, but if you can shut out the side one time through the batting order, you can still be an effective part of a staff and help win games. I expect Orange and McDade to both be effective members of our staff this year and next.

I don't see anyone on our team who qualifies as the 'second coming of a Jolene Henderson (or Thor, or Val), consistently winning two - three games a weekend. We will need to be effective with our staff of pitchers, not one individual who can win every game. In my view, we have a capable staff, and you-all just need to be patient.

BearinOC said:

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How are we feeling about that loss? RR threw a shutout yesterday at UGA and looked great on the mound. Still confident about not picking up pitchers from the portal?

I remember one specific poster being very confident about our #21 ranking despite not having proven pitchers. Meanwhile, our upperclassmen, Orange and McDade, got lit up today.

This was supposed to be our year, yet we just lost to Marylanda team that went 24-30 last season, got crushed 7-1 by ASU, and barely edged out Marshall.

I know it's only two games in, but this is exactly what I was not hoping to see. The supposed upper class men who's suppose to lead did nothing and only our freshman had good numbers. The game is about both pitching and hitting, and even great hitting teams get shut out by elite pitchers. We're too reliant on offense alone, and it's frustrating that we don't have the arms to compete at the highest level.

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I've been worried about our pitching pretty much the entire tenure of the current coaching staff. The offense may be OKC-worthy; the pitching, probably not.