|
Replies: 12
| visibility 5
|
Orange Blooded [3649]
TigerPulse: 94%
Posts: 3051
Joined: 9/17/22
|
Clemson Softball
4
Mar 8, 2023, 8:11 PM
|
|
First I’m going to mention how much of a tremendous job the whole Clemson program has done implementing these new women’s sports. And especially softball.
I am curious though, Valerie Cagle is the best college softball I’ve ever seen (in my fairly limited knowledge of college softball), but how does she rank #51 in the players rankings.
Is it common to see softball players dominate like this. There’s always different levels of talent in all sports, but Cagle for example obviously has almost no issues with these college level players.
Can anybody help me out there? But anyways, #4/20-1 and looking very good again.
|
|
|
|
 |
110%er [5107]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3620
Joined: 2/21/04
|
The ACC is not looked upon as a tough conference
4
Mar 8, 2023, 8:31 PM
|
|
That narrative has changed since the emergence of new programs in Duke and Clemson as top-15 teams. But overall, the SEC and PAC-12 are way more respected, so Cagle gets downplayed some b/c she's not doing it in those leagues.
Also, going into this season, Cagle was coming off a year where she took a slight step back. A lot of that was due to nagging injuries, but she did have a slight regression, so expectations might have been tempered some. She's definitely not currently ranked #51 in the country by anyone's rankings.
One final note, I'm hesitant to say Val is the best two-way player I've ever seen. She still has time to change my mind, but we're only two years removed from Rachel Garcia's career at UCLA. They're both great players, but Rachel's resume is currently better. Val can definitely change that if she can continue to dominate this season and next.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hall of Famer [20701]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 9548
Joined: 8/21/99
|
Re: The ACC is not looked upon as a tough conference
2
Mar 8, 2023, 9:08 PM
|
|
The Big 12 is pretty good too with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State leading the pack...Oklahoma has dominated College Softball the last 10 years winning 5 National Championships since 2013(2013,2016.2017,2021,2022),with another one back in 2000 and 2 Runners-Up in 2012 and 2019.Since 2000 the Sooners have made the Women's College World Series 15 times(2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2011,2012,2013,2014,2016,2017,2018,2019,2021, 2022)
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [5107]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3620
Joined: 2/21/04
|
The Big 12 is only the OK teams plus Texas. They only have 7 teams
1
Mar 8, 2023, 9:51 PM
|
|
I do not consider the BIG 12 a tough conference as a whole. Baylor has had a surprise start this year, but they are not a traditional power.
Yes, stack there three best teams with any conference in the country most years, and they'll be right there. But, they have no depth as a conference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [49932]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 15311
Joined: 11/7/20
|
Re: The ACC is not looked upon as a tough conference
1
Mar 8, 2023, 9:18 PM
[ in reply to The ACC is not looked upon as a tough conference ] |
|
Yeah, she's no 51. That may have been her rankings coming out of hs. Dunno.
Excellent analysis on all accounts. I would add that she'd get more recognition if we competed for a national championship and had regularly played and beaten pac12, big 12, and sec teams. She's generational and most likely drafted top 5. Garcia is just a magician. A machine.
If we somehow won a natty, she'd get placed in the rare air of Garcia. As good as we are, I wish we played western teams and had a series with ok st, Oklahoma, ucla etc. The Tennessee game was disappointing even though we got robbed.
Thanks for the posts. We're making history.
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [5107]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3620
Joined: 2/21/04
|
I think I read something about Val being quite low in a preseason ranking
Mar 8, 2023, 9:56 PM
|
|
I assume that was the reference. In HS, I seriously doubt she was getting ranked by any publication. She was headed to Delaware before Clemson got a program. She was also homeschooled, so I'm sure she didn't have much of a spotlight on her. Then again, I didn't and don't follow HS softball recruiting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2840]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3057
Joined: 2/2/11
|
Re: I think I read something about Val being quite low in a preseason ranking
2
Mar 8, 2023, 10:30 PM
|
|
Softball like baseball isn’t about high school ball any longer. These girls play on elite level travel teams and that’s where most of their recognition comes from. Their travel teams play in showcase tournaments that many college coaches see. From what I though I heard last week is Moore was a top 25 recruit from California that’s starting to really shine on the field at second and at the plate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3649]
TigerPulse: 94%
Posts: 3051
Joined: 9/17/22
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [14404]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 9274
Joined: 8/30/18
|
Re: Clemson Softball
1
Mar 8, 2023, 9:57 PM
|
|
Don't get me wrong, she is absolutely amazing. But to be fair, when we face some of the elite programs in the playoffs she has looked more human. Case in point, Oklahoma State last year and Alabama the year before did not have a lot of trouble with her. However, she has continued to get better and better and this year may be a turning point when we face some of those elite teams down the road.
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [5107]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3620
Joined: 2/21/04
|
She only gave up one earned run against OSU. Her defense let her down that game
2
Mar 8, 2023, 10:12 PM
|
|
In the 'Bama regional, she started all three games. She only allowed 2 earned runs against 'Bama in the first game. Again, her defense let her down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [14404]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 9274
Joined: 8/30/18
|
Re: She only gave up one earned run against OSU. Her defense let her down that game
Mar 8, 2023, 10:22 PM
|
|
I just remember getting beat 5-0 and 6-0 against Alabama and she gave up a 3-run HR that was the killer in the 5-0 game. I do recall we had some errors as well so I agree with the comment on the defense letting her down.
Message was edited by: slwcu79®
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [14404]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 9274
Joined: 8/30/18
|
Re: She only gave up one earned run against OSU. Her defense let her down that game
1
Mar 8, 2023, 10:24 PM
|
|
We also have better pitching depth now and that should help keep her better rested and not rely on her so much throughout the season as in the past.
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [5107]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3620
Joined: 2/21/04
|
Millie's breakout year last year can not be understated
2
Mar 8, 2023, 11:22 PM
|
|
Cagle talked about it in this interview at the beginning of the season. Around the 1:43 mark:
https://youtu.be/uuADsM6KVnM
She is definitely playing pressure-free at the plate and in the circle to begin the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Replies: 12
| visibility 5
|
|
|
50
