Comments on: Softball: Rainbow Wahine open fall practice

By: AdmrVT

AdmrVT — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:41:55 +0000

13. Heard she is slowly getting back to form, but needs to get back into “pitching shape.” Hope she is ready by spring, as she will be needed.

I understand that she can also hit. She should have a good defensive infield to give her support. Jaramillo may be the best defensive shortstop they’ve had in quite a while.

By: Jack Brown

Jack Brown — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:51:52 +0000

#12-my daughter did tell me Brittany got back surgery so I hope she can make it back to the pitcher she was. She was a pitcher with great movement and a drop that would get batters to swing and miss or a lot of ground balls. She also worked fast and it kept the team on their toes. Good luck to all the girls, I hope they do well. I will be following them.

By: AdmrVT

AdmrVT — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 21:15:23 +0000

#11. I agree that Brittany Hitchcock have the talent and ability to be the ace, and if Morales improves, the pitching with the addition of Cabrales should be better. The key is if Brittany stays healthy and reaches her potential. At the same time, she won’t breach 68 – 70 mph like Rickets did. But at nearly 6′, she will provide a presence on the mound they haven’t had since Rickets graduated.

The other key is they need improved hitting. I like this team — think the have 6 – 7 players that should hit, but need to find a 2B and settle on 3rd base. Tiyana Mata may fill 2B. Villalpando transferred to LBS, so it might be Cameron or perhaps Lack.

Cameron could also catch. It will depend on who hits. They need Carlos to return to form. Lack will hit – she always has and no doubt is one to the top hitters from Australia with a number of batting titles, and international experience.

Improvement in pitching, and deeper hitting depth should project to a solid year. Then Coolen has a good group of recruits the next two years. But, it would be nice if he could find a dominant power pitcher. Unfortunately, those are hard to find. Maybe another Australian?

By: Jack Brown

Jack Brown — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 16:53:05 +0000

I don’t know where Sickman Fraud got his information but Hitchcock was a dominate pitcher in high school in Orange County where a lot of the top division 1 softball players come from. She was pitcher of the year two years in a row and was MVP her Senior year. She was female athlete of the year for her high school and for her whole athletic conference. Was also was nominated for the female athletic of the year for the CIF Southern Section. She played with my daughter at Ocean View and it was a pleasure to watch her play and she was a great leader on the team. My daughter really looked up to her. She also played for a top travel ball team and pitched to the best players around.

By: kimo browner

kimo browner — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 23:03:33 +0000

Tayana Mata maybe the answer at 2b. JUCO all-American, unreal hitting numbers and a voracious work ethic. Her JUCO coach once had to limit her batting practice after hours because her hands were literally bleeding. She has speed on the bases, hits consistently for leading averages in total bases, on base percent and slugging per cent. If her numbers n D1A match her JUCO play–she will be a gem and a huge immediate impact. Hopefully, Coach will not tamper with her batting stance.
Anxious to see two celebrated recruits–Rachael Lack and Kanani Aina Cabrales.
The Georgia product can and hit. As true frosh w Ga Tech, Cabrales hit over .300 and contributed as a rotation pitcher. Lack as unreal batting numbers at highly respected international levels of competition.
We need more speed on the bases and in the outfield. Keiki Carlos needs to step it up a notch with her glove. We know she is consistent at the plate. My eyes are on Willmon as a second year player. Hoping for her to break through as a premier player in the MWC.
For the wahine fortunes to metastasize, Hitchcock needs to surprise and hopefully, Cabrales performs as a wahine blue collar worker in the circle. If not, we are in trouble. Morales and Kesterson offer little expectations–slim or otherwise.

By: AdmrVT

AdmrVT — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 20:48:01 +0000

8. True, hitting was not consistent and needs to improve, but more so the pitching.

Team ERA was 4.78 (Opponents 4.12) while team batting was .276 (Opponents at .320). Need to get the ERA under 3.00 and opponents BA closer to .250. Reducing walks will help the ERA.

I expect the hitting will be better, but they need to find a lead-off hitter with a BA and on base percentage, and a 2B.

By: hatakeman

hatakeman — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:58:50 +0000

Yes, pitching struggled a bit last season, but it was hitting, or lack of hitting, I thought, was a bigger concern. As Coolen said, “Whoever’s going to hit is going to play.” As for pitching, they just need to cut down on the number of walks this season. Too often last season the Wahine got into trouble with untimely and multiple or consecutive free passes.

By: AdmrVT

AdmrVT — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:23:01 +0000

6. They’ll need to bank on Morales improving in her 2nd season, Cabrales & Kesterson contributing, and Hitchcock staying healthy & becoming the ace. Perhaps Cabrales will prove a pleasant addition.

Curious to see what batting order will be: lead-off & who bats before and after Liilii.
I expect Lack will be in the mix after batting .400 at the World Championship for Australia. So, will Wilmon who will be a major piece.

Will Wartner bounce back?

By: oldtimer808

oldtimer808 — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:47:17 +0000

Yes pitching is still a question mark. Hopefully we will see some improvements with the current pitching staff. Morales needs to lose a little weight to get a better release on her balls and not walk batters.

By: AdmrVT

AdmrVT — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:04:31 +0000

#3. Yes, but she was injured and decided not to come. I believe she was on Australia’s U19 national team with Rachel Lack, but Lack ended up with the National Team that played in the World Championships (& she did well).

They need Morales to be more consistent, and Hitchcock to fulfill her potential.