slot canyon

17 hours ago, RedDirtFan said:

The war chest I was informed of eclipses what Dean makes and gets into the Mike White stratosphere. It will be somebody proven, likely coaches in OKC every year...No promos from within. This is a 2-way street...We have to pursue and they have to be willing to leave a program that they've molded into a successful, perennial competitor nationally, including their incoming recruits. NLIs can be broken, existing players can be excused unofficially (ref Trisha Ford and Mike White) to make room for players/recruits from their previous programs. This is about to be very exciting for the fan base, but brutal on the players that stick around. 

Mike White, last numbers I saw, makes in the range of $625,000.  Patty Gasso is reported north of $1.5 million. Recent article from Montgomery Advertiser regarding SEC softball coaches salaries as a point of reference.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/softball/2024/05/07/sec-softball-highest-paid-coaches-alabama-tennessee-texas-am-top-league-tim-walton-trisha-ford/73528199007/

9 hours ago, TD1 said:

Kendal will be playing at UGA. 

THENS, Ga. – University of Georgia head volleyball coach Tom Black has announced the signing of 6-6 middle blocker Kendal Kemp, who will transfer from Auburn.

Kemp will redshirt in 2024 but will have eligibility in 2025 and 2026. Kemp played club with Bulldog rising junior Estelle Haugen for Northern Lights Volleyball in Minnesota.

8 hours ago, OlderWhiskey said:

I'm probably misunderstanding your point, but today was far and away the best outing that Widra has had.  She has pretty much been the #3 pitcher the past two years, but hasn't produced a result like today previously.  Really glad her hair was on fire today. 

To expand on what Whiskey said......Quick look at stats and appears Widra has pitched in 18 games prior to the BAMA series.  The vast majority of her appearances have been either one or 2 innings pitched.  She did pitch 4 innings vs Ole Miss.  Not to be overlooked has been her fielding.  I see only 2 errors and feel she has done a nice job at 3rd.  This may be the best we have played at third base in at least the last couple of years.  I could not believe how little emotion she seemed to display during her BAMA outing......calm, cool, collected and a winner.  

Again, I want to say how impressive the play was by Wohlers in for the last out in 5th inning.  She dove to her left, completely laid out, watched the ball into her glove, scrambled to her feet and threw out the runner.  Showed tremendous quickness getting to her feet.  A genuine highlight play.  There was a runner on 1st at the time.

58 minutes ago, WarTiger said:

The part that bothers me more than that is the idiot uaters in the front row behind homeplate.  They should never be able to get those seats.

Glad they got an up close of the loss.  Never saw them be obnoxious.  Nothing like the crazy from LSU.  We just need more fan support.  BAMA has good attendance at their games and likely closer to population centers.  They have also had a more consistent successful program that has developed a following.   I looked at the BAMA site where it had a very short description of the game.  They had a section listing "Highlights".  One they had listed seemed to be a desperation for something positive about the game: 

• "Jenna Johnson's sixth-inning hit by pitch was her 14th of the season, which is now tied for the fourth most in UA single-season history and the most since Danae Hays' 15 in 2014"

WIDRA! WIDRA! WIDRA!  I was not liking Auburn chances coming into this game.  If you had told me beforehand that we would keep them scoreless and Widra would pitch the entire game, I would have thought you had been out in the sun too long.  Happy for the team but so proud for Widra.  Also, Wohlers made a great play at 3rd base for last out of 5th inning.  Agree that having Lech bunt not a great strategy unless the opposing team faints.

15 hours ago, Big Fat Barner said:

This team is just embarrassing. No other way to put it. I hope whichever HC we get can recruit in the portal, and some of these players need to not let the door hit them on the way out. 

I am reluctant to put the blame on the players even though some appear nonchalant at times.  Yesterday, I got the impression that after we got down a couple of runs the team was ready to get on the bus and head home.   However, it starts at the top and that is where the focus should be.  Something seems strange about Carosone; she has been almost invisible at the games.  Makes me wonder if there is some sort of issue between her and the HC.

Auburn defeated Ol' Miss in a 11-inning marathon yesterday.  Final AU 2 OM 1.   Penta had a pitch count of 172 over her 9 innings with 18 SO to go with 5 walked batters and one hit by pitch.  Shelby finished the final 2 innings and did not allow a hit.  Both AU runs were a result of Tresvik home runs; one in the 6th and one in the 11th.  I got frustrated with the game in the 8th inning and we watched and episode of Jack Ryan.  When I switched back over to SEC network I got to see the last pitch of the last strikeout by Shelby to end the game.  I don't know what was going on but the dugout looked like a funeral.  No energy.  Appeared true for both teams.  Glad we were able to get the win.  Don't know how long it will take Penta to recover.  As usual, we had several occasions with runners in scoring position but could not get the elusive "timely hit" we are famous for.  

8 hours ago, Mikey said:

I agree. I've been around and associated with baseball longer than I care to admit. Never have I heard that losing a series but salvaging the last game is any sort of championship.

I felt the same way when I read that article. Something like putting lipstick on a pig.  I don't know how long we have been hearing that it is all about timely hitting and yet we have not been able to correct/improve that specific issue or even explain what is being done to help the team correct the issue.

Feel bad for Penta; she has 9 strike outs but can't get the run support and gets the loss.  Obviously, the walks ended up making the difference.  The Kentucky pitcher (Langdon) was good.  Credit to the freshman.  Statistically, our conference offensive numbers reflect what we are seeing (and have been seeing).  Last or next to last in BA, runs scored, hits, RBI.  Need to mention we have played fewest games in conference due to some games cancelled.  AU completed 39 games; next fewest 42 with most teams in the 44 - 47 range.  Hate to admit that I look forward to the season ending but look forward to hopefully some positive changes.

So good to see Shelby have a good complete game in spite of some horrible non-strike calls by the umpire.  Glad the error in 7th did not come back to haunt us. 

https://auburntigers.com/news/2024/4/14/softball-auburn-softball-secures-series-win-at-no-6-lsu.aspx 

Play Samford tonight at 6pm in Auburn.  Game on SEC+.  Samford season record is 9 - 24.

Their HC, Kimball Cassady, played 3rd base at AU 1998 - 2001.  Hired at Samford July 2021.

Glad to get the road win.  That late game possession call awarded to Florida really was a suck call.  Even the announcers were convinced it would be overturned upon review.

In the second game there were good defensive plays by both teams.  The USC Upstate pitcher was good.  What little I have seen this season, I thought the team looked improved.  In first game that was a nice HR by "baby Penta".  The bases loaded shot by Packer was the classic "no doubter".

https://auburntigers.com/news/2024/3/3/softball-no-25-tigers-walk-off-a-pair-of-wins-for-sunday-sweep-at-jane-b-moore-memorial.aspx

Appeared to have lost composure in that last quarter.  Thought we were finally turning the corner, but this late game collapse indicates otherwise.  Surprised at the number of AU fans at the game.

29 minutes ago, ArgoEagle said:

Did anybody score at all?

From the VT web site: https://hokiesports.com/news/2024/2/9/softball-greins-12-strikeout-showing-leads-virginia-tech-past-auburn-8-1.aspx

VT got HR in 5th and then in 8th Penta allowed 2 singles plus there was an AU error and score.  Lowe gave up bases loaded HR (some unearned from Penta).  You get the picture.    Notice that Camron Fagan of the famed Fagan sisters still playing for VT (senior).  

Not that it should make anyone feel any better; VT defeated Illinois 18 - 1 earlier today.

20 hours ago, Win4AU said:

I looked at Durkin’s wiki and he has an impressive pedigree coaching under Urban and Harbaugh.  Harbaugh must really like him because he hired him at Stanford and Michigan.  His defense at Texas A&M got lit up a couple times this season with way more talent than Auburn has.

As far as the Maryland situation.  Pat Dye had a kid die in 83 or 84 after a hard practice.  Not trying to excuse it but when you’re trying to push kids things can happen.  Who knows if Pat Dye’s job would have survived if he coached 30 years later.

Greg Pratt died during mid-day drills in August 1983.  Ruled heat stroke.  Somewhere in my stack of "stuff" I have saved the newspaper photo and article about the event.  The photo was of Coach Dye and then wife Sue standing in the hospital hall.  The strained look on his face told all.  Pratt, I believe had to be helped by teammates to finish the last of 4 - 440's (timed).  He apparently collapsed in the dressing room afterwards.

31 minutes ago, mustache eagle said:

Here’s a crazy possibility… what if RW said screw it and stayed in High school for what should be his senior year to let the smoke clear.  Play with his high school qb … 

just a thought 

edit: if I was advising him I’d tell him to leave that option open 

I suspect he is more likely thinking about going forward to get a professional contract ASAP.  

Not directly related to AU VB but I watched the final two sets of the Texas - Wisconsin VB playoff game last night.  Texas won the match 3-1.  The point margin in the last two sets were 12 and 9 in favor to Texas.  In the third set, Texas had an amazing 11-0 run (included 3 aces) to go up 15 - 3.  For the night Texas had 11 aces with 6 by Skinner.  They had a 10 - 1 run in the final set on the way to a 25 - 16 win.  They targeted one player with 52 of the serves with the Texas coach stating it was an attempt to "wear her down".  The Texas libro (Halter, a 5'5" freshman) was fantastic.  They play Nebraska at 2 PM CT on ABC.  Hard to imagine reaching the level of play I saw last night; the chasm is wide and deep.    

Just for a little color from the other side; this from a Indiana basketball forum:

"Was at the game.  IU may have had more fans but it was close.  Having their band and cheerleaders sure made it feel more like an Auburn home game though.  It was definitely an advantage for them.  I'm sure Dolson(who was there) will use money, distance or finals as his excuse.  It was a bad look and yes the IU fans there noticed long before we collapsed after 10 minutes.  Our fans that come to see these destination/neutral site games spend a lot of money to attend. Most have come to expect our cheerleaders, the pep band, all the flags and pregame pep rallys.  We got nothing and a terrible performance by the team.  No we probably still lose this game no matter but still... it just seemed like a half ass'd effort all around by IU.  Sorry but we should be all in for IU basketball in every facet."

Does size matter?  Western Michigan has 1 player listed at 6'3" and two players at 6'2".  Auburn has 7 players (in playing rotation) listed at 6'2 or greater.  I used to think it would be an advantage but after watching some of these teams with "shorter" players with quickness and jumping ability, I have had to rethink that opinion.  Something that seemed to stand out was their ability to get the ball to the net quickly in position for a good set for their hitters.  Their setter (Case, 5'8") had 44 assist.  Their serve game accounted for 11 aces (6 by one player) compared to 3 for AU.....right there an 8 point differential.  They also had 11 more kills; in spite of being mere dwarfs.  I am by no means an expert regarding volleyball, but it seems that AU is more of a power team and Western Michigan is more of a finesse team.   It will be interesting to see how they fare going forward.  

Straight set losses by 6,7 and 8 points.  Western Michigan was another team that appeared to have a lot of quickness.  Their serve-return game was superior.  Always seemed to be in the right spot to make digs.  They were very efficient, knew our weaknesses and took advantage.  Hopefully this will make us better going forward.  

Maybe with the exception of the Florida game, I thought this was the best we played vs a highly ranked team.  Good to see this late in the season.  

AU defeated BAMA in straight sets with score margins of 11-5-7.  It was a fun match to watch, not just because of the AU win, but both teams showed great hustle and effort.  Very good crowd.  Barrett continued to do excellent at her setter position.  Morton had 19 digs.  Bodies were all over the floor for the entire match. 

We play #9 Arkansas Friday @ 3pm.  They defeated us soundly in 3 sets earlier this year.  Selection Sunday this weekend.

1 hour ago, TD1 said:

When I saw the box score this morning, I found it odd that our 2 leading scorers played a combined total of 24 minutes. I'm sure that played a part in the loss. 

Scott got into foul trouble early in Q1 and I don't believe played any more in 1st half. Also in the first 15 minutes we had something like 9 or so trips down court without scoring a single point.  I tuned again briefly in the second half and thought the announcer said something about Scott-Grayson apparently going back through the tunnel?  Injury?  Maybe someone else can confirm.   

13 hours ago, tigeraddikt said:

Wow the women’s game is so hard to watch sometimes. Such a relatively high rate of poor, sloppy play and unforced errors.

I have tried to be a fan of the women's game but sometimes (excuse the expression) they just look like a bunch of girls.  Too much "helter-skelter" Simply no comparison to the men's game.  Obviously, some to the top women's teams are fun to watch but AU is not anywhere near that category.  The fact that there is not a competing men's game (at AU anyway) in Gymnastics, Softball and Volleyball is a factor in the popularity of those sports.