Shumaker has been in a slump as well. Walsh too. You don't sit them when you know what they're capable of.
IMHO, I think it’s obvious, as CTW as stated, Taylor has fantastic swing mechanics, and this was evident all through the early season. SEC pitching has found the weakness to exploit, and has been a common theme with other batters on this team over the years. If your end game is to see an abundance of pitches (aka making the pitcher work) you’re going to be seeing your best pitch or two early in the count. What follows once a couple strikes are posted, is attempts at gaining the off the plate (OTP) call for strike three. Seems like we’ve watched this with Taylor quite a bit; two strike count, and then takes a marginal OTP pitch for third strike. I would take some pressure off her batting by backing her up in the line-up and giving her the green light to swing early if a fat pitch is thrown.
In the last 15 games, Taylor has 12 hits, 10 walks, 15 rbis, 5 doubles and a home run. She has also been robbed multiple times including a 3 run home run that was over the fence. If that's what people are calling a slump, I'll take that every day for every freshman we ever get to campus. She is a victim of outlandish expectations.
Taylor is having an excellent freshman season. There's no way she could maintain the all-world numbers she was putting up in the beginning of the season. The Gators problems start with piss poor defense, pitching that has not performed up to expectations and, except for Falby, upper classwomen who are having seasons that are below the standards they have set for themselves. It's a team game and this team, with all it's talent and pre-season hype, is underperforming pure and simple.
she needs to be moved down from the 3 hole to the 5 hole. Too much pressure even in the 3 hole for her right now.
Taylor will be fine. Walton made small changes in line up during ole miss series that were critical. Maybe he needs to make adjustments as game is going on. Same with pitching..make the change quick enough.
I'd like a straight answer to a question I've asked repeatedly: Do you think that if you asked Walton or any of the players whether they've played to their max potential this season, or if they think they've got room to improve, what would they say? Too many posters on here interpret any criticism of the team as a personal attack.
I said a couple days ago how productive she had been in her last 15 games. Now, let's look at your underperforming in Taylor's last four games. 7 hits, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, and 10 rbis. You criticized Jocey's throw that had Vandagraff dead except for Gabi dropping it. You just consistently throw out nonsensical spitballs. I don't know what games you watch but they aren't the same games I watch.
I guess not, because I see a very good team made up of great players who haven't reached their ceiling yet and have struggled at times. You see perfection, to the point that any criticism is evidence of mental illness. You can rest easy, though, as yours is the official perspective and in no danger of being allowed to be challenged.
