“Not Peaking Yet” as Talons Show They Are Built to Win It All
Still Climbing, Still Winning
Coming off of last night’s 3-2 win over the Blaze, the Talons, who improved to 17-4, will need just one more win to lock up the number one seed for Tuscaloosa.
Back in Rosemont, I asked Head Coach Howard Dobson if this team was peaking or still progressing towards more, and he assured me that they were not peaking yet.
That was a week and a half ago, and since then the Talons have just kept winning. Actually, they’ve won 12 out of 13 games, only loss coming in a 9-1 run-rule loss to the Bandits on July 12th.
Talons continue to win with strength. Strength in the batter’s box and even more so, strength in the circle.
I believe it’s fair to say the Talons have the better pitching staff heading into next weekend. With only needing to win two in a three-game set, it will be interesting to see which directions they go with the pitching game and how they are used.
As Georgina Corrick spoke on her pitch sequencing working like a game of chess, Dobson has the ability to work his rotation and innings pitched that way.
With Montana Fouts back in the fold, and the solid rise of Raelin Chaffin, it’s a daunting task for opposing hitters to come across enough hits and runs to get wins against this team. Also, don’t forget Megan Faraimo and Mariah Lopez.
This staff is stacked full of talent and potential.
Look at last night, the Talons only scored three offensively, but just gave up two with six hits. That was across a four-person combined effort.
Don’t discount that because it was against the Blaze. Yes, they’ve had their struggles this season, but the Blaze actually have the second most hits behind the Bandits this season. They’ve just had some runners-left-on trouble, and pitching concerns.
Defense Makes the Difference
Along with great pitching often comes great defense behind them. The Talons lead the league in putouts (427), assists (137), the least amount of errors (12), least amount of stolen bases against them (12), with 18 caught stealing. Talons’ fielding percentage is a league-leading .979. Solid all the way around.
Sharlize Palacios has been as solid as they come behind the dish. She is second in the league in putouts (85), has a .980 fielding percentage, and has thrown out seven attempting to steal.
While pitchers often get the glory for limiting opponents’ offensive efforts, there is a great defense around them to thank as well.
Tough at Bats, Timely Results
Then there’s the offense. That’s where the Bandits have the edge. Numbers don’t lie. They lead in just about every offensive category there is.
The Talons do have Maya Brady back now, and she’s shown to be in great form already. In 11 plate appearances, she’s come across seven hits with a home run, three RBIs, three runs scored, and three walks. It’s great that she’s back and playing at a high level.
I would be totally negligent if I didn’t give Jadelyn Allchin her recognition. She held it down all season in the green and gold, and probably was their best hitter. Now back in the reserve pool, I can imagine that someone is already looking to take her for next season.
If I were one of the expansion teams, or even a current team that needs to improve the roster, she would be one of my first calls.
Where the Talons have won at-bats this season is just being able to stay in the box. Doesn’t matter if it takes 13 pitches, they press opposing pitchers to come correct. Caroline Jacobsen may be the best in this aspect that I’ve seen.
Jacobsen is slashing .397/.465/.603 with two home runs, 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored, with five doubles and a triple. A big reason for these numbers is her ability to make pitchers work.
Talons Built the Right Way
Talons are solid. They may not have the video game numbers of the Bandits, but they don’t have to. Hannah Flippen, Sierra Sacco, Tori Vidales, and Ali Aguilar are a few more names you can throw out there as well. This team’s mixture of both veteran and young stars, is as cohesive as you could ask for.
The lineup is solid, and so is the complete makeup of this team.
Follow along with Fastpitch Wire, as we continue to bring you firsthand coverage of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
