[Cred]

I also have no idea why Montana Dixon is not starting at catcher. She had a clutch two run home-run in the seventh inning to cut the lead to one, and she was hitting .265 on the season with a .363 on-base percentage prior to the home-run. She is also a former Top 40 recruit as part of this talented freshman class.

Unfortunately, the junior who has been starting over Montana allowed 2 stolen bases, committed a throwing error that helped lead to the first run of the game for UCLA, and is hitting less than .200.

It took a little digging, but I now have an answer for the now former puzzler that you introduced above: Hanson's general willingness to sacrifice offense in favor of tighter defense is why MD is not starting at catcher. Big picture: MD has thrown out 5 of 27 (including 1 of 8 in Pac-12 play) on attempted steals this year versus 6 of 14 overall (including 3 of 8, Pac-12) for AP. (Incidentally, that's 4 Stanford opponents caught stealing in 16 attempts for Pac-12 play, presenting rather a stark contrast to zero-strategy Stanford's 0 runners caught stealing in ZERO attempts, Pac-12.) Same continuing theme at the 2B position--offense (.121 b/avg, Pac-12) sacrificed in favor of strong individual defensive play--as well as earlier when a couple of sub-.100 (in Pac-12 play) hitters succeeded each other with starts in LF.

Of note, however, yesterday's two steals by the Bruins were nos. 3 & 4 of a string of four consecutive stolen off of AP since she last nailed a would-be thief. Translation: Offense Sacrificed For Nothing more or less has been the principle employed at this position for games 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of Pac-12 play.

Of further note is that the team roster lists MD's position as "Catcher/Infielder". I wonder if her background includes any 3rd base experience. If Cowles continues to struggle at that position perhaps she (Cowles) will be returned to the outfield or, alternatively, assigned the DP role, with MD getting a tryout at 3rd. Could be an experimental option worth exploring even if the experience is not there.

BTW, still haven't a clue regarding the question of why Hanson started a player mired in a 5-for-45 slump at "clean up" (yielding quite predictable results, unfortunately, and quite possibly contributing to the loss of the tight game featuring that blunder) once upon a time last year. The game was Stanford's 28th consecutive (of 33, ultimately) in which the then badly slumping player had at least two plate appearances, despite the fact that she began (and ended) the game sporting a sub-.200 batting average for the year. Go figure.

 

[Cred]

I also have no idea why Montana Dixon is not starting at catcher. She had a clutch two run home-run in the seventh inning to cut the lead to one, and she was hitting .265 on the season with a .363 on-base percentage prior to the home-run. She is also a former Top 40 recruit as part of this talented freshman class.

Unfortunately, the junior who has been starting over Montana allowed 2 stolen bases, committed a throwing error that helped lead to the first run of the game for UCLA, and is hitting less than .200.

It took a little digging, but I now have an answer for the now former puzzler that you introduced above: Hanson's general willingness to sacrifice offense in favor of tighter defense is why MD is not starting at catcher. Big picture: MD has thrown out 5 of 27 (including 1 of 8 in Pac-12 play) on attempted steals this year versus 6 of 14 overall (including 3 of 8, Pac-12) for AP. (Incidentally, that's 4 Stanford opponents caught stealing in 16 attempts for Pac-12 play, presenting rather a stark contrast to zero-strategy Stanford's 0 runners caught stealing in ZERO attempts, Pac-12.) Same continuing theme at the 2B position--offense (.121 b/avg, Pac-12) sacrificed in favor of strong individual defensive play--as well as earlier when a couple of sub-.100 (in Pac-12 play) hitters succeeded each other with starts in LF.

Of note, however, yesterday's two steals by the Bruins were nos. 3 & 4 of a string of four consecutive stolen off of AP since she last nailed a would-be thief. Translation: Offense Sacrificed For Nothing more or less has been the principle employed at this position for games 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of Pac-12 play.

Of further note is that the team roster lists MD's position as "Catcher/Infielder". I wonder if her background includes any 3rd base experience. If Cowles continues to struggle at that position perhaps she (Cowles) will be returned to the outfield or, alternatively, assigned the DP role, with MD getting a tryout at 3rd. Could be an experimental option worth exploring even if the experience is not there.

BTW, still haven't a clue regarding the question of why Hanson started a player mired in a 5-for-45 slump at "clean up" (yielding quite predictable results, unfortunately, and quite possibly contributing to the loss of the tight game featuring that blunder) once upon a time last year. The game was Stanford's 28th consecutive (of 33, ultimately) in which the then badly slumping player had at least two plate appearances, despite the fact that she began (and ended) the game sporting a sub-.200 batting average for the year. Go figure.