[d4cohn]

This year it's been our pitching that has particularly stood out in nonconference play; I think the answer to the question of to what extent our starters can carry over into conference play the ability to more or less  dominate and therefore go deep into games will be key in determining the measure  of success this team will enjoy in Pac-12 play.

+1. I think, based on how Maddy has performed against teams like San Diego State and Fresno State, that she will continue to deliver quality starts (5-6 innings, 3 earned runs or less) against at least the bottom half of the Pac (ASU, Cal, Oregon State, Utah). UA, Oregon, Washington and UCLA look terrifyingly good, and have made even some of the best pitchers in the country look ordinary. As such, it is tough to expect consistent results for any pitcher against such potent lineups.

For Kiana, I think she also can be very solid against the ASU's, Cal's, Oregon State's and Utah's of the Pac. She has already proved that she can pitch at an extremely high level against the best competition with that complete game 1-hitter against UDub last year. However, I worry if we don't have any rotation depth behind Maddy and Kiana, that the walks will start to appear if she gets tired (which happened against Michigan State in our most recent loss).

[d4cohn]

This year it's been our pitching that has particularly stood out in nonconference play; I think the answer to the question of to what extent our starters can carry over into conference play the ability to more or less  dominate and therefore go deep into games will be key in determining the measure  of success this team will enjoy in Pac-12 play.

+1. I think, based on how Maddy has performed against teams like San Diego State and Fresno State, that she will continue to deliver quality starts (5-6 innings, 3 earned runs or less) against at least the bottom half of the Pac (ASU, Cal, Oregon State, Utah). UA, Oregon, Washington and UCLA look terrifyingly good, and have made even some of the best pitchers in the country look ordinary. As such, it is tough to expect consistent results for any pitcher against such potent lineups.

For Kiana, I think she also can be very solid against the ASU's, Cal's, Oregon State's and Utah's of the Pac. She has already proved that she can pitch at an extremely high level against the best competition with that complete game 1-hitter against UDub last year. However, I worry if we don't have any rotation depth behind Maddy and Kiana, that the walks will start to appear if she gets tired (which happened against Michigan State in our most recent loss).