Clemson, SC
Coach Rittman met with members of the media to discuss his thoughts on the team’s performance in today’s scrimmage. His comments and demeanor after the scrimmage should leave Tiger fans excited and hopeful for the upcoming season. For a coach as tenured as Rittman, his level of enthusiasm for this team and their potential seems as high as ever coming into the 2023 season.
Coach Rittman expects defensive improvement in all areas, which has been one of the few weaknesses of the Tigers in recent years. The graduate transfer additions of Abby Miklesh, Caroline Jacobsen, and Reedy Davenport along with another year of experience for those already on the roster will serve to shore up any defensive lapses. It will be interesting to see the Game 1 lineup and how Coach Rittman adjusts this throughout the season.
Tiger fans know how talented the pitching staff is, especially the starting two pitchers Valerie Cagle and Millie Thompson. Will someone rise up and separate themselves to become a consistent third option or will it be a mixture of Reagan Spencer, Brooke McCubbin, and Rachel Gibson? However this situation plays out on the field the team finds itself with a strong rotation of talented arms to choose from.
Two players Coach Rittman was most excited to talk about were Morgan Johnson and Aby Vieira. Rittman says that Johnson is fully healthy after two major injuries so far in her collegiate career. According to Rittman, #42 is hungry and ready to contribute this season. Aby Vieira grew as the season went on after finding her way into the lineup as a true freshman last season. Rittman believes that Vieira has improved greatly behind the plate and is a consistent hitter.
After wrapping up the Orange and Purple scrimmage today the Tigers set their focus on their first competitive action, heading to Miami to play in the FIU Tournament facing FIU, Georgia State, and Kansas City.
Photo by Ken Ruinard/USA Today
