Chelsea Goodacre is a complete player this days, and completely effective, too.
The sophomore from Temecula Valley High, who saw action as a designated player in the latter stages of the 2012 season, is now the everyday catcher for the Arizona softball team, and is thriving both offensively and defensively.
After the Wildcats’ appearance in the recent Judi Garman Classic at Cal State Fullerton, Goodacre leads the team in batting average (.418), home runs (10) and RBIs (32). That’s after a 2-for-22 start, meaning she’s batting .544 (31 for 57) since.
“I think it was all mental,” Goodacre said during a conversation in Fullerton, referring to her slow start. “My approach has changed, and I feel a lot more confident at the plate, and my confidence just keeps growing.”
That’s also true behind the plate, where she’s been given the responsibility of calling pitches — something that wasn’t the case when she split time at catcher last year, and is by no means common in Division I softball.
“I like it,” she said, “because it’s really being into the game. I feel like I can talk to my pitcher more. I’m just more in tune to the entire game.”
Celebrated Arizona coach Mike Candrea — whose resume includes eight national titles and stints as coach of the U.S. Olympic team in 2004 and 2008 — says it’s been “a long time” since he let a catcher call a game.
“But we feel that we’re almost doing an injustice when you have a kid that plays for four years and never calls a game,” he said. “You might as well put a backstop back there.
“She’s an intelligent kid. I think she can take the information and be able to decipher it and use it. And as long as she’s doing a good job of calling pitches, then it’s great for us, because we don’t have to worry about disguising our signs.”
There is plenty of information to work with. Assistant coach Alicia Hollowell meets with Goodacre and the Wildcat pitcher before and after each defensive half-inning,
“We’re talking about the hitters on the other team,” Goodacre said. “What did they do the last time they were up to bat? What can we get them on? And then after the inning, we talk about, ‘OK,oakley sunglasses outlet, where was that pitch,louis vuitton purses? What did you throw?’”
On top of that, Goodacre has been learning how best to work with Arizona’s three pitchers, Shelby Babcock, Nancy Bowling and Estela Pinon,douuo.com/gucci.
“I kind of remind them what they need to focus on,” Goodacre said. “If they need a pat on the back, I’m there for them. If they need a real kick in the butt, I’m there to be the one for it,gucci outlet online.
“The beginning of the season, I was learning how they needed to be talked to, and I think I’m beginning to get the hang of it now,air jordon.”
Meanwhile,http://www.foceng.com/toryburch.html/, she continues to pound the ball, going 7 for 13 with two home runs in Fullerton. She believes her work behind the plate has something to do with that.
“I know what kind of strike zone my umpire has, what he’s working with,” she said. “And I’m always in the game, thinking every single pitch. Whereas a designated hitter,Louis Vuitton bags, they’re in the dugout, just hanging out for a while. … I think it’s just so much easier to play both sides.”
Candrea said Goodacre has “matured a lot.”
“She definitely has a better understanding of where she needs to be, emotionally and mentally,” said the coach,louis vuitton purses, “to play the game at this level. And she’s a good player.
“But I think her at-bats are so much better. She’s got a better plan. She’s learning how to play the game at a higher level, and I think that’s a key.”
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