71Sooner wrote: ↑Thu Mar 24, 2022 12:37 pm
On Bahl’s error on throw attempting to get the runner at 2nd base, the color commentator on the broadcast, usually a former player, stated that usually the SS takes the throw and this time it was the 2nd baseman. This would create a different visual for Bahl. The throw was to SS side of 2nd base. Don’t know how much of a factor this was but thought it was an interesting comment.
I was thinking about this very thing yesterday as I drove to Wichita Falls and back to visit my granddaughter who is in the Air Force training. I am very proud of her and we had a great visit.
What I remembered was that Jennings was leaning out from 2B towards the SS position to catch the throw. Lyons was 'watching' from the left of the play. I agree that in most situations, with no one out, that the 1B and 3B would be charging to cover the bunt with Jennings covering 1st and Lyons covering 2B. During the play either the P or the C would cover 3B. This play was messed up earlier in the year at Mary Nutter (if I remember right) when no one covered 3rd.
From what we see, Snow must have been at 1B with Johns charging. If that was the case, Lyons should have been moving to 3B especially when she saw that Bahl fielded the bunt. I agree that Bahl looks like she was leading Lyons to the bag at second base but you could not see Lyons in the frame of the camera. After the throw got to J Coleman in CF, you see Lyons moving towards 3B.
I think with a LH slapper at the plate, I am guessing that the Sooners were covering the bunt with just Johns and Bahl and keeping Snow back. I think what goes with that coverage is that Lyons was positioned for the slap towards the hole between SS and 3B. So Lyons could not get to the bag at second before Kowalik who is very fast. I believe that Bahl just made a bad throw to Jennings as she tried to make a quick throw to get Kowalik. A good throw would have gotten Kowalik. So I think the coverage was probably sound and even correct, with a good throw.
