Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

I watched it the entire game via the ESPN app on my ROKU box. I did have to go to search and type in Florida Gator softball to find the game, as it wasn't listed under SEC+, nor under @ESPN. Once the LSU/Bama game finished it was on the regular SEC Network, but that was halfway through the game.

 

I didn't hear Coach Walton's comments, but here's my take: Since in softball the runner can't leave the bag until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, the positioning of the SS & 2B is important to base stealing. Normally one or the other plays intentionally closer to the bag if they anticipate a steal or to try to prevent the base runner from even trying because sometimes it's a race to the bag between the base runner and SS/2B. The SS & 2B, also, will signal each other before each pitch as to who will cover the bag if a steal is tried and they watch to see who covers most often. On some teams, the SS or 2B isn't that quick to the bag or not paying as much attention as others, making it easier to go for it. Overall, the coaches are trying to guess or anticipate how the defense is handling a steal attempt and then decide if the risk is worth it. There's, also, the consideration of how good the catcher is. Not many people tried to run on Aubree Munro because she could throw accurately from her knees.

 

#4 UF softball lost a 1-0 pitcher's duel to Mississippi State Sunday afternoon, dropping their record to 22-2, 11 in the SEC. Rubber game Monday at 7 pm on the SEC Network. Annie Willis was great for the Bulldogs, holding the Gators to 5 hits and 2 walks with 9 K's. Natalie Lugo and Marissa Mesiemore pitched well for Florida, with Lugo giving up all 5 Bulldog hits in 5 innings, with 2 walks, a hit batter and only 1 K. Miss. St. got their run in the 2nd on a 1-out single, a stolen base, a sac. fly that moved the runner to 3rd and then a single. The Gators had 2 base running errors at third base that cost them a run in 2 separate innings. Pinch runner Mia Buffano tripped rounding 3rd on a triple by Cheyenne Lindsay and was tagged out in a rundown and later in the game Katie Kistler stole 3rd base, but failed to react and score when the catcher threw the ball into left field and was left stranded.

The Gators came into the game with one of the most prolific offenses in the country - batting average, runs scored, stolen bases and - and it was the first time they've been held to less than 3 runs so far this year. Let's see how they respond tomorrow.

 

Totally agree. That Miss. St. pitcher was excellent yesterday and had our freshmen hitters, especially, off balance. It's a big learning curve moving into the quality competition that is the SEC, not only from a pitching standpoint, but the defenses we'll face and the better offenses they'll face game in and game out.

 

UF softball took the series from Mississippi State Monday night 3-0 behind a complete game 4 hitter from Elizabeth Hightower, who walked only 1 and struck out 3. It was scoreless in the top of the 6th when left fielder Katie Kistler threw out a Bulldog runner at home trying to score from 2nd on a 2-out single. Kendra Falby led off the bottom of the inning with an inside the park home run. Hannah Adams walked and Skylar Wallace followed with a 2-run HR to give the Gators their margin of victory. UF next plays Stetson Wednesday night, then travels to Texas A&M for a weekend series. Gators are now 23-2.

Observations - Hightower has to control her screwball, have a decent curve working and mix it up with a developing change up to be effective against good hitters. She did that tonight against the Bulldogs. Freshman star Reagan Walsh has struggled at the plate as DH since being removed from SS due to so many errors. She's a talent, but struggling right now. Charla Echols has been very good, but not hitting like her All American ability yet. Avery Goelz is good at 1st, but has a really hard time hitting top pitching. Wlikie or Roe needs to step up and take control of the catcher position. Both are good defensively, but both are struggling at the plate. Katie Kistler has been the huge surprise, both in the outfield and at the plate.

 

I am looking at the Gators softball schedule on floridagators.com. It shows tomorrow's game at Stetson at 6pm on ESPN+. I also have Stetson's softball schedule up on gohatters.com and it shows the game with UF as well at 6 pm on Wednesday, but with no TV or video designated. I, also, just pulled up the WatchESPN app and it is showing the Wednesday game, UF at Stetson, at 6pm on ESPN+. We play them again of 3/23 in Gainesville and that game is on SEC+. Stetson is not good; 10-17 against a pretty weak schedule.

 

This link might explain it better. Basically, UF's strength of schedule right now is #87, Duke's is #41.
Massey Ratings - College Softball : NCAA D1 Ratings

 

Yep - Gainesville weather looks fine the rest of the day, but DeLand is showing 25% - 80% chance of rain from about 2 pm - 10 pm. Not a lot of rain, but might be enough to postpone or cancel the game.