Talking about player relationships is more interesting than watching them try and hit. This team is just woeful offensively.
Gator softball lost their opener to Arkansas, getting run-ruled in 6 innings 9-1. This was the first time Florida has lost to Arkansas since 2007 - 30 straight games. And from the way tonight went, the Razorbacks clearly look like the better team. The game was a scoreless pitching duel after 4 innings between Elizabeth Hightower (12-3) and Chenise Delce (12-2). But in the top of the 5th the wheels came off for the Gators. Sam Roe made an error on a spinning grounder to open the inning, then Hightower made a throwing error to 1st on a comebacker to the mound. The next batter got an RBI single, followed by a steal and a walk to load the bases. A 3-run double followed, then another RBI single off relief pitcher Haley Pittman. In the top of the 6th Pittman gave up a walk, single and walk to load the bases, then she walked in the 6th run. Sam Roe made another error at 2nd, allowing 2 more runs to score and another single scored the 4th run of the inning. The Gators only run came in the bottom of the 6th when Skylar Wallace singled, stole 2nd and was knocked home by a single from Kendra Falby. Florida committed 4 errors on the night. Hightower went 4.1 innings, giving up 5 unearned runs on 3 hits, 5 walks, 2 wild pitches and 7 K's. Pittman went 1.2 innings and gave up 4 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits and 3 walks. Florida only got 4 hits and 2 walks for the game and they were totally outplayed in all phases of the game. For Florida to beat a team as complete as Arkansas, their pitchers can't give up free passes (8 walks tonight), they have to play clean on defense and they have to be more productive at the plate. They failed in all areas tonight. Hopefully they can turn it around Saturday and Lexie Delbrey or Natalie Lugo needs to give them a good start in the circle. And we need to try someone else at 2nd base.
As if the stranglehold Oklahoma currently has on the sport wasn’t already enough, there’s news that Barry Switzer is starting an NIL fund that will include up to 50k paid to Oklahoma softball players a year. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see a coach like Walton, who’s lifeblood has been recruiting and building relationships with players, retire in the next few years. NIL is going to ruin all sports unless it is properly governed.
Well, the Gator softball team had their chances today, but dropped the 2nd game of the series with Arkansas 5-4. They're now 35-11, 11-9 in the SEC. Natalie Lugo only went 2.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and a walk with 2 K's. Rylee Trlicek threw 4 innings and got the loss, but she really pitched well, although she gave up the winning run in the top of the 6th. The Gator defense made some great plays throughout to keep more runs off the board, but the Florida offense just couldn't do enough to pull it out. Arkansas outhit the Gators 11-6. After Arky took a 1-0 lead in the top if the 1st, Cheyenne Lindsey got a 2-out, 2-run triple in the bottom of the inning and then scoring on a throwing error to put UF up 3-1. The Razorback took the lead in the top of the 3rd by scoring 3 runs off Lugo before Trlicek put out the fire. The Gators tied it in the bottom of the inning on a sac. fly from Charla Echols, but had an opportunity to score more. Wallace and Falby had 2 hits each, Lindsey had her triple and Katie Kistler got a 1 out single in the bottom of the 7th. But for the most part this lineup is pretty average and even anemic at times against SEC pitching. 3 of today's starters are hitting under .200 in SEC games and we only have 3 players hitting above .300 in league play and one of them, Sam Roe, did not get on the field today. This is still a high RPI team, but seems middle of the pack by SEC standards, at least to me.
Wallace is the only clutch hitter we have. Our record in the SEC would be below .500 without her. With Adams injury we have no choice but to put in players that can't hit.
I know Sam Roe had a bad game last night, especially in the field, but she's 1 of only 3 Gators hitting above .300 against SEC pitching. Seems like she should have been in the lineup somewhere, either behind the plate or at DH. Wilkie can't hit a lick and Walsh's numbers are sinking like a battleship. Wallace is great, no doubt.
Like baseball, there's only 11.7 scholarships to spread among the players. Most of them are on academic scholarship. Wilkie was highly touted coming in and was actually pretty decent last year as a true freshman backing up Cottrill behind the plate and DH'ing some. Longley was all state 1st team her junior and senior years of high school at a high level south Florida program that makes deep playoff runs every season and was a SE USA All- American her senior year. Again, fairly highly touted player. Florida doesn't sign chumps. Some make it some don't, but of late there seem to have been more & more who don't improve once they get on campus.
Its actually 12 scholarships in softball, to nit-pick, but only 18 on rosters I believe(pre covid, no idea atm) Big difference than 11.7/35 in baseball IMO
aTm was 3-12 coming in , won first 2.lol Probably locked up postseason if was in doubt. Hogs running away w/it, which someone predicted..
That is very true. College baseball teams carry a much bigger roster than softball because of all the pitchers required. It's so unfair to college baseball coaches that they have so few scholarship to work with - 11.7 to be divided among a maximum of 27 players on a 35 player roster, with those getting a scholarship being required to receive at least a 25% ride.
More an issue for some than others, but yeah. The unevenness of it all has always been my biggest gripe. A lot of mids operate well under 11.7
Bittersweet to see Hannah Adams in uniform today and an announced starter -- probably the last time we will ever see her in a Gator uniform. The last catch of her career wearing the uniform was a ceremonial first pitch from her mother.
I have reconciled to the fact Gators are not going to host a super regional. However, if they can avoid OK, UCLA, Arky, & FSU & AL in supers, they have a legitimate shot in making CWS. If they are seeded 13th or worse their chances are slim. I still have hope.
For all the highly ranked classes that have been brought in consistently, something needs to give in the evaluation process of our recruiting staff. To many highly ranked players not developing/panning out. The league has caught up with and passed the program. This next class MUST produce a major difference in on field product or the verdict will be in on recruiting evaluations.
