LSU left a lot on base as well with their 17 hits. Only meant to say that Tim Walton certainly has the knowledge, experience and past success to show that he can and has lead the team. The question is does he still want to lead? Is he still hungry for success in the game? It doesn’t show in the teams play, as anyone watching over the last several years can attest. Lots of change needed and we will see if Tim wants to lead that change or be a part of the change.
If Gators get swept by LSU, It will be the first time since 2002 they did not have a winning SEC conference record. I would have bet a lot of money earlier in the season that could not happen.
Walton and his staff are ‘on the clock’ now. It’s either get this thing going again next season or it will soon be time for them to get going. He will get next season if he wants it. But he’s going to have to show some ‘want’ for things to go beyond that. Winning a natty or even two shouldn’t buy you a ‘forever’ pass. And this O hasn’t been much now in a seeming forever. Time for Change for the O.
Look at my post for the last 3 years about Aric and his "hitting". I give everyone a one year pass but as a former player, it does not take a genius to figure out Aric is a nice guy but a poor hitting coach. As a medium size business owner I can tell after 6 months if someone can make it or not. That is why I NEVER hire friends relatives or aquantinaces. If you need to fire someone it makes it very hard to do so. If Tim is a true leader and not Dan Mullen 2.0 it is his time to say good luck elsewhere Aric. If not, then what we have seen the last 3 years of pitiful SEC hitting offense will be with us next year or until Scott makes the change.
And unless TW hits the transfer portal hard, next year's team won't look much different than this year. We're losing Lugo, Adams, Mesiemore and Lindsey and bringing in 2 signees, a pitcher from California who is rated something like the #65 high school player in her state and the #4 rated prospect in the nation, Kaila Pollard, who can play anywhere and supposedly is a great hitter. Hopefully, we get injured Baylee Goddard back and Cali Decker will be a factor at some point, but the lineup and pitching staff will look very much the same barring a big time transfer or two.
Be patient. We have the top 3 prospects coming in 2024. Go to Max Preps, look at the top two teams in the nation for girls softball. The pitchers for both of those teams are ranked 1 and 2 in the nation ( they are Gator commits). Next year may be a struggle, but the future is bright.
Not if we do not get a hitting coach and pitching coach who can develop talent. That is where our problems lie.
Gator softball got excellent pitching from freshman Lexie Delbrey and their bats came alive in beating LSU 6-1, improving to 37-13, 12-11 in the SEC, guaranteeing that they won't finish with a losing conference record. Rubber game and the Gators' final SEC game is Sunday at Noon on ESPN2. Delbrey had a no-hitter through 6 innings, walking 3 and hitting 1, getting 2 excellent defensive plays from LF Katie Kistler and one from 2B Skylar Wallace to keep the Tigers hitless. But when she gave up a leadoff HR in the bottom of the 7th, CTW relieved her with Rylee Trlicek, who gave up 1 hit while recording the final 3 outs. On offense Cheyenne Lindsey hit a solo HR in the 1st inning, getting Florida off to a good start. LSU made 4 errors, while the Gators had 12 hits and could have easily scored more runs, as they had 2 base running mistakes that cost them, plus they stranded 8 runners. Wallace went 2-4 with 2 RBI, Lindsey was 2-4 and Kistler was 3-4 with 2 RBI to pace the Gator attack. Avery Goelz even got a hit, her first hit in her last 12 games, I believe. While the softball team has been struggling of late, today shows how good they can be when they get quality pitching and solid at bats up and down the lineup.
What is your take on why the Gators only scored 1 run when Wallace hit one off the wall with bases loaded and no outs?
The runner on 2nd was slow and hesitated to make sure the ball wasn't going to be caught. Their center fielder is great, threw a rope to home plate and would have nailed our runner easily. Walton did the right thing holding her up.
I think the team has a possibility of being better next year. Four freshman started today all of which could turn out to be excellent softball players.
Possibly, yes. But how many players from last year's team have played better this year? Katie Kistler made a huge jump. Hannah Adams has been her steady self, as has Cheyenne Lindsey, but they'll both be gone. Echols and Wilkie have taken a step back in production from last year, Longley still can't hit a lick, Goelz has her average up some, but can't hit SEC pitching. And on the pitching side, Lugo and Hightower are not nearly as effective as they were last year. It seems as if with Walton's 2 assistant coaches, player development has not been very consistent. But we shall see.
Hightower simply isn't healthy. Echols has not been great, but she is an elite player. Kistler has been very good. The 4 freshman are all very high quality players. Add our best power hitter back and healthy. Pollard replaces Adams. Looks like a great lineup to me. Would like to add a veteran arm to the staff
Decker needs to be kept in his lineup even if or when Adams comes back. This whole freshman class needs to be.
We know she was out for a while with issues, I've heard she is basically toughing it out and doing what she can
