Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

In a shocker, the Lady Dukes- Lamar beat the Batbusters in the Atlanta tournament. I think the championship game but it might have been semifinal. Anyway, I haven't watched it yet but, if the box score is correct, Taylor Shumaker did not play and I have no idea why (it is the Batbusters...might have been her turn to hit the bench). But to answer the other issue, Keagan apparently did not pitch but she played and went 2-3 with a run scored and four rbis so she might well have gone yard. Anyway, doesn't seem like she is injured.

 

Seems like as solid an analysis as any at this point but there is a lot of water left to flow over the dam before it is all decided.

 

Hate to say it, but Baylee could be odd woman out. But yeah, definitely a traffic jam looking to get into the lineup. It's a nice problem to have for a change. Hopefully they'll all be in on the five-peat the Gators are about to embark on. lol OU-WHO?

 

So. we have 3 of the 2022 Player of the year watch list on the team next season.
Erickson, brown, and Rothrock.

 

Can't see Walton moving Wallace out of the SS position in her final year.

 

Uh, oh. I don't like this. Taylor played in the first of three the Batbusters played today. But only one ab....a hit and four rbis so a grand slam? Anyway, only 1 ab in that game and did not play in the next two if the box scores are accurate. If she's hurt.....we probably won't find out until the Alliance Championships in OKC at the end of the month. I don't think the Batbusters play again before that. If no Taylor in OKC then I'm really going to start to worry.

 

I think I'd rather see Mia at third and you can flip either Lefty and Skylar at second/ss. Or you could put Lefty on third with Mia at short and Skylar at second. Or you could.......uh.....this could go on and on....

 

I think we need an intervention here.

 

Nice to dream all these lineups but without additional pitching, it’s the same only nightmare.

 

OK. This is all I can figure at this point. Taylor had a full day and very successful day yesterday after my joking the day before was her worst. In the last game of the day she went 2-4 with a run scored and a rbi so no indication she was hurt. I need to watch it. Today, in the first game, she did not start or play in the field. She never played, per box scores, the next two games. Now....to the first game of the day where she did not start. She pinch hit in the top of the 7th with the bases loaded and two outs and the Batbusters down 3-2 and facing elimination. Taylor hit a grand slam to win the game and this is why she is the next Skylar Wallace. I watched her closely in the entire ab and saw nothing until after she fouled off a pitch before the grand slam. She appeared (and I might just be searching for something) to gingerly move around a little as if her back hurt. She then went yard (edit: that stilted movement getting into the box is not her normal movement...should have started the clip just seconds before after the foul ball):

 

BTW...even if she's hurt, fences mean nothing to her....that ball went deep into the trees behind the fence. This kid is super, super, special and I will breathe well again in November when her signature is on a NLI.

 

I've watched Alyssa for several years and while I am a devoted fan....I think at this point she might have trouble being the everyday starter right off the bat given the other options. In most other situations, of course, she would just move in. And, none of this means much of anything....there is so far to go and so much that will have to shake out.

 

Skylar will play where Skylar wants to play. If they disgruntle her, that will be a big mistake.

 

You are right, she is moving gingerly.

 

I think there's gonna be a lot of competition for spot and everyone's gonna have their chances.

 

Hopefully some rest will do her good.