Second Game 4 innings, Gators 3-1. Brooke and Reagan each had doubles. Mackenzie allowed the run. Olivia killed the JU rally and pitched two quick innings.
Starting Lineup in the 1st Game: P---Ava Brown C---Jocey Erickson 1B-Avery Goelz 2B-Mia Williams 3B-Ariel Kowalewski BTW her last name is Cow a loose key LF-Korbe Otis CF-KF RF-Katie Kistler DP-Reagan Walsh 2nd Game: P--Mackenzie Wooten-1 2/3 Olivia Miller-2 2/3 C--Emily Wilkie Ariel Kowalewski 1B-Ava Brown 2B-Reagan Walsh 3B-Brooke Barnard Lou Hovermale SS-Skylar Wallace Kaila Pollard LF-Korbe Otis CF-Kendra Falby Katie Kistler RF- Cassidy McLellan DH-? I could have missed some, but this is my best recollection. One final note: Jocey Erickson has a gun behind the plate. She picked a runner off 2B, and threw out one stealing. This is the best-throwing catcher in a good while.
Obviously you can't tell too much from playing Jacksonville, but.... I was impressed with Jocelyn Erickson at catcher. Picked off one runner by a mile trying to steal second and picked of one runner who was on second and didn't go back to the bag very quickly after a pitch. Had one runner steal, but that was on a pitch down in the dirt that she had trouble picking up but it was still close. Throws from her knees and gets the ball out quick. Like Ava Brown. While "E" was one of my favorites last year for many reasons, a great number of her pitches did not require the batter to make any decision at all because they bounced in front of the plate or were otherwise clearly not a strike. Brown seemed to have great control, nibbling the edges, with very few "no decision needed" pitches. She did plunk two batters, but they had it coming (just kidding). Seems like our #1 pitcher, but maybe that is obvious from her history (which I know nothing about) Mackenzie Wooten: do we have a pitching coach? If she gets to a point where she can contribute, credit to our pitching coach. She comes from a good program, maybe she just needs to be coached up. Overall -- I've long been a charter member of the Sunshine Pumper's Club, but it sure seems like our glass is way more than half full. There were several obvious holes in the lineup last year (not throwing anyone under the bus) but this year looks like potent offense from top to bottom and additional speed beyond Falby. If we can avoid the dreaded "I" word (like what happened to volleyball), this could be a great season. Anyone else at the game with insight?
Didn’t we just have a rumor that Ava Brown was injured and going to miss the season? Clearly that rumor was not true. Yes, it is concerning that Keagan Rothrock doesn’t appear to be pitching this fall, but we need more information. She was participating in the between innings jog to the fence and stretch with the rest of the team. I’m going to take that as a good sign. On Jocelyn Erickson, while I don’t recall if she had a hit today, it just sounds different when she barrels up a ball. She’s got pop in her bat for sure. I hope to see her and Skylar put up 15 plus bombs. On Mia Williams, what stood out to me was her athleticism. And she didn’t even do anything terribly athletic today. When she was jogging back to the dugout after an AB, it was like she was just gliding. Might just be me, but I thought she stood out athletically. Overall, with the exception of pitching, this team has a good bit of depth on it that we haven’t seen in a while. Should make for some good competition. Also, Francesca Enea was the first base coach and I am fully behind that decision. I have high hopes for her coaching career.
https://x.com/_TimWalton/status/1713907066853552341?s=20 USA Softball @USASoftball The is back. are back. LA28 and the IOC confirm the addition of softball and baseball for the @LA28 Olympic Games: http://go.usasoftball.com/48WTGRq @WBSC | @USASoftballWNT
Are the all orange uniforms with the Gator logo on the chest a new look? Can't remember seeing them before.