(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

They should have let him go so she could transfer and enjoy her final season.

 

She's played 2nd some this year so I wonder if she may work her way to the infield at ss or maybe 1st whenever Brown isn't there.

 

Katie Kistler has from the time she arrived at UF as a stick figure slapper to a senior player who has blossomed into a star player. She plays terrific defense, but the real improvement is the strength she has now, especially her lower body. The way she addresses the ball is impressive. She can hit homeruns, hit for average, and is hitting line drives with power. She has gone from an easy out as a freshman to a major contributor. I'm not sure who UF has had in the past who improved this much from freshman season to senior season. I hope whomever UF has coming for 2025 can match her senior production numbers. Katie will definitely be missed.

 

So they blew off the 2024 season solely to keep Penta. While she is an excellent pitcher and one we would gladly have, she is 8-5 this year because she's on a terrible team. What did her loyalty to Dean get for her? This was clearly a program in trouble the last year or two. Best players fleeing for other schools in droves. Remember when McCondichie left the program she even gave up softball saying the program destroyed her and that Auburn just uses and abuses players and really doesn't give a damn about them personally. Or words to that effect. She was a modestly competent second baseman who started a lot. Dean benched her on Senior Day.

 

Layla Lamar has to figure in somewhere as well. Lot of great options....have to assume Mia at SS. Hovermale is the one that I'm not sure where she ends up

 

Good point. I knew there was someone I was forgetting that could challenge for a spot in right field and it was Cassidy. Would open up some doors if she could move to the infield.

 

Layla is an infielder which doesn't rule out a shift to the outfield but I think Taylor or Townsen would have the upper hand in that situation.

 

Layla will almost certainly stay in the infield, question becomes where. You have Walsh, AK, Mia, Lamar, Ava, Hovermale, and Barnard. We do need a backup catcher, not sure how that factors in.
And we aren't even considering if a portal addition might come into play

 

It's going to be a high level of competition. It is already, but only going to make us that much better.

 

Resembles Hannah Adams development imo. She wasn't an offensive threat really until her junior year. She started out better than Kister but the progression for both is similar. I belive you can throw her in with DeWitt too. Started out as more of a speedy threat then turned into an overall hitter.

 

I love Katie’s demeanor and work ethic. Given the chance in to play in 2022, she took full advantage of it. I think Katie might be Skylar’s roommate. A little bit of Skylar has rubbed off on her. She is a major contributor and my favorite Gator!

 

She’s an OF, but Kendra has another year. Kendra may move to LF, Towsen maybe to CF, Kendra maybe to RF…but I like McClellan in RF as well. SS. Is the position I’m curious about. Comia plays SS and Layla plays 2B. Never no, maybe a stud transfer at SS comes along. Will be Interesante

 

Don’t forget, we still have Korbe one more year after this.

 

Amanda did a great job. It was interesting to get both Keagan’s and Ava’s perspective of their freshman season.

 

I am not trying to be rude or argumentative, but if you think a freshman is going to come in and supplant Kendra in CF, I got some oceanfront property in Arizona.