(SB) LSU @ UF - Official Game Thread - Sat. 4/6 - 6 pm ESPN

Best crowd of the year. By far. Lined up to get in all the way to Museum Drive an hour before the game. Great energy. Hated Blue throughout the game.

Yes and no, imho. I think we were setting an aggressive tone and let's face it, probably "dumb" base running to stretch her single into a double. But since it worked out, no one questions.

From the stands, it looked like Rothrock knew she was beat at 1B and kinda gave up on the play, never thinking that the runner on 2B would try to score and never seeing it because it was behind her. Without replay, its difficult to assess the timing, but is that about right or was she beat all the way at home also? In her defense, none of the other players were yelling "FOUR!"

Looked like a three-run HR. All is forgiven for any aggressive base running earlier.

The "Mayor" sitting in the front row of section 104 had that on the netting as Rothrock's second K of the game. Not sure whether to believe him or you with Internet live stats!

 

That call was the only one the ump gave her all game. I think the batter would have beat out the dribbler. If she fielded it cleanly they might have kept the run off the board. Great win to start the series for the Gators.

 

Texas got the win against Okalhoma! About time I'd say!!

 

Got to watch back-to-back terrific softball games on ESPN.

First, UF beat LSU and looked good in doing so with Rothrock pitching a no hitter until the 6th inning. LSU had hits that were like the balls on the infield had eyes to go where the defense couldn't get them. MSU had a bunch of those last week. At 8-2 in the SEC, the Gators are 1/2 game behind Tennessee. Good on UGALY to beat them for us as we don't play them this season. Keep it up Gators, win on Sunday and sweep on Monday.

Second, Oklahoma at Texas was a terrific game. I didn't want Texas to win going in as I can't stand Texas HC Mike White from his Oregon days, but seeing the sooners and the obnoxious way they act on the field, they know they are the best and they strut like it, I started rooting for Texas. That's why the shorthorns won. The outstanding throw and tag out at home plate in the top of the 7th inning had nothing to do with it.

Note to any Gators close to the team who might read this site, players don't leave your base early. In the bottom of the 6th, Texas had the bases loaded and scored 2 runs on a hit, but both runs were cancelled as the runner on 2nd left early and was called out. The score could have been Texas 4 Oklahoma 1 instead of 2-1 going into the top of the 7th.

 

I think the sanction for a base runner leaving early is too stringent. The runner should have been out and, of course the run scored not count. But don't think the run plated by the runner who was on 3rd should be erased unless there were 2 outs before the play started. Any opinions on that?

 

It is a point of emphasis this season. Patti Gasso said she had to challenge the play which of course she won. All teams now have spotters keeping eyes on runners to make sure they don't leave early before the ball gets out of the pitcher's hand.

Unlike the rule at home plate that was modified this season to allow the catcher to go catch an errant throw, I do not see this rule changing. It is the responsibility of runners to not leave early. If the umpires see it, they will make the call themselves. Now, the umpires have a lot of help. It's part of the overall review process which I think is outstanding.

 

My opinion if a runner leaves early they should be out but the play shouldn't be negated unless it's the 3rd out.