Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Errors alone don’t tell the whole story. Skylar got charged for errors on balls nobody else was making a play on. Mia is still getting ate up by grounders hit right in her bread basket. I’m rooting for her, but she’s definitely got some things to clean up and I have a feeling she would tell you so herself.

A rangy ss will almost always lead a solid defensive team in errors, especially if 1st has a hard time picking em out of the dirt.

 

We can agree to disagree ...one was 18 and one was 24 yrs old and go watch the game against FSU last year at FSU i felt just the opposite..skylar would get hits and mia got errors on the same ball hit to them . Stats don't lie and bottom line is an error is an error. She never cost us a game and the only games we lost last year she wasn't playing in or got taking out early due to streaky hitting. I feel the whole infield has stuff to clean up but again they did great last year and ss does not look comparable this year to last but hopefully that gets better. Skylar is not replaceable!

 

Is it possible to throw a nastier pitch than this: Florida Gators Softball on Instagram: "Red was RED HOT in the circle this weekend #GoGators"

 

Now don't shoot the messenger....just the facts. Skylar had 8 errors in 222 chances or roughly an error every 28 chances. Mia had 10 in 178 chances or roughly an error every 17 chances. And shortstop is a heck of a lot harder to play than second base.

 

I watched a lot more than one game. Stats may not lie, but they also rarely tell the whole story.

 

In addition to errors, there are many plays that hurt us that don’t show up in stats. Playing out of position and not being able to get to the ball, fielding the ball but slowness unable to complete double play, fielding the ball but throwing to wrong base allowing runner(s) to advance, failure to call off or heeding a call off causing a dropped fly balll, being late to cover a base or or backup and probably many others the coaching staff evaluates. I’ve noticed some players seem to make even routine plays an adventure.

 

Btw welcome to the board ocalakathy! I have high hopes for Mia! I love an underdog story. With her unbelievable talent it’s funny in a way to consider her an underdog but she’s had to overcome a brutal injury that I’m thankful I didn’t see live. She definitely has got to clean up the defense and be more consistent at the plate but no doubt in my mind she has all the ingredients to be a superstar. No questioning her character and toughness imo. I root hard for all our young ladies but especially hard for the ones that have faced exceptional challenges on and off the field. Go Mia! Go Gators! I’m so excited for this season I’m losing my mind! Why oh why can’t it be February already? I thought time was supposed to fly when you get older lol.

 

All true but we aren’t even through fall ball yet. Way too early to have a clear idea about how things are going to pan out. Two things I do know is I trust CTW and I got 2014 vibes for this upcoming season!

 

You people talk about this team as though it might be the best Florida softball team ever....and it might be. Love all the positive posts. Go Gators.

 

Lots of coaches would disagree. Bunt coverage is essential and typically your 1st baseman doesn't have the coverage a 3rd baseman has so 2nd is an extremely difficult position. My husband coached softball for 10 yrs and his fastest kuds were at 2nd . Again your not convince me at 18 and 24 there should be any comparisons. Both good players in their own rights. Mia was a freshman and from my understanding went under the knife again after the season . She had a horrific injury and plays very well. She's had a great start to the season and I try to stay positive. She was a huge asset to their SEC championship and was clutch in the Baylor game and your comparisons to a 6th year player wont convince me otherwise. Go Gators!

 

I totally agree. I trust in CTW and it's waaay too early for negativity. I'm beyond excited for Red. Watching her was a treat!!!

 

Yes definitely needs improvement but was a freshman playing out of her natural position of ss. I played for years and it's tougher than most think esp. coming off her type of injury. I advocate for the girls a lot and left a forum due to the negativity of a bunch of "fans" who more than likely never came close to playing at a college of this level. Keyboard know it alls..internet is plagued by them. Love the way these girls have started and they look stronger to me than last year. Very excited for the season.

 

Who is trying to convince you otherwise?

 

Donaldson just committed to NC State.

 

Delaney Gourley says hello.

 

OK. I'm really not trying to get on your case although it may seem like that. I played a ton of shortstop and a ton of second base including some in the college level. Yes, there are a couple situations that call for the second baseman to make a play that the shortstop doesn't have to make. I've been there and done it and shortstop requires a different talent and has many more difficult plays to make than second. As for Mia's horrific injury....just scroll back a couple pages at most and read my post about that. I saw it live and it still makes me want to almost vomit. But, and it is an absolute miracle as I thought at the time her career was over, she does not show any sign that injury has limited her now. Not with her speed or mobility. She actually has pretty good speed for her build. She flat busted her butt to go through excruciating rehab to recover from that and she has my unlimited respect. I've watched Mia play since she was playing short in 14U for Tennessee Mojo with Keagan. IMO, and anyone can disagree with that, Mia will not ever play short at UF.

 

Well, yeah. Or you could throw in Ocasio's incredible drop that was unhittable when it was on. But....as a freshman facing the third or fourth batter in her collegiate life?

 

Interesting. And surprising. I really thought either Texas or Washington. Is our former pitching coach still there? This strikes me as the second, although I can't remember the name of the first, pitcher that went there that seemingly didn't make a lot of sense. Tim still followed her up to this point but my gut feeling was there wasn't really an all-out interest, especially once Caroline was in the bank.