The fielding % is an actual red flag. However it’s a new left side and I have faith that they will gel. I think we all know the value CTW puts on defense. I’ve heard from multiple former players, announcers and yes even the radio guys that CTWs defensive drills are legendary. I also think the pitching will steady improve as Ava finds her groove and Red gets eased back into game shape.
Back to this. Hate saying it but both are great teams however…I honestly believe all the gaudy numbers and streaks OU put up never would have happened if they were in the SEC. If either team wilts (hopefully both lol) I’d bet on it being Texas. Mike White and his Oregon transfers made Texas better but his teams for whatever reasons always seem to collapse when the lights are brightest. FYI I liked Mike White until many here told me not too lol. I find the kiwi accent charming, what can I say lol.
Our fielding for the 2024 season was .975. So far this year it's .973. Not much difference. I agree that with Cahalan, Holtorf and Williams having 3 errors each and Otis having 2 in LF, there is definitely room for improvement. Last year for the entire 2024 season Mia had 10 errors, Skylar had 8, Katie Kistler had 5, Otis had 4 and Ariel Kowalewski only had 3. So far at least, AK was a better defender than Cahalan. Just for comparison purposes, for 2023 we fielded at .973, for 2022 .981, 2021 .983, 2019 .986, 2018 .984, 2017 .985, 2016 .984, 2015 .981 and 2014 .978. So the last 3 years have seen our defense being under .980 for the first time since 2014. Need to improve for sure, but I don't consider it a real red flag area - yet.
they really need to follow the men and go to 30 conferance games, eliminate some of the stat building games
Honestly the errors from Korbe and her struggles at the plate surprised me the most. Whatever funk she was in she seems to be coming out of it! Let’s not forget her academic workload as a future cardio thoracic surgeon is mind boggling to a simpleton like me. Mia has made some poor errors but she’s countered with some spectacular defensive plays not to mention her bat has arrived. It’s early, our Lady Gators are doing great! There’s always room for improvement but I’m so excited and absolutely believe this will be a VERY special season.
Yep, Otis did have a several game slump at the plate, but her BA is now up to .429, plus she has 18 walks and is among the nation's leader in OBP at .590. Cahalan is making the adjustment from playing SS or 2b to 3b, where the ball gets on you in a hurry, plus you have to play the bunts and slow rollers. AK had never been a 3rd baseman either before last year, having been primarily a catcher, but she adjusted more quickly then Kenleigh has. Love watching all our Gator softball teams and even listening to them on the streaming broadcasts when not on TV.
It's perfectly obvious to me that the team started the season mostly hot (.375 BA through Stetson game), saw a dip in performance the week of the Bubly Invitational (.355 BA for that weekend), and improved to a scorching pace in Arizona (.444 BA). Not sure why so many are so resistant to that narrative. Had things continued their downward trajectory it would have been worrisome. They've turned it around for now. We'll see what happens this weekend against more poor competition.
When we look at fielding percentage only we don’t get the whole picture. A failure to turn a makable double play, being out of position, fielding a ball cleanly but slow to release, misdeed foul ball anttempts and many other things are just as bad as an error. Last year, there were quite a few missed opportunities between 2b and as. Also for a time just before we got hot, it seemed Skyler was out of position quite often with left hand hitters get hits on the left side of second base. This may not have been her fault. Also remember the botched run down. And so on…
Imo most here are mature and quality, well educated fans in the sport we love most. Healthy, positive debate is what I believe this thread was created for. Not everyone will agree with everything anyone says all the time so don’t sweat the small sh!t.
And Liv needs to get more quality innings.Kara has quality pitches, but her control needs to vastly improve. I like Ava as the No 1 reliever and Red as the No.2 starter.
For me the Kara experiment is over. I want Olivia to get more opportunities. Btw did you really downvote me intentionally or are you cursed with fat fingers as I am?
Totally off topic but…for those without SECN+ when the game is over you’re just left with this sec screen and a funky beat. That funky beat happens to be my three year olds favorite song! He can’t stop dancing and gyrating to it so I just leave it on lol.
Routine is not when a runner is right in front of you as the ball is coming through. But I can see how you could think that.
