(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Honestly you don't think Barnhill pitching helped any of those stats. Too often you look at fielding and while that is a huge part of it some of the pitching is notably weaker making fielding a completely different animal. There's was also a lot of balls off skylars glove last year..notably so the FSU game where there were at least 2 that were called hits not errors. Same thing happened to Holtrof this weekend I saw on tv..the ball was in her glove and came out and was marked a hit. It can work both ways from ehat I've seen. Although I will definitely agree that Ariel was a better 3rd baseman I think Kenleigh is doing good.

 

Coach has them squeeze up the middle and that was ss and 2b and then he has them closer to bags for some hitters. I saw that a ton last year. That means pitching is missing their spots. I can't stand when they do this and it takes a routine play straight out of their reach. Happens a lot this year too, I'll watch them look at wristband and move and the hit gets smoked in the 5-6 hole while they are squeezed up the middle. Thats pitch calling and missing spots not bad fielding.

 

It’s all perfect IF the pitch hits it spot. I think our pitching has a limitless ceiling but they are so young and perhaps that’s too much to think about. Just pitch and play defense, let elite athletes be elite, maybe overthink things less.

 

We all love Barnhill but she’s like ancient now lol, who brought her up?

 

I think it's challenge to our pitchers to continue to try and be elite and hit spots.

 

It's a fair point. Often you see that low era and high fielding percentage together because of the fact the pitchers take a lot of the plays out fo the game or induce a lot of weal contact. I personally think there's further the season goes it'll tighten up. Also have to remember it's a whole new infield playing together aside from Williams and Erickson. Those things take time. Falby and Holtorf have struggle a little with communication early on. I feel like it'll gel.

 

I agree, I really which they would quit playing to the pitch. Pitches are going to miss. He did squeeze them up the middle against GCU and mia made a great play but then had to dive going back towards 1st for another great play but that tells me the pitchers are not hitting their spots. Lots of balls right past ss in Duke game also. I agree with the overthinking and I definitely think spots are not being hit. I'm sure that umpire for Duke game didn't help things either!

They were talking about defense being better and named some of the years Barnhill was here. Was defense better or was Barnhill here?lol. People need to remember who's pitching when they talk about bad defense. Defense definitely needs to improve but if you watch our mif he has them squeeze up the middle or cover the hole and spots are completely being missed. Happend the whole game against Duke and GCU.

 

They all came to UF to be great and CTW Is pushing them hard to get there. I’m just a softy saying ease up lol. I trust our coach, he knows how hard and how far to push better than I. Everything will gel, it’s going to be a great journey and I’m going to enjoy it! Go Gators!

 

Batters aren’t on time every pitch either. So they could be expecting a right handed batter to pull the ball. And if she is late then they are out of position. It isn’t always the pitchers fault. Outside pitches get pulled also. Some pitches are executed perfect and the batter hits it. Some times the batter wins. If the pitcher won every at bat, every game would be 0-0 and would be very boring lol.

 

Looking for tickets for two seats to the Texas series 15-17 March. Anyone unable to attend and willing to part with them?

 

Mia is one of the most confusing players to me, but man, I like that kid. She either crushes the ball so hard that everyone's jaws are hanging open, or she swings 12 inches under a high and outside ball she KNOWS a pitcher is trying to get her to chase. She either makes some ridiculously athletic defensive play, or she drops the ball (pun intended...ha) on something that should be routine. If she can just settle in and trust the parts of her that let her do the really big things to keep her consistent in the little things, she is going to excel.

 

I told someone the other day she would fit in on the baseball team.....extra base hit or K/weak pop up. I think she will follow that Cags model of improving her plate discipline as her career develops, maintain the power numbers but also take what the pitcher gives you.

 

Certainly liking some of the boys’ approaches thus far this year. We’ve seen it before where they quickly fall back into their old habits though. Fortunately for this group, it appears some of them naturally just want to put the ball in play.

 

Katelynn Oxley looked good tonight. She gave up 1 hit (a swinging bunt) walked just 1 (the first batter who faced her) and struck out 9. It was a great outing for her KSP debut. Gators won 8 - 0 over FGCU in run rule fashion. Taylor had a 3 run HR and Jocey had a 2 run HR to help Red get her first KSP win.

 

Agree, a great game for Red. Looked very confident out there.

Shumaker's HR was an absolute bomb. She's got 36 RBI already. Unreal.

 

Absolutely.....I probably should have said previous baseball teams. Shelton has been much improved, and guys like Jones/Nadeau/Boser/Cyr seem to break from that all or nothing rut we've seen last few seasons.

 

I don't know jack about pitching (other than Blue is *always* wrong), but kinda got a Barnhill vibe tonight. Seemed like Red had three different levels and a wicked rise ball. Was I just imagining the ghost of Barnhill?

But boy Red looked like the real deal, at least to my untrained eye. I'm kinda loving the idea of Red and Rothrock taking the bulk of the innings, with a little AB relieving when needed to shake things up

 

Yep. I posted in the other thread she has the effectively wild thing going that Barnhill did. Especially her freshmen year, which got her into trouble some but there was a lot of good still. Oxley definetley has a lot of good movement.

 

Red was throwing smoke last night, up and down the zone.

Florida Gators Softball on Instagram: "First career start at home ✅ One-hitter game ✅ 9 strikeouts...most by a Gator pitcher this season ✅"