Other than pitching, this could be the most talented team TW has put on the field in years possibly ever. They are sure fun to watch and talk about.
These are definitely first world problems with our somewhat embarrassment of offensive riches compared to other years. I'm hoping that Longly and Wilkie can keep the HR form when we get into better pitching (I happen to have Em's first HR ball). But assuming they struggle when we get into better pitching, could the flex rule help us out? I'm not sure I totally understand the rule, but when Gigante is pitching (arguably a better hitter than either), could we have her in the lineup to hit and flex the catcher position?
You're making me cry. I got hooked on UF Softball after watching Delanie Gourley and Kellie Barnhill so the Natty was before my time. Dang, I wish I had been around for that. You are definitely lucky to have been a fan then. Yup, I saw scappygator call her that earlier in the thread and he's the man, I thought I'd call her that also.
Basically the season comes down to pitching. If they improve the team will be a typical Walton team success wise. If they don’t they could be one of the more mediocre (by his standards) teams he has had.
She was the best Heck I remember the Chelsey Sakizzie/ Beth Dieter pitching duo.....Beth now LSU head coach Beth Torino
I started watching college softball in the early 90's, I think, when ESPN started showing the WCWS before the Gators were championship caliber, before Tim Walton. Like biggator, I remember the Stacey Nelson days, too. That first National Championship series in 2009 where we lost to Danielle Laurie and Washington after losing only 3 games during the regular season, then not losing a game in the post season until dropping 2 straight to the Huskies in the finals. We finished 63-5 that year. I remember 2008 when we only had 2 losses during the regular season and then had to take 2 of 3 from UCF just to host the Super Regionals, where we swept Cal-Berkeley, only to get to the WCWS and lose our first game to Louisiana-Lafayette 3-2 in 8 innings. We came back from the loser's bracket and beat Virginia Tech, UCLA and Texas A&M, only to lose the next night to Texas A&M for the right to go to the championship series 1-0 in 9 innings. Finished 70-5, with 3 of the losses in the post season, and didn't even make the finals. Stacey Nelson went 47-5 that year, then went 41-5 in 2009.
Yeah I hopped on the train during the Stacey Nelson years, which was mainly because that’s when it started being televised more regularly. Stacey is still a big fan, she turns up in OKC many years and was there when we won the title. Francesca lives in Orlando I think, she does the broadcasts from time to time.
I was thinking today who is the best Gator female softball player ever. I think I would vote for Amanda Lorenz. Her Florida career BA was just north of 400 and an OBP of around 500.
Carter's Corner: Two Walton Wins on Special Day for Gators Softball Coach - Florida Gators I would vote for Lauren Haeger. Florida's Babe Ruth. National POY in 2015. Pitched and hit. Is the only player in the history of college softball to hit 70 home runs and win 70 games as a pitcher. Her career stats, from 2012-2016 in the circle: 73 wins, 12 losses, 261 games pitched, 257 starts, 52 complete games, 23 shutouts, 5 saves, 573.1 innings pitched, 418 hits, 162 runs, 140 ER, 169 BB, 531 K's, 1.71 ERA. On the hitting side, 745 at bats, 162 runs, 243 hits, .326 BA, 260 RBI, 71 HR, 38 2b, 175 walks, 120 K's, 12-16 stolen bases. The most complete player in UF history and maybe in college softball history, IMO.
I started watching during the Stacy Nelson years. She was special. We were almost a 2 pitcher staff in those days. Seems to me that we were negatively impacted when the NCAA tightened up or tweaked the HBP rule. We seemed to get a lot of base runners crowding the plate and “inviting” getting plunked. Also think we miss our pitching coach who jumped ship and went to Oklahoma. Hope this doesn’t sound like a negative post. I think Tim Walton is a very good coach and has assembled his best offensive team yet at UF. Go Gators.
Not that anybody gives a **** but I see where two of our turncoats, oops I mean transfers are having pretty good seasons. Cottrill has the highest batting average 432 at A&M and Decker is third at San Diego St batting 369.
Decker is hitting fourth in the lineup, I think, and is hitting .340 as I type this but in 18 games has only one home run and only 8 rbis. Cottrill hasn't played at A&M the last three or four games. Don't know why. She might be hurt or there could be other issues with her....as there were at UF and Okie State.
