(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

ELO up to 7, fwiw.

ELO Chess Ranking - 2024 College Softball | WarrenNolan.com

 

It is definitely goofy, I couldn't agree more.

 

OSU 6
OU-3

maxwell gets the Loss against her former team

 

If the Gators win tomorrow, they’ll move out of the 13 seed. It’s all fluid at this point.

 

Wash, Arky, GA, and of course A&M all lost today which really helps our national seeding.

 

With a win tomorrow, the Gators would clinch second place with the tiebreaker. It would be quite an accomplishment for a team that was picked seventh in the Conference.

 

FSU lost too......good day for UF in the 6th-15th jumble of teams

 

And OU with the loss. They've lost their intimidation factor I think. HmWCWS should be fun this year and I think our gators will be in the thick.

 

We are who we are based on our history and experience. And I like who we are right now.

 

This is wishful thinking, can you imagine what would happen if 1-8 stay the same or a little better and Mia got hot? And if Keagan and Ava started to reach their potential. I know it’s wishful thinking, but that is how the 2014 team did it. I love the mentality of this team. Go Gators!

 

Yes, I can imagine a juggernaut lineup, but I've given up on Mia hitting for average this season. The potential is there, just think she needs an offseason to get it together at the level UF plays. It would be helpful if she provided timely hitting when runners are on base. I'd like to see fewer errors too.

I'm pleasantly surprised by Ariel Kowalewski who moved back above .300 prior to aTm. Her defense has been outstanding lately too.

I think CTW has gotten to both Keagan and Ava on avoiding too many walks and hit batters. Keagan seems to be doing better. It'll be interesting to see how Ava does as the starter today. As relief at FSU, she walked too many and had to be lifted.

Skylar Wallace is getting close to being back after her month-long April slump.

 

The RPI is screwy. UF beat aTm and moved up from 16 to 10 in the Warren Nolan RPI. The NCAA hasn't updated, but both the NCAA and Warren Nolan RPIs had UF at 16 going into the aTm series. Georgia and LSU are grossly over ranked in the RPI.

The factorsports.com hasn't yet updated today. UF was 10 going into the aTm series.

 

Mia's at bats at least have been more on the productive side lately.

 

It may have a minimal impact. But, the Gator Softball pedigree can only help them moving forward. Then add that to them getting hot towards the end of the season, including dramatic wins against UGA, FSU, and TA&M. This Gator team has to be on everyone's radar. Computer metrics are great and good conversation starters. But, people in power, and ESPN $$$, make the final decisions.

PS: It's why FSU didn't get in the 2024 CFP. Which still breaks my heart.

 

I have some useless but interesting information for you people. Do you know what the softball committee "busing rule" is? I didn't until a few minutes ago. Teams within 400-mile radius of regional hosts have to bus to the host city. They are not allowed to fly.

 

Right on Jax. Winning 4 out of five from GA. FSU & A&M is remarkable and they did this with a starting lineup of 8 underclassmen (4 freshman). Talk about a bright future. Speaking of which, who do you people think will be the starting shortstop next year?

 

If we had a deeper pitching rotation would Keagan be batting or is it more related to her surgery from a year ago why she doesn't bat? Looks like she was batting in club last season so I assume she doesn't bat because of the HUGE workload on the mound. Also, for those that watch the club ball, were our pitchers rated higher than Pickens because of the batting in addition to piching? She has another gear I haven't seen many pitchers have in years, scary she is a freshman.

 

Very insightful post Mr. Hound. I do think however Pickens is a sophomore.

 

The KPI updated:

Faktor (faktorsports.com)

UF moved up to 9 = +1
aTm moved down to 11 = -2

We're sitting at 9 KPI and 10 RPI (Warren Nolen) headed into the game this afternoon. Finish strong and we're looking good for a top 8 national seed.

Realistically, the committee will pass over 8 Arkansas in the KPI and 11 RPI when they finish below UF in the SEC and after the piggies split with Ole Miss at home yesterday. No way in hades will LSU and Georgia get top 8 hosting. The poodles lost at Mississippi State yesterday and LSU is .500 SEC and is finishing with a non-SEC patsy.