Tim Walton is building a heckuva 2025 team. Canady would be foolish not to want to come be a part of UF 2025 and 2026. Mia Williams? After batting +-.160, the handwriting is on the wall for next season. Anybody here not believe CTW isn't serious about winning a few national championships? Welcome to the SEC Oklahoma and Texas. You sure lit a fire under Tim Walton.
Cahalan, Williams, Holtorf, plus freshman Comia will compete for SS, while one of them or Alyssa Hovermale could played 2nd. Meanwhile, Kowalweski, Hovermale, Reagan Walsh and freshman Layla Lamar are options at 3rd. I would think Ariel has 3rd pretty well locked, but it's Hovermale's natural position so if she or freshman Layla Lamar come at strong on the plate, one of them could take over third and Ariel is versatile enough to move to 2nd or even possibly SS. Competition will be fierce and I don't expect that the starting lineup on opening day will be the same one that starts SEC play.
She went to the same HS as Jocey (SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR HS), Tim probably had input from Jocey on this take.
SS can play any position, a lot of flexibility for the Gators. Alot of competition..Iron sharpening Iron here, this is some of the best depth we will have ever had on the softball team.
In my mid 20's, a long time ago, I was asked to coach my 12 yo brother's Gra-Y basketball team. So many kids showed up for tryouts, and most were really good players, that I convinced the school PTA to sponsor two teams. So, I can relate to what CTW is experiencing. I'll repeat it again. The 2025 Gators SB season can't get here soon enough. Go Gators!
Yeah I was privately thinking then wrote the thought down lol. Agree with the big picture through competition. Cannot see Ariel beaten at 3B. Jmo
We're going to play three shortstops at the same time. Revolutionize the game, really exploit market inefficiencies. It's the new Moneyball.
20 early standouts from the American Collegiate League - Softball America Mia is in this article but I don't have a subscription to read. She ahd done well in the ACL league apparently. Putting in the work.
Any insight on the mclellan injury? Some of those shoulder/elbow things can be tricky rehab....she could be behind in fall ball competition depending on the recovery. She could be one that transfers out or if the rehab is holding her back then perhaps she is content with sitting. I would think hovermale is heavily considering the portal. Perhaps Mia but I don't think it would be this year, the family connection too strong and she is probably confident enough that she can hold her own against the freshman. Fall ball will probably be the eye opener as it was for one or two last year.
Both Cassidy and Mia are in a tough bind with what has happened. Cahalan and Holtorf are not coming in to sit on the bench. Taylor Shumaker or Townsen Thomas are going to play right field. Probably Taylor and have to find a way to get Townsen into the game. Hard on both Mia and Cassidy but Tim is doing things I never expected him to do. I haven't counted but we probably have 20 studs on the roster. There aren't enough places for 20 players no matter how hard you try.
Plenty want to if it is better for their long term career and playing time. Does everyone want to play full time immediately? Sure. But sitting out and developing is a better path for some.