Spending time in the football forums has gotten me nothing except trouble. Diamond sports, especially softball is the place I belong. These young ladies are going to accomplish amazing things!
Hopefully I can see a few games live with my little angel. I know seeing the big girls for real will blow her mind!
I agree with you Ocalaman. I would be stunned if Cahalan starts at 3rd over AK. In the one practice game I was able to attend Walton had everyone leave the field and then he spent about five minutes hitting grounders to AK at third. He cheated down the line a bit towards third base and then hit some extremely hard ground balls at her including short hoppers. She ate them up like a vacuum cleaner and removed the ball from her glove so quickly it was very impressive! I could understand Cahalan replacing AK at third when AK catches but mark me as being very surprised if AK doesn't start at third. The article even alludes that Cahalan has struggled at the plate somewhat in the fall.
I analyzed the 3B position for the 19 years CTW has been here (2020 COVID year excluded).AK ranks very well: BA .308 is 7th, OPS .973 is 6th, errors 3 is tied for 2nd and fielding percentage of .978 is 3rd. Overall I personally would rank her performance as 7th best year behind Charla Echols, 2021-2024, Nichole Dewitt, 2018, and Stephanie Toft, 2013-14. There may be some debate as I chose her over Sami Fagan who had a higher BA, .370 but lower OPS .970, 5 Errors, and .966 fielding percentage. I think she did a great job last year and would guess she has the inside track for 3B. If she improves she will be in elite territory. That said, statistics don’t tell the whole story. I see CTW and his assistants in the dugout recording information about fielding, pitching and batting that give a better picture of performance. For example, did the fielder set up properly and react quickly enough to a bunt or hit to avoid a base hit. The same for a double play. Did she throw to the proper base. Run-down and base coverage mistakes are among the many missed plays that don’t show up as errors. While on the subject of analytics, I’m sure there are coaching mistakes that are reviewed as well. For example, it seemed to me there were quite a few times Skyler seemed out of position with left handed batters hitting on the SS side of second. Perhaps the members of the forum who have coached or are more experienced could elaborate on what is done with all the analytics.
Third base is AK’s position for sure. She stepped up right away last year when given the opportunity and performed; not only in the field, but at the plate. It’ll be hard to remove her from the lineup.
So here’s my starting spring lineup and batting order after exiting fall ball. CF- Kendra Falby RF-Taylor Shumaker LF-Korbe Otis C—Jocey Erickson DH Reagan Walsh 2B-Mia Williams 1B-Ava Brown 3B-Ariel Kowalewski SS-Rylee Holtorf Going to be interesting this year as Coach Walton has many moving parts and as much depth as I can recall,ie, Kenleigh Cahalan on the bench? Cassidy McClellan? And then the pitching staff coached up by Stephanie VBP…Keagan, Ava, Red, Liv, Kara. More depth than CTW has had in many years. Plus the addition of Francesca to the coaching staff is a perfect link to the culture and success of Gator softball past and present. This team has natty potential and can boom the Sooners!
Francesca is the spoon that stirs the winning culture. Hers was the voice from the dugout that encouraged and willed the team to believe last year.
I agree with every single thing in this post Mr. Sandman! Just hope we don't get bitten by the injury bug.
However, we have some of the best raw talent to step in. But I agree with you both that this lineup is very good and if it stays injury free can boom the Sooners and coral the “Horns”.
Last year I think Coach Walton did one of his best coaching jobs ever, as they overachieved by finishing 2nd in the SEC and making it to the WCWS behind, basically, 2 freshman pitchers, relying heavily on Keagan Rotchrock, who was not so far removed from major leg surgeries and a subsequent infection. This year his challenge will be living up to the high expectations and incorporating all of the talent on this team so that all the players are engaged in a way that maintains team unity while still winning games. Plus, I'm excited to see how much impact our new pitching coach will have on the staff. My hunch is that it will be significant.
Don't throw Cahalan out with the bath water quite just yet. She was 2nd team all SEC last year. I've got to think she will see tons of playing time. I find it unusual for a starter from Alabama to transfer to Florida her junior year to sit on the bench.
Will we see Ava start more this year? Could AK be her catcher? On days Ava starts, Jocey plays first, AK catches, Cahalan plays 3rd?
Since both young ladies are excellent defensively, it will come down to whoever is hotter at the plate. Expect Cahalan to be in a rotation at SS as well and it will shake out by the time the conference schedule rolls around.
Same here Scrappy. Thanks to you, Sandy and Notex for giving me the lowdown on the Volleyball team. So much more exciting watching in person!
Gonna ask even though it's unlikely if anyone knows thay can say anything....I'm hearing smiley has gotten the boot and will not be doing any field work for softball per CTW request...any insights? Doesn't really mean much in the scheme of things but thought as long as he has been here it must be serious.
I'd be interested in knowing also. Smiley announced his retirement a couple of years ago. He was given a fitting tribute at KSP before one of the games and he told me that many of the players gave him special things. With his wife's health in serious decline, he later said he needed the health care and paycheck, so he rescinded his retirement and came back last year. That said, I haven't seen him around this year but have no idea whether it was voluntary or forced. I'd be interested if anyone knows the back story. The new politically correct term is "turf grass specialist."
