Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Wow. A shocker. Batbusters got beat in the second game yesterday. I'm assuming it was the semifinal. More surprising, they lost 6-2 in four innings to Spark Elite Ross-Stewart. I don't know why only four innings -perhaps a time limit. Anyway, our 2025 commitment, Kylie Shaw, plays for Spark and hits leadoff. Spark had lost earlier in a bracket game 1-0 to Batbusters Black. In the two games Shaw went 0-5 with 1 walk and 2 strike outs. Spark must have a really good pitcher but she couldn't beat Taylor who took her yard for her third homer in three days. For the two games yesterday Taylor went 3-4 with 3 runs scored, 1 rbi, 1 double and a home run. For the season through 23 games she is 36-50 (.720) with 34 runs scored, 15 rbis, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, 10 walks, and 2 strike outs. All three of her home runs were solo shots and hitting leadoff will mean her rbi numbers will never be what they could be and would be if she was hitting 3rd or 4th. Here's her dinger yesterday. Camera shaking as very windy. You will note they played at Oklahoma's old stadium.

 

Like last Fall, as Ariel did for 3B, she competed for and earned a position in last year’s lineup. CTW and staff have job to do. They need to coach these ladies up and see where things fall out. Other than CF, LF, C and staff Ace, all positions are up for grabs. Ariel should have one, she just needs to show where she wants to play. The rest have to demonstrate to CTW and staff that they want and have earned a position in this lineup.

 

The battle for SS is probably already over with our transfer. A proven hitter and fielder in the SEC as opposed to unproven Freshman is an easy choice. Our embarrassment of riches is beginning to look like OU.

 

Cahalan is going to have to step up to earn that starting spot. She has had some really good moments at Bama but she has also struggled at times on defense. I think Walton will be able to pull the best out of her. This team is primed.

 

Fall ball is going to be a ball!

 

Here's another 2026 that have interest from both Tim and Francesca. Corey Goguts (what a name!). From Alabama Hewitt-Trussville South high school. State 7A champs. Lefty outfielder and 1B. Plays for Thunderbolts Premier 2026 Thompson. Her high school numbers:

 

Corey at the plate:

 

And another with interest from Tim and Francesca and she tags them with every post. Avery Killian, a catcher from Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans. Plays for LA Voodo Gold 16U. Has camped with us. USA Softball 15U Top Performer last year at their camp. Here's a video of her at our camp hitting the fence and throwing out a runner at second:

 

Goguts is a far, far better name than Titsworth. And if she becomes a great hitter for UF, I can even learn to like it.

 

Well, I don't know....I've always had a thing for.....uh, nevermind.

 

Best softball name is pitcher Madi Balk from FSU, which is only slightly better than Madi Illegalpitch.

 

If you look at the flags, the wind is blowing hard from left to right. She had to hit it extra to get over the fence.

 

Yep. I noticed the same thing. Just prior to the video the wind was blowing much harder....flags were straight out and the camera was really shaking. She had to drive it through the wind and her launch angle on that one was higher than her usual smoking line drives.

 

Should I think a young female Jac C?!!

 

Nope. Cags has that long lefty swing and goes for the fences. Taylor is much more a line drive gap hitter with a short, compact swing. As I said before, reminds me of Amanda's and Jocey's swing. Just like those two, however, she has the power for her gap liners to just keep going.

 

Wade Boggs

 

OT-This is over the Cancer Center entrance on the south side of Archer.
Sorry for the picture, but to take a good one, I would have had to stand in the middle of Archer at rush hour, which I was unwilling to do.

Shands is the only Olympic-endorsed hospital in Florida.

 

On the face that's great, but I'm confused. Why is Shands an Olympic endorsed hospital? Please explain.

 

I love it when former opponents move on and you can see them in a light never seen before. Rylie West played for Tennessee and, as such, was just an opponent I didn't care about. She just gave an interview on Athletes Unlimited during the second game. What a lovely, interesting, extremely well-spoken and wonderful woman. I had no clue before that.

 

No clue.