Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Recruiting update. As posted, Kennedy Bradley has committed. She was on my list. She is from the Dallas area. 5A State Champ. Hit 20 home runs this year in high school. Also as posted above, Caroline Stanton is the #1 rated pitching recruit...a pitcher from Buford, GA and on my list. Mentioned above that she had an official visit this past weekend but she doesn't confirm that on her twitter. McLaine Hudson, from my list and who I have posted about several times did have an official visit this past weekend and she happily posted about it. Tim has dropped another three from my list leaving only 5 left from the original 25. Dropped Katie King who plays for the Thunderbolts and has not announced but I am betting on Auburn. He dropped from my list Anabella Abdullah who plays for the Texas Bombers and has committed to Texas. He dropped from my list Madelyn Doty, a two way pitcher from Illinois who has also committed to Texas.

 

Liv Miller!

 

Surprisingly, other than the two I mentioned above going to Texas, none of the other 18 Tim has dropped have announced a commitment. No way to know which of them may have told him they aren't coming and who he may have lost interest in because of who he has gotten so far and who he might know is coming up. Also, I noted that Kennedy Bradley is following quite a few of those 18. Probably due to travel connections but it just struck me as something I didn't expect.

 

Caroline Stanton is a gigantic, monumental get. Right out from under UGA's nose. This class has already significantly exceeded any of my expectations. Tim is on fire.

 

Now, let's reel in McLaine Hudson and I'll lose my mind, again.

 

Kelsie Donaldson within minutes congratulated Caroline. Kelsie is on my list. A two-way left handed pitcher from Missouri who has camped with us. Plays for Top Gun - Sciarra.

 

With what is happening, I think now that he dropped a bunch of kids because he knew what he was going to be getting and there isn't going to be room. I don't think he's done.

 

Y’all, getting Stanton is beyond huge! She’s an absolute stud. Big time pitcher and hitter. I’ve coached against her in school ball up here in GA and she is simply dominant. Multiple no-hitters, approximately 2/3 of outs recorded are Ks and she hits bombs! Some have rated her the #1 recruit in the C/O ‘26.

 

This has got to be coach Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro first major recruiting contribution to this team. Her record of pitcher development had to play a role.

 

Katie King to Arky

 

I have little doubt that having SVB played a role. However, I read somewhere that one of Stanton’s current, or maybe past, pitching coaches is Rothrock’s mom. That connection is what gave me hope that we had a chance to get her.

 

I used to think Tim wouldn't retire until he sees the '23 and '24 class through their careers. Now I'm not sure he is ever going to want to retire.

 

A kid by the name of Brooklyn Gidley is still active on my list and is a Texas Bomber as was Townsen and now Caroline. Brooklyn is a middle infielder but also lives in College Station so somebody is going to have a melt down if she doesn't pick A&M.

 

Kirsti looks like she could still cover all of the outfield.

 

Man, how many times in those two WCWS runs did Merritt save us with some ridiculous play in center or Medina by starting some slick double play at the bag?

 

Katie Medina had as good a glove as anybody who has ever played short at UF. She didn't get many ABs but she was always penciled into the lineup.

 

Katie was an excellent bunter.

 

Ella Kate Smith is still active on my list and it looks like she had an official last weekend as she mentioned it was great to meet McLaine Hudson. Ella is from Katy, Texas and is another two-way player. I'm thinking Hudson comes down to UF or staying at home in Kentucky with UK. We are pounding the heck out of Texas and that puts us head on head with Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, Okie State and probably LSU.