New softball thread

Sorry to hear that about Kelsey. If she can get back to form we could really use her down the road.
 
It's difficult to tell much about Baylor. They are #14 in the poll, but only #30 in rpi, and that seems more indicative. They haven't exactly played a world-beating schedule. Baylor is 29-9, 15-3 in Waco. They are 5-3 on the road, and 9-3 at neutral sites. But, let's ignore their games against nobody.

#2 Oregon in Waco, Baylor lost 1-4 and won 2-1.
#19 Arizona State in Fullerton, lost 8-2
#4 Michigan in Fullerton, lost 11-1 in 5
#16 Arizona in Fullerton, won 9-1
#9 UCLA in LA, lost 3-2

They swept Tech in Waco, 3-0, 5-0, 6-5 (9)
They took two of three in Waco against OSU, 2-1, 8-7, and losing 0-1.
They just lost two at Louisiana Lafayette,,3-1, 12-2 (5), but Louisiana-Lafayette has lost to a few nondescript teams.

Baylor seems to have good pitching, but very suspect hitting.
 
Back to Kelsey's struggles in the circle. Her first two pitches to the first UT batter yesterday were both very close to the strike zone. In fact, I thought both of them were actually strikes, though the home plate ump didn't see it that way.

When the count reached 2-0, Kelsey appeared to lose her composure. Her next six pitches were balls, and not a one of them came close to the strike zone. Some may think Gasso acted prematurely, but I believe she was smart to bring out the hook when she did. Otherwise, Kelsey would have imploded completely, IMO.

It's obvious at this point that Stevens' struggles are mostly mental. This reminds me of the time in the 1990s (I believe) when Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch (sp?), who was normally a very steady infielder, suddenly started throwing wildly to first base every time he fielded a ground ball.
 
scrybe said:
Back to Kelsey's struggles in the circle. Her first two pitches to the first UT batter yesterday were both very close to the strike zone. In fact, I thought both of them were actually strikes, though the home plate ump didn't see it that way.

When the count reached 2-0, Kelsey appeared to lose her composure. Her next six pitches were balls, and not a one of them came close to the strike zone. Some may think Gasso acted prematurely, but I believe she was smart to bring out the hook when she did. Otherwise, Kelsey would have imploded completely, IMO.

It's obvious at this point that Stevens' struggles are mostly mental. This reminds me of the time in the 1990s (I believe) when Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch (sp?), who was normally a very steady infielder, suddenly started throwing wildly to first base every time he fielded a ground ball.
Click to expand...

Gasso can't take any risks of losing games that might knock OU out of the Top 8 which provides home field in the regionals and supers.

I think Mark Wohlers had the same problem with the Braves. He just suddenly lost it and couldn't throw a strike - there is no physical or mechanical problems. In baseball, they call it the Steve Blass Disease.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Blass
 
It was also funny yesterday, the Texas hitting coach who took the lineup card to the umpire and met with Patti was surprised that Stevens was starting. The fans were fired up after the two walks then Paige came in and it got quiet quick. There was a couple of guys starting it up behind us but all they could say after 3-4 innings was wow she is good. They were there for the doubleheader on Friday.
 
I doubt we see Stevens again unless we have a big lead then we might see her in the last inning.
 
SoonerNorm said:
I doubt we see Stevens again unless we have a big lead then we might see her in the last inning.
Click to expand...

You could be right, Norm. But Coach Gasso stated in an in-game interview with the LN broadcast team that she wants to keep giving Kelsey opportunities to overcome her struggles. It's getter harder to disagree, however, with those who think Kelsey should be shut down for the remainder of the season.
 
scrybe said:
You could be right, Norm. But Coach Gasso stated in an in-game interview with the LN broadcast team that she wants to keep giving Kelsey opportunities to overcome her struggles. It's getter harder to disagree, however, with those who think Kelsey should be shut down for the remainder of the season.
Click to expand...

I think it may have been a mistake the other day to have Stevens start the game. There is always pressure on a starting pitcher, particularly one who has struggled the way Stevens has. You can eliminate some pressure by bringing her in with an 8 run lead with 1 out in the last inning. If Steven could close out the game with no walks, that might give her a bit of confidence and something to build on.
 
scrybe said:
You could be right, Norm. But Coach Gasso stated in an in-game interview with the LN broadcast team that she wants to keep giving Kelsey opportunities to overcome her struggles. It's getter harder to disagree, however, with those who think Kelsey should be shut down for the remainder of the season.
Click to expand...

The problem with the psychology is that giving her a start in a place like Austin might actually increase her struggles mentally. I think North Texas or Norman is a different animal.
 
scrybe said:
Back to Kelsey's struggles in the circle. Her first two pitches to the first UT batter yesterday were both very close to the strike zone. In fact, I thought both of them were actually strikes, though the home plate ump didn't see it that way.

When the count reached 2-0, Kelsey appeared to lose her composure. Her next six pitches were balls, and not a one of them came close to the strike zone. Some may think Gasso acted prematurely, but I believe she was smart to bring out the hook when she did. Otherwise, Kelsey would have imploded completely, IMO.

It's obvious at this point that Stevens' struggles are mostly mental. This reminds me of the time in the 1990s (I believe) when Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch (sp?), who was normally a very steady infielder, suddenly started throwing wildly to first base every time he fielded a ground ball.
Click to expand...

I agree! Also, I think Paige's first pitch crossed exactly the same place as Kelsey's second pitch and they called it a strike.

Kelsey pitched the final inning against Arkie and although I think she gave up a couple of walks to begin the inning, she recovered, and retired the side. Patty said she would continue to give Kelsey opportunities and hopefully, one of these opportunities will just click.

I feel terrible for her as she was a 38 game winner last year and led us to the WCWS last year. We couldn't have made it on offense alone.
 
It doesn't look too good for the Baylor series in Norman, either. Weather.com is projecting rain starting Thursday through the weekend...
 
It seems that Kady has picked up just where she left off last year. She is a hitter to be feared and a very good defensive player. My question is: Can she pitch? Didnt we have some otyher players that were pitchers when recruited? I guess they werent good enough to even develop, especially when we have those girsl coming next year.
 
SoonerSpock said:
Odds are getting a little better chance of precip now down to 20% Friday, Saturday and Sunday.


http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USOK0388:1:US/QUOTE]

Not according to what I am seeing! 80% chance on Thursday, 60% chance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I'd say that they will be postponing all three of them in all likelihood...

Of course, Weather.com - like other weather forecasters - has been known to miss the boat. Hopefully, the boat won't be floating...
Click to expand...
 
BlackwellSooner said:
SoonerSpock said:
Odds are getting a little better chance of precip now down to 20% Friday, Saturday and Sunday.



http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USOK0388:1:US/QUOTE]

Not according to what I am seeing! 80% chance on Thursday, 60% chance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I'd say that they will be postponing all three of them in all likelihood...

Of course, Weather.com - like other weather forecasters - has been known to miss the boat. Hopefully, the boat won't be floating...
Click to expand...

We all know that weather forecast are moving targets and anything more than 24 hour out is a roll of the dice. As of Wednesday morning they are forecasting 80% Friday and 90% for Friday night, 50% for Saturday and 40% for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. It will probably change a couple more times before game time Friday. It is what it is.

I would guess they will get two games in with Friday rained out, getting to play one of two on the Saturday makeup and one on Sunday. They could try to play the makeup doubleheader on Sunday but they do not like to teams play late on Sunday with Monday being a school day. Although I think a noon and 2:30pm duo is doable.

A sweep would all but lock up the championship giving up a 3 game over Texas with 6 to play (Kansas and OSU).

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USOK0388:1:US
Click to expand...
 
Lauren Chamberlain ‏@LChamberlain44 14m14 minutes ago

#BEATBAYLOR 8 PM tonight ! Come out to the field or watch us on ESPN 2!
 
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