New softball thread

[Speedy17]

Thanks for the info! I agree about the Paige versus Keilani comparisons. I'm not so sure that Paige isn't stronger than Keilani was as a freshman but she's not close to what Keilani was as a junior/senior. Paige has a much better offense behind her than Keilani did as a freshman though. We are very fortunate to have had Keilani and are very fortunate to have Paige and I think she will be All-American before her career is over. After working with Melyssa and Tripp the next couple of years, I think Paige's best days are ahead of her in spite of how good she is now. I doubt she can reach where Keilani was when she graduated, but really, who can? Paige may have an advantage over Keilani as a freshman in that she doesn't seem to get rattled at all. I think Shelby is a very capable backup but I think she's more important on defense so I'm hopeful Kelsey can get back to at least providing a couple of innings relief at some point. Our chances will be a lot better if that happens.

I disagree with really needing Kelsey because of Shelby's defense. OU has a National Champion SS sitting on the bench who started every game in 2012 and 2013 named Jessica Vest. She has played SS under the brightest lights of College Softball and she is hitting over .400 this year. Nobody has ever questioned her fielding ability. I would agree if Georgia was not back in the lineup but she is back. I was uncomfortable with another player at 2B with Shelby pitching. No matter what, the OU defense is awesome right now - actually ranked #3 in the country in fielding percentage at .979. That is why I am very confident in post season especially if OU can stay in the Top 8. OU is very tough to beat in Norman.

 

[scrybe]

I agree with much of what you've stated in your last two posts, Speedy, but certainly not all.

I think you're absolutely right when you say Stevens can not currently throw strikes and would therefore do more harm than good if she were turned loose and told to go out and win a game for us. I do believe, however, (and I think Patti feels the same) that we'll need her at some point in the postseason. Of course, if she's unable to overcome her wildness, she doesn't need to play. Thank goodness we've got a pitcher of Paige's caliber, and a backup (Shelby) who can provide quality innings when she's needed.

Also, Jessica Vest is a very good/steady infielder and capable of handling the shortstop duties against most opponents. But Vest – or any other infielder on OU's roster – can in no way play shortstop at the same level as Shelby Pendley. Shelby is, in my opinion, the finest middle infielder in college softball. Her glove and her arm could very well be the difference in some future game that OU must win but might otherwise lose. And, of course, we've all seen what Miss Gehrig can do with a bat in her hand.

 

[Speedy17]

I agree with much of what you've stated in your last two posts, Speedy, but certainly not all.

I think you're absolutely right when you say Stevens can not currently throw strikes and would therefore do more harm than good if she were turned loose and told to go out and win a game for us. I do believe, however, (and I think Patti feels the same) that we'll need her at some point in the postseason. Of course, if she's unable to overcome her wildness, she doesn't need to play. Thank goodness we've got a pitcher of Paige's caliber, and a backup (Shelby) who can provide quality innings when she's needed.

Also, Jessica Vest is a very good/steady infielder and capable of handling the shortstop duties against most opponents. But Vest – or any other infielder on OU's roster – can in no way play shortstop at the same level as Shelby Pendley. Shelby is, in my opinion, the finest middle infielder in college softball. Her glove and her arm could very well be the difference in some future game that OU must win but might otherwise lose. And, of course, we've all seen what Miss Gehrig can do with a bat in her hand.

I think the world of Shelby but it is interesting that Shelby did not play SS in any of her past seasons at OU. The only reason Vest has been benched is the fact that she has limited hitting skills. I don't know how anybody could possibly say that she could play SS against some opponents when she started every post season game at SS in the 2013 national championship season and 2012 National Runner Up season. Think about it, in 2013, Vest was the starting SS with Shelby at 3B. The fact is that Shelby can do anything on a softball field. However, if I had a choice between Shelby pitching with Jess Vest at SS or Kelsey pitching with Shelby at SS - I would choose Shelby pitching - she throws strikes and it is not much of a drop off defensively if at all with Vest at SS. I hate to say it but I will, if OU is depending on Kelsey in the NCAA, this season is over. I went back and watched the tape from Monday - you could see the frustration in the team with all of the walks. It destroys any offensive momentum that the team can get and it flusters the defense because they are helpless.

This not being able to throw a strike has been going on for over two months now. It reminds me of Mark Wohlers for the Braves - just one day, he could not throw a strike. Wohlers and Steve Blass could never throw strikes again.

I sat behind the plate in Baton Rouge and she threw it over the umpire without him ducking. Two walks later and a Bianca Bell jack and it was 3-0 after which she promptly threw another one over the umpire. I was behind the plate in Lubbock and she could hardly throw a strike in two games. In Austin, I was behind the plate again and it happened again. It happened again on Monday against North Texas. There are only 10-12 games left and any losses could knock OU out of the Top 8 which would mean a road trip to a place like Lafayette, LA (you don't want to go there).

 

[womenssports]

As far as the #2 pitcher in the NCAA, it will be Shelby. Shelby can hit 65 as well. The only thing either pitcher needs to do is keep the ball in the park and not walk people. I don't believe Kelsey can do that at this point. If Patti had left her on the mound on Monday, OU would have lost to North Texas. It will be Shelby as the #2 when it counts.

I was confused by this but now I think you are saying the #2 pitcher in the NCAA tournament for OU and NOT the second best pitcher in the NCAA.

 

[womenssports]

I like the graphics provided with the OSU stats. They have the diamond with the bases marked with runners on. I thought all the stat sides had this but I did not see it on OU's during the last 4 home games. Maybe I just didn't click on something that I should have, but I looked for it.

 

[BlackwellSooner]

I like the graphics provided with the OSU stats. They have the diamond with the bases marked with runners on. I thought all the stat sides had this but I did not see it on OU's during the last 4 home games. Maybe I just didn't click on something that I should have, but I looked for it.

Try the link that was posted earlier - - this one.

 

[sybarite]

Interesting game. Reminded me a bit too much of the first Baylor game. We had a great number of people trying to pull low pitches that I assume were drops or curves. They ended up topping the ball into easy outs. At one point, we had five in a row.

Paige's one hitter was marred by the one hit being a home run. But, it was the only run. Ellis hit a two-run home run to give OU a 3-1 lead. Lauren was 1-1 with three walks, a hit batter, and a hard single that hit near the top of the wall in right. It was hit so hard that the runner on first couldn't get to third on a ball hit off the wall. It did bounce straight to the right-fielder. But, that ball was smoked.

 

[womenssports]

Try the link that was posted earlier - - this one.

Thanks. I will remember for future reference.

 

[j2d2]

Baring a radical improvement, it seems tht we will not have Kelsey the rest of the season. Because of her experience, craftiness and control(when she is pitching like she did last year) she would really give us a leg up in post season play. Since her problem is mental her funk could disappear overnight, but that doesnt seem likely now.

 

[Speedy17]

Congrats to the program and Coach Gasso!! That is at least 40 wins for 21 years in a row for the Sooner Softball Program and they are not done yet. The only team in softball to be ranked in every Top 25 Poll ever taken.

 

[tycat947]

Congrats to the program and Coach Gasso!! That is at least 40 wins for 21 years in a row for the Sooner Softball Program and they are not done yet. The only team in softball to be ranked in every Top 25 Poll ever taken.

:dance005::woot:dance005::woot:dance005:

 

[womenssports]

Baring a radical improvement, it seems tht we will not have Kelsey the rest of the season. Because of her experience, craftiness and control(when she is pitching like she did last year) she would really give us a leg up in post season play. Since her problem is mental her funk could disappear overnight, but that doesnt seem likely now.

I imagine it has become insurmountable for the near future. Or at least to her, it has. I wonder if she has seen a professional. Sometimes it helps to have another perspective not coming from a coach or a friend, though sometimes those people can help. I hope her grades are not suffering or really that she isn't suffering, at least not too much.

 

[sybarite]

All three games at Kansas will be telecast on SoonerVision. I assume that it is only to premium subscribers.
5:00 Friday
2:00 Saturday
12:00 Sunday

I would like to see, as a minimum, #91 for Lauren and #86 for Shelby. Kansas is 34-8, 4-5 in conference play. They were swept by Texas. They swept OSU at Stillwater. They took one of three from Tech at Lubbock. When they beat OSU 3-2, it was the only time they have held a conference team to fewer than five runs.
Texas: 0-6, 5-11, 5-7
OSU: 7-6, 10-5, 3-2
Tech: 7-8, 11-9, 4-5

52-53 in only 9 games.

 

[tycat947]

All three games at Kansas will be telecast on SoonerVision. I assume that it is only to premium subscribers.
5:00 Friday
2:00 Saturday
12:00 Sunday

I would like to see, as a minimum, #91 for Lauren and #86 for Shelby. Kansas is 34-8, 4-5 in conference play. They were swept by Texas. They swept OSU at Stillwater. They took one of three from Tech at Lubbock. When they beat OSU 3-2, it was the only time they have held a conference team to fewer than five runs.
Texas: 0-6, 5-11, 5-7
OSU: 7-6, 10-5, 3-2
Tech: 7-8, 11-9, 4-5

52-53 in only 9 games.

I agree although this will be KU's NC game. Remember, one of our 4 losses in 2013 was to KU in Lawrence. We need to be really prepared for this weekend.

 

[Speedy17]

Patti said that KU and OU are positioning for post season and both have outstanding records. She reiterated that OU has to win to gain home field advantage for the regionals and supers. OU's RPI is only #13 and KU is #24. This series is critical.

 

[BlackwellSooner]

Patti said that KU and OU are positioning for post season and both have outstanding records. She reiterated that OU has to win to gain home field advantage for the regionals and supers. OU's RPI is only #13 and KU is #24. This series is critical.

So, considering KU's 34-8 record, will a 2 out of 3 sweep of the Hawks do us any damage in reference to home field advantage?

In other words, do we HAVE to run the table on them, or just take two of 3?

 

[Speedy17]

So, considering KU's 34-8 record, will a 2 out of 3 sweep of the Hawks do us any damage in reference to home field advantage?

In other words, do we HAVE to run the table on them, or just take two of 3?

I think two of three will work but a sweep would be much better. That would move up our RPI while 2 of 3 probably won't.

 

[sybarite]

I doubt that we play badly enough to lose one.

 

[Speedy17]

Win all three games and that pretty much clinches the Big 12 Championship.

 

[AustinTXSooner]

This question is out of left field, well really 2B. What happened to Tyler Lucas? I notice that she's not on the roster this year.