OU Women's Softball thread

[AdaSooner]

If you haven't seen the OU women's softball team this season, it's not too late to catch them in one of their games in the Women's College World Series on television or in OKC next week.
The Sooners extended their winning streak to 27 straight games to win the Super Regional Championship against Louisiana-Lafayette last night, following a thunderstorm delay. OU has earned a birth in the WCWS five out of the last six years.

This team may not have as much long ball firepower as the team that won the WCWS championship three years ago. But, IMO, they're just as exciting to watch, because they have no weaknesses on defense or on offense. Every player on the team from the leadoff hitter to the ninth spot has better than a .300 average.

OU's infield leads is made up of three freshmen and a sophomore, yet they lead the nation in defense. The roster consists of eight freshmen and four sophomores, but don't expect them to play like underclassmen. This team is good, really good. They're as sound fundamentally as any OU team in my memory. Check 'em out when you get the chance and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=210982191

 

[Larry72]

Patti has been recruiting and developing 5 Star players

 

[usedtobe1]

They are a lot of fun to watch. Last night's 7-6 game was a nail biter. I just wish they had a little more pitching depth. They need someone besides Paige Parker in the World Series.

 

[AdaSooner]

They are a lot of fun to watch. Last night's 7-6 game was a nail biter. I just wish they had a little more pitching depth. They need someone besides Paige Parker in the World Series.

You're right, usedtobe1. If this team has a weakness it's pitching depth. Parker is 33-3 this season, so there is no question about how good she has been. She's also just a sophomore. But, even a great pitcher like her needs a break on occasion. My biggest concern is that she will wear down over the course of a long, grueling WCWS campaign.

 

[Section31]

You're right, usedtobe1. If this team has a weakness it's pitching depth. Parker is 33-3 this season, so there is no question about how good she has been. She's also just a sophomore. But, even a great pitcher like her needs a break on occasion. My biggest concern is that she will wear down over the course of a long, grueling WCWS campaign.

Meh. These pitchers are used to it. Most of them have been doing it all their lives. Most of the teams in the WCWS will throw the same pitcher in 90% of the innings they play.

 

[j2d2]

We used Paige every game last year and she was visibly tired at the end. Also, Paige is far better pitcher when she is rested. The problem is, at the end of the season when she has pitched most every game, she gets worn down and cant recover 100% in just 3-4 days. When you pitch under pressure 3 games in a row you tire much more quickly when you have pitched so much for so long. Kelsey will be needed badly(with a quick hook). Then Chestnut who has been hit hard the last game or two or three). I think Finney may be used. When she has pitched in a game she has had good control and is a hard thrower. I dont know whether she has other pitches other than a fast ball.

 

[Section31]

We used Paige every game last year and she was visibly tired at the end. Also, Paige is far better pitcher when she is rested. The problem is, at the end of the season when she has pitched most every game, she gets worn down and cant recover 100% in just 3-4 days. When you pitch under pressure 3 games in a row you tire much more quickly when you have pitched so much for so long. Kelsey will be needed badly(with a quick hook). Then Chestnut who has been hit hard the last game or two or three). I think Finney may be used. When she has pitched in a game she has had good control and is a hard thrower. I dont know whether she has other pitches other than a fast ball.

She's not been overused this year and she's more mature now. She'll be fine. If they get some leads you will see Kelsey, but be prepared to see Parker throw every meaningful inning in the WCWS. It's how the game is played. It's not baseball.

 

[Max Power]

Plus we were the 2nd super regional to finish so she gets a couple extra days rest

 

[StatGeek]

I agree that I wish we had more pitching depth because good hitting teams like ULL will eventually figure you out during a series. Even the 2013 team (best softball team ever) needed Gascionne to win the championship.

 

[scrybe]

I agree that I wish we had more pitching depth because good hitting teams like ULL will eventually figure you out during a series. Even the 2013 team (best softball team ever) needed Gascionne to win the championship.

The thing is, there are no other teams that hit like ULL. But I agree, I would feel more comfortable if I knew Stevens or one of the freshmen were poised and ready to step up if Paige does get in trouble.

Paige can pitch the Sooners to the CWS title all by her lonesome. But even the best pitchers can wear down if they have to go too many innings. It happened to Paige last year against Bama in the super regionals.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Coach Patty Gasso = Continuing Excellence.
The future is very bright, as the current starting lineup has only 2 seniors.

Senior Starters (2)
> Erin Miller (OF) .. Tulsa, Oklahoma (Jenks HS)
> Kady Self (OF) .. Edmond, Oklahoma (North HS)

Sophomore Starters (4)
> Kelsey Arnold (Shortstop) .. Tulsa, Oklahoma (Holland Hall)
> Nicole Pendley (OF) .. Rio Rancho, New Mexico
> Lea Wodach (Catcher) .. Coto de Caza, California
> Paige Parker (Pitcher) .. Independence, Missouri

Freshmen Starters (4)
> Shay Knighten (1st Base) .. Buena Park, California
> Caleigh Clifton (2nd Base) .. Wayne, Oklahoma
> Sydney Romero (3rd Base) .. San Diego, California
> Fale Aviu (OF/ DP) .. Oceanside, California

* * * * * * * * * *

Other Pitchers on Roster
> Kelsey Stevens (Senior) .. Albuquerque, New Mexico / Stanford
> Jayden Chestnut (Freshman) .. Mustang, Oklahoma
> Brittany Finney (Freshman) .. Wichita, Kansas

Other Players on Roster
> Tori Nirschl (Senior; OF) .. Carlsbad, California / University of Pittsburgh
> Paris Townsend (Senior; INF/OF) .. Tulsa, Oklahoma (Holland Hall)
> Macey Hatfield (Junior; UTL) .. Maysville, Oklahoma / Seminole State
> Kylie Lundberg (Freshman; OF) .. Lakewood, Califoria
> Raegan Rogers (Freshman; OF) .. Blanchard, Oklahoma (Bridge Creek HS)

* * * * * * * * * *

Sooners Sign Five in Class of 2016
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArt...51&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=210488003

> Alissa Dalton .. Infielder (Cypress, Texas)
> Mariah Lopez .. RHP (Saugus, Calif.)
> Nicole Mendes .. UTL (Houston, Texas)
> Melanie Olmos .. RHP (Riverside, Calif.)
> Vanessa Taukeiaho .. OF (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)

(November 2015) Lopez has spent the past four seasons playing for the OC Batbusters in Anaheim, Calif. She helped lead her team to Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2015, she threw 78.2 innings with a perfect 15-0 record, 104 strikeouts and a 0.62 ERA.

“Mariah Lopez is one of those athletes that has stood in championship games,” Gasso said. “She is probably one of the best pitchers in the 2016 class, if not the best. She works in a great organization with the Batbusters and has trained well.

“I think with the combination of her, Paige (Parker) and our other freshmen who will be sophomores on the pitching staff, it’s going to a tough one to beat. I think Mariah is going to do very well for us.”

 

[Soonerinkc]

yeah, I've caught a few games...

on a side note...

gym both men and women #1
men's tennis #2 (played for NC against virginia for 2nd year)
men's bball #4
Football #4

any others? been a great year.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

The thing is, there are no other teams that hit like ULL. But I agree, I would feel more comfortable if I knew Stevens or one of the freshmen were poised and ready to step up if Paige does get in trouble.

Paige can pitch the Sooners to the CWS title all by her lonesome. But even the best pitchers can wear down if they have to go too many innings. It happened to Paige last year against Bama in the super regionals.

Disagree here, just scroll through the stats up top of the link:

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/softball/d1/current/team/281

ULL leads in only one (HR per game) & even in that one, I highly suspect they wouldn't be doing so if they were in a better league. They've got some mashers to be sure, but there are a few other teams who I'd have no trouble w/ someone saying they're ULL's equal.

 

[Section31]

Disagree here, just scroll through the stats up top of the link:

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/softball/d1/current/team/281

ULL leads in only one (HR per game) & even in that one, I highly suspect they wouldn't be doing so if they were in a better league. They've got some mashers to be sure, but there are a few other teams who I'd have no trouble w/ someone saying they're ULL's equal.

A better indicator of offensive efficiency in softball is OBP and slugging percentage. ULL is a highly accomplished offensive squad.

Additionally, they had an RPI of 10

 

[Salt City Sooner]

A better indicator of offensive efficiency in softball is OBP and slugging percentage. ULL is a highly accomplished offensive squad.

Additionally, they had an RPI of 10

That's why I said scroll through the stats; both OBP & SLG are there. ULL is #1 in neither, & the teams they are behind in those are still playing, with only Auburn not having earned a slot in OKC yet.

I'm not trying to put down ULL at all, they have some serious firepower in their lineup. I'm just pointing out that there are some very comparable lineups that will be in OKC next weekend.

 

[Speedy17]

A better indicator of offensive efficiency in softball is OBP and slugging percentage. ULL is a highly accomplished offensive squad.

Additionally, they had an RPI of 10

Their RPI would have been higher if they had not lost Lexi Elkins for six weeks. That girl can flat hit. As for ULL, they can flat hit and they are different from every other school in the country because they teach an opposite method of hitting. It makes them harder to pitch to.

 

[Section31]

That's why I said scroll through the stats; both OBP & SLG are there. ULL is #1 in neither, & the teams they are behind in those are still playing, with only Auburn not having earned a slot in OKC yet.

I'm not trying to put down ULL at all, they have some serious firepower in their lineup. I'm just pointing out that there are some very comparable lineups that will be in OKC next weekend.

They probably won't face many hitters like Elkins. She's the real deal. Fun fact, my kid hit with her hitting coach for a bit. Great guy. He's a hitting guru.

 

[hoopsaustin]

yeah, I've caught a few games...

on a side note...

gym both men and women #1
men's tennis #2 (played for NC against virginia for 2nd year)
men's bball #4
Football #4

any others? been a great year.

We lost Roddick today to UCF

 

[scrybe]

Disagree here, just scroll through the stats up top of the link:

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/softball/d1/current/team/281

ULL leads in only one (HR per game) & even in that one, I highly suspect they wouldn't be doing so if they were in a better league. They've got some mashers to be sure, but there are a few other teams who I'd have no trouble w/ someone saying they're ULL's equal.

LOL. I guess I should clarify. When I said no other teams hit like ULL, I wasn't referring to batting average. I was talking about ULL's ability to beat a good pitcher with raw power. When those big boppers start getting their timing worked out, they can score runs in bunches and they can do it very quickly and against a good pitcher.

Our Sooners are a much better team, overall, than ULL. Personally, I believe OU will be the best team at the CWS. But I'm glad we won't have to face those bashers of ULL again and I think the Sooners will have an easier time beating teams like Auburn, Georgia, etc.

 

[skyvue]

We lost Roddick today to UCF

That's very disappointing -- any word on why he's leaving?