Softball Question

[oketex]

Guys I have seen most of OU's games this year (SoonerSports TV) and I have a question of concern.

I have watched our two young pitchers and I can't see where there is much of a bright future with these two young ladies. When Page Parker came in as a freshman she immediately took control of the game but I don't see that with these two. My question is: Does Patti have any other pitcher for the future?

thanks

oketex

 

[sybarite]

Who are you talking about?

 

[Soonerguy06]

In fact, she has the number one player in the country coming in out of high school next year and that player happens to be a pitcher! The year after that she also has the nation's number one rated player coming in and her position is catcher. I think we'll be okay, but our best chance to win another title again will be this year, maybe next year!

 

[bob the nailer]

I believe Mariah Lopez was the number one pitcher in her class until she got hurt. You might want to go back and take another look at the Wichita State game before giving up on her. And Brooke Vestal, I believe, is the stud pitcher in next years class. She has been committed since about the 6th grade.

 

[oketex]

Guys I don't mean to be debbie down on these two young ladies but watching the last few games where they have pitched is what I'm referring too. It just seems they don't control the game like some of our past and present seniors have done from the time they came to OU. I realize that youth gets better with age but I will admit I'm not expert.

Thanks

 

[Speedy17]

Guys I don't mean to be debbie down on these two young ladies but watching the last few games where they have pitched is what I'm referring too. It just seems they don't control the game like some of our past and present seniors have done from the time they came to OU. I realize that youth gets better with age but I will admit I'm not expert.

Thanks

Part of what you are talking about is due to having those two seniors. Paige had to take over immediately and was forced to be the ace when she was a Freshman. These other players like Parker Conrad and Mariah do not get a lot of work with having two seniors. Mariah is experienced and should step up next year. YES, Brooke Vestal is the real deal. The only thing that I worry about is that we won't have an ace lefty at this point but you never know what will happen in the off season.

 

[oketex]

Thanks Speedy

 

[bob the nailer]

Don't forget when looking at our recruiting prospects to check out our second recruiting group- those currently committed to Mizzou

 

[MsProudSooner]

don't forget when looking at our recruiting prospects to check out our second recruiting group- those currently committed to mizzou

Good one!

 

[atlantasooner]

Gasso has worked the transfer eligibility thing perfectly recently.

OU's been a very nice landing zone for transfers. Integrated quickly, big time success.

Patti needs a starter?? Word will get out.

 

[Sooner Cal]

My first reaction to your question is WTF are you talking about. Mariah is number 2 starter. PL is a reliever. Mariah has gotten plenty of work and her stats are dang good.

I think Patty likes having 4 pitchers simply because she wants to be able to mix it up for batters so they don’t get the chance to get comfortable with one pitcher. Each pitcher has a different set of strengths and weaknesses.

Parker Conrad is finally getting the coaching she needs and didn’t get at Missouri. It was the same for Lowery last year.

 

[SoonerSpock]

I know there has been some expression of concern on various websites about OU's pitching in 2019 after Parker and Lowary graduate. While I acknowledge that Lopez has only thrown about half the innings of Parker and slightly more than Lowary we should also note that Lopez's current ERA of 1.17 is quite a bit better than Paige Parker had her first three years at OU (1.65, 1.64 and 1.43). Unlike Parker Lopez's lower her freshman ERA of 2.08 to 1.17 this year. That is a significant improvement. Something Parker never did until her senior season. Hopefully Lopez will make another step forward in the circle in 2019.

The thing Parker brings to the game that is still to be determined about Lopez is how she will pitch in big games with a lot on the line. Parker, of course, has just been money in the bank. Yesterday's game at Tulsa was an indication that Lopez can do it too. I am definitely hoping we see that surface more in this spring's run to a 3-peat.

 

[BlackwellSooner]

I know there has been some expression of concern on various websites about OU's pitching in 2019 after Parker and Lowary graduate. While I acknowledge that Lopez has only thrown about half the innings of Parker and slightly more than Lowary we should also note that Lopez's current ERA of 1.17 is quite a bit better than Paige Parker had her first three years at OU (1.65, 1.64 and 1.43). Unlike Parker Lopez's lower her freshman ERA of 2.08 to 1.17 this year. That is a significant improvement. Something Parker never did until her senior season. Hopefully Lopez will make another step forward in the circle in 2019.

The thing Parker brings to the game that is still to be determined about Lopez is how she will pitch in big games with a lot on the line. Parker, of course, has just been money in the bank. Yesterday's game at Tulsa was an indication that Lopez can do it too. I am definitely hoping we see that surface more in this spring's run to a 3-peat.

I am one who is a bit concerned as to whether OUr pitching staff will drop off a bit next year with both Paiges graduating, but the following article on Brooke Vestal, incoming freshman hotshot, has somewhat alleviated my worries.
It sounds like she has a real work ethic, and constantly works to get better.
Mariah Lopez will be our ace next year and Parker Conrad will step up her game, too. Combined with Vestal, I think that once again we will be a tough out for any team we play.

 

[sybarite]

Brooke has been listed as the top player in this class for every year except last year when she was knocked down a few spots due to injury. But, she won a national club championship a couple of years ago, playing with kids two years older than she. I think she's tall, about 6-0, an inch taller than Paige Parker.

 

[SoonerSpock]

Extra Innings assessment for 2018 100 Elite released May 2018. Vestal ranked #7.

7—Brooke Vestal, P, Firecrackers – Rico (Oklahoma)
Brooke has been rated as the top player in the 2018 class previously, but hand injuries hampered her 2017 season and kept her from having the level of success she’s capable of and has reached previously. If she can return to the form from 2016 that saw her lead the Firecrackers to a PGF 18U National Championship and pitch lights out for Canyon (New Braunfels, Texas) High when she earned All-American honors by striking out 244 as a sophomore, then the Texan can become one of another long-line of great Sooner pitchers and realize the potential that had her pegged as one of the top players in her age group. Based on her strong senior season, it looks like Brooke is back on track to launch herself into a strong summer and college career. A candidate once again for All-American honors, she’s split time with Baylor commit Aliyah Prichett but still has compiled a 15-1 mark, a 0.78 ERA and limited opposing batters to a .102 average. And she’s impressed with the bat, hitting .515 with 38 RBI and until May 8 hadn’t struck out once all season. Sooners Head Coach Patty Gasso says, “Brooke Vestal is probably one of the most recognizable pitchers from the 2018 class. She won the PGF Championship and was the leading pitcher for one of the most prominent teams on the travel ball circuit. She’s another versatile athlete, who has excelled on both the softball field and on the volleyball court. I’m excited to see her compete at this level. When you add her to our current pitching staff, she’s going to win a lot of ball games."