Softball

[sybarite]

It depends on whether they call it a strike. We have to lay off of it, especially our "power hitters." It is a pitch that gets those who overswing. The slappers don't have as much of a problem. Traina throws it up quite a bit. If they call that a strike, we may have a problem. I would feel a lot better if we had Kady who hits that type of pitch better than anyone else.

If they call that a ball, Traina is toast. Remember, her ERA says she is not perfect, and we have a pretty fair hitting team, if they are smart.

 

[scrybe]

Traina hasn't been nearly as consistent as she was in Bama's 2012 national championship season. She struggled with injuries last year and has had games this season when she struggled with her control and was hit pretty hard.

But she can still be dominant when she's got her game going. The rise ball is still her best pitch, but she has also learned that it's sometimes best to hit the corners and not to try to overpower every batter. She's still capable of throwing a 70 mph-plus fastball, though.

Having said all that, I'm betting Patty has our hitters well prepared for whatever the J-Train will throw at them. I'll be surprised and disappointed if we don't score at least three runs on her.

 

[sybarite]

I don't think there is an Oklahoma 2013 quality team in this year's tournament. I rather think that the teams are pretty well balanced. If I had to pick a winner, it would be Oregon, Louisiana-Lafayette, or the winner of tonight's game Alabama/Oklahoma. I didn't think Florida State had the hitting to play against this quality pitching. They faced an outstanding pitcher against South Florida, but SF had no hitting at all. These teams do hit.

I think Kentucky is also somewhat suspect. But, with the exception of Florida State and Kentucky, I think it is possible that anyone could win. It really means a lot to win the first game and get into the winner's bracket. Actually, it helps to win the first two and avoid the loser's bracket. It's hard to overcome a loss.

I think OU should be a slight favorite since we probably have an equivalent pitcher and slightly better hitting. Oregon probably has the single best pitcher, but I'm not sure they have the hitting. La-Lafayette has really impressed me on the mound and at the plate. I lean slightly to OU/La-Lafayette as the teams to beat. But, it is close.

 

[sybarite]

I hope they don't switch umpires between games. This umpire calls a strike zone that favors OU. La-Lafayette, surprisingly, is not hitting---or fielding.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Traina is pitching well. It doesn't look good at this point.

 

[sybarite]

I think we have had one strikeout when the pitch was in the strike zone. We are swinging at pitches that are high, often outside. We seem to take a pitch that is hittable to put ourselves in the hole. Then, we swing at balls. We are making Traina look better than she is.

When Kelsey gets the hitter 0-2, she lets them off the hook by wasting a couple of pitches. Then, they are hitting with a bit more confidence.

We are hurting ourselves tonight. Our new people needed some time to learn what the World Series requires. They said that Ellis admitted her nerves.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Except for one pitch to Pendley, Traina just dominated our hitters.

 

[sybarite]

That's not the message that the hitting coach needs to convey. Lay off the rise ball----period. Traina wasn't hitting the strike zone with it. She came down the middle often with fast balls to get a quick strike. Then, she used the rise and the curve to get us to swing at balls. Make her pitch to you.

 

[OKUman]

How is it possible for a team to be in two finals @ the WCWS and not be able to bring in an elite pitcher?

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Big first day for the SEC.
3-0. Three teams in the winners bracket.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Big first day for the SEC.
3-0. Three teams in the winners bracket.

I don't really know which teams have dominant pitching but I do know Alabama does. Anytime a pitcher throws in the 70s, that's like a Nolan Ryan fastball. Traina has good control and mixes up her pitches very well. Combine that with the heat she throws and it is very difficult on the hitters. Unless Traina has a bad game, Bama has a good chance of making the finals.

 

[garyeb2]

How is it possible for a team to be in two finals @ the WCWS and not be able to bring in an elite pitcher?

Can I take a swing at this one? Firstly, there just aren't that many elite pitchers. None of them would be willing to come to a program and sit on the bench.

So, Gasso had a pretty short time frame to get one lined up for this season. There may have been one out there that she missed on. Or maybe not. I don't know. But, she did get out and find and develop a pretty good one.

The one we have got us a conference championship and through a regional and a super regional and in to the World Series. Not too bad.

If Gasso goes another season or two without landing an elite pitcher, your question and concerns might be valid.

 

[MsProudSooner]

How is it possible for a team to be in two finals @ the WCWS and not be able to bring in an elite pitcher?

:facepalm

I don't know.

How is it possible for a team to have a pitcher like Traina and not make the World series last year?

How is it possible for a team to have the 'best women's basketball player ever' for 4 years and only win one NC?

How is it possible for people to call themselves fans for years and years an years, yet they don't understand that recruiting isn't a formula driven science and there are always two teams in a game doing their very best to win?

 

[SoonerNorm]

:facepalm

I don't know.

How is it possible for a team to have a pitcher like Traina and not make the World series last year?

How is it possible for a team to have the 'best women's basketball player ever' for 4 years and only win one NC?

How is it possible for people to call themselves fans for years and years an years, yet they don't understand that recruiting isn't a formula driven science and there are always two teams in a game doing their very best to win?

Having the best player in any sport does not guarantee success. There are too many other factors at play.

 

[tycat947]

:facepalm

I don't know.

How is it possible for a team to have a pitcher like Traina and not make the World series last year?

How is it possible for a team to have the 'best women's basketball player ever' for 4 years and only win one NC?

How is it possible for people to call themselves fans for years and years an years, yet they don't understand that recruiting isn't a formula driven science and there are always two teams in a game doing their very best to win?

:ez-roll::ez-roll::ez-roll:

 

[MsProudSooner]

Having the best player in any sport does not guarantee success. There are too many other factors at play.

You are preaching to the choir.

 

[sybarite]

Kelsey is one of about ten really good pitchers. One of the best is the South Florida pitcher who didn't have enough offensive support to make it to the Series. They lost to Florida State 1-0 in 11 innings and 2-1 as Nevins made All-American again. Eleven innings should give you at least one run. The name of the game is still to score.

Next year, Kelsey will have some help. Paige Parker is supposedly another Ricketts, three or four-time Missouri POY.

But, there will also be some help elsewhere. We have dropped off in the bottom of the order a bit this year.

1. Kady Self returns.
2. Chamberlain and Pendley return.
3. Casey, Erin and Lisa Miller, and Whitney Ellis return, along with Callie Parsons.
4. We will add some immediate help in the hitting department: OF Nicole Pendley, Inf. Destinie Lookout who is supposedly a bomber, Inf. Kelsey Arnold (hit 813?), and Lea Wodach, a catcher who is supposedly the best athlete we've had at that position. We also bring back Macey Hatfield who showed signs of being a hitter, hitting 300 as a freshman.

 

[tycat947]

The pitcher of the year got pulled yesterday (FSU). It happens. Kelsey is a very good pitcher but may have been overextended since we didn't have anyone else. As Syb said, she will have help next year. I'd expect that we'll be top 3 in the country next year and strongly push for another NC barring unforeseen circumstances. It is amazing that this team lost maybe the greatest hitter ever for almost half a year, and playing injured now, and lost highest BA player and another starter injured with a new pitcher and we're in the WCWS and it's not over yet! I just love the "glass half empty" people!

 

[scrybe]

:facepalm

I don't know.

How is it possible for a team to have a pitcher like Traina and not make the World series last year?

How is it possible for a team to have the 'best women's basketball player ever' for 4 years and only win one NC?

How is it possible for people to call themselves fans for years and years an years, yet they don't understand that recruiting isn't a formula driven science and there are always two teams in a game doing their very best to win?

We may have disagreed on the gun issue yesterday, Proud, but I gotta give it up to you on this one. That was as good – and absolutely spot on – a post as I've seen around these parts in quite a while. You weren't the only one to put an ill-informed poster in his place, but you did it with unparalleled style and eloquence. A tip of the hat, young lady.

 

[MsProudSooner]

We may have disagreed on the gun issue yesterday, Proud, but I gotta give it up to you on this one. That was as good – and absolutely spot on – a post as I've seen around these parts in quite a while. You weren't the only one to put an ill-informed poster in his place, but you did it with unparalleled style and eloquence. A tip of the hat, young lady.

Thanks, but the word young is a gross exaggeration!