Softball

[scrybe]

My eating crow time. I said they would not win the conference because of weak pitching and a weak bottom of the lineup.

Great contributions by Stevens, Self, and Ellis proved me wrong, happily. Also wrong to underestimate Gasso.

Congrats Sooners. You won going away. Now on to the NCAA.

You weren't the only doubter, NC. Not many on our board were giving the Sooners any love after they got off to that slow start. But this year's OU team is almost as talented overall as last year's squad that dominated everyone on its way to the national title.

It's true we're not as dominant in the circle as we were last season, and losing Turang's speed had to hurt some. But with players like Chamberlain, Pendley, Casey, et al, in the lineup, the Sooners are still very formidable. I love the way Martinez plays, and Self and Ellis would be stars on any team in the country.

Oh, and then there's Gasso. She's only the best coach in the country – bar none.

If the Sooners can get LoJack and Kadie healthy and back in the lineup in time for the regionals, this team is good enough to compete for its second national title in three years.

 

[tycat947]

You weren't the only doubter, NC. Not many on our board were giving the Sooners any love after they got off to that slow start. But this year's OU team is almost as talented overall as last year's squad that dominated everyone on its way to the national title.

It's true we're not as dominant in the circle as we were last season, and losing Turang's speed had to hurt some. But with players like Chamberlain, Pendley, Casey, et al, in the lineup, the Sooners are still very formidable. I love the way Martinez plays, and Self and Ellis would be stars on any team in the country.

Oh, and then there's Gasso. She's only the best coach in the country – bar none.

If the Sooners can get LoJack and Kadie healthy and back in the lineup in time for the regionals, this team is good enough to compete for its second national title in three years.

+1

 

[trusooner]

I just don't know how anyone could doubt a coach that has won almost 1000 games in her career and most of those at OU! Softball season is such a long season with tons of games to be played and Gasso always plays one of the toughest schedules in the country. It took some time and some growing pains but this team is as good as any. Just hope Self and Chamberlain can get back in the lineup to help. But this team has learn to play and win with adversity all year so there's no doubting this team's chances. Boomer Sooner!

 

[SoonerNorm]

Patty is obviously one of the best (if not the best) coaches at OU. I don't think we are the favorite to win the NC this year but with some luck it is possible.

 

[sybarite]

At the beginning of the year, I thought it would take some luck to make it back to the World Series this year. Losing two outstanding pitchers was a big blow, and it really helps if you have a Turang at the bottom of the batting order.

We had some outstanding good fortune in getting Stevens, but she is really about like Ricketts as a sophomore. Self and Ellis have risen out of oblivion, but we have now lost Chamberlain and Self at an important time, and we don't know if they will be all that good if they are available. We may be a year away from serious title contention.

But, then, there is not a team out there this year that is anything like last year's OU team. There is no dominant team. It really does look like about twelve teams have a shot. Unless someone emerges, we have as good of a shot as anyone, and we are a year away.

Nobody has a bottom of the batting order like we had last year, one that could ignite the rally that won the title. Nobody has a second pitcher who can shut out the runner-up in the finals. It really depends on who gets hot for about ten to twelve games.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Chamberlain's MRI today. Gasso "hopeful." Self out for season with torn ACL. Lost our "stars" supposedly to a great degree.

And still Gasso has this team rocking.

You can't compare apples to apples in this scenario really, but I'm pretty sure if you tried to rate them on recruiting, talent, performance and coaching, Gasso would be the best coach overall at OU.

Bob next.

Sherri's in third. Hope she steps it up a bit. Looks like she might be. I'm hopeful.

Actually, you might have to put Sheri below both the gymnastics under the criteria I just outlined.

 

[SoonerNorm]

NCAA Stats update: Sooners are 3rd nationally in scoring (7.15), 4th-Field% (.978), 6th-slugging (.538) & 9th-HR/game (1.29) & win pct. (.818)

 

[garyeb2]

Chamberlain's MRI today. Gasso "hopeful." Self out for season with torn ACL. Lost our "stars" supposedly to a great degree.

And still Gasso has this team rocking.

You can't compare apples to apples in this scenario really, but I'm pretty sure if you tried to rate them on recruiting, talent, performance and coaching, Gasso would be the best coach overall at OU.

Bob next.

Sherri's in third. Hope she steps it up a bit. Looks like she might be. I'm hopeful.

Actually, you might have to put Sheri below both the gymnastics under the criteria I just outlined.

Nope. Stoops, Kruger, Gasso, Sherri.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Oklahoma Softball ‏@OU_Softball

Coach Gasso is "hopeful" that @LChamberlain44 will be back this weekend, unfortunately @kdself18 is out for the season with her torn ACL

 

[BanjoCharley]

Nope. Stoops, Kruger, Gasso, Sherri.

The men, then the women, gotcha.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Gosh, I completely lef out Kruger. Where was my head at??! Sorry.

I think it's Gasso, Stoops, Kruger, the gymnastics coaches and Sherri.

As I said, however, this comparison could never be an apples-to-apples evaluation because of the difference in the sports, etc.

 

[SoonerNorm]

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-comme...ve-burning-questions-ncaa-softball-tournament

 

[garyeb2]

The men, then the women, gotcha.

Really, you think in those terms? How unfortunate for you to go through life looking through that prism.

 

[Soonercuda]

Really, you think in those terms? How unfortunate for you to go through life looking through that prism.

How unfortunate for you to go through life unable to recognize your own subconscious biases.

 

[garyeb2]

How unfortunate for you to go through life unable to recognize your own subconscious biases.

I'm not going through life. I have already been through most of it. And, I'm well aware of my biases.

 

[Keller Sooner]

I would rank them Gasso, Stoops, Kruger, Williams, Kindler, Sherri. It doesn't bother me how anyone else ranks them, or if they do, but that's the way I see them.

 

[SoonerNorm]

You can fill out a bracket. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/College-Corner/2014-College-Corner/Bracket-Challenge

 

[sybarite]

I tend to go:
Williams---five national titles, six seconds, two thirds
Gasso--two national titles
Coale--three final fours in a sport which has recruiting disadvantages
Kindler---national title, more expected, great program builder

skip down just a bit
Stoops---one national title, actually not having a national title for thirteen years is a long time for OU football---one every seven or eight years since 50

I put Kruger in with a couple of other coaches who are doing a good job. Good coach, not a championship coach yet, nor do I expect one. Good step to building a better program.

 

[BanjoCharley]

Really, you think in those terms? How unfortunate for you to go through life looking through that prism.

You know nothing about my life.

 

[soonerstar]

Keller Sooner has them just like I would.