Softball

The three wild pitches to the same batter was something I'd never seen before. The reliever came in with the bases loaded and with those wild pitches, she cleared the bases, one run at time. She then proceeded to load the bases again, giving up a single, a hit-by-pitch and a walk, after which she gave up an RBI sac fly and a three-run homer.

Bless her heart, it was a rough outing.
 
Just spent a few minutes analyzing the OU vs Texas series this weekend. As indicated in the post above the Sooners are offensively much stronger with more power than the whorns. And OU is only slightly stronger in circle.

But the key appears to me to be the head to head of the two aces that will determine who wins the series. "G" for the season is 11-0 with a 2.29 era and 10 HR's allowed in 58 innings pitched. The whorn ace is Shaelyn O'Leary who is 9-0 with a 1.34 era and 6 HRs allowed in 82.1 innings pitched after the 3rd ISU which is not included in the link.


https://stats.ncaa.org/player/index...layer_seq=1883419&year_stat_category_id=14861

https://stats.ncaa.org/team/522/stats?id=15620&year_stat_category_id=14861

https://stats.ncaa.org/player/index...layer_seq=2119639&year_stat_category_id=14861

https://stats.ncaa.org/team/703/stats?id=15620&year_stat_category_id=14861
 
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You definitely cannot be critical of Patty Gasso and how she prepares the Sooners to be read for the WCWS. But her approach is somewhat different with regard to strength of schedule than the other top national teams and Big 12 schools. Although conference affiliation does has some impact on those numbers.

2021 NCAA Strength of Schedule YTD
USA Today/rankings + Big 12 schools

#8 Arizona #18
#5 Florida #22
#4 Alabama #24
#2 UCLA #31
UR Kansas #41
#10T Kentucky #46
#9 FSU #47
#6 Washington #56
#10T Arkansas #57
UR Texas Tech #59
UR ISU #62
UR A&M #88
#12 OSU #101
#3 Oregon #111
UR Baylor #136
#1 OU #186
#7 Texas #200

https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/...-usa-today/nfca-di-top-25-sixth-straight-week

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=40&sport_code=WSB
 
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You definitely cannot be critical of Patty Gasso and how she prepares the Sooners to be read for the WCWS. But her approach is somewhat different with regard to strength of schedule than the other top national teams and Big 12 schools. Although conference affiliation does has some impact on those numbers.

2021 NCAA Strength of Schedule YTD
USA Today/rankings + Big 12 schools

#8 Arizona #18
#5 Florida #22
#4 Alabama #24
#2 UCLA #31
UR Kansas #41
#10T Kentucky #46
#9 FSU #47
#6 Washington #56
#10T Arkansas #57
UR Texas Tech #59
UR ISU #62
UR A&M #88
#12 OSU #101
#3 Oregon #111
UR Baylor #136
#1 OU #186
#7 Texas #200

https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/...-usa-today/nfca-di-top-25-sixth-straight-week

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=40&sport_code=WSB

The pandemic really affected how teams were able to schedule this year. The early season tournaments that typically feature a lot of strong teams that OU usually plays in (Mary Nutter, etc) were cancelled, and teams were encouraged to schedule non-conference games against teams within close proximity to avoid travel. OU did the best they could this year, and the SOS is usually stronger than that.
 
Just spent a few minutes analyzing the OU vs Texas series this weekend. As indicated in the post above the Sooners are offensively much stronger with more power than the whorns. And OU is only slightly stronger in circle.

But the key appears to me to be the head to head of the two aces that will determine who wins the series. "G" for the season is 11-0 with a 2.29 era and 10 HR's allowed in 58 innings pitched. The whorn ace is Shaelyn O'Leary who is 9-0 with a 1.34 era and 6 HRs allowed in 82.1 innings pitched after the 3rd ISU which is not included in the link.


https://stats.ncaa.org/player/index...layer_seq=1883419&year_stat_category_id=14861

https://stats.ncaa.org/team/522/stats?id=15620&year_stat_category_id=14861

https://stats.ncaa.org/player/index...layer_seq=2119639&year_stat_category_id=14861

https://stats.ncaa.org/team/703/stats?id=15620&year_stat_category_id=14861

So, you're predicting the whorns will win the series?
 
So, you're predicting the whorns will win the series?

Absolutely not!! Hopefully we sweep the series. But winning 3 or even 2 of 3 will not be easy. the whorns are a quality top 10 team with a strong ace. And we all know traditionally in baseball and softball strong pitching generally beat strong hitting. But the Sooners are scoring 4 runs more per game (11.90 vs 7.91). Also OU has hit 93 dingers (3.10/g) to the whorns 58 (1.71/G) so who knows? That is why they play the games.

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=41&sport_code=WSB

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=41&sport_code=WSB
 
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Absolutely not!! Hopefully we sweep the series. But winning 3 or even 2 of 3 will not be easy. the whorns are a quality top 10 team with a strong ace. And we all know traditionally in baseball and softball strong pitching generally beat strong hitting. But the Sooners are scoring 4 runs more per game (11.90 vs 7.91). Also OU has hit 93 dingers (3.10/g) to the whorns 58 (1.71/G) so who knows? That is why they play the games.

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=41&sport_code=WSB

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=41&sport_code=WSB

Poor reading comprehension on my part.
 
Be careful. You don't want to wind up like me. Can't read, can't comprehend, can't remember and can't express my thoughts. Have concerns I might not find my way home if I go too far from home. Age does that to you. :D
 
Be careful. You don't want to wind up like me. Can't read, can't comprehend, can't remember and can't express my thoughts. Have concerns I might not find my way home if I go too far from home. Age does that to you. :D

You may be right, but if age was my main issue, it's doubtful I could still feed myself.
 
Absolutely not!! Hopefully we sweep the series. But winning 3 or even 2 of 3 will not be easy. the whorns are a quality top 10 team with a strong ace. And we all know traditionally in baseball and softball strong pitching generally beat strong hitting. But the Sooners are scoring 4 runs more per game (11.90 vs 7.91). Also OU has hit 93 dingers (3.10/g) to the whorns 58 (1.71/G) so who knows? That is why they play the games.

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=41&sport_code=WSB

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/ran...1&org_id=522&ranking_period=41&sport_code=WSB

The biggest gap between the two teams in fielding. Patty always has a slick fielding team. They have made 8 errors all year and that is while using a lot of players in a lot of different spots. OU's fielding pct. is .986 ranked #3 in the nation.

Texas has made 39 errors this year, has a fielding pct. of .957, and is ranked #170 in the nation.

If I know Patty, she will put pressure on Texas' defense. She has the speed on this team to do it. It is not just about power.
 
The biggest gap between the two teams in fielding. Patty always has a slick fielding team. They have made 8 errors all year and that is while using a lot of players in a lot of different spots. OU's fielding pct. is .986 ranked #3 in the nation.

Texas has made 39 errors this year, has a fielding pct. of .957, and is ranked #170 in the nation.

If I know Patty, she will put pressure on Texas' defense. She has the speed on this team to do it. It is not just about power.



Absolutely. And OU fielding is almost a given Patty always has a defense that ranks near the very top in fielding percentage (#13, #2, #3, #6 &#2 the last 5 years). And OU is really ranked at a tie for #2 as #1 Brown with a 1.000 fielding percentage is for only 1 game is ranked #1.

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings?academic_year=2021&division=1&sport_code=WSB

https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/107692...d=24690&commit=Submit&org_sport_name=&org_id=

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings?academic_year=2021&division=1&sport_code=WSB
 
Very frustrating to have a whole week of softball postponed. I wonder if Baylor needs a little guidance in how to properly follow Covid protocols.

You do know that Republican Governor Greg Abbott, in his infinite wisdom, opened the state up completely on March 2nd. Don't blame Baylor.
 
The biggest gap between the two teams in fielding. Patty always has a slick fielding team. They have made 8 errors all year and that is while using a lot of players in a lot of different spots. OU's fielding pct. is .986 ranked #3 in the nation.

Texas has made 39 errors this year, has a fielding pct. of .957, and is ranked #170 in the nation.

If I know Patty, she will put pressure on Texas' defense. She has the speed on this team to do it. It is not just about power.

Didn't really need to quote you, but your quote seems to make it clear you are staying up on the team, per usual.
Thus thought I would ask why Grace Green isn't regular starter at 1st and getting more playing time. Haven't been following but just glanced through some stats and have seen her as a PH or DH, don't remember, but not as a regular starter in field. Was surprised.
 
Didn't really need to quote you, but your quote seems to make it clear you are staying up on the team, per usual.
Thus thought I would ask why Grace Green isn't regular starter at 1st and getting more playing time. Haven't been following but just glanced through some stats and have seen her as a PH or DH, don't remember, but not as a regular starter in field. Was surprised.

Grace Green was coming off of a lower leg injury early in the season and I think Patty is just bringing her along slowly. And with the way others are hitting the ball it is difficult to just bench them. Also Snow is likely better defensively at 1st than an injured Green.

https://www.oudaily.com/sports/ou-s...cle_894a26a6-7728-11eb-8a24-4fba4fe8b3e6.html
 
Thanks, Speedy, for taking the time to respond. I hope she comes back strong and gets to start by May in place of an underclassman who will still have time for a great career. Of course, I want them all to do well.
 
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