When you get to the World Series, everyone has one good pitcher who can shut you down. If that shutdown performance comes in the first day, you may end up in the loser's bracket.
When OU has won the title in the World Series, we have been undefeated throughout the playoffs. This means that we never had to use a second pitcher, i.e., dropping into the loser's bracket. That is quite possible this year. We could win out.
If you face a pitcher going through a Monica Abbott type performance, you probably don't stand a chance unless your pitcher can hold them down until she tires. But, with the type of pitching that I have seen thus far, it comes down to who has the best hitters. Although we don't have that dominant hitter this year, we do have several hitters who can take over a game. There are times that you can't pitch to Miller, Knighten, Aviu, Pendley, or Self. Wodach has had her moments, as has Caleigh. Based on recent performance, I'd rather face about anyone not named Shay with runners on base, needing a two-out hit. Romero is better than we have seen. I think we have more different players that can break a game open.
If we get into the loser's bracket, I think we have a problem. There, you need a second pitcher capable of beating one of the top eight teams in the country. I think only Florida has that. Everyone else will need to score some runs. The advantage is that you are facing their weaker pitchers as well. Stevens can be pretty difficult to hit, even for a good team, if she can just throw strikes.
Four solid performances by Paige, and we could win this thing.
