What's next for softball?

[j2d2]

Patty got another world beater recruiting class with two very highly rated pitchers. I wonder about Finney and why she didnt play and hope she stays. Losing Kady and Erin is big. I think they were essential in forging this phenomenal freshman class, but this bunch knows how to get it done. Hard not to get too optimistic , but it will have to be earned all over again. I got into softball as a bridge from basketball to football. Now I'm stuck and loving it.

 

[scrybe]

The sky's the limit for these young ladies. The 2016 Sooners roster was dominated by freshmen and sophomores, yet these young "studs" proved they were better than all those teams that consisted of the nation's top juniors and seniors.

Yes, Erin and Kady will be missed; they were a huge part of OU's successful run to the 2016 national title. But with Patty Gasso at the helm, the Sooners should be even better next year and favored to defend their title and strengthen their position as the nation's elite softball program in 2017.

 

[Delta Sooner]

It should come down to OU, Florida, and Alabama for the national title.

 

[sybarite]

It should come down to OU, Florida, and Alabama for the national title.

Florida and Alabama have pitching back. But, Florida graduated the class that took them to three CWSs, and Bama lost some key talent. They will probably be in the top ten, but may not fight for #1.

Florida State and UCLA return almost everyone, and they were both strong at the end of the year, until the CWS.

 

[Speedy17]

It should come down to OU, Florida, and Alabama for the national title.

Florida and OU should be among the best because of pitching and defense. Bama lost the CF that was the mainstay on offense and defense. I think OU will be much better next year. I would favor OU.

Who is starting these rumors of Brit Finney transferring?

OU will miss the leadership of Erin and Kady but others will step up. Fale will go to RF and most likely Taukeiaho will go to LF. Alyssa Dalton can play anywhere. They need a catcher.

 

[SoonerSpock]

Florida and OU should be among the best because of pitching and defense. Bama lost the CF that was the mainstay on offense and defense. I think OU will be much better next year. I would favor OU.

Who is starting these rumors of Brit Finney transferring?

OU will miss the leadership of Erin and Kady but others will step up. Fale will go to RF and most likely Taukeiaho will go to LF. Alyssa Dalton can play anywhere. They need a catcher.

I agree given what the freshmen are supposed to bring coming in from high school my biggest concern is who do we have to backup for Wodach. Are we going to look for a transfer or Juco in our 2016 class coming in or are we going the freshman route in 2017. Were Lea to go down with injury we have only Alissa Dalton that Patty says she is going to start working behind the plate to backup Lea. Apparently she has never caught before.

We went this year with only Paris Townsend to backup Wodach and got away with it. We may not be so lucky in 2016. We just have to trust that Patty has a plan as Dalton might have a little difficulty getting innings as an infielder more so than she would behind the plate. 65 games behind the plate without any rest is a long season for a catcher.

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArt...51&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=210488003

 

[tycat947]

Who was backup catcher when Jessica was senior? I guess Whitney was but when she was junior?

 

[SoonerSpock]

Jessica Shultz was a senior in 2012-13. Whitney was her backup as a freshman. Whitney started as a sophomore in 2013-14 and as a junior in 2014-15. Her backup was Paris Townsend when she was a sophomore and Lea Wodach backed up Whitney when she was a junior with Paris Townsend the #3 catcher.

http://www.soonersports.com/SportSe...0&SPID=127251&SPSID=779811&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2012

 

[sybarite]

I thought Hatfield was the backup to Wodach?

 

[j2d2]

We have Kinzie Hansen coming in '19 who is supposed to be "All World" super catcher. Her credentials are as good as it gets. We do need to develop a backup for Lea.

 

[sybarite]

Lynnsie Elam is due in next year.

http://newsok.com/article/5454293

 

[SoonerSpock]

I thought Hatfield was the backup to Wodach?

Earlier this year Patty mentioned both Macey and Paris as potential backup for Wodach. If you look at the roster however Townsend has been listed as a outfielder/catcher/infielder since 1912-13 and Macey has always been listed as a utility player.

I would take the position listings to mean that Paris probably played some catcher in high school. For the 2015-16 season Paris played 1st base, pinch hit and was a pinch runner. Macey played 3rd base, shortstop, 1st base, left field, right field, designated player, pinch hit, and pinch ran. Macey truly was the utility player as the roster listed her being.

 

[soonerstar]

Looks like the regents extended Gassos contract thru 2021. She got a 5 thousand dollar raise.

 

[Speedy17]

Jessica Shultz was a senior in 2012-13. Whitney was her backup as a freshman. Whitney started as a sophomore in 2013-14 and as a junior in 2014-15. Her backup was Paris Townsend when she was a sophomore and Lea Wodach backed up Whitney when she was a junior with Paris Townsend the #3 catcher.

http://www.soonersports.com/SportSe...0&SPID=127251&SPSID=779811&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2012

Whitney was a frosh in 12-13. The real question should have been who played catcher when Jessica got sick in 11-12 and OU did not really have a backup? The answer is Katie Norris who caught Keilani through the regionals.