2022 Softball Season

Forgot about the FGCU game after paying close attention via Live Stats with Clemson! Tuned in when we had just given up 2 runs to be behind 6-2. With this limited vision, it seemed some of our players were going back to bad habits of taking first whacks at balls, without being patient. Also surprised to see Mike defer to experience and not start any freshmen.

Well, OSU lost to Duke with Elish taking the loss. So there's that.

 

S

Lol this makes me happy. She gave up a couple earned runs in her one inning against ASU yesterday.

 

I'm gonna stay neutra

Racer do you know if Duke was ranked?

 

Shea wasn't that bad. She only gave up half as many hits as Czech. Regardless of what the official stats say that was 4 errors in the 2nd inning (2 back to back), with a walk to start off. Of course they scored 4 runs, could've been worse.

Then Czech gave them 2 more trying to field a fly she couldn't get to, which also should've been an error. That's basic fielding, with a backspin like like unless you can easily get too it, let it go, difinitely will spin into fould territory.

Czech did pitch good though. Shea will bounce back. Bats have to do something though, but that ref's strike zone didn't help. Maybe he won't be so biased when we're not playing FGC.

 

Looking through the various ranking services, Duke is on some of them.

From various:
2022 NCAA Division I Softball Top 25
OSU #2 (!!), Texas #11, Clemson #14

DI Softball Rankings - USA Today/NFCA Coaches | NCAA.com
OSU #5, Texas #10, Clemson #15, Duke #20

Top 25 Archives
OSU #3, Texas #9, Duke #13

 

Up 2-0 Wired that Jefferson struck out but Iakopo blast a full count bomb over left field fence. Hilton is getting the start in the circle.

 

1st inning 2 errors on the defense so far

 

We sure are swinging and flying out on a lot of 3-1, 3-0 counts.

 

Dang, Jefferson at 0-4 in the lead off spot. I mean, if you can't get a hit against Boston College . . .

 

Everyone is struggling to get a hit. Yes we’re up 7-0 but only 4 hits the entire game against a not so good Boston college. We need not to leave Austin for opening week again. On the bright side, Hulon has been a gem in the circle

 

SOmeone needs to have a talk with them and let them know just bc its a hitters count doesn't mean they have to swing

 

Another error at 3b leads to a run.

White should be embarrassed at the player development.

 

I bet he regrets not bringing Cimusz and Scott now. Mike White said it’s a competition at 3rd but what I’ve seen it’s not much of a competition at all. Scott needs to be at 3rd. That error from Washington was just bad all around

 

New season same errors and mistakes. Only difference this season so far is the offense can’t make up for our mistakes.

 

I’ll shut up now

 

came prepared to post a meltdown, but the offense picked up. Still think we should draw more walks.

 

Seems like some of you are expecting perfect defense the first 4 games of the season. That's just not realistic. Even the best players in the country make errors; so, too, do professional players.

 

I agree but it seemed as if it was the same mistakes at last year. RF and 3B are the concerns again. I have faith in Parker. .

 

I don’t expect a perfect defense because, some of the balls were very tough grabs so everyone makes errors. I’m more so speaking of the plays that are just inexcusable. Example being the Washington error at 3rd today where the ball was thrown in the outfield which caused a Fgcu run and runner at 3rd. Plays like that just can’t happen at this level because it changes the game in a second. Hopefully we handle business tomorrow and get back to Austin and reset.

 

That error is so common, though, at all levels. I understand it resulted in a run; but, was it Washington's first error of the year? I think it was. Is that reason to panic? I'm not.

 

In no way am I panicking especially knowing that Scott isn’t there. Texas needs to get it out now and not make it a season long thing like we have been for quite some time now.

 

Finished watching the replay of the FGCU game and had to show my wife the....scramble that occurred in the 6th inning where Jefferson somehow escapes the tagout and we have Parker and Day both standing on second wondering what's going on. My wife said, "Parker! You should have gone to third!" When I pointed out to her that there were 4 blue jerseys between her and third she said, "It doesn't matter! She's got to protect the runner behind her!"

I think Parker that she got tagged out.

And then my wife said to blame the coach at third base for that fiasco.

Mike, you hear that!?

 

In what world does that work? Errors happen for all teams. Obviously, the goal is to have as few as possible over the course of the season, especially at critical points of the game.

 

I listened to about 3 innings of play on the radio of the game against BC. If you didn't hear:

1. Cantu started at catcher - odd! But if you didn't bring Katie Cimusz for the trip, I guess?

2. The original opponent was supposed to be Kent State. But the announcer thinks(?) BC had flight issues and asked to go first in tournament play and got to play Texas a second time

3. Announcer said that the new players have jerseys without their names on the back, whereas the veteran players were playing with their previous year jerseys with their last names on them.

Hunh. My wife said this pivot in gear must be part of a "we're a team, not individuals" strategy.

Maybe. But later on I thought, well it saves Texas from having to purchase 3 sets of new jerseys with new names for the next year when a player transfers out or graduates. Maybe?

 

Can’t be too disappointed with a 4-1 start the first weekend out, but I figured if that was the case the loss would be to Clemson and not FGCU. Had our defense been better we probably would’ve won that game, but hey it’s February.

Our pitching staff is much, much improved. Dolcini is the ace we have been missing, Czech looked very good, and we all know Shea will come back stronger.

I do not see Elish getting pitcher of the year in the B12 like the league has predicted. That was all due to hype; I think it’ll be either Trauttwein or Bahl from OU. Dolcini would get it before Elish; I really never saw Elisha as elite.

If we can get our offense going a little better and get some of these impressive freshmen back with the team I think we will have a solid season. Gotta clean up the defense but that will come.

next game is Wednesday against McNeese, hopefully we can see what Simpson can do or let Shea get some confidence back before a tough weekend against a slew of ranked opponents next weekend.

hook em

 

I think Shea needs to get the start on Wednesday only because, she didn’t have the best start this season and we will need her for the weekend. Now if she can put up a good few innings to the point Mike White feels comfortable then Simpson needs to get some innings as well. Wednesday needs to be our cleanup game to get everything figured out defensively and on the offensive side. There won’t be any easy games this upcoming weekend from the unranked opponents as well.

 

Simpson with the start and Cimusz getting the nod at catcher with Scott at shortstop.

 

At the game. Scott got moved to 3rd base and Washington to SS. For whatever reason? Simpson has a really nasty change-up!

 

Simpson and Scott are going to be gems. Scott has speed like no other and Simpson and her change up are just deadly. I can see her more in a relief role until she gets comfortable.