January 17, 20232 yr Texas opens the season ranked #14 in D1 Softball's Preseason Top 25, chasing #1 OU (as always) 2023 D1Softball Preseason Top 25: Everyone Chasing No. 1 Oklahoma Again • D1Softball Season opens February 10 in Clearwater, FL (again, gulp) Ranked teams on our schedule: #1 OU #3 Ok State #6 Alabama #7 Northwestern #12 Tennessee #13 Virginia Tech #16 Kentucky #20 Louisiana #24 UNT Texas is returning some key players from last year, including: OF Bella Dayton, 3B Mia Scott, SS Alyssa Washington, DP Courtney Day, LHP Estelle Czech, C Katie Cimusz and RHP Sophia Simpson, DP Jordyn Whitaker Texas also welcomes some key transfers in RHP Mac Morgan from ASU and 1B Baylea Brandon from LSU Texas also brought in a great class, including: UTL Maddie Pomykalski, C/1B Reese Atwood, IF Viviana Martinez, IF Leighann Goode and RHP Citlaly Gutierrez
January 18, 20232 yr Author Just like the rankings, Texas is picked 3rd in the Big 12 OU unanimously picked first with 6 first place votes and 36 points OSU picked second with 1 first place vote (Gasso) and 29 points Texas third with 28 points Baylor fourth with 20 points ISU fifth with 16 points Tech sixth with 12 points ISU seventh with 6 points I repeat that I absolutely am ready for UCF, BYU, UH and Cincinnati to be in the Big 12 next year so we don't only have 7 teams.
January 19, 20232 yr Couple thoughts... I still have a crush on Bella... I really hope we make a return trip to OKC because my daughter's softball team will be playing in the select tournament that takes place up there at the same time and I'd love so much to see them there with our team. My oldest has already made it a point that she wants to make it to more Texas softball games this season. I can't wait to see these ladies ball out Hook Em
January 19, 20232 yr 13 hours ago, TexasIsBetter said: Couple thoughts... I still have a crush on Bella... I really hope we make a return trip to OKC because my daughter's softball team will be playing in the select tournament that takes place up there at the same time and I'd love so much to see them there with our team. My oldest has already made it a point that she wants to make it to more Texas softball games this season. I can't wait to see these ladies ball out Hook Em
January 19, 20232 yr Author Mia Scott was the only player on the 2023 All Big 12 preseason team. 7 for OU 2 for OSU 1 for KU, Baylor and Texas Unsurprisingly, 3 of OU's picks were transfers (Brito, Sanders and Lee)
January 26, 20232 yr They're young but very talented. Hopefully a true #1 will take over the circle. Probably won't have as much power but they'll have speed in spades. Excited for the season and hopefully get to see them in OKC in June. 🤘
January 26, 20232 yr Author 15 hours ago, HollidayHorn said: They're young but very talented. Hopefully a true #1 will take over the circle. Probably won't have as much power but they'll have speed in spades. Excited for the season and hopefully get to see them in OKC in June. 🤘 I hope/think Sophia makes the leap after her postseason performances, otherwise her and Mac will be very good co-aces.
January 27, 20232 yr No longer on roster. Her experience and contributions will be missed. Had a few key moments within that high ERA. Staff will now be Czech, Morgan, Simpson, and Gutierrez. Gutierrez looked good in the Fall.
February 1, 20232 yr Author Preseason rankings: 14th in D1 Softball 9th in Softball America 9th in ESPN/USA Softball 13th in Extra Innings Softball 6th in NFCA/USA Today
February 1, 20232 yr I get the sense we’ll be leaning on our pitching staff this year even more so than last year if we’re to have success. With Jefferson gone, there’s no one on the roster to replace her production, so I imagine runs scored will be down some this year. If our pitching staff slightly improves their ERA across the board, we’ll be fine with even with less runs scored per game this season. Who knows though, I look forward to seeing how the season ends up playing out and finding out which players really step up.
February 1, 20232 yr Author 5 minutes ago, perfectchaos007 said: I get the sense we’ll be leaning on our pitching staff this year even more so than last year if we’re to have success. With Jefferson gone, there’s no one on the roster to replace her production, so I imagine runs scored will be down some this year. If our pitching staff slightly improves their ERA across the board, we’ll be fine with even with less runs scored per game this season. Who knows though, I look forward to seeing how the season ends up playing out and finding out which players really step up. We should have a lot of team speed. Definitely need Mia Scott to step up in her sophomore year. Brandon will supply the power
February 1, 20232 yr 2 hours ago, Js1 said: We should have a lot of team speed. Definitely need Mia Scott to step up in her sophomore year. Brandon will supply the power When time permits, pls give us a projected starting lineup. (BestBuy Coupons and Rep). Martinez and Goode are two highly rated infielders. Any idea where Brandon will play (listed as Utility) ? Does everyone want to discuss the "elephant in the room" - Defense 9 days. At this time, can't find a TV listing for Clearwater on ESPN or FloSports.
February 1, 20232 yr Author 14 minutes ago, torre said: When time permits, pls give us a projected starting lineup. (BestBuy Coupons and Rep). Oh boy. Uh… C - Cimusz (KC for short because I’m not typing that awkward double consonant all year), as she has the most experience, but Atwood was highly highly ranked 1B - Brandon 2B - Martinez SS - Washington 3B - Scott OF - oh god idk. Bella is a starter but she is allegedly in a cast on her throwing arm right now. Popelka at center, Whitaker in right and Pomykalski (MP bc I’m not typing that name all season) in left is my guess for now. I could see any of Holmes/Maloney/MP in left field. Bella will probably kick Popelka out of the rotation when she’s back. Mike will keep Whitaker for her offense and I have seen nothing but good things about Maddie. Popelka would go back to being a PR with Corona DP - Day I could see Whitaker and Day flip flopping at times but Mike will want both of their offenses in the lineup Edited February 1, 20232 yr by Js1
February 2, 20232 yr Author 22 hours ago, torre said: 9 days. At this time, can't find a TV listing for Clearwater on ESPN or FloSports. The NFCA classic is not the St. Pete/Clearwater Invitational we went to last year. Those were on the ESPN networks. We will be streaming though 2023 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Tourney Central CAN'T MAKE THE GAMES IN FLORIDA? FOLLOW AND WATCH YOUR TEAM LIVE FOR FREE ON GAMECHANGER What is GameChanger? GameChanger is the #1 youth baseball and softball app that offers live streaming, scoring, teamm communication and more!
February 7, 20232 yr On 2/2/2023 at 2:38 PM, Js1 said: The NFCA classic is not the St. Pete/Clearwater Invitational we went to last year. Those were on the ESPN networks. We will be streaming though 2023 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Tourney Central CAN'T MAKE THE GAMES IN FLORIDA? FOLLOW AND WATCH YOUR TEAM LIVE FOR FREE ON GAMECHANGER What is GameChanger? GameChanger is the #1 youth baseball and softball app that offers live streaming, scoring, teamm communication and more! Correct. We are essentially playing in the USF tournament this year. USF has a tremendous stadium for those making the trek out here. Some games will be played there, while others will spread out across the many other nearby fields, including Eddie C Moore Complex.
February 7, 20232 yr I am excited to see what the ladies bring to the field this year. I hope for more consistency at the plate, and on the base paths. I agree that speed will be our best asset this year, but I don't know how you speed your way to the 8-10 runs a game that the Sooners will put up. Time will tell, but from the outside looking in, it appears to be OU and then everyone else.
February 8, 20232 yr Author 17 hours ago, FloridaHorn said: it appears to be OU and then everyone else. That is known.
February 8, 20232 yr Much like last year, I will ride over to Clearwater to watch the girls open the season. I hope to see a much more focused, close knit team, as opposed to the shit show I witnessed in 2022 to start the season.
February 8, 20232 yr Author Besides all our home games on LHN (almost 40 games), we will also be on ESPN2 for 3 of our conference matchups: @ OU, Saturday, April 1 (ESPN2) @ OU, Sunday, April 2 (ESPN2) Hosting OSU, Thursday, April 20 (ESPN2)
February 8, 20232 yr 5 hours ago, FloridaHorn said: Much like last year, I will ride over to Clearwater to watch the girls open the season. I hope to see a much more focused, close knit team, as opposed to the shit show I witnessed in 2022 to start the season. Having Burke move on will hopefully help on that front. Last year was crazy and I hope White learned from the experience and will have a better handle on the locker room this year.
February 8, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, someguy said: Having Burke move on will hopefully help on that front. Last year was crazy and I hope White learned from the experience and will have a better handle on the locker room this year. Any insight on how new asst Kristen Zaleski is meshing with the team ? Can be so valuable. From a truly outsider perspective only watching on TV and attending games, never felt Bartlett excelled in that role. Chelsea Spencer set a high standard including player relations.
February 8, 20232 yr I could see a starting line up of: Mahoney LF/CF Scott 3B Brandon 1B Day RF Washington SS Cimusz C Martinez 2B Whitaker DP Gilbert/ Popelka CF/ LF I eventually think Quiroga Cimusz gets quite few ABs at DP with Atwood Catching.
February 8, 20232 yr Coworker just sent this to me. They're playing game 1 of the series with blow u at Hall of Fame stadium.
February 10, 20232 yr Author Happy Opening Day for the 2023 Softball season! Friday (Coaches Poll rankings) 3pm - RV (#26) Mizzou 5:30pm - #8 Northwestern Saturday 3pm - Illinois 5:30pm - #13 Tennessee Sunday 11:30am - #20 Kentucky Linky for video: NFCA DI Leadoff Classic | Tournament Central Edited February 10, 20232 yr by Js1
February 10, 20232 yr On 2/8/2023 at 8:16 AM, Js1 said: That is known. You probably know this, but for readers who don't but would like to vomit while reading, OU's NIL efforts are focused almost solely on Football, M's & W's Gymnastics, and Softball. Not saying other sports don't have benefactors, but they're trying to create elite level NIL work in Gymnastics and Softball in order to protect their position at the top of those sports. As we're learning at Texas, getting NIL covered for Football is quite a bit more challenging thing. For non-FB and MBB, there are three schools of thought around NIL: -Get all of them funded, in as big of a way as possible (Texas, one of the few examples, also Arkansas, Oregon) -Hyperfocus where you believe you have a competitive advantage and make it cost prohibitive for most other schools to compete at the top (OU, LSU) -Ignore that shit because no one seems to care (ATM, among others) OU is building an impenetrable fortress around Softball, at least while Gasso is there. But, hey, I'll watch and cheer for Texas and hope to see the ladies make it back to the WS.
February 10, 20232 yr Author 29 minutes ago, closetojumping said: You probably know this, but for readers who don't but would like to vomit while reading, OU's NIL efforts are focused almost solely on Football, M's & W's Gymnastics, and Softball. Not saying other sports don't have benefactors, but they're trying to create elite level NIL work in Gymnastics and Softball in order to protect their position at the top of those sports. As we're learning at Texas, getting NIL covered for Football is quite a bit more challenging thing. For non-FB and MBB, there are three schools of thought around NIL: -Get all of them funded, in as big of a way as possible (Texas, one of the few examples, also Arkansas, Oregon) -Hyperfocus where you believe you have a competitive advantage and make it cost prohibitive for most other schools to compete at the top (OU, LSU) -Ignore that shit because no one seems to care (ATM, among others) OU is building an impenetrable fortress around Softball, at least while Gasso is there. But, hey, I'll watch and cheer for Texas and hope to see the ladies make it back to the WS. Yep. Texas wants to be top 10 across the board, which requires funding all non-revenue sports with NIL opportunities. OU wants to be the most elite in what they excelled at pre-NIL (softball, gymnastics). I like Texas' approach more, because it's nice to be able to be an all-around sports program, where we might make the Elite 8 in WBB, win a title in women's tennis and golf and make the champ series in softball, finish top 5 in T&F, win titles in S&D, etc. Whereas for OU, it's football season, gymnastics season and softball season and hope they get lucky somewhere else (decent WBB team, baseball made the champ series last year, made the WTEN finals but lost to Texas) Every program at Texas, save soccer and football, are championship-level contenders right now. OU has 3-5 programs that can say the same, so that's where the $$ goes.
February 10, 20232 yr Author First lineup of the year: KC behind the plate Atwood at 1st Martinez at 2B Washington at SS Scott at 3B Gilbert LF Popelka CF Goode RF Day DP Mac Morgan P Surprised no Baylea Brandon
February 10, 20232 yr Author Goode hits an RBI triple and Martinez singles her home. Good starts for the froshes
February 10, 20232 yr Author 1 minute ago, D3zii said: Surprised Simpson didn’t get the day 1 start We play 2 today. SS will probably start against NW
February 10, 20232 yr 2 minutes ago, Js1 said: We play 2 today. SS will probably start against NW Facts!!!
February 10, 20232 yr 9 minutes ago, Js1 said: We play 2 today. SS will probably start against NW Morgan was also really good as a FR in a good conference. It would not be surprising at all if she’s the ace.
February 10, 20232 yr Well they look damn good at this moment! NW is our next game ranked #8 I believe so we’ll see
February 10, 20232 yr Morgan throws HARD. We probably hhaven't had a pitcher with this velocity since way back to Denny. I dont count Miranda.
February 10, 20232 yr Might be up and down to start the year because of youth but I always thought Texas was underrated based on the preseason polls because of Morgan. Did people not see the numbers she put up as a FR in the PAC 12? She’s a legit ace with talent around her.
February 10, 20232 yr Author 8 runs on 11 hits. KC 3-3 Morgan 3 hits no runs so far. 1 walk and 2 K Still maybe too aggressive on the base paths from 3rd lol Edited February 10, 20232 yr by Js1
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