Gator Ladies take 2/3 from Tennessee in the Super Regional. Our pitcher Kelly Barnhill pitched every game and threw 350 pitches. Won the first game 3-0, lost the second in 9 innings 2-3 and won today in 8 innings 2-1. Obviously pitching softball isn't as hard on the pitcher as baseball. Really enjoyed watching them.
Oh yeah Don. This was the 3rd day in a row and she was stronger today than yesterday. The only chance we have in the World Series is for us to be able to pitch her every game. That has been going on since the SEC tournament and the Regionals. We won both with the worst batting average in the SEC and the least runs scored.
I think that is pretty standard across college softball. The Texas Longhorn team that Alabama beat had 1 girl who was their ACE. 429 pitches in two days? Softball much different than baseball Consider that Notre Dame played 54 games, they had 1 pitcher start 30 games and 1 pitcher start 20 games...that wouldn't work in baseball. I don't pretend to understand but the pitching motion is clearly not as hard on their arms as the baseball pitching motion. I'm sure JO'Co and Corey can give you an explanation.
Yup, the throwing mechanics are totally different. What you guys are discussing has always been the reason I fuss about the Title IX comparison between softball and baseball. In my opinion, the sports are apples and oranges. In baseball, you need at least a dozen pitchers. In softball, you basically need two for the season.
Interesting Corey, I really never gave this a lot of thought, but what you are saying certainly makes sense to me.
Interesting that the Gators have what may be the worst hitting in the SEC. Last in a couple of hitting categories and near the bottom in most all of them. Barnhill was even better in the SEC tournament and the regional before the super regional than she was in the super regional. Her ERA was somewhere near .5 in those three tournaments combined. Have to see what happens at the World Series. If we win the first game our likely opponent in the 2nd game is Oklahoma. I doubt we win it all but just getting there is quite an accomplishment for this team.
I saw the Gators went down to Okie State in a great game. That girl hit 2 HR and threw a complete game for the Pokes. I'm currently watching the Alabama Oklahoma game. Alabama is down to their last 2 outs here but anything is possible. It's been a good game.
OKie State girl (Sam Snow) who basically single handedly beat the Gators is from the Houston area. She was a dominant player in HS Softball around here. The 1st HR she hit was to dead CF and it was reportedly caught by a Bama dad in the stands, the Gators only run came on a HR as well to dead CF caught by the same Bama dad.
Now the dubious honor of having to take 2 games in one day to advance to the championship. It's a longshot but I really enjoy watching the women play. Lots of enthusiasm.