(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Eleven commitments in the 2026 class!? Say what? How can that be? What am I missing?

Oh, is that the Georgia Impact's 11th commitment to a college? Certainly not the Gator's 11th 2026 commitment, yes?

 

Hi Roger. Was Layla Lamar with the team yesterday? If not, what's her status?

 

Keagan hit a home run yesterday.

 

She was not with the team yesterday. Not sure of her status hopefully she’s back tomorrow.

 

If she can swi

If she can swing it let her swing. Adds flexibility to the lineup. Walton knows best. I mean she did hit a homer

 

She was not, and I do not know her status.

 

Ref: my post 8084 ( Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics)
I started getting interested in the Stats knowing we will lose some of the ‘24 and ‘25 freshmen currently on the roster. Most of the time attrition is good.
Two of the players from last year, I really want to see for four years (in addition to Rothrock, of course) are Ariel and Ava. I don’t think either has received the praise they would have received on a normal SEC team.
AK47 (BA .308,, OPS .973, Errors 3, and F % .978) performance was astounding. During the Coach TW Era, 2006-2024 Excluding 2020 COVID, there have been six freshmen. She ranks first in every category except BA, Sami Fagan BA was .370., but her OPS was .904. So, I declare AK47 as the leading freshman of the era.
In addition, in a year by year comparison, I have her 2024 performance as 7th. Behind Stephanie Toft in 2013-14, Nicole DeWitt in 2018, and Charla Echols in 2021-23. The 7th best performance in an 18 year span ain’t bad!
After her performance last year, I was surprised to see her roster designation as Utility and hope that she is our first 4-year Third Baseman. I certainly hope her relieving the best catcher in softball doesn’t make her consider leaving.
On Ava’s position, I believe her pitching could have been better if she had gotten a little more work. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big improvement in her hitting. The problem as I see it is I believe she is a real competitor and needs to play every day or have a defined major role either as a pitcher or first baseman. I’m hoping for both. She is a little behind where Lauren Haeger was but I believe she has the potential to be our third 2-way star.. 13 HR wit !2 on the Road, WOW!
In my opinion, Ariel and Ave need to be assured, that hey, you are the third baseman and that you are our two-way player for next year. Anything less and they may be gone.
That’s just my opinion.
BTW, some of historical information and stats need to be reviewed. For, example several of our 2006 freshmen were listed as sophmores.
It is a lot of fun to go back in time and see the players who gave us so much enjoyment.

 

lol....no....Georgia Impact as a travel club has eleven kids that have committed this cycle. Nina and the previous commit, Shay Bahr, are two from them going with us.

 

Could be an issue at home with her father and his illness. Just a wild guess.

 

I stand by my comment. The last thing we need is more "flexibility". Keagan will not be a consistent and dynamic hitter. Yes, she can hit some but not to the extent someone else needs to be on the bench. I've watched her hit since she played 14U. Her role is pitching. This is fall ball and Tim is likely simply letting her have her fun and that's fine and you also have to fill out two teams at the same time. I'll bet the farm, other than an occasional gift of a pinch hit, you won't see much of Keagan at the plate. She does hit right which means her pitching arm is somewhat protected....but....do you want to see her get blasted on her pitching elbow and be done for the year? I don't.

 

Willum, Sandy and I agreed that AK was the surprise of last years class and was a consistent performer from beginning to end of season both offensively and defensively. When I arrived about ten minutes before the scrimmage began AK was fielding vicious ground balls at third hit by Coach Walton and made it look easy. When the scrimmage began she played catcher and impressed us all with her arm, throwing out several base runners. We’re in good shape at third. Another player who stood out to all of us was Rylee Holtorf. She dazzled us with her play at short and looks like she will eventually nail down the position. That leaves second base and right field as the two positions that probably won’t be decided until spring and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a platoon in right field early in season.

 

Agree with you John, second base and right field TBD. Coach Walton has a roster management problem with this team as there will be good players on the bench. Best depth in years.

 

Unless she earns it which she has every right to attempt. (Your experience is very much appreciated here, but Keagan deserves every right to prove your wisdom wrong.)

 

I had heard it before. AK's mother was there, and she confirmed that she was a full-time catcher before she came here, which makes her play even more impressive.

As far as Ava leaving, I would disagree.
Her pitching has improved quite a bit over last year. She will be a valuable member of the pitching staff.
She loves to be a Gator.
DJ Lagway.

 

I've often advocated that unless you attend a certain percentage of the games *or* put your unused ticket into the online re-sale program, you forfeit your right to keep those seats next year.

Softball tixs are priced low enough that people can buy just intending to come to the "good" games.

Requiring a season ticket holder to put any used tickets into the Gator resale program is not a big ask, especially since season tickets in those sections are basically unavailable to new people

 

Driving by KSP Wednesday, seemed to be a scrimmage with fans in the stands. Catching up on the board today, it is sounding from the messages that this is an every Wednesday thing? Is that right?

 

Look on floridgators.com/sports/softball news for the schedule.

 

I understand you want Keagen protected. We all do. But if Keagen wants to hit and has the ability it's up to Walton to decide if she can get some ab's. Some pitchers are better off when they can be 2 way so they get a mental break from the pitching side. You don't see her day in and day out to know if she could be better than someone else. Not trying to dispute you but you seem deadset against her hitting. And saying the last thing we need is more flexibility is a pretty arrogant comment. You want as much flexibility as you cna get these days. You never know when somebody could go down with an injury or what situation in a game could mess up a lineup substitution wise.

 

Yes I don't think we have to worry about either of them going anywhere. AK would be our starting catcher no doubt if it wasn't for Jocey. And AK isn't a downgrade, but you can't sit Jocey. And honestly AK is fantastic at 3b.