(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Taylor is a superstar in the making, as Rick has been telling us over and over.
She had 3 or 4 hits.
On the first batter of the game, she dove at a sinking liner and it rolled to the wall. CTW was waiting for her when she came off after the 3rd out.
Korbe made an excellent play by doing a 90-degree Hoover. She slid perpendicular to the ball to block it with her body if needed. She caught it with her glove, but it would have been good if she had not.

 

Maybe Kenleigh, Alyssa(Lou), Gabi or Layla.

 

In the 9th, Cassidy and Lou had sacrifice flies.

Townsend hit a chopper to the first basemen, who made a good play, but she beat out.

 

Yeah...but she is too slow for the outfield. Someone we both know that has knowledge up the wazoo said the other day how impressed he was by how much ground Taylor covers in the outfield. I'll go with that.

 

Layla was there and pinch hit and walked.

Tayshu is not slow. She made a mistake diving for a sinking liner in the first. The second one was not missed, it was played correctly.
As I mentioned earlier, she scored from first on a double by Korbe against an excellent throw.
Kendra turned an out to a run at the plate also. The throw clearly beat her, but she slid behind the plate and touched it with her hand. She should patent that slide.

 

I can hear it now..."Taylor....you don't have to be a hero in the first inning. Play it off the bounce."

 

Are you not contradicting yourself? She is too slow for the OF, but an expert is impressed by how much ground she covers.

 

I never said she was too slow and know that is BS. It was said by others.

 

Yep. And there is a reason why Tim has apparently plugged in a true freshman into the two hole. She is special.

 

Rick - Agree on Taylor. I can let you know that Townsend has poor base stealing skills. She ran twice against Jax and was easily gunned down twice. She gets a terrible start off first. She probably is so used to her speed beating HSS pitchers and catchers that she never really learned the skill correctly. As far as Layla on Fri night she looked totally lost at the plate on both her ABs. It reminded us of Freshman Jamie Hoover. Waving at pitches, all 6 of them without even a foul ball. As far as 2nd is concerned we have 2 great candidates, whoever does not start at 2nd. The opinion of Sandman, Scrappy, 1090, me and our other 6 people think the competition is over with Riley the clear winner. She is quicker to the ball, charges rounders and has a better arm than Skylar. Mia still puts the excitement into routine rounders and fly balls. Regan still slashes balls at a terrific rate and she is the best DH we have ever had. The only competition in my mind is at 1st base and RF. Taylor will play one and someone else will man the other until Mia plays herself out of being the starter. Tim may even try Mia at first as Ava is a very good defensive 1st base but a liability at the plate compared to at least 5 other players on this team.

 

So you’re saying Rylee at 2B and Kenleigh at SS if I read that right. I could see that.

 

Who finished pitching today?

 

She looked fast but it wasn't even close -- it was pretty shocking. Bad start off 1B makes sense, but that's gotta be something that can be coached up, right?

We are all probably old enough to remember the E.F. Hutton commercials from the 70's. Definitely the same thing when y'all post!

 

Just landed but I have Riley at SS and Kenleigh at second or first with AK still at third. Jocey at first when AK catches. If Mia can keep hitting and keep the E's under control she will play 2nd as she is by far our strongest pure power hitter. I know CTW is working hard on her fielding. Taylor still in RF unless he moves her to first to open up RF for Townsend. My 2 cents worth - not an inside from Tim who is playing it very close to the vest, as he should..

 

I had to look this up to jar my memory and will share here:

 

Holtorf will be the SS. Everything will work itself out.

 

Here is why I want Ava to be at first base when the season starts. Look at SEC stats. Decent OPS (.920), total bases (42) and 8 of the 30 total HR. 3 more than anyone else on fewer appearances. Decent RBI (21) Good for fourth- not bad when you are batting 6th or 7th. Fielding was good at .971. A little more patience to reduce strike outs and increase OBP and you have a real star.

 

Agree. You don't sit Ava unless she just isn't producing at all.

 

Ava might also make a sophomore jump in hitting. It wouldn't take much to turn .260 into .300.

One question, is UF a Fall Ball juggernaut?

I agree it would have been nice to see the Fall Ball games.