A Very Special Softball team

[sybarite]

Today, OU won over Iowa 23-3 in five and over East Carolina 11-0 in five.

Paige Parker, the freshman from Missouri, pitched her third perfect game of the season, an OU record! In addition, she hit a home run. All three perfect games have been five inning run-ruled games.

Shelby Pendley hit a home run in the first game and three in the second, tying an OU record for three home runs in a game.

Lauren Chamberlain hit #84 in the first game and #85 in the second game. She is in a three-way tie for third in NCAA career home runs. The record is 90, only five needed to tie.

Lauren Chamberlain had five runs batted in today to give her a career total of 229. Jessica Shults is #2 in OU rbis with 230. Samantha Ricketts is #1 with 239. The OU records for rbis and the NCAA record for home runs should be in Lauren's hands within two to three weeks, probably two.

 

[rhSooner]

One NC, 3 other WCWS appearances, currently 13 straight, Patty just keeps up the highest level of competition and high quality players, kinda like Switzer in the mid 70's just re-loaded. Crazy good talent on this team and doing it with THREE full time coaches, and one volunteer coach. Chamberlain deserves every record, she's a winner and tough as nails.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

Iowa is horrible. They missed routine plays all day. Well I guess they only played four innings on defense. But it was 11-0 in the first. Chamberlain hit another homerun.

But OU isn't a super team They don't have a pitcher who can dominate against quality teams like they had with Ricketts and Gascoigne two years ago. Much less two. Blowing out teams that can't play is not the measure of a group like this.

The good news is that Parker is learning, and we're hoping that like last year, Kelsey Stevens is a slow starter whose need for timing and touch keeps improving as the season progresses and she becomes as good as last year, with a little more rest than she could possibly have had a year ago. We'll see.

If this team going to make the WCWS, they will need more than a powerhouse lineup. It looks like Chamberlain is close to full speed. Somebody needs to convince her to quit putting herself at risk on the bases. And some young players need to develop and maybe one of the best seniorclasses in school history will get number three on their final try. But the pitching is going to have to get a lot better.

We know they can beat up on lesser lights. But we still haven't seen if the ladies can be consistently good against good teams. There is a reason they're ranked sixth nationally. There are five very good teams ahead of them.

 

[sybarite]

You are a bit premature with your dismissal of OU as a superteam. Right now, there are probably about nine teams that appear to rise above the crowd. Most of them have fairly established pitchers. All of them have demonstrated the ability to beat up on nobodies. But, very few of them have played more than a couple of games away from home, and few have played more than one or two teams in the top twenty-five.

OU went to #22 Arizona State and split with them. They also beat #17 Washington there
OU went to Palm Springs and met:
#8 Georgia, losing 5-6
#14 Kentucky winning 7-3
#18 Arizona, losing 4-5
OU also beat DePaul twice when they were ranked, in Hawaii.

So, OU is 3-3 against the top twenty-five, 5-3 if you wish to include DePaul.

Indeed, Iowa isn't all that good. But, nobody had handled them quite like we did. #1 Florida beat them twice, 8-0. But, Iowa also beat #17 Central Florida in Florida. #1 Florida just lost when they finally played a road game.

We went on the road and tried out some new players and pitchers. Stevens has started slowly, which she did last year. But, Paige Parker seems to have found her edge as they taught her a change-up. As I understand, the record for perfect games in a year is three, and Paige has three. Someone indicated that the NCAA career record is five. Well, halfway through her freshman year, she has three.

With Lauren and Kady healthy, this team is stronger than last year. Nicole Pendley, Paige Parker, and Erin Miller are probably better than the people that they replaced. Whitney Ellis is a much better hitter this year. The lineup of Pendley, Chamberlain, Pendley, Miller, Parker, and Self is the most formidable that OU has ever placed on the field. Lauren has almost hit as many home runs this year as she did last year in an injury-shortened season. But, even Shelby hit four yesterday.

Right now, this team probably should be one of the two or three favorites. If Parker keeps coming along, we may have our dominant pitcher. Most teams that win titles don't have what we had with Ricketts and Gascoigne. They have one. Right now, we may have one and a half. But, the lineup may be stronger this year than it was in 2013.

 

[sybarite]

Today, we are seeing a little of how good OU can be.

Patti picked up career win #1000 today against East Carolina

Ramirez hit a home run for East Carolina in the second.
Then, Kady Self hit a home run for OU in the second.

In the bottom of the third with the score tied 1-1, OU scored 17 runs on 14 hits with 5 home runs by Pendley (twice, one a grand slam), Self, Townsend, and Nirschi.

In the bottom of the fourth, Self hit another home run. Lauren hit #86 putting her third on the list by herself, one behind second. The eight home runs in a game is a new OU record. Self hit three in one game, tying an OU record tied yesterday by Shelby Pendley.

Final 23-1.

Edit: Kady's "third home run" was hit by Hatfield. OU is now one of ten teams in D-1 to have hit 8 home runs in a game.

This post was edited on 3/15 2:51 PM by sybarite

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

Again, I'm not saying OU can't be a great team. But they aren't close to that yet. We know that they can hammer sub par pitching, especially if it's backed by shaky defense. And I'd say right now, that OU softball is my second favorite Sooner sport. But for this team to be Super, or even have a chance to be, they have to have two, maybe three things happen. The pitching has to improve. Parker needs to be able to go through quality lineups with endurance. And a second quality starter has to emerge.

And Lauren and Shelby Pendley have to stay healthy. If Shelby is healthy, then opponents have to pitch to Chamberlain more frequently. If Lauren is the only player on the roster who can hit great pitching, then that changes everything. I've seen a lot of baseball or softball teams who can absolutely embarrass lesser opponents, but not have the little details to threaten nearly so well against teams at their talent level. The home run is great. But sometimes, you have to be able to do little things against somebody dominant in the circle.

This team isn't close at this point to showing greatness against top teams. And OU has really only played a couple of games that were road games against good teams. They lost to ASU in Tempe. The other two losses were tournament games. Georgia beat OU in Vegas I believe. That's a road game for them too. They just lost two of three at home to Alabama.They are not a top four SEC team most likely. Their defense is awfully shaky. I think they beat OU 6-5.

Neither ASU nor Arizona are top ten teams.

OU's biggest problem might be the weakness of the Big XII this year. Right now, there are only two other conference teams in the top 25 and one of those is Kansas at 23. Baylor at 15 is the other. Texas is barely average this year. The Sooners won't get much testing in the conference. They do get Baylor at home.

The trip next weekend to LSU, at the end of spring break, looms huge. LSU as you noted, beat Florida this weekend at home. OU will have played four game this weekend, plus another tomorrow and a make up trip to Wichita Tuesday. That's a lot of inning before to Baton Rouge Friday night for three games, though game three will be against McNeese State.

How the Sooners play in Red Stick will say a lot about where they'll be ranked down the road. Top seven or eight is an absolute necessity. Michigan and Oregon are very likely to keep a very strong record for a while. How many SEC teams rank ahead of the Sooners down the road will be a big factor. Other than being able to dominate average or lower teams, the pitching hasn't proven much yet. It's still a game of pitching, especially when you're tossing the word "super" around.

 

[Sooners83]

...amazed

 

[puggie]

Sounds good to me but haven't seen them play yet. but go Sooners !

 

[gsxrace01]

love these girls!!!!

 

[sybarite]

They run-ruled Iowa again today, 9-0. Shelby pitched a shutout, relieved in the fifth by Paige. Shelby hit her eighth HR of the weekend, and has homered in five straight games, an OU record. Paige followed with a HR.

 

[gsxrace01]

Originally posted by sybarite:
They run-ruled Iowa again today, 9-0. Shelby pitched a shutout, relieved in the fifth by Paige. Shelby hit her eighth HR of the weekend, and has homered in five straight games, an OU record. Paige followed with a HR.

awesome,these girls are unstoppable!

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

If they are unstoppable this weekend, then we know they can be special.

 

[Schoonerman_rivals49058]

Originally posted by Plainosooner:
If they are unstoppable this weekend, then we know they can be special.

Why? Are the Yankees coming to town?

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

They go to LSU with the Tigers having taken two of three last weekend at Florida. Both teams were previously undefeated. UF had been ranked number 1. Toughest two games of the season most likely.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Just so I'm up to speed on this thing, is this game tonight (Wichita St.) a make up game from a rain out on the 4th?


(I know, I know, I need to get out more..

 

[sybarite]

Probably. We won 8-2 on a Self grand slam.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Thanks Syb, it's hard to get info from the interwebs...the softball gals get no love at all...the poor babies...

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

Yes, this seems to be a make up. It wasn't on the schedule before.

For the schedule or roster of any OU scholarshiped sports team, go to Soonersports.com.

When you get there, the top of the page on the upper left put your cursor over SPORTS. The list of all sports comes up with men on the left and women on the right. Slide the cursor to the desired schedule or roster and click. Once you get to the schedule, it will tell you if it's being broadcast and by whom. And if you pay them ten bucks a month, they'll let you watch their on the site broadcasts.

It will help just about anybody keep up. Even Rowing.

 

[sybarite]

Rank record (record against top 25)(record against non-top 25)

1. LSU 27-1 (3-1)(24-0)

2. Oregon 23-3 (2-2)(21-1)

3. Florida 28-2 (8-2)(20-0)

4. Michigan 24-4 (7-3)(21-1)

5. Alabama 20-6 (4-4)(16-2)



6. Oklahoma 23-3 (3-3)(20-0)

7. Louisiana-Lafayette 20-3 (1-2)(19-1)

8. Georgia 22-5 (4-3)(18-2)

9. Auburn 20-2 (2-0)(18-2)

10.Florida State 22-6 (2-5)(20-1)

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

The dynasty needs a little work. Shut out in Baton Rouge 1-0. They played tight and had three base runners.

This is really the first time they've played top line pitching this season. When you have all boppers and no speed threats, it makes you more vulnerable to a well pitched game.

I thought the plate umpire was terrific for both pitchers. A wake up call, for sure.

 

[sybarite]

You are a downer. Aren't you? Let's see:

We had two long outs that almost made it out, both coming about three to four feet from the wall. It's just that LSU's one went out.

We had runners on first twice when the hitter lined a shot off of the pitcher''s leg, the type that usually deflects off to nowhere and leaves no play. Instead, both times, it deflects right to the shortstop as though it had been hit right at her, almost leading to double plays. Another time with a runner on first, we hit a line shot to third that almost became a double play.

We had the go ahead run on second with two outs, and Chamberlain lined a shot into right. It went right to the right fielder.

There are days like that in softball and baseball which is why they tend to play more than one game in championships.

The sole difference? They had one great hitter whose shot went out. Our great hitters's shots didn't go out. One hit---period--was the difference. And, the person who hit it hadn't hit the ball out of the infield the entire game.

 

[Sooners83]

Originally posted by sybarite:
You are a downer. Aren't you? Let's see:

We had two long outs that almost made it out, both coming about three to four feet from the wall. It's just that LSU's one went out.

We had runners on first twice when the hitter lined a shot off of the pitcher''s leg, the type that usually deflects off to nowhere and leaves no play. Instead, both times, it deflects right to the shortstop as though it had been hit right at her, almost leading to double plays. Another time with a runner on first, we hit a line shot to third that almost became a double play.

We had the go ahead run on second with two outs, and Chamberlain lined a shot into right. It went right to the right fielder.

There are days like that in softball and baseball which is why they tend to play more than one game in championships.

The sole difference? They had one great hitter whose shot went out. Our great hitters's shots didn't go out. One hit---period--was the difference. And, the person who hit it hadn't hit the ball out of the infield the entire game.

yup....have quit reading the 200000 characters

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

Originally posted by sybarite:
You are a downer. Aren't you? Let's see:

We had two long outs that almost made it out, both coming about three to four feet from the wall. It's just that LSU's one went out.

We had runners on first twice when the hitter lined a shot off of the pitcher''s leg, the type that usually deflects off to nowhere and leaves no play. Instead, both times, it deflects right to the shortstop as though it had been hit right at her, almost leading to double plays. Another time with a runner on first, we hit a line shot to third that almost became a double play.

We had the go ahead run on second with two outs, and Chamberlain lined a shot into right. It went right to the right fielder.

There are days like that in softball and baseball which is why they tend to play more than one game in championships.

The sole difference? They had one great hitter whose shot went out. Our great hitters's shots didn't go out. One hit---period--was the difference. And, the person who hit it hadn't hit the ball out of the infield the entire game.

I don't disagree with your analysis of how softball, or for that matter, baseball games go. But you guy were talking about this team as some sort of juggernaut, and they aren't that, not close. I think they are one of the teams with a legit shot at an NC. But the great lineup doesn't mean much when you play against a quality pitcher with a quality defense. You better be able to pitch.

I thought that Parker did a nice job tonight. The pitch that got hit out was a foot high out of the strike zone. But part of why that went out was because she doesn't have the kind of velocity that would make swinging at that pitch a no way decision.

Sounds to me like you're talking about warning track power. Shelby hit a rocket in the sixth that did exactly has you described, but that's why it's a game about pitching and defense.

If you're OU, and you go to the stadium of the number one ranked team in the country and get a split, then you've had a good weekend. But tomorrow is a lot more important for OU than it is for LSU. We don't have really have another quality win on the schedule left. Maybe Baylor. The SEC schools have five or six schools that are elite or close to that. The XII this season is not very good. That can mean a lot of things.

But one thing it does mean is that OU won't be facing a bunch of quality pitchers for the rest of the regular season. Makes it hard when tournament time rolls around. Parker will only get better. But LSU's pitcher tonight was also a freshman. I wish Georgia was back close to full speed. I saw her name in a box score in the last week, so maybe she's getting close to getting back out there.

Instead of calling me negative, think of me trying to keep the lid on expectations. We've seen what goes on around here, when the only acceptable end result of a season is an NC, and the actual result falls short of that. This a a really good team with a chance to be a champion. But they aren't one of the best three or four teams in the country right now.

Parker's performance tonight was encouraging moving forward. But this group is going to have to measure themselves by themselves, not by smoking mediocre teams that give you five outs in an inning a couple of times a game. This team kills teams like that. But they aren't going to manufacture runs very often against a quality defense. And lighting up Iowa isn't nearly as good an indicator of how good you are, as how you play against a pitcher throwing in the 70s with good control and a top defense behind her.

 

[sybarite]

Last year, this team made the final six, and Kelsey Stevens was our only pitcher. Lauren wasn't Lauren at the end of last year, losing a lot of her power to her back injury. Ellis was a great catcher, which she still is. But, she was an automatic out. Martinez had forgotten how to hit and even made a key error.

We have one player that almost totally neutralizes a lot of the top teams, Ellis. A good number of the top teams depend on getting on base and stealing second and third. There have been two (2) steals against Ellis this year. She has picked off more than that. That means that the only way that someone is likely to beat us is to get a couple of walks and have a home run. But, LSU had that great HR hitter, almost as good as Shelby and Lauren (you think that part of the best HR tandem in college history has track power?). Most teams don't have that, and they don't have more than one.

Last night, I watched every bounce go LSU's way. By the time we get around to the World Series, for which we will once again qualify, we will have Casey and Erin Miller back, and it might have helped to have had Erin last night. I got the general impression that if OU were to play LSU, even in Baton Rouge, ten times, OU would win seven. Their pitching isn't that good. Our hitting is.

 

[roygbell]

Referring the the LSU loss as a wake up call is way over the top. This is a young OU team. They were on the road playing the top ranked Tigers and lost by a single home run ball. How in the heck can any fair person suggest that the game was a "wake up call." Pretty lame if you ask me.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that this OU softball team is going to be a great one ...one comparable to an OU NC team. However, I do think this is a team that has the parts to be right there at the end of the season. Not suggesting they will win an NC, but they are going to be a team that has a good shot at making the trip back to OKC at the end of the season.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

Originally posted by roygbell:

I don't think anyone is suggesting that this OU softball team is going to be a great one ...one comparable to an OU NC team. However, I do think this is a team that has the parts to be right there at the end of the season.

I think that is exactly what is being advocated in the thread.

But your assessment and mine are pretty close.

The women are down 4-2 to LSU T5.

 

[sybarite]

Originally posted by roygbell:
Referring the the LSU loss as a wake up call is way over the top. This is a young OU team. They were on the road playing the top ranked Tigers and lost by a single home run ball. How in the heck can any fair person suggest that the game was a "wake up call." Pretty lame if you ask me.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that this OU softball team is going to be a great one ...one comparable to an OU NC team. However, I do think this is a team that has the parts to be right there at the end of the season. Not suggesting they will win an NC, but they are going to be a team that has a good shot at making the trip back to OKC at the end of the season.

I think they'll be in the final four in the World Series. We were in the final six with Stevens as our only pitcher last year. We didn't have Nicole Pendley, Kady Self, Paige Parker or Erin MIller.

Right now, Stevens can't find the plate, something that seems to have developed badly this year. Paige is better than Stevens already, by a long shot.

Right now, we are in a series with LSU, and our two power hitters, both of whom have demonstrated that they can hit in the World Series and deliver key hits, can't get the ball out of the infield. Lauren couldn't even hit the pitching last weekend very well. She's in a funk. it happens. Bad timing. But, this team is better than the one that finished in the top six last year, and I don't see a team as good as Florida was last year.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

I think they're both hurt. Pendley had an eye orbit fracture and is wearing a mask. Can't be good for her stroke.

Chamberlain missed more than a week after a collision on the bases. She doesn't look like herself. They'll be back.

But today, they got run-ruled. Unless Stevens gets it going, it's going to be really tough. Nobody is going to win a WCWS without two quality pitchers. We'll wear the freshman out if a second pitcher doesn't emerge. The lack of a quality schedule will allow time for that to happen. But right now, the long term doesn't look as good as it did a week ago. LSU is pretty dang good.

 

[sybarite]

We'll go further than LSU.

 

[Plainosooner_rivals54053]

I don't know about that. RIght now, OU only has one pitcher who can get any outs against a good lineup.

They beat McNeese in the final game in Louisiana this weekend, 3-0, not scoring until B5. Parker threw a shutout. She gave up four runs this weekend in 17.2 IP's. Pendley and Stevens combined for seven runs allowed in one IP combined.

As they say in east Texas: that dog won't hunt.