Big 12 softball tourney

[Jennifer]

Anyone making it to Hall of Fame Stadium for some softball this weekend?

I can't believe OU lost in the first round. Thank goodness for double elimination--but they've got a tough road if they want to make the final. They haven't seemed to have had that spark at the plate that Lisa Carey, Ashli Barrett, or Washington could provide last year when needed. They do seem to have some very talented freshmen.

Texas has an awesome freshman pitcher that will cause some headaches.

Someone on James Hale's OU boards has hinted at problems w/i the OU softball program. Can't imagine what, 2 years after winning a NC. He eluded to some possible transfers. I hope this is all untrue.

[swok34]

I haven't heard anything about transfers "out" of the softball program. OU had a catcher come in last year, who apparently has "quit", though she's still in class.....I heard she decided to quit. She's typically at most of the games here in Norman.

A couple of weeks ago, after 4 losses in a row (Texas-2; Fresno St., and arizona)...Gasso called their problems "timely hitting"
and it's the same thing that happened last night......they got the hits, they got the players on base, just couldn't get them across the plate. I heard some folks complaining about Stewart, I think she's doing just fine......OU has a really good freshmen pitcher in Kami Keiter. OU lost 6 players from last year, and they have freshmen playing catcher and 1st base, a new girl playing 2nd......I think OU has done really good considering what players they lost last year.

Texas pitcher, freshmen.....Kat Osterman....absolutely awesome pitcher.
Oklahoma State pitcher, Lauren Bay.
Nebraska pitcher, Peaches James....

where do they get these names? http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[swok34]

jennifer, I went over and read some of the comments on Hale's board........I haven't heard anything about player dissension.
I did find out today that the reason Megan Hube was "released" from the team.....SHE spoke of transferring out and Gasso overheard her....

The only player I have not hardly see play at all in any capacity is a sophomore pitcher. Kami Keiter is a freshmen and quite awesome who looks to take the reins; also heard that Gasso has signed 2 pitchers....OU really has some great freshmen on the team this season.

[Jennifer]

swok--there is a pitcher from Coppell who has signed w/ OU. Her name is Nicole Denes. Coppel won the 5A championship last year and are #1 this year, as well as being #6 in the USA Today poll. This is a power pitcher. I'll see if I can find her stats--her strikeout numbers are unbelievable. Hopefully that will carry over to her time at OU.
Last year she had a .13 ERA, and a .45 her first 3 seasons.

I found some more stats. Her ERA is up this year to .76. She has 369 SOs in 184.7 innings pitched. She's also leading her team in slugging %age adn RBI's.

[Jennifer]

Just checked, Texas is up 1-0 over OU in an elimination game. Texas' first batter homered.
Winner plays NU for the championship.
Keiter is pitching, after holding Texas scoreless in a 4-0 win last night.
Osterman is pitching for Texas. Uh-oh.
A name you forgot--Nebraska pitcher Peaches James. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[swok34]

thanks Jennifer......I don't keep up so well with the softball team like I do the basketball team. I did go to both games Saturday, didn't make Sunday's game. The "other" freshmen pitcher for Texas, who I think is pretty good herself, just wasn't as good. Cat came in after 3/4 innings and bailed her out.....it is amazing to watch someone try to bat Cat. Saturday nite, the OU players were getting a piece of her pitches and tossing them long over the foul line fence, just couldn't straighten 'em out. Cat will be a force to be reckoned with for the next 3 years......I've heard that she knows how good she is,, and she has every right to be the braggart.

Read article this morning where Gasso said that Texas winning helps OU moreso than Nebraska winning in regards to hosting a regional. OU is on wait-and-see whether they will host or not, selection's are next Sunday nite.