spooky
01-26-2007, 12:02 AM
The preseason poll is out:
2007 Big 12 CONFERENCE Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Texas A&M (8) 80
2. Baylor (1) 69
3. Nebraska 62
4. Oklahoma (1) 58
5. Texas 53
6. Kansas 39
7. Oklahoma State 28
8. Missouri 27
9. Texas Tech 23
10. Iowa State 11
According to the coaches, it looks like a league split in half - the top 5, and then the bottom 4, with Kansas kind of in the middle. While there is some definite seperation between the top 5 teams in this poll, the NFCA Top 25 poll shows that those top 5 may be interchangeable. Their poll includes a pretty serious Big 12 logjam in the middle of the poll:
13 Texas A&M
15 Nebraska
16 Oklahoma
17 Texas
18 Baylor
* A&M returns a ton of great players, both on offense and pitching, but they returned most of those same players last year and had a mildly disappointing season, including an early upset dismissal in the NCAA's. Some Aggies felt that they lost some senior leadeership before last year that really affected them, and that they won't have that issue this year
* Nebraska returns a grat pitcher in Ashley DeBuhr, but lost a good bit of offensive production. They'll have to replace that to have a chance to win the league.
* Oklahoma on the other hand returns almost everyone, although their one loss is a big one. The key could be if Mathis can repeat her freshman performance in the circle, and how much other pitching help develops.
* Somebody let the Cat out, so Texas is a little up in the air. Last time they had to go without her, they were a big disappointment, but they should have more ammunition now to avoid that than they did back when. Their offense improved last year, and they have another really good pitcher in Meagan Denny. I think her mental adjustment to being the post-Cat ace could be the key to the Horns' season.
*Kansas lost the best Big12 pitcher not named Osterman, but returns a good one in Kassie Humphreys. Their offense looks like a mix of some good returning players as well as some untested players who'll have to play early.
* Now for the team I know best - Baylor. We lost 3 really good offensive players that will be tough to replace, but return alot also. Pitching will be anchored by seniors Lisa Ferguson and Ashley Monceauex. Lisa spent last season recovering from arm surgery, and was not at her best, but should be 100% this year. Ashley signed with Arizona originally as a pitcher, but had spent the last few years out of the circle until last year, so it was a learning curve for her. She looked great in fall ball, so I'm expecting big things from her this year. Add sophomore Brittany Turner and Gatorade National High-School Player of the Year Kirsten Shortridge, and pitching depth should be a real strength. .
The offense will still have a good deal of power, though not quite as much, but will add more speed. The offense will be anchored by All-American Chelsi Lake at catcher and Brette Reagan at third. Brette was a 2nd-team All-American as well last year as a freshman. Monceaux returns at first. The middle infield is a question, with a probable freshman starter at shortstop, and a couple of potential options at second. The outfield will be a little young as well, with Shortridge and freshman twins Nicole and Tiffany Wesley potentially getting regular starting nods.
2007 Big 12 CONFERENCE Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Texas A&M (8) 80
2. Baylor (1) 69
3. Nebraska 62
4. Oklahoma (1) 58
5. Texas 53
6. Kansas 39
7. Oklahoma State 28
8. Missouri 27
9. Texas Tech 23
10. Iowa State 11
According to the coaches, it looks like a league split in half - the top 5, and then the bottom 4, with Kansas kind of in the middle. While there is some definite seperation between the top 5 teams in this poll, the NFCA Top 25 poll shows that those top 5 may be interchangeable. Their poll includes a pretty serious Big 12 logjam in the middle of the poll:
13 Texas A&M
15 Nebraska
16 Oklahoma
17 Texas
18 Baylor
* A&M returns a ton of great players, both on offense and pitching, but they returned most of those same players last year and had a mildly disappointing season, including an early upset dismissal in the NCAA's. Some Aggies felt that they lost some senior leadeership before last year that really affected them, and that they won't have that issue this year
* Nebraska returns a grat pitcher in Ashley DeBuhr, but lost a good bit of offensive production. They'll have to replace that to have a chance to win the league.
* Oklahoma on the other hand returns almost everyone, although their one loss is a big one. The key could be if Mathis can repeat her freshman performance in the circle, and how much other pitching help develops.
* Somebody let the Cat out, so Texas is a little up in the air. Last time they had to go without her, they were a big disappointment, but they should have more ammunition now to avoid that than they did back when. Their offense improved last year, and they have another really good pitcher in Meagan Denny. I think her mental adjustment to being the post-Cat ace could be the key to the Horns' season.
*Kansas lost the best Big12 pitcher not named Osterman, but returns a good one in Kassie Humphreys. Their offense looks like a mix of some good returning players as well as some untested players who'll have to play early.
* Now for the team I know best - Baylor. We lost 3 really good offensive players that will be tough to replace, but return alot also. Pitching will be anchored by seniors Lisa Ferguson and Ashley Monceauex. Lisa spent last season recovering from arm surgery, and was not at her best, but should be 100% this year. Ashley signed with Arizona originally as a pitcher, but had spent the last few years out of the circle until last year, so it was a learning curve for her. She looked great in fall ball, so I'm expecting big things from her this year. Add sophomore Brittany Turner and Gatorade National High-School Player of the Year Kirsten Shortridge, and pitching depth should be a real strength. .
The offense will still have a good deal of power, though not quite as much, but will add more speed. The offense will be anchored by All-American Chelsi Lake at catcher and Brette Reagan at third. Brette was a 2nd-team All-American as well last year as a freshman. Monceaux returns at first. The middle infield is a question, with a probable freshman starter at shortstop, and a couple of potential options at second. The outfield will be a little young as well, with Shortridge and freshman twins Nicole and Tiffany Wesley potentially getting regular starting nods.