A Sea Of Red

Keeney recently made a post thanking the team, staff, and university for her time there. Plus, after transferring to OSU, Caroline was quoted with this:

"OSU competes at the highest level," Hudson said of why she chose Oklahoma State. "I love how it's a small town feel and everyone gets behind softball. My mom and I were in Stillwater for the Super Regional vs. Oregon this year and loved it."

Kind of hard reading that but she's not wrong.

By the way, I sincerely wish them the best and completely respect their decision to depart. It is what it is in this portal era.

So without the ace, the HR leader/catcher, AND the leadoff hitter/shortstop, what do you expect from the team in the short term?

I guess it's hard to say without knowing what the portal might bring and not yet knowing the starting roster but these changes feel a bit deflating after the progress that was made this past season.

Still, I have confidence in Dot, the Fagans, their pedigree, the awesome facilities, etc. And that there's burgeoning talent nationwide. Who wouldn't love to be a fly on the wall in their coaches meetings?!

Keeney to Oklahoma!

We lost Howard, Hudson and Keeney, but with our returning players, 2 transfer pitchers, and the incoming freshmen, I think we can be better than we were in 2023 season. We'll have more depth in pitching staff, which hopefully will pay off come tournament time.

Who's the second pitcher?

Bachman, Escobar, Oubre, Yoder

I hoping for 1 more off portal. (Maxwell or Vawter would be nice.)

Escobar was the 2nd best pitcher on North Alabama and Oubre was 6th on the 9th ranked Louisiana pitching depth chart and only pitched 3+ innings in 2 years. It seems Louisiana got a transfer pitcher from Florida to add to their stable of excellent pitchers. One can only hope we have a diamond in the rough with one of them.

Soto has transferred to Grand Canyon University.

ballcoach15 wrote:Soto has transferred to Grand Canyon University.

Have you heard/read who will be the starting catcher?

Savannah Jessie is the only catcher listed in the current roster, and none of the 6 recruits coming this year are catchers. I wonder if any of the recruits or current players had experience catching in HS?! There is time to develop a backup.

According to my sources, catching depth is committed, it just hasn't been formally announced yet.

Machado is transferring to Central Connecticut.

I didn’t think Manny had any eligibility yet? Boy, the trans community is really pushing limits these days!

The 2024 Roster is now posted on softball website. We have 14 returnees, 9 freshmen, and 3 transfers. Also, Emily Kirby is our 3rd paid assistant coach.

What does the circle look like?

Bachman
Escobar
Yoder
Oubre
Deter
Love

Pitching staff is much deeper than last season, and I think it will be better.

ballcoach15 wrote: ↑August 22nd, 2023, 2:40 pm Bachman
Escobar
Yoder
Oubre
Deter
Love

Pitching staff is much deeper than last season, and I think it will be better.

Who will be our ace(s)?

flamehunter wrote: ↑August 22nd, 2023, 4:27 pm

ballcoach15 wrote: ↑August 22nd, 2023, 2:40 pm Bachman
Escobar
Yoder
Oubre
Deter
Love

Pitching staff is much deeper than last season, and I think it will be better.

Who will be our ace(s)?

TBD

I realize we won't know who the top ones will be but I was trying to pick the SB guru's brain a little. He at least has opinions I'm sure. Whether they are correct or not is another matter

My opinion on the "ace", changes daily. and some days hourly.

As long as you still have opinions, that’s a good sign-when that stops, so do a lot of other things!

Escobar - 2nd best pitcher on North Alabama
Oubre - 5th on the depth chart at Louisiana and I think pitched 3+ innings all year
Deter - This is her 3rd year here. Has yet to throw a pitch
Bachman - Pitched well, at times, mostly against the inferior teams (Keeney started against P5 teams)
Yoder - Decent HS career.
Love - LIberty Online Academy (homeschooled). Wasn't part of the announced recruiting class.


Ergo, my TBD.

Chippy wrote: ↑August 22nd, 2023, 7:19 pm Escobar - 2nd best pitcher on North Alabama
Oubre - 5th on the depth chart at Louisiana and I think pitched 3+ innings all year
Deter - This is her 3rd year here. Has yet to throw a pitch
Bachman - Pitched well, at times, mostly against the inferior teams (Keeney started against P5 teams)
Yoder - Decent HS career.
Love - LIberty Online Academy (homeschooled). Wasn't part of the announced recruiting class.


Ergo, my TBD.

Kaylan Yoder - https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/wi ... oder/39707