Lady Vols to WCWS

[M40]

I’m thinking the winner of the OU/Tenn games makes a serious run to the finals and the loser probably gets bounced after going going 0-2

 

[Ladyvols4ever]

Re-ranking the 8 teams to make the Women's College World Series

Re-ranking the eight remaining teams heading to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series.

soonerswire.usatoday.com

 

[rickyyrs]

I hope I’m wrong but so far over the last 20 years we get here but can’t hit. Nice pitching always but just can’t hit enough in the big games.

We have three of our best hitters in slumps yes Boo, Fielder, and poor Taylor is not seeing the ball at all. Hopefully they all snap out of it. BUT what most are forgetting is we faced Bahl all weekend and love her or hate her she is right there with Karlyn and Canady as the best in the game. If our D plays like it did Sunday then we are in business cause we don't need to score a lot of runs {would be nice}.

Jordy Bahl is one of the best pitchers in women's softball. The Lady Vols beat her 2 out of 3 this weekend. Because we have the top pitcher in women's softball in Karlyn Pickens. Now the girl from Oklahoma , i think her name is Sam Landry she is good to. But these Lady Vols battle every game. Like to see the hitting pick it up.

 

[Redleg68]

Really. We get here but CKW teams are not built to win it all. Educate me if you are so much more knowledgeable

Ok, maybe I was a little harsh--You are correct in the fact that we need more talent, but where does that talent come from? Look at the history, From the beginning women's fast pitch was dominated by the west coast teams, because that was where the talent was for a lot of reasons. Every once in a while another team not on the west coast would sneak in and win The World Series. Then Oklahoma caught lightening in a bottle with a coaching hire and started to dominate and they have continued to support the program with the resources needed to bring that talent in. There has not been enough regional talent till the last few years for teams in the SE to compete year in and out. Also lets face it--UT's resources had a higher priority to other sports--thus we could get some talent but never enough. I think though that things are changing with the new AD. I sincerely believe that CKW will finally get the complete support she needs. The next two or three years should determine if she is the answer or not

 

[Okie]

Ok, maybe I was a little harsh--You are correct in the fact that we need more talent, but where does that talent come from? Look at the history, From the beginning women's fast pitch was dominated by the west coast teams, because that was where the talent was for a lot of reasons. Every once in a while another team not on the west coast would sneak in and win The World Series. Then Oklahoma caught lightening in a bottle with a coaching hire and started to dominate and they have continued to support the program with the resources needed to bring that talent in. There has not been enough regional talent till the last few years for teams in the SE to compete year in and out. Also lets face it--UT's resources had a higher priority to other sports--thus we could get some talent but never enough. I think though that things are changing with the new AD. I sincerely believe that CKW will finally get the complete support she needs. The next two or three years should determine if she is the answer or not

It's hard. Every coach not named Patty Gasso has faced similar questions the past 8 or 9 years, certainly the past 5. She may end up being the all time greatest. She recruits anywhere there is a great player. Connecticut, Florida, California, wherever.

Fortunately, so far softball has mostly remained impacted by NIL to a small degree. Most of the girls play because they love the game, not because they are expecting or trying to showcase their ability to another level. The game still has the sense of purity to it, IMO.

There are still a lot of really good coaches out there. They have all just kept running into the wall of Oklahoma. That may change this year, though.

 

[Remy]

Putting 3 out of 4 SEC teams in the same four team bracket demonstrates they’re trying to ensure avoiding an all SEC final.

 

[luthervol]

Putting 3 out of 4 SEC teams in the same four team bracket demonstrates they’re trying to ensure avoiding an all SEC final.

The brackets were set when they released the field of 64.
They should re-seed the 8 who make the world series.
Having the top 4 teams on the same half of the bracket is obviously not going to result in the best, most competitive, and fair world series.......and it's an easy fix.

 

[Majors]

It's hard. Every coach not named Patty Gasso has faced similar questions the past 8 or 9 years, certainly the past 5. She may end up being the all time greatest. She recruits anywhere there is a great player. Connecticut, Florida, California, wherever.

Fortunately, so far softball has mostly remained impacted by NIL to a small degree. Most of the girls play because they love the game, not because they are expecting or trying to showcase their ability to another level. The game still has the sense of purity to it, IMO.

There are still a lot of really good coaches out there. They have all just kept running into the wall of Oklahoma. That may change this year, though.

739 D1 girls in the portal as of this morning, majority won’t find a team. Purity left years ago.

 

[knoxvol52]

When Tennessee beats Oklahoma in the first game , then Lady Vols ride that momentum to The National Championship...

 

[Rickster]

Can we win the NC the way this team is built? Have we won one yet? All I’m trying to say is CKW’s teams are not built to win it all.

Can we win? Yes.
Have we won one? No.
Karen teams are not built to win. Wrong again.

In case you missed it......in the last 3 seasons,
2) Regular Season SEC Championships
(1) SEC Tournament Championship
(3) Regional Champions
(2) Super Regional Championships
(2) times to the WCWS (9) total and two time runner up.
(2) times SEC Coach of the Year

If you want to go back a little further.....

• Nine trips to the Women's College World Series (2005, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 15, 23, 25)
• Two-time WCWS Runner-Up Finish (2007, 13)
• Nine-time NCAA Super Regional Champion (2005, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 15, 23, 25)
• 14-time NCAA Regional Champion (2005, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25)
• Three-time SEC Tournament Champion (2006, 11, 23)
• 2024 SEC Regular-Season Champion
• 2023 SEC Regular-Season Champion
• 2007 SEC Regular-Season Champion
• Three-time SEC Eastern Division Champion (2004, 07, 12)
• 22 consecutive SEC Tournament appearances (2003-25)
• Two-time Speedline South Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2005, 07)
• Four-time NFCA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2010, 12, 13, 23)
• Four-time SEC Coach of the Year (2004, 07, 23, 24)
• UT Daily Beacon Lady Vol Coach of the Year (2001-02, 02-03)
• 107 All-SEC or SEC All-Freshman selections
• 81 NFCA All-Region selections
• 43 NFCA All-America selections
• 34 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections
• First SEC team to reach No. 1 in polls (2007)
• First SEC team to reach WCWS Championship Series (2007)

That's a winning record by a winner.

 

[orangemadam]

I guess what some are saying is that LV's are a one-trick pony. Pickens.
With very little offense, what would become of the team is KP gets
a bad case of flu or gets hurt at beginning of the season? (Behl)
LVols ride only as far as KP takes them.

 

[M40]

I guess what some are saying is that LV's are a one-trick pony. Pickens.
With very little offense, what would become of the team is KP gets
a bad case of flu or gets hurt at beginning of the season? (Behl)
LVols ride only as far as KP takes them.

The first few games are definitely winnable with an elite pitcher. If Tenn makes the championship game then it gets tougher as your Ace gets worn down from throwing every game. Best chance is if you meet up against Tech who would be in same situation

 

[Rickster]

I guess what some are saying is that LV's are a one-trick pony. Pickens.
With very little offense, what would become of the team is KP gets
a bad case of flu or gets hurt at beginning of the season? (Behl)
LVols ride only as far as KP takes them.

I don't believe they could have won 40+ games if they were a one-trick pony. They are not hitting as well as some would like, myself included. Part of it is they have faced some of the best pitchers out there (Kavan, Grein, Landry, Bahl) and some of them more than once. Part of it is they have a new hitting coach and are learning a different approach. Part of it is they are young at several positions and it's easier to get exploited by great pitchers when you don't have the experience. Fact is they are going to the WCWS with Karlyn and if they can scratch out a few runs, they may make a deep run, perhaps all the way. Real question is.....other than Oklahoma, who else will they play?

 

[M40]

Scoring one run against Bahl is no indication of poor batting. Heck OU barely beat UCLA 1-0 on their 2nd game of the WCWS. The key is putting together more runs later in the tournament as the Ace pitcher deal with more fatigue

 

[Rickster]

 

[jacksonvol24]

Can we win? Yes.
Have we won one? No.
Karen teams are not built to win. Wrong again.

In case you missed it......in the last 3 seasons,
2) Regular Season SEC Championships
(1) SEC Tournament Championship
(3) Regional Champions
(2) Super Regional Championships
(2) times to the WCWS (9) total and two time runner up.
(2) times SEC Coach of the Year

If you want to go back a little further.....

• Nine trips to the Women's College World Series (2005, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 15, 23, 25)
• Two-time WCWS Runner-Up Finish (2007, 13)
• Nine-time NCAA Super Regional Champion (2005, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 15, 23, 25)
• 14-time NCAA Regional Champion (2005, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25)
• Three-time SEC Tournament Champion (2006, 11, 23)
• 2024 SEC Regular-Season Champion
• 2023 SEC Regular-Season Champion
• 2007 SEC Regular-Season Champion
• Three-time SEC Eastern Division Champion (2004, 07, 12)
• 22 consecutive SEC Tournament appearances (2003-25)
• Two-time Speedline South Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2005, 07)
• Four-time NFCA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2010, 12, 13, 23)
• Four-time SEC Coach of the Year (2004, 07, 23, 24)
• UT Daily Beacon Lady Vol Coach of the Year (2001-02, 02-03)
• 107 All-SEC or SEC All-Freshman selections
• 81 NFCA All-Region selections
• 43 NFCA All-America selections
• 34 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections
• First SEC team to reach No. 1 in polls (2007)
• First SEC team to reach WCWS Championship Series (2007)

That's a winning record by a winner.

Not arguing all those bullets that we all know. But with that said, CKW teams are just not built to win it all. She always has a great pitcher but not great hitters. Teams at this level, always has at least 2 great hitters. She can’t win it all with slap hitters trying to get on base just putting the ball in play. Until we have some great hitters, we will come up short in the WCWS. You have proven to know all the good things about CKW but I think everyone can attest to know I am correct about the upcoming games ahead of us this week.

 

[volforlife10]

Not arguing all those bullets that we all know. But with that said, CKW teams are just not built to win it all. She always has a great pitcher but not great hitters. Teams at this level, always has at least 2 great hitters. She can’t win it all with slap hitters trying to get on base just putting the ball in play. Until we have some great hitters, we will come up short in the WCWS. You have proven to know all the good things about CKW but I think everyone can attest to know I am correct about the upcoming games ahead of us this week.

you keep mentioning slap hitters, but we have one person on our team that consistently slaps and she doesn’t even slap anymore.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Not arguing all those bullets that we all know. But with that said, CKW teams are just not built to win it all. She always has a great pitcher but not gret hitters. Teams at this level, always has at least 2 great hitters. She can’t win it all with slap hitters trying to get on base just putting the ball in play. Until we have some great hitters, wewill come up short in the WCWS. You have proven to know all the good things about CKW but I think everyone can attest to know I am correct about the upcoming games ahead of us this week.

I don't believe you have watched many LV games this season. Two of the best hitters on the team are power hitters but both have been in a terrible slump last 2 weeks and have forced the line up to get runs anyway they can right now by putting the ball in play. Good things happen when you do that. If Pannell and Boo can get back to form in the WS you will see a different style lineup. For them to advance past 2 games they will have to show up.

 

[Jax_Vol]

I guess what some are saying is that LV's are a one-trick pony. Pickens.
With very little offense, what would become of the team is KP gets
a bad case of flu or gets hurt at beginning of the season? (Behl)
LVols ride only as far as KP takes them.

If that was true, it would be a Houdini level trick

We are a very sound team.

Pitching wins Championships!!!

 

[M40]

When bats matter. Scores from the Sooners

2023
2-0 vs Canady
9-0
4-2 vs Canady
5-0 vs Sandercock
3-1 vs Sandercock in relief

​

2024
9-1
1-0
3-9 Rothrock
6-5 Rothrock
8-3
8-4

2023 pitchers were ridiculous so those numbers were reduced.

 

[orangemadam]

If that was true, it would be a Houdini level trick

We are a very sound team.

Pitching wins Championships!!!

Pitching wins championships. That is what my post is about. If Pickens
goes down, though, can LV's maintain a championship run?

 

[volsagain]

Pitching wins championships. That is what my post is about. If Pickens
goes down, though, can LV's maintain a championship run?

If anyone looes there Ace can they make a championship run ? I'll answer probably not. Pitching is key in softball and baseball. Baseball requires more good pitching because they can't be used as often.

 

[Rickster]

Not arguing all those bullets that we all know. But with that said, CKW teams are just not built to win it all. She always has a great pitcher but not great hitters. Teams at this level, always has at least 2 great hitters. She can’t win it all with slap hitters trying to get on base just putting the ball in play. Until we have some great hitters, we will come up short in the WCWS. You have proven to know all the good things about CKW but I think everyone can attest to know I am correct about the upcoming games ahead of us this week.

Answered above by others. As far as hitting goes, I believe Karen is doing what she can with coaching adjustments and her lineup changes generated enough offense to beat Bahl when it counted. We'll see how they perform in the coming days. Who knows, players may start hitting their average.

 

[Rickster]

If anyone looes there Ace can they make a championship run ? I'll answer probably not. Pitching is key in softball and baseball. Baseball requires more good pitching because they can't be used as often.

Good point. I've also seen where the team upgrades their play (multiple players step up to compensate).

 

[Jax_Vol]

Pitching wins championships. That is what my post is about. If Pickens
goes down, though, can LV's maintain a championship run?

No