Women’s Softball-what ails the Lady Gators this year?
- Thread starter GatorInGeorgia
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- Aug 25, 2014
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He knows he dropped the ball and needs to step up his game.
- Jun 11, 2014
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He needs to weed out some of the dead wood on the roster.
- Aug 25, 2014
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Agreed.
- Nov 9, 2015
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Just how do you propose to do that? Now you could indicate that some are not going to be playing much if they don't improve, but other than that there is no ethical path.
I really believe that we had only one decent pitcher and a lack of hitters that was most of the issue. Some new players could fix these issues.
- Jun 11, 2014
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That’s basically what I’m saying, if you don’t perform you don’t play. This season we had way too many players that did not perform on the offensive side and there was no one on the bench to replace them with. I don’t know if it was a total miss in recruiting or bad coaching or some of both. Defense was great but if you don’t score any runs it doesn’t matter how good your defense is. I’m hoping these freshman coming in next year are ready to play, but that’s going to be a tall order. This isn’t rec. ball where we’re just playing for fun and everybody gets to play, this is big time college softball and if Walton needs to hurt some feelings to get it straightened out I’m behind him all the way.
Scott512
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- Sep 1, 2014
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It's crazy how bad the Gators offense is with no signs I'm turning it around soon especially with the best hitter in recent memory graduating. You look at UCLA and Oklahoma and those titties are on a different Talent level by a lot over the Gators. And having an ace who gives up a lot of long balls like Barnhill did hurts too no matter how many games you win and how good she was. But that offense it's it's it's deplorable! Recruiting has really dropped off but I have to say what the coach and the staff have done in the last 11 or 12 years has been remarkable. Gators were so close to winning softball and baseball titles in 2017. Barnhill really let us down in that Series against Oklahoma. Thankfully the baseball team picked us up with their first-ever NCAA atitle.Walton needs to hire the UCLA hitting coach. Immediately.
I hope Walton can get players who get on base and play hit and run and the fundamental game more than he has in the past. I hope also hope he gets a combination of pitchers and have variety where you can attack the elite teams from all angles in the circle.
Scott512
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- Sep 1, 2014
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UCLA starts game 2 and with back to back home runs. They look like the best teat i can ever remember in softball.. the only thing good will be seeing Oklahoma lose after the Gators lost that crushing Series 3 years ago to them in the championship series.
- Aug 21, 2014
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We will never hear about it but, some girls, if not most will have their scholarships reduced to make room for transfers.
I was told that despite being major contributors their first three years Kirsti Merritt and another player I can't remember, were told before the start of their senior year their scholarship was cut to 30%, I presume for the same reason.
At that time to add that missing piece, not a rebuild like might be needed now.
I was told that despite being major contributors their first three years Kirsti Merritt and another player I can't remember, were told before the start of their senior year their scholarship was cut to 30%, I presume for the same reason.
At that time to add that missing piece, not a rebuild like might be needed now.
Scott512
Senior Member
- Sep 1, 2014
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Really? To do that too valuable seniors is questionable. They need a talent rebuild and a pitching rebuild. This Gator team over the last 11 years has really spoiled us so we expect a lot. Hard to do. UCLA of all teams was down for many years struggling and mediocrity by their standards. The Bruin just won their 12th NCAA softball title in walk off fashion. This was a terribly pitched championship series. I couldn't believe my eyes. UCLA hit for solo home runs tonight and needed a walk-off hit to win the championship. UCLA and Oklahoma have mashers in their lineups and that cures a lot of ills.
- Aug 25, 2014
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We know where your mind is tonight! 
Personally this is one area where the lady Gators “stack” up well against the competition.
diehardg8r
Junior Member
- Sep 14, 2014
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Walton needs to hire the UCLA hitting coach. Immediately.
Doesn't UCLA have a man as a pinch hitter?
Ocalaman
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- Mar 7, 2018
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When Walton 1st got to Gainesville, he built the team around pure power. We had some good pitchers and 1 great one (Nelson), but we had a team of mashers. Over time, he recruited more balanced players and the 2 championship teams had it all - great pitching, speed, defense and power hitting. But the last 4 years it's been defense, pitching and "timely" hitting, meaning weak hitting. I know that since Kenny Gajewski left to take the Ok. St. job right after our last national title, the hitting has gotten progressively worse. And on top of that we can't play small ball either, which doesn't make sense. I think there have been a lot of recruiting misses, as our recruiting rankings have been consistently high. But, also, there has been a lack of player development. I love Coach Walton and what he has done for the program. But he needs to not only re-evaluate his players, but he needs to re-evaluate his staff, how they recruit and how he prepares his team. There is no reason why UF softball should not have a lineup of .300 hitters. And there is no excuse in D1 softball not to be able to lay down sacrifice bunts.
- Jun 12, 2014
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I've enjoyed reading the opinions about the softball team. The fact that there's 13 pages on them makes me believe it is important. Football's king (by most accounts), but softball is a princess. At the risk of redundancy, it is amazing on one hand just how unbalanced we are with Defense being the only top line facet of the team and on the other how we ever made it to the WCWS in the first place. If we're going to shoot the dog that bit us then it's a toss up between recruiting and player development. I know Walton is making the rounds as he's been by our school looking at a junior pitcher who will be at the top of her class, but it does seem that he has missed quite a bit lately, especially on the offensive end of things. While I appreciate his candor in the interview when he confessed that our girl "couldn't" bunt in the sac situation, it pisses me off that she couldn't. I'd rather him have to explain a failure to execute.
Sounds a lot like there is some cleaning in order, perhaps with his staff and with the roster. I'd worry more about roster cuts than assistants, but at this level he can't afford to keep much dead wood. The key is to not let the roster get into the shape it seems to be in as we move forward. I think he's obviously a great coach based on what he's done, but at an elite program, standing still is falling behind. I look forward to see what he does to get us more balanced and efficient,
Sounds a lot like there is some cleaning in order, perhaps with his staff and with the roster. I'd worry more about roster cuts than assistants, but at this level he can't afford to keep much dead wood. The key is to not let the roster get into the shape it seems to be in as we move forward. I think he's obviously a great coach based on what he's done, but at an elite program, standing still is falling behind. I look forward to see what he does to get us more balanced and efficient,
Scott512
Senior Member
- Sep 1, 2014
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Yeah UCLA doesn't have the Lookers they used to. But they were monsters this year with the long ball. Chicks love the long ball as Baseball fans and as softball players. ;)
Personally this is one area where the lady Gators “stack” up well against the competition.
Scott512
Senior Member
- Sep 1, 2014
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You can make the case that softball is the fourth most important Gator sport after football mens basketball and baseball. It's certainly my third most enjoyable to watch after football and men's basketball. I certainly command the coach and everyone involved 4 bringing us such an excellent decade of softball. I sometimes quibble with Coach Walton and his lack of small balls and slappers but his record the last 11 or 12 years is off the charts.
Scott512
Senior Member
- Sep 1, 2014
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Great post. All true. The girl that hit the homerun the incredible game winning homerun to send the Gators to the World Series last year didn't do much this year did she? What happened to her? She looks like a five tool player.
Your point about the hitting coach leaving after the second of the back-to-back NCAA titles is very important. He has not been adequately replaced. Obviously.
Ocalaman
Well-Known Member
- Mar 7, 2018
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Yeah Jordan Matthews came out of high school in California highly touted and had a really good freshman year. But she just couldn't hit this year and lost her starting position. She got a couple of key pinch hits during the season, but needs to get with it in the offseason, as she had a ton of proven ability. Same with Danielle Romanello. Jamie Hoover and Jordan Roberts started most of the year, but also, underperformed. There is talent on this team - They just need to develop what they came with and play up to their capabilities.
- Aug 25, 2014
- 6,340
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