First Weekend of 2025 OU Softball - Here are a few thoughts.

[OUBeliever56A]

Here is a synopsis of the teams Oklahoma will play in California:

CSUN = 25-26 Last Year:
Offense: 268-330-368 -Returning hitters with > 325 BA = 1, >10 HR – 0. --> Their offense may be average at best.
Pitching: 3.22 ERA -Returning Pitchers w <3.00 ERA = 1. -->They lost 1 pitcher with a <3 ERA.

San Diego St = 31-20 Last Year:
Offense: 285-360-397 -Returning hitters with > 325 BA = 0, >10 HR – 0. --> They lost Mac Barbara on offense who was by far their best hitter to Texas A&M. So, they will likely be down from 2024.
Pitching: 2.65 ERA -Returning Pitchers w <3.00 ERA = 2. -->They lost 2 pitchers with a <3 ERA.

Cal Baptist = 33-25 Last Year:
Offense: 314-363-445 -Returning hitters with > 325 BA = 2, >10 HR - 1 --> They lost 2 good hitters from 2024, so the offense could be down a bit.
Pitching: 2.78 ERA -Returning Pitchers w <3.00 ERA = 5. -->They returned their entire pitching staff which was fairly good.

Cal State Fullerton = 39-19 Last Year:
Offense: 313-373-416 -Returning hitters with > 325 BA = 3, >10 HR – 0. ---> They lost their best hitter Megan Delgadillo (to OSU) and their other 3 top hitters. the offense has to be down.
Pitching: 2.18 ERA -Returning Pitchers w <3.00 ERA = 1. --> They lost 2 pitchers with a <3 ERA.

LMU = 28-25 Last Year:
Offense: 289-362-440 -Returning hitters with > 325 BA = 3, >10 HR – 1. --> Their offense will be similar to their offense in 2024.
Pitching: 3.69 ERA -Returning Pitchers w <3.00 ERA = 1. --> They lost 1 pitcher with a <3 ERA.

Long Beach State =25-29 Last Year:
Offense: 249-347-345 -Returning hitters with > 325 BA = 1, >10 HR - 0 --> On offense, Medellin (384) is their best hitter by far and does return. No one else hits over 300.
Pitching: 4.38 ERA -Returning Pitchers w <3.00 ERA = 0. -->They lost two pitchers over a 3.00 ERA, with only 1 pitcher below 3.25 returning.

= = = = =

I think that the best team that the Sooners will play in California could be Cal Baptist due their pitching. Long Beach State may be the weakest team. I do not expect that OU will be pressed to win any of the games this weekend. I think maybe that the Sooners will win 4 games handlly and maybe play 7 innings in 2 games.

I expect that these players will start during the weekend:

C => Emerling and Hicks
1B => Sanders and Parker
2B => Agbayani
SS => Barker and Garcia
3B => NellyMac and McKay
LF => Pickering
CF => Dayton
RF => Bland, Coor, Milloy and Parker
DP => Parker, NellyMac, Emerling

Like most of us, it will be interesting to see if Agbayani and Dayton are 1-2 in the order or if it is Agbayani and Parker 1-2 in the lineup. I think we will see NellyMac hit no lower than 5th in the linuep.

I believe that Helton will be the first pinch runner off the bench. Helton could also play late for defense in the outfield. I believe that Zache will be used as a second pinch runner or a pinch hitter. That is everyone as a player.

I think we will see at least 2 pitchers used in every game. I think wie will see Landry, Deal, Smith and Lowry start games this weekend. I would guess that each pitcher including Monticelli pitch in at last two games this weekend. I will be interested to see which righty is paired up with which lefty as a combination. I think we will see Parker in the circle this weekend, I am unsure about Agbayani pitching this weekend though.

Milestones for the weekend:

Will the Sooners steal 10 bases? I think so.
Will the Sooners hit 10 HRs? I think so.
Will the Sooners pick up 45 hits? I think so.
Will the Sooners give up more than 7 runs during the weekend? Not sure about this one.
Will the Sooners pitch 2 shutouts? I think so.
Will the Soonrs post 3 Run-Rule victories? Maybe.
How many games will the Sooners score in the first inning? I think maybe all 6.

It wil be very interesting to watch the "new-look" Sooners in 2025 finally play a game. I am excited to see the new players in real uniforms. I am excited to see NellyMac play. I will be watching the SSs and the RFers closely. Those positions are going to be interesting to watch. I think the catching job will be handled well this weekend.

But on thing is very true. This is not the 235-15 Sooners that have played the last four years. It will be something different. The team is young. The team is very fast. We will see how good the offense is. We will see how good the defense is. We will see who gets the key hit in a couple games. We will see who get the critical out in the circle. There will be many new players that will lead the team.

I am sure than many of us will be watching and maybe listening as well to the games this weekend.

I can't wait to write about six wins in the opening weekend.

Boomer Sooner!

[OUBeliever56A]

The preparation for the Season is complete!

Now - one last observation - Is that NellyMac covering second base? Hmmmmm???

[waddy's ghost]

I have ho idea what the lineup will look like but can not wait to find out .A little over 2 hours to go .

[inconnu]

We're starting 4th inning tied at 1 run each vs CSUN. For some reason we're the home team. We're not hitting well. Deal pitching. One out now, and a CSUN player hits a single up the middle. 2 outs now. Now 2 on base for CSUN. 2 outs. Uhoh, a single, and another run scores.They're up 2-1. Runners at first and third.

BELLA SMITH now in to pitch for OU. Yeah, this is the first look anyone gets of her pitching! Bella gets a K! Sooners now up to bat...

On to the 5th inning, and OU is now up 4-2, after back to back extra base hits by Parker and Pickering.

[inconnu]

Bella Smith just might be the Cat's Pajamas!