Gopher Softball 2019

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MRJ said:
One thing I'm really interested in seeing is how the ladies respond to finally being in OKC.

Those of us who have followed the program closely over the past several years have known getting to the WCWS was the goal all along. With that now having been achieved, I would expect that they'll be pretty loose once they take the field.

Nobody expects them to do much down there. In fact, I think the most pressure is obviously on Oklahoma for a number of reasons.

Anyway, I tend to agree with earlier sentiments.

Throw Amber both games and then roll with the punches. I'm just really excited to see them out there representing the U and the Big 10 in general.

Regardless, this has been an awesome year for Gopher softball!
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I agree with you, maybe 98%. A great year, for sure. But I'm greedy, in the sense that I want them to compete to win, not just be happy to be there, go for it from the outset. I think in all 3 BIG games they lost (IL, NW, MI) they played too passive & waited too long, and deprived themselves of BIG titles in the process. If UCLA is out of their league, so be it, but I don't want the Gophers to underestimate themselves. Make their own breaks.
 

Hrothgar said:
I agree with you, maybe 98%. A great year, for sure. But I'm greedy, in the sense that I want them to compete to win, not just be happy to be there, go for it from the outset. I think in all 3 BIG games they lost (IL, NW, MI) they played too passive & waited too long, and deprived themselves of BIG titles in the process. If UCLA is out of their league, so be it, but I don't want the Gophers to underestimate themselves. Make their own breaks.
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They should take a hint from the Twins and be aggressive early in the count. The first pitch might be the best one you see.
 

Ski U Mah Gopher said:
They should take a hint from the Twins and be aggressive early in the count. The first pitch might be the best one you see.
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Hint from everyone besides Joe. Gotta stop watching changeups, with LSU they should have been sitting on changeups on any 1-1 and 2-1 count
 

rowdaboat said:
Hint from everyone besides Joe. Gotta stop watching changeups, with LSU they should have been sitting on changeups on any 1-1 and 2-1 count
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I should have been more clear. I meant the 2019 Twins and James Rowson's approach.
 

Would like to see them switch Carlie to 8 and Ali to 9. Carlie's been having consistently good ABs and better OBP last month, Ali has a little more speed
 


Don't think Fouts beats out Williams, but thinking Williams wins with Natalie second. Announced at banquet tonight


An NFCA All-Great Lakes First Teamer, DenHartog leads the Big Ten with 59 RBI, which is ranked 11thin the NCAA. She is batting .392 with 15 doubles two triples and 16 home runs through 56 games and is one of the keys to Minnesota’s second Super Regional appearance in program history. The Gopher cleanup hitter has a team-leading .830 slugging percentage and 127 total bases. Three of the Hopkins, Minn. native’s 16 long balls have been grand slams. She earned unanimous All-Big Ten First Team and All-Freshman Team honors.

Fouts, the SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team all-conference selection, is 14-3 this season with a 1.20 ERA, which is second lowest in the SEC and ranks 14thnationally. She has struck out 164 batters over 146 innings, twirled five shutouts, picked up five saves and is holding her opposition to a .167 batting average. Named to the NFCA’s All-South Region First Team. The rookie hurler has picked up victories over nationally-ranked opponents, Arizona, Georgia, Florida and two against Minnesota. Fouts, a native of Grayson, Ky., earned five weekly honors from the SEC, including a program-record four Freshman of the Week accolades.

Williams led the Big Ten this season with 31 wins and 13 shutouts, ranking tied for third and fourth in the nation, respectively, It is the most victories and shutouts for a Northwestern pitcher in her rookie season since 1984. Williams, the first Big Ten Freshman of the Year since 2004, is also ranked among the top 10 in the nation with 310 strikeouts (6th) and 9.7 strikeouts per seven innings (9th), while posting a 1.38 ERA with just 39 walks and a .161 batting average against. The rookie southpaw has played a pivotal role in Northwestern’s first Super Regional appearance since 2008. Williams, a native of Pleasanton, Calif., earned first team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region accolades.
 

Hrothgar said:
I agree with you, maybe 98%. A great year, for sure. But I'm greedy, in the sense that I want them to compete to win, not just be happy to be there, go for it from the outset. I think in all 3 BIG games they lost (IL, NW, MI) they played too passive & waited too long, and deprived themselves of BIG titles in the process. If UCLA is out of their league, so be it, but I don't want the Gophers to underestimate themselves. Make their own breaks.
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If they "cut it loose" and go for it, I'll be happy regardless of the outcome. That's kind of what I meant by being loose heading into the game(s).
 

MRJ said:
If they "cut it loose" and go for it, I'll be happy regardless of the outcome. That's kind of what I meant by being loose heading into the game(s).
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Would much rather see K swinging than K looking for sure, be aggressive. Ideally Amber holds them to 1 or 2 runs like the SEC teams, but they're definitely higher caliber offense and will need some runs to counter them.
 

UCLA has to be the heavy favorite for title, 7-1 OK neutral, 7-1 and 4-0 FL neutral, swept Wash 3-0 4-2 15-6. But they also lost twice to AZ on 5/9 and 5/11 and to Missouri in regionals (sandwiched between 2 run rules) so they have some vulnerabilities.

Would expect UCLA sticks with Garcia the whole way, but if they can get her pitch count up may be able to get a couple HRs.

Arizona 5-3 hit pair of 2rHR in 5th and 7th and solo HR in 4th off Garcia and ran PC up to 140.

Missouri 5-1 had a PB and unearned run with another 2rHR, Faraimo got pulled on 2 batters and then Garcia another high 108 with 3 walks.

AZ 3-1 had 1rHR and 2rHR in 3rd off of Azevedo.
 



Intense social media competition between Gophers and Arizona of who can get out of their airport first
 

rowdaboat said:
Don't think Fouts beats out Williams, but thinking Williams wins with Natalie second. Announced at banquet tonight


An NFCA All-Great Lakes First Teamer, DenHartog leads the Big Ten with 59 RBI, which is ranked 11thin the NCAA. She is batting .392 with 15 doubles two triples and 16 home runs through 56 games and is one of the keys to Minnesota’s second Super Regional appearance in program history. The Gopher cleanup hitter has a team-leading .830 slugging percentage and 127 total bases. Three of the Hopkins, Minn. native’s 16 long balls have been grand slams. She earned unanimous All-Big Ten First Team and All-Freshman Team honors.

Fouts, the SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team all-conference selection, is 14-3 this season with a 1.20 ERA, which is second lowest in the SEC and ranks 14thnationally. She has struck out 164 batters over 146 innings, twirled five shutouts, picked up five saves and is holding her opposition to a .167 batting average. Named to the NFCA’s All-South Region First Team. The rookie hurler has picked up victories over nationally-ranked opponents, Arizona, Georgia, Florida and two against Minnesota. Fouts, a native of Grayson, Ky., earned five weekly honors from the SEC, including a program-record four Freshman of the Week accolades.

Williams led the Big Ten this season with 31 wins and 13 shutouts, ranking tied for third and fourth in the nation, respectively, It is the most victories and shutouts for a Northwestern pitcher in her rookie season since 1984. Williams, the first Big Ten Freshman of the Year since 2004, is also ranked among the top 10 in the nation with 310 strikeouts (6th) and 9.7 strikeouts per seven innings (9th), while posting a 1.38 ERA with just 39 walks and a .161 batting average against. The rookie southpaw has played a pivotal role in Northwestern’s first Super Regional appearance since 2008. Williams, a native of Pleasanton, Calif., earned first team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region accolades.
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Maybe Fouts and Williams will split the "pitchers" vote and DenHartog will sneak in with the "hitters" vote. It might have helped if she had played defense too.
 


rowdaboat said:
Intense social media competition between Gophers and Arizona of who can get out of their airport first
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That was pretty awesome to follow!

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Panthadad2 said:
Fiser the only player on the NFCA All American list. I think Partain gets overlooked. I'm biased but think she's better than some 2B on the list.

https://nfca.org/index.php?option=c...warddivision=ncaa-i&awardyear=2019&Itemid=301
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Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't Brandner (2nd team), DenHartog (3rd team), and Partain (hon. mention) on the list, too? As well as Rietkovich as hitting coach? Could be better but still not bad. What strikes me most is that not a single Michigan player or coach is on the list. Only 2 from Northwestern.
 

Hrothgar said:
Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't Brandner (2nd team), DenHartog (3rd team), and Partain (hon. mention) on the list, too? As well as Rietkovich as hitting coach? Could be better but still not bad. What strikes me most is that not a single Michigan player or coach is on the list. Only 2 from Northwestern.
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2 different lists/associations
 


Panthadad2 said:
Fiser the only player on the NFCA All American list. I think Partain gets overlooked. I'm biased but think she's better than some 2B on the list.

https://nfca.org/index.php?option=c...warddivision=ncaa-i&awardyear=2019&Itemid=301
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I would agree with that... it's probably mostly politics. The same could be said about Arizona's Jessie Harper when compering numbers to the UDubb SS. "Sis" Bates for UW is a key part of their staff, but Harper's numbers are better. They both have about the same at bats and about the same number of hits, but Harper has 69 RBIs to Bates' 29. Harper also has 28 HRs to Bates ZERO. Bates has 12 more SBs, but Harper doesn't have to steal a base when she goes "yard", which happens basically every other game. This goes along with more than twice as many RBIs for Harper than Bates has.

They had to include someone from UW on the first team I guess, so they gave it Bates.

When we look at Partain's numbers, they are right there too (at bats, hits, plus she has 5 HRs, 33 RBIs, 36 BBs, etc.). So why not Partain? Fair question... probably "politics" again given UW is a 3 seed and someone wanted to get a UW player on the list.


BTW, the fielding percentages are all about the same for all three players who started almost every game this year.


Best of luck with the Bruins tomorrow, they are very beatable. Hopefully the Cats will take revenge on the Huskies tomorrow right before your game too! It would be Awesome to be playing against each other 7PM Eastern on Friday!
 
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1UofACat said:
I would agree with that... it's probably mostly politics. The same could be said about Arizona's Jessie Harper when compering numbers to the UDubb SS. "Sis" Bates for UW is a key part of their staff, but Harper's numbers are better. They both have about the same at bats and about the same number of hits, but Harper has 69 RBIs to Bates' 29. Harper also has 28 HRs to Bates ZERO. Bates has 12 more SBs, but Harper doesn't have to steal a base when she goes "yard", which happens basically every other game. This goes along with more than twice as many RBIs for Harper than Bates has. Perhaps they penalized Harper for getting a broken hand, by "conveniently enough" a Washington pitcher which took her out of the lineup for 2+ weeks at the end of the season! Harper has not yet returned to SS fielding position yet either given it's her glove hand that was broken, along with her thumb on her other hand.

They had to include someone from UW on the first team I guess, so they gave it Bates.

When we look at Partain's numbers, they are right there too (at bats, hits, plus she has 5 HRs, 33 RBIs, 36 BBs, etc.). So why not Partain? Fair question... probably "politics" again given UW is a 3 seed and someone wanted to get a UW player on the list.


BTW, the fielding percentages are all about the same for all three players who started almost every game this year.


Best of luck with the Bruins tomorrow, they are very beatable. Hopefully the Cats will take revenge on the Huskies tomorrow right before your game too! It would be Awesome to be playing against each other 7PM Eastern on Friday!
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Bates is a freaking Ozzie Smith on defense. When we played Washington last year she was noticeably the BEST defensive player on the field. Not even close.

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"Best of luck with the Bruins tomorrow, they are very beatable." In the NCAAs the past 3-4 years, MN has beaten UCLA in Basketball, Volleyball, & Baseball. Why not Softball, too?
 

rugger14 said:
Bates is a freaking Ozzie Smith on defense. When we played Washington last year she was noticeably the BEST defensive player on the field. Not even close.

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Your point is well taken. Bates had 2 errors this season, which is awesome. That said, defense is only one part of the game as an error doesn't necessarily equate to a run scored, whereas a HR/RBI does.

Again, defense is only half of it. Also note that errors are based on the scorekeeper's "opinion" of whether or not a player should have been charged with one.

If I had my choice between a player who commits an error every 10 games or one who hits a HR every other game, it's not really a hard choice. But that's just me.
 

1UofACat said:
Your point is well taken. Bates had 2 errors this season, which is awesome. That said, defense is only one part of the game as an error doesn't necessarily equate to a run scored, whereas a HR/RBI does.

Again, defense is only half of it. Also note that errors are based on the scorekeeper's "opinion" of whether or not a player should have been charged with one.

If I had my choice between a player who commits an error every 10 games or one who hits a HR every other game, it's not really a hard choice. But that's just me.
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Bates gets to balls that are basehits against other players. She could get an error on a play where other players don't even get to it. She is a defensive freak. Harper should be an All-American DP because of her bat. Harper is one of the best players in the country. Best SS in the country is Bates. Harper is clearly a better hitter.

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rugger14 said:
Bates gets to balls that are basehits against other players. She could get an error on a play where other players don't even get to it. She is a defensive freak. Harper should be an All-American DP because of her bat. Harper is one of the best players in the country. Best SS in the country is Bates. Harper is clearly a better hitter.

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Harper is an offensive FREAK. I like your idea of an AA DP. Bates vs Harper is not even close at the plate. 28 HRs? Who does that?
 

Yeah, Bates is a defensive freak and fun to watch, but Harper's offense puts her contribution to the team in a different stratosphere.

harper vs bates 2.jpg
 
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ComoGopher said:
Harper is an offensive FREAK. I like your idea of an AA DP. Bates vs Harper is not even close at the plate. 28 HRs? Who does that?
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Cait Brooks from ND was first team AA DP. She hit over .400 with 20HR I think. 28 HR is just off the charts good so I think Harper should have been in that spot. Lilli Pepper was the 2nd team AA SS and Leilua from Miss St was the 2nd team DP. Harper got on 2nd team as an at-large SS.

https://nfca.org/index.php?option=c...warddivision=ncaa-i&awardyear=2019&Itemid=301

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Remind me to buy WCWS tickets early next year regardless of expected team strength. Tickets on StubHub going for $1,000-$3,600 and even parking passes going for several hundred $$. Wow.
 

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