Softball 2026-expectations?

[Krymsonman]

Another win today. Don’t sleep on Dartmouth. The pitcher Jensin Hall is a player. She was a senior in the softball team when my daughter was a freshman. Jensin had over 700 career strikeouts. We rode her arm all the way to the state semifinals. Anna Brown, who was the Gatorade 5A player of the year in 2023, is now at Florida. Her arm and bat did us in.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering why we only beat Dartmouth 3-2. I figured they must have a good pitcher, and now I know. Krymsonman

 

[BamaHoHo]

2026 Softball RPI

 

[BamaInCummingGA]

Maybe, just MAYBE, Murph is letting the hitting coach actually coach hitting and MAYBE he has changed his philosophy somewhat because their approach to hitting seems to be totally different this season and oddly enough it is producing more big hits.
The girls look like they are at the plate just trying to get good solid hits.

 

[Krymsonman]

Maybe, just MAYBE, Murph is letting the hitting coach actually coach hitting and MAYBE he has changed his philosophy somewhat because their approach to hitting seems to be totally different this season and oddly enough it is producing more big hits.
The girls look like they are at the plate just trying to get good solid hits.

Agree. I've watched a few games on TV so far this year, and we look completely different at the plate. We are patient, and don't swing at much out of the zone. And we definitely look like we want to crush the ball. No many weak swings this year. The ladies look great this year, and the pitching is definitely coming thru. We're about to hit the SEC schedule. Let's see how that plays out. I think we can do way better than last year.

 

[catsbane]

This has been a weak schedule, not unlike the last couple of years. I think though that the previous 2-3 teams would have found ways to lose 2 or 3 even against this schedule. I'm encouraged that this group has not. They seem to have a good chemistry.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Looks like we have at least two quality pitchers, and maybe a third. And as others have already pointed out, hitting is looking much better for both average and power.

Overall, it's an admittedly weak schedule thus far. But we're undefeated, and this team is looking infinitely better than last year, both in the circle and at the plate. And in our only true quality test, we beat then-#6 FSU like a drum twice in Tallahassee.

I'm cautiously optimistic. The only reason I'm not highly optimistic is that for several seasons now we've whooped up on inferior pre-conference competition only to struggle mightily in conference play....due to decent but not elite pitching and abysmal hitting.

So we won't know for sure until we get a few series into the SEC schedule. That starts this coming Friday with a three-game set in Oxford.

Still, I agree that this team just has a different feel from recent iterations. So far, the eye test is good. Let's turn it into sound performance against real competition.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Agree. I've watched a few games on TV so far this year, and we look completely different at the plate. We are patient, and don't swing at much out of the zone. And we definitely look like we want to crush the ball. No many weak swings this year. The ladies look great this year, and the pitching is definitely coming thru. We're about to hit the SEC schedule. Let's see how that plays out. I think we can do way better than last year.

The philosophy was that you got the best pitches to hit early in the count. I'm not sure I agree, but that was the thought process.

Problem there is we often swung quickly and got behind in the count after only a couple or three pitches. I can't count the number of swings at bad pitches, weak swings that came from being totally fooled, and three-pitch strikeouts I saw.

All that resulted in quick at-bats, a low pitch count for the opposing pitcher, and not much rest between innings for our own pitcher -- who felt that if she gave up only 2-3 runs, it was probably a loss.

It was maddeningly frustrating. Hoping that the new-found patience at the plate pays off on several fronts.

 

[bamamc1]

Bama has 3 LEGIT pitchers on this team and have gotten much needed help at the plate from a couple of true freshman hitters. I’m proud of the start they’ve had but I’m awaiting the vipers coming out of the pit as soon as they lose an SEC series on the road.

 

[Krymsonman]

Looks like we have at least two quality pitchers, and maybe a third. And as others have already pointed out, hitting is looking much better for both average and power.

Overall, it's an admittedly weak schedule thus far. But we're undefeated, and this team is looking infinitely better than last year, both in the circle and at the plate. And in our only true quality test, we beat then-#6 FSU like a drum twice in Tallahassee.

I'm cautiously optimistic. The only reason I'm not highly optimistic is that for several seasons now we've whooped up on inferior pre-conference competition only to struggle mightily in conference play....due to decent but not elite pitching and abysmal hitting.

So we won't know for sure until we get a few series into the SEC schedule. That starts this coming Friday with a three-game set in Oxford.

Still, I agree that this team just has a different feel from recent iterations. So far, the eye test is good. Let's turn it into sound performance against real competition.

Yes, it definitely has not been the toughest schedule, but we're winning those games like we should win them, and also did take two from Florida State, 8-0 and 5-1, at their place. So, we're 20-0 going into SEC play. I'm like you Basket, cautiously optimistic. The eye test says our ladies can compete with anyone. Pitching has been there, defense has been there, and low and behold, the hitting has been there. Easy games we were winning 2-0 or 3-1 last year are now run rule victories. But now the real test comes. Right now half of the SEC series we will play are against ranked teams including #1, #3, #9, and #24. I'm pulling for the ladies and hope we can look way better this year in the SEC than we did last year.

 

[Krymsonman]

BAMA hit into a bases loaded 1-2-3 in the top of the 1st vs Ole Miss. Briski shut them down in the bottom of the 1st. Lauren Johnson hit a 2 run shot in the top of the 2nd to give BAMA a 2-0 lead. Briski gave up a 2 out, 2 run shot in the bottom of the 2nd that Ole Miss tie it up. 2-2 going to the third inning.

 

[Krymsonman]

BAMA got a lead off dinger in the top of the 3rd, then got the next two on. Ole Miss then turned a DP. BAMA got hosed at first as our girl was clearly safe, but the call was upheld on review. Apparently referees suck in all sports. Ole Miss goes down in the 3rd. 3-2 BAMA after 3 complete.

 

[Krymsonman]

BAMA goes down 1-2-3 in the top of the 4th, 2 ground outs and a fly out.
Briski gets an out, then gives up a walk and a double. BAMA does intentional walk to load the bases, with 1 down. Fly ball to CF scores a run for Ole Miss. Now tied 3-3, 2 down. I thought that Briski struck the girl out, but the umpire didn't agree. Pop up on the end field to end the 4th. All tied 3-3.

 

[Krymsonman]

Lead off walk in the 5th by Vandagriff. Pitching change for Ole Miss. Vandagriff to 2nd on wild pitch. Wells walks. 2 on, no outs for BAMA. Pupillo flies out to LF, 1 down. Giles grounds out to 3rd, Vandagriff out at 3rd, 2 down. Roman has a swinging bunt, bases loaded, 2 down. Safe at first upheld on challenge. Hawkins walks, now 4-3 BAMA. Bases still loaded, 2 down. Full count walk by Duchserer, now 5-3 BAMA, bases still loaded. Young grounds out to SS, inning over. 5-3 BAMA, mid 5th.

We got lucky with the two walks, but I would have still liked to have seen a clutch hit in there.

 

[Krymsonman]

Line out to 3rd for the first out. Soft liner to third for out #2. Ground out to pitcher to end the inning.
5-3 BAMA after 5 complete.

 

[Krymsonman]

We need more runs. BAMA has left 6 on base so far. Johnson leads off with a looper to right center. Vandagriff bunts her to second, out at first. Wells - base hit to RF. Johnson held at 3rd, 1st and 3rd, 1 down. Pupillo safe at first on FC, bases loaded. Giles grounds to SS, out at the plate on FC, 2 down, bases loaded. Preuitt grounds out to first. We leave the bases loaded for the second straight inning. Someone needs to get a clutch hit, but no one is doing it so far today. Still 5-3 BAMA.

 

[Krymsonman]

Line out to SS, 1 down. Base hit up the middle, 1 on for OM. K by Briski, 2 down. Ground out to SS, inning over. 5-3 BAMA after 6 complete.

 

[Krymsonman]

Top of 7th: Hawkins grounds out to 3rd, 1 down. Hubbard called out for not being in the box by the 12 second mark, 2 down. Taylor pops out to 3rd, 3 down. 5-3 BAMA going to bottom of 7th. Our bats aren't looking quite as potent in this SEC game.

 

[Krymsonman]

Ground out to 2nd base, 1 down. Ground out to 3B, 2 down. Another ground out to 3B, game over.

Briski, other than 1 missed pitch, threw a great game. Stayed ahead of the hitters and threw a complete game. BAMA's bats need to wake up. We left way too many on base. Game 2 is tonight around 6pm, due to weather rolling in tomorrow.