I think there are a lot of dynamics going on here. OU made a lot of huge plays last season. Knightens homers against Bama, won games where the offense did nothing otherwise. Same thing with Romero's three run dinger when they beat Auburn in game one of the finals 3-2. They just didn't do much else.
Parker is a pitcher who can pitch to contact, and this team plays outstanding defense. It will serve them well, down the road. But they have some key players dealing with injuries. They expected Taukeiaho to be an offensive factor, but she's been hurt and is slowly returning. Nobody has taken Erin Miller's place as an all around offensive catalyst from the left side.
The ballyhooed freshman class will come around. But they have learning and adjusting to do. Last year NOBODY ran on Wodach. So far, teams have, and successfully. And she's not hitting her weight.
I think there was a lot of assuming going on. National champs returning four freshman starters from 2016, plus four other starters. Only lost two. Adding a terrific pitcher transfer from Mizzou. But it's a different role not being out there ever day. The same thing for Parker.
I think there was a hunger last season, that might not have been part of the off season preparation going into this year. I mean, "we're defending national champs." It doesn't just happen. It has to be made to happen. And this group isn't a lot different in where they are this year, than where they were last year at this time. Just not sure you can count on winning 35 straight or whatever it was.
And they are getting everybody's best shot. PItchers and pitching coaches have studied how to pitch to OUr girls, and they can be pitched to. You have to figure that when Knighten gets healthy, that she'll be a force. Right now, she's mostly not. And part of that is who is hitting behind her.
The good news is that really good pitching and really good defense
OU's lineup right now has the kind of averageness that you can find on a lot of teams in the NCAA. This team's difference is pitching and defense. I just keep having wonder about Parker. I remember how many innings Stevens pitched, getting us into the WCWS and then for two years, wasn't nearly as effective. I think her arm got worn down a little. If that happens to Paige P, we have a problem. She's been pretty solid, but gving up too many homers. And I can'r remember five homers this group has hit. Last night was a big one. But I don't remember another. From anybody.
Patty seems to believe publicly that there is a lack of discipline in pitch selection. I think that points at least some to that lack of hunger.At this point of the season, there is one returning player who has shown the kind of improvement that ought to be the case every year. That's Clifton. She's been great. I also think that by the time the conference season starts, that a couple of newbies will be in a groove that aren't there just yet.
The key is assuring that they're a top eight team. If they hold serve in that respect, they'll be a hard team to beat by tournament time. But somebody needs to do some improving. Right now, if the other team doesn't kick it around on their defense, we really don't score much.