Check out some of the top college softball plays. 1:45. We have seen records broken, walk-off homers, and thrilling defensive plays on the softball diamond, and we are halfway through the season. Last year, Oklahoma showed off its dominance. The Sooners, who won their first 33 games of the season in order to win the Women's College World Series title, are 32-0, leading the nation in batting average and earned run average. Alo is third in the country in batting average and fourth in home runs. Can anyone stop the Sooners? Montana Fouts started the year with a sub- 1.00 earned run average but has allowed five runs in three of her last four outings and four of her last nine. In the pitcher's circle, Virginia Tech has gotten it done, with freshman Emma Lemley and senior Keely Rochard ranking third and fourth, respectively, in the country. While UCLA lost two-way threat and Olympian Rachel Garcia, the Bruins still average 7.2 runs per game and have a pitching staff anchored by Lauren Shaw and Megan Faraimo. The softball analysts break down the first two months of the season and make their picks. Oklahoma State is the team I think has the best chance of beating Oklahoma. The last conference series for the Sooners and Cowboys is in May. The way the Sooners command their at-bats and consistent pitching in the circle have made OU so dominant this year. They are usually in the zone. They can drive out of the park with authority when they swing. The last conference weekend of the season may be the deciding factor, as unexpected teams like Baylor and UAB have played them the closest out of anyone all year. The sport is not predictable. The approach at the plate is what makes the Sooners so dominant. Their hitters are very good at seeing the ball. They are on time and their barrels stay through the zone. Their lineup is the toughest in the country. Oklahoma has an outstanding pitching staff and top-notch defense. This is a complete team with incredible offense. Their offense alone would be able to make up for a subpar pitching staff and defense, but the fact that it is hard to score runs against them makes this team one of the best I have ever seen. I think the Oklahoma team can win every game this season. The 1994 Arizona team that I played on faced the same obstacles. Oklahoma has the same kind of feel as we did: dominant pitching, quality defense and bats that can outhit anyone in the country. The team needs to attack every opponent. The Sooners have a target on their backs that requires them to be aggressive. One game that is not attacked from the beginning will allow for a loss. Oklahoma State is the most difficult opponent they will have in the remainder of the season, and then the real show begins at the WCWS for them. They are in Oklahoma City this season. The best moment of the season so far has to be the walk-off home run by Shannon Doherty in the first game of the season. Everything from the swing to the bat flip to the celebration at home reminded us why we love this sport so much. The play was a good representation of the craziness that we have seen so far this softball season. The most memorable moment of the season so far was seeing Northwestern come back and win against UCLA at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invite. The answer has more to do with Northwestern than UCLA. This walk-off win was a statement of who this team is this season: fiery, fierce competitors with a pitcher, Danielle Williams, who is having one of the best seasons in the country. .@maeve_nelson 🤝 @SportsCenter Checking in at No. 5 on the #SCTop10 🤩#GoCats | #SPCEliteInvite pic.twitter.com/hYNiyb27NOHow long can Oklahoma stay undefeated for?
Besides Jocelyn Alo's record-breaking homer, what has been your favorite moment of the season so far?
Watching Brooke Rice from Ohio University throw the ball around the field and throw out base stealers with ease. I was amazed by her strength and skill. It was a reminder that some of the best players in the country don't play for Top 25 teams and to always give them as much attention as possible.
The most surprising thing this season has been auburn. Mickey Dean took a hard look at last season and made a lot of changes to their practices in order to be better in the spring. The bats don't look like they're stopping any time soon, and the offensive numbers have been substantially better than last season.
Michigan has surprised me the most. I thought the UM would be a top 10 team all year, but they are barely hanging on to a top 25 ranking. They have April to get things back on track, but I am surprised they have 11 losses.
Smith is most surprised by Virginia Tech. The Hokies have a great addition of freshman Emma Lemley, making for a strong 1-2 pitching staff. I was worried about their offense early in the year, but it has come on strong and they are one of the top five teams in the country.
26 Ks today for @_keelsss_ and @Emmmaaclairee 💪 Here are a few of our favs...
Support the Hokies with Pledge for K ➡️ https://t.co/WpLZjfH364 pic.twitter.com/gEHfPHqSrO
— Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball) April 4, 2022
I have been surprised by the play in the conference. Other schools in the conference are stumbling this season, while UCLA is continuing its trend of consistent, polished play. The usual suspects such as Arizona and Washington have had unexpected setbacks this year, and we have seen other conferences step up with a surge of quality play from 4-5 teams.
The newly crowned home run queen is Jocelyn Alo. Her power at the plate has been outstanding. It is hard enough to hit the amount of home runs she has this season with pitchers throwing to her every at-bat, but to hit home runs when it feels like she is being walked every other at-bat puts her at a different level.
Alo is my front-runner for player of the year. Her numbers are off the charts. If you break the NCAA home run record, do you get more points?
Smith: Alo. Her batting average is off the charts for a power hitter, and she broke the home run record, but it is just a matter of how high she will set the bar.
I think it is a good bet that the player of the year will be from Oklahoma. I would like to see the award given to a player that is more than just Alo, as she is playing as theDP this season and she is multidimensional. It is easy to make a case for a pitcher that dominates, but I will give my nod to Grace Lyons. She was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. She is putting up good numbers, with a.450 batting average with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs, and she has to protect Alo because she hits right behind her in the lineup.
JMU did a great job of leading strong pitching in the circle last season. South Florida and Miami are teams I have an interest in. Corrick's strikeout records speak for themselves. The Miami (Ohio) student has gone up against some of the nation's top teams this season. Karli Spaid and Allie Cummins are some of the big bats that support Vierstra.
San Diego State could make a run in the playoffs. The Aztecs have figured out how to use Dee Dee in relief appearances, and their ace pitcher is a veteran with dominant stuff in the circle. They have a coaching staff with tons of experience and have put together wins and solid games against very talented teams.
Smith thinks there will be quite a few James Madisons. Anyone can be anyone this year. The key is can anyone in a series, not just one game.
I like the University of Central Florida. I see them winning the American Athletic Conference, and with the confidence the Knights can play with, I see them giving a good run this season. Lexie Handley is the leader of Ohio State. She has a lot of support from Sam Hackenbracht, and I wouldn't want to see them in my regional or super regional.
Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida State and UCLA were mentioned. Oklahoma is the last one standing.
Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Florida State were mentioned. UCLA is the last one standing.
Smith said UCLA, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and the last one, Oklahoma.
The last four teams standing will be Oklahoma, UCLA, Alabama and Tennessee, with Oklahoma taking it all again in 2022.
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