Softball Begins Season 2-0

[BullyPulpit]

It's softball season! CKE and the ladies are off to a good start beating Illinois St. in a pitchers' duel 1-0 in 9 innings. They won while only getting 1 hit. 

The bats came alive in the second game against BCC, winning by mercy rule 10-0 in 5 innings. 

Tomorrow they face a Michigan squad that is receiving top 25 votes. Let's hope for another successful season by the most successful program in USF history. 

[BullyPulpit]

I should add that two freshman combined for a no-hitter in the BCC game. 

[BAMABULL]

Great pitching and defense we will see what we have in the next four games.

[BullyPulpit]

I am concerned by the lack of offense in the first game. The Sophomore pitcher for Illinois State, Hannah Meshnick, did not have the resume of a pitcher that would hold the Bulls to one hit over 9 innings. She didn't strike out a single batter, so it was likely just a fluke, but time will tell. The bats coming alive against BCC was expected and a welcome sight. The Bulls host Michigan, Oregon State, Florida (#16), and Kansas over the next 4 days. Let's hope we are at least 4-2 on Tuesday. 

[GoBulls84]

12 minutes ago, BullyPulpit said:

I am concerned by the lack of offense in the first game. The Sophomore pitcher for Illinois State, Hannah Meshnick, did not have the resume of a pitcher that would hold the Bulls to one hit over 9 innings. She didn't strike out a single batter, so it was likely just a fluke, but time will tell. The bats coming alive against BCC was expected and a welcome sight. The Bulls host Michigan, Oregon State, Florida (#16), and Kansas over the next 4 days. Let's hope we are at least 4-2 on Tuesday. 

One of the maddening things about CKE's tenure is that we've never been able to consistently put together a great offense. He always manages to find an ace to hold us down for 3-4 years, but the offense has always been inconsistent.

[BullyPulpit]

1 minute ago, GoBulls84 said:

One of the maddening things about CKE's tenure is that we've never been able to consistently put together a great offense. He always manages to find an ace to hold us down for 3-4 years, but the offense has always been inconsistent.

It remains to be seen if we have one of his traditional "aces" on this squad. We struggled through the season last year and Peyton Dixon, while dependable, just isn't a Nevins of Corrick. Belle Sardja is really the wildcard for the rotation this year. She dominated as a JC pitcher and helped lead her team to 2 national titles and was the JC pitcher of the year last season. It will also be interesting to see how the two freshman pitchers develop. The pressure isn't on this squad as they were picked to finish 4th in the conference behind Wichita State, Charlotte, and UNT. 

[BullyPulpit]

Just saw that Charlotte knocked off #4 Florida State on the road last night 6-5. They are the defending CUSA champs and that was a pretty big statement win to start the season. 

[Dave_Glaser]

Make it 3-0. Shut out Michigan today, 1-0. Three games, haven’t allowed a run yet. Hmmm . . . 

Edited February 9 by Dave_Glaser

[BullyPulpit]

1 hour ago, Dave_Glaser said:

Make it 3-0. Shut out Michigan today, 1-0. Three games, haven’t allowed a run yet. Hmmm . . . 

That's pretty impressive. Not racking up the strikeouts, but the defense has been very impressive. 

[BAMABULL]

AND WE USED 5 PITCHERS TO DO IT