[Jamesy]

I'm generally bullish on softball and it's clear we're trending in the right direction. The wis against Georgia were great. However, we got blown out by Oklahoma and have struggled against the top teams in the pac-12 even in recent years. The big question is if we can start winning two out of three in those series and take the next steps into the top echelon of teams. We haven't had a winning record in conference in over ten years...

I understand your points, and I have been a fan of the team since 2011, so I know the lean years well. As far as the OU game, we threw pitchers who have been our 3rd, 4th and 5th best pitchers (Canady or Vawter didn't throw a pitch). And especially with the pitching oriented team like we are (and the strength of our team heavily skewed toward pitching and defense over offense), the decision to not throw Canady nor Vawter I think gave the appearance of a (far) less competitive game than it could have been. 

OU is the two-time defending champ, and until someone beats them, they are certainly the favorite (maybe big favorites). But the NCAA tournament is double elimination. So the best team, particularly during a 55+ game regular season, doesn't always win.

My opinion is you make the WCWS, you have a chance at the title (now, those chances may not be equal among WCWS participants, but no team goes to OKC without a chance to hoist the trophy).

I agree wholeheartedly at the potential randomness once you make the WCWS. My post was more directed towards our lofty rankings. If we're still #3/5 after finishing conference play, I'll be ecstatic!

[Jamesy]

I'm generally bullish on softball and it's clear we're trending in the right direction. The wis against Georgia were great. However, we got blown out by Oklahoma and have struggled against the top teams in the pac-12 even in recent years. The big question is if we can start winning two out of three in those series and take the next steps into the top echelon of teams. We haven't had a winning record in conference in over ten years...

I understand your points, and I have been a fan of the team since 2011, so I know the lean years well. As far as the OU game, we threw pitchers who have been our 3rd, 4th and 5th best pitchers (Canady or Vawter didn't throw a pitch). And especially with the pitching oriented team like we are (and the strength of our team heavily skewed toward pitching and defense over offense), the decision to not throw Canady nor Vawter I think gave the appearance of a (far) less competitive game than it could have been. 

OU is the two-time defending champ, and until someone beats them, they are certainly the favorite (maybe big favorites). But the NCAA tournament is double elimination. So the best team, particularly during a 55+ game regular season, doesn't always win.

My opinion is you make the WCWS, you have a chance at the title (now, those chances may not be equal among WCWS participants, but no team goes to OKC without a chance to hoist the trophy).

I agree wholeheartedly at the potential randomness once you make the WCWS. My post was more directed towards our lofty rankings. If we're still #3/5 after finishing conference play, I'll be ecstatic!