Friday March 29th, 2024
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2019 Division 1 Softball Update

 

2019 Division 1 Softball Update

We are gearing up for the 2019 Women’s College Softball World Series.

Eight teams will have to survive both the Regionals and the Super Regionals to make it to Oklahoma City. You can bet that different sports betting sites will have odds on the games leading up to May 30th.

Let’s have a look at the current state of affairs in Division 1 Softball.

 

Drama in the SEC

No. 14 Auburn got smashed 7-3, and 7-0 by Kentucky over the weekend. And according to 5Dimes, Kentucky is a moderate, -175 favorite for Tuesday’s tilt between these two teams. Kentucky ranked No. 24 is making their case for an automatic bid.

The then, No. 5 Alabama and No. 6 Florida went head to head and the Crimson Tide punctuated the series with a 3-0 win on Saturday. This is the first time in 13 years that the Tide has swept the Gators and it’s the first sweep in Gainsville in 18 years! Alabama has shown some amazing pitching as of late, and if they continue hurling the ball so well, they are going to be tough to beat in the tournament. The fact that Florida was coming off of upsetting Florida State in the Fresh from Florida Sunshine Showdown makes this victory for Alabama all the sweeter.

After splitting wins with Volunteers on Saturday, the No. 16 (at the time) Georgia Bulldogs put together runs on Sunday to smash past the No. 8 Volunteers 8-0. The walk-off grand slam was the dagger that ended the game in the sixth inning. Oh mercy, mercy me.

Another mercy killing came at the hands of Arkansas. The Razorbacks took down the LSU Tigers 11-1 in just 5 innings. This marked eight straight wins for Arkansas and the first time that the Razorbacks have beaten the Tigers back-to-back. LSU came back in Game 3 to get a 3-1 victory and avoid the sweep.

 

Top Teams

No. 1 Oklahoma got the nod and moved into the top spot after UCLA fell to the Oregon Ducks. But now they have solidified the deal and proven themselves worthy after sweeping the Texas Longhorns in Austin. Though it didn’t come easy. The Longhorns put up a heck of a fight in Game 2, which came down to a final play at home plate.

The Pac-12 holds the No. 2 and No.3 teams. Plus, Arizona climbed a bit higher than their previous No. 7 ranking to make it into the Top-5. They’ll play well against the Huskies at the beginning of May to hold that ranking. This won’t be an easy task. Gabbie Plain is arguably the best pitcher in Division 1 softball. She has six different occasions where she’s pitched three innings or more without giving up a single hit and in March, had back-to-back no-nos!

UCLA is on track with their pitching as well. Rachel Garcia is another that you could argue for as the top pitcher in the country. 17-0 while on the mound and No. 4 in strikeouts per seven innings. But she also shines while standing over the plate, smashing opposing pitchers for a .337 batting average, 34 RBI, and 7 dingers.

As the season comes to a close, things are going to get real interesting. The SEC is going to be insanely entertaining to watch because of all of the potential for shake

One response to “2019 Division 1 Softball Update”

  1. larry wood says:

    thanks for the info really enjoyed it big alabama softball fan,with Fouts and Cornell 2 great pitchers they are going to be tough to beat.

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