10 Things to watch for this weekend in College Softball
Last week ended with Auburn spoiling a 21-game winning streak for the Florida Gators and this week’s edition of “10 Things to look for this week in College Softball” begins with more news about the Auburn Tigers.
The resignation of Corey Myers and the effect it will have on pitching
Late Thursday night, Auburn released a statement regarding the resignation of associate head coach Corey Myers. Myers has been the pitching coach at Auburn since his arrival in 2013. This comes at a strange time as the Tigers hit the road for a three-game series at Georgia. Who will be calling the pitches and will his abrupt departure affect how the team plays this weekend?
Can Oregon sweep Arizona State?
The only undefeated team in Division I is set to host the Arizona State Sun Devils this weekend. The Ducks squeaked out a 1-0 win over BYU on Thursday night to improve to 30-0. ASU holds the advantage all-time, 56-41-1, against the Ducks but as of the late, it has been all Oregon. The Ducks have won the last six consecutive meetings.
Florida at Arkansas
This weekend marks the first time the Gators and Razorbacks meet as top-25 opponents. Arkansas hasn’t beaten Florida since 2007 but five of the program’s 11 wins have come on its home field. The Gators own a 44-11 all-time record head-to-head.
Nicole Schroeder
Arkansas redshirt senior Nicole Schroeder began 2017 on a tear. Things have slowed down for her since conference play started. In three SEC series, she is 3-19 with nine walks, two hit-by-pitch, one run scored and zero RBI. Despite the struggles, she still leads the Razorbacks with a .407 average, 12 homers and 40 RBI.
UT-Martin at SIUE
This Ohio Valley Conference showdown is between the top two teams with the best offense and the best pitching. The Skyhawks are batting .327 as a team with 207 runs scored, 281 hits, 52 doubles, seven triples, 19 homers and have stolen 97 of 111 attempted bases. The Cougars have a 2.02 ERA and have allowed 71 runs, 61 earned runs and struck out 281.
Jordan Seneca
After taking a weekend, the Red Flash of Saint Francis (PA) is back in action. Due to not playing, Jordan Seneca was dethroned as the leader of long balls and RBIs. She is now in second for both with 15 and 45.
Lindsey Cargill
Did you know that in 614 career at bats, Baylor’s Lindsey Cargill has struck out 33 times? I will do you one better now. This season, the senior has 105 at bats and has only struck out once. She is hitting .476 with 50 hits. The Bears host Texas Tech this weekend in a three-game, two-day series.
Elicia D’Orazio
Marshall’s Elicia D’Orazio is running at will against anyone and everyone. In 29 games, she has stolen 36 of 41 attempted bases. She’s averaging 1.24 per game. Last year she stole 39 of 44 and 24 of 30 the year before. The Herd has won 16 straight and travel to Hattiesburg, MS, to take on Southern Miss this weekend.
Meghan Gregg
Tennessee’s Meghan Gregg is having an unbelievable 2017 season. She is hitting .437 with a .542 on-base percentage and .839 slugging. She leads Division I in RBI with 43 in 31 games. Her career-high is 61 and that was set last year. Gregg and the Vols continue a six-game stretch of non-conference games as North Carolina State visit Knoxville for a three-game series.
Arizona at Cal
The Arizona Wildcats take their 19-game winnings streak on the road this weekend for a three-game series with the Cal Bears. The Cats are riding their longest streak since 2005 and have never swept a series with the Bears since conference play moved to a three-game series format in 2010. Arizona is off to its best start since 2004 and has its highest ranking since 2011.
