Softball 2024

['70 Grad]

The softball gods had it in for us again at the Valley tournament. Two (solo) homers to start the game, and that was it. Baserunners on at least second several times with no outs and we never scored. (Good Saluki pitching to get out of jams - we couldn't string enough hits & walks to score.) We have the bases loaded; they throw a wild pitch. The runner from third breaks. The pitch is so bad that it goes straight to the backstop and bounces back so hard that their catcher can get to it quickly and tag the runner. Inning over. Their shortstop makes a nice play from both knees. Centerfielder dives and makes a nice catch completely flat on the ground. We clubbed another ball or two to the warning track. Alexis gets intentionally walked at least twice and they don't have to pay. They turn a nice double play. They were good, but we were the only one to defeat them in a series in the regular season. We chased their starter early, but they brought in last year's tourney MVP who blanked us - even with all of our baserunners.

When is it our turn?

I feel sorry for our seniors. It will be tough to get back to the championship game without Parks & Heyer.

[BCPanther]

The unquestioned best program in the league and we just can't get over the hump in the important one. Maddening.

[in_the_stands]

After seeing Wells and Dodge leave last season, I'm anxious about Pupillo. Who wouldn't want her in their program?

[in_the_stands]

I guess this is old news by now. Not surprising, I suppose.

https://x.com/AlexisPupillo/status/1790415870608523702

In other news, SIU's stud freshman pitcher and her sister have entered the portal.

https://www.cilfm.com/2024/05/24/saluki-softball-loses-groff-twins-to-transfer-portal/

[BCPanther]

Maybe she can transfer somewhere and never play like Mya Dodge? Maybe move up and hit .197 like Emmy Wells?

I'm all for kids getting to move but how many of these legitimately work out?

[Panther'73]

Maybe she can transfer somewhere and never play like Mya Dodge? Maybe move up and hit .197 like Emmy Wells?

I'm all for kids getting to move but how many of these legitimately work out?

Amen…Amem…Amren…

['70 Grad]

When I saw there was a new post in this thread, I thought it would be about someone in the transfer portal - but one of ours.

Any way to tell how far we were to getting an at-large bid to the tournament?

[ronfitch]

Maybe she can transfer somewhere and never play like Mya Dodge? Maybe move up and hit .197 like Emmy Wells?

I'm all for kids getting to move but how many of these legitimately work out?

I suspect it will settle down in a few years as the extra Covid year works through the system and as students see more examples of students transferring into no-play or worse situations or entering the portal and finding no takers but losing their home in the process.

Seems like most UNI students who entered and left entered because they were key players at UNI (and contributed to successful teams and garnered attention) only to be in the shadows elsewhere. That’s great if it also means getting another school to pay tuition for a grad program - actually, I would argue that is far more important than anything on the field of play. I would even say that a bigger NIL deal might be best for some.

But if the idea is something else - launching a pro career, continued high level success on the field/court and the like, that’s a longer shot for the students who transfer out of UNI. So far, anyway.

[BCPanther]

Pupillo to Bama

[in_the_stands]

When I saw there was a new post in this thread, I thought it would be about someone in the transfer portal - but one of ours.

Any way to tell how far we were to getting an at-large bid to the tournament?

Last I checked our RPI was 63. Didn't help that all 13 SEC teams got in (Vanderbilt doesn't have softball). Big Ten got 4 in, none of which survived the regionals.

[Panther AC]

Pupillo to Bama

Not surprising since their coach is a UNI grad and keeps tabs on what goes on in his home state.

['70 Grad]

It truly is just "one season at a time," especially for a school like UNI.

So, should we consider her sophomore year here a bonus?

[Panther'73]

Pupillo to Bama

Maybe a DH???

[in_the_stands]

Maybe a DH???

And a competent back up catcher and OF if needed. I wouldn't be surprised if she'd do OK at 3rd also.