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D1Softball Weekly Chat: April 4
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Henry Miles
2:30
Looking at next weekend, I think it’s safe to say the biggest series is going to be VT vs. FSU. Who do you think comes out winning, and do you think there’s any major implications for either team if they are to get swept, seeing that both teams are so highly ranked?
Brady Vernon
2:30
Personally, I’m taking Virginia Tech to win that series as I believe its offense has a better chance at putting runs up on the board. In terms of a team being swept, if the Hokies sweep, it’d firmly put them in the driver’s seat to take the ACC regular season crown. They don’t play Duke this year and already swept Clemson. Also a road series sweep over another team in the top of five of the current RPI would honestly give Virginia Tech a chance to firmly be the number two overall seed or higher. For the Noles, a sweep would make the ACC race that much tighter, but unless UCLA and Oklahoma have a hiccup, it’s still hard seeing them leap over them in the rankings. It would help their own postseason resume for one of those top four seeds down the road.
Hookedontx
2:31
Dolcini & Iakopo are on fire , you think Texas can take 1 of 3 from ou next week in Austin.
Brady Vernon
2:31
I mean anything is possible, right? Unfortunately, I have to believe it to see it when talking about Texas beating Oklahoma. The Sooners haven’t exactly looked unstoppable the past two weeks with close wins over Baylor and UAB, but they’re still Oklahoma. The Longhorns showed a bit of their flaws again this past week when losing to Louisiana, and needing comebacks to beat Iowa State last as well. Oklahoma’s lineup is far superior to Iowa State’s, which put up 17 runs this past weekend. Texas certainly has the talent to do so but I’m not personally predicting a win.
Kevin
2:38
I know this school doesn't get talked about much but if Penn State puts in a good showing against Ohio State and Michigan this week, any chance they could be a tourney team or are there too many bad losses on the resume...Always appreciate the content.
Brady Vernon
2:38
It looks like Penn State currently sits at a RPI of 61, which makes this idea plausible. In a really weird RPI year, Northwestern was a four-seed with a similar RPI. However, that was more of an outlier in terms of an at-large bid. Almost all of Penn State’s wins have come against RPI teams outside the top 100 and are lacking any win against a team inside 50. There’s plenty of softball left to go on a run but they’d probably need to win four of those games against Michigan and Ohio State to help get that ball rolling, which is asking a lot. And of course they could win the Big Ten Tournament, which in my opinion is their most likely route to making the tournament.
Rhenny
2:39
If you were the selection committee, based on the information available (RPI, SOS, head-to-head, etc), who would you award a Top 8 seed to be a potential Super-Regional host?
Brady Vernon
2:39
I'd love to answer this but you guys can all find out later in the week our opinion on this ;)
Tyler
2:46
Is Oregon going to host? Their RPI is good but without Brooke Yanez it seems like they aren't a top team.
Tara Henry
2:47
Oregon must get through Arizona State, Oregon State and Washington in the Pac-12. Their RPI sits at 11 now so it’s likely they will host barring any major blunders. The Ducks do not have Brooke Yanez but the rookie showed promise this weekend against a red hot UCLA squad. Stevie Hansen is one to watch as she finds ways to get outs when they are needed most. The recent return of Terra McGowan will help Oregon as well heading into the postseason.
Brady Vernon
2:47
Adding to this, my only worry with Oregon right now is that they lack wins against the Top 50 in RPI which could really hurt them.
Jason
2:48
Am I the only one who thinks the SEC will come down to Arkansas and Tennessee?  They both appear to be the most well balanced teams offensively and in the circle.
Brady Vernon
2:48
In terms of the regular season crown, I do believe Tennessee has a really good chance as long as Ashley Rogers is healthy. Erin Edmoundson has a fantastic pickup as well and the offense has been plenty enough. Tennessee has also played a ridiculously hard schedule but the rest of its SEC slate is favorable going against Georgia, A&M, Ole Miss and Auburn. Arkansas still worries me a bit in the circle. As well as the fact the Hogs still have to play Kentucky and at Florida this season because every game will matter in the end. I am also not counting out Alabama, a win against Georgia tonight puts the Tide tied for first as well. She’s had a few rough outings but Montana Fouts is still Montana Fouts. I think those three teams will all be in the mix come the final weekend of play.
Benjamin
2:50
What would you say are Northwestern's chances of being a top-8 seed? Slash what do they need to do to get to that point?
Tara Henry
2:54
They are a top 8 seed in our poll and rank 6 in the current RPI. Northwestern played a very challenging pre-conference schedule. They have wins over UCLA, Clemson, Oregon, Washington, Missouri and Michigan - possibly their biggest hurdle in the Big Ten. The second biggest hurdle? Ohio State. The ‘Cat travel to Columbus, Ohio to play the Buckeyes this weekend but should have smooth sailing moving forward. Interesting to note: NU will not play Wisconsin or Nebraska this year in conference play who are currently at the top of the conference standings. It May hurt RPI if they lost to say Purdue @ 123 RPI.
Jon V
2:54
Who are your early "sleepers" to make the NCAA tournament?
Brady Vernon
2:54
As of right now, this field is going to be very heavy in terms of Power Five teams. The only two “mid-major” conferences that have a chance to have multiple at-large bids is Conference USA (Charlotte, WKU, North Texas) and the American (UCF, USF, Wichita State). If you want to go deeper into conference championships, the CAA, which is where JMU plays in, is WIDE open right now. Don’t be surprised to see Delaware, Hofstra or Drexel earn that bid. But if you want “sleepers” teams like Cal, Georgia Tech, Nebraska look likely to make the NCAA tournament right now.
cool 1
Jack40703
2:56
What two teams in the top 15-20 that haven't played yet this year would you like to see face off? For me its VT and Oklahoma
Tara Henry
3:00
I know Brady covered this earlier in the chat but I'm really excited about Virginia Tech & FSU. Gosh, seems like we are VT heavy in this chat but believe it's warranted. The addition of Emma Lemeley makes this series even more intriguing. The Hokies are getting it done on offense and defense and have a true pair of aces. Florida State, the 2021 WCWS runner-up, has a better offense than we saw all last season from Noles. Michaela Edenfield is one to keep an eye on as she leads FSU with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs. Both teams have benefited tremendously from newcomers.
Feng Nai
3:02
With OU's recent 3-1 win against Baylor and 2-0 win against UAB, have teams starting to figure out the OU line up and how to pitch effectively against them?
Brady Vernon
3:02
I’m not really concerned about Oklahoma’s lineup. The Sooners have played Baylor four times this season having scored 12,9 and 8 runs against them before. Hitting is still hard, and odds are the other day might just have a good day against you, yet Oklahoma still won that game against the Bears. In terms of the UAB game, I’d be more worried if Oklahoma struck out a ton, but they didn’t have only one against Sarah Cespedes. Kinzie Hansen is still getting her feet back underneath her. Jana Johns has hit a bit of a cold spell. Tiare Jennings and Jayda Coleman have had to adjust through sophomore years like any does. Even if the country “figures” out Oklahoma’s lineup, it’s not like the Sooners are giving up many runs nowadays either.
Chris
3:03
Is VT for real in your eyes, and are they possibly the 2nd best overall team in the country. Position wise I think so, your thoughts. Cause you are usually spot on.
Tara Henry
3:04
See above for our thoughts on Virginia Tech. I still believe Oklahoma and UCLA have a stronger lineup 1-9 but VT is right there. Brady anything else you'd like to add? smirk
Brady Vernon
3:05
Keely Rochard looked scary good yesterday is all
Tara Henry
3:06
Thank you for joining us!
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