2023 Softball

[UptownHawk]

Hawks take one from #22 NW. A good win over a top 15 RPI team. The first game was a 10 inning lost and the second we trailed 1-0 going into the 7th when they opened it up. Even in the losses very competitive games.

Iowa is at Drake tomorrow and Michigan State over the weekend. Big Ten has some good RPI ratings. Lots of opportunities to earn Top 50 RPI wins. Putting a nice run together could get us onto the bubble or in...lost of work left to do though. Would be nice to have a sweep this weekend over MSU.

We now have more conference and overall wins than we did last year.

Go Hawks!!

Big Mid Week Match ups:

NW 5-1 (14) verses Illinois (1-5) (67)
Maryland 3-3 (40) verses Rutgers (4-2) (80)
Michigan 3-3 (25) verses Michigan State (1-5) (118)

Weekend Match ups:

Indiana 8-0 (38) verses Minnesota (2-4) (41)
NW 5-1 (14) verses Penn State (2-4) (52)
Rutgers (4-2) (80) verses 2-4 Ohio State (31)
Wisconsin (4-2) (44) verses Purdue (2-6) (108)
Nebraska 5-3 (34) verses Maryland 3-3 (40)
Iowa 4-4 (60) verses Michigan State (1-5) (118)
Michigan 3-3 (25) verses Illinois (1-5) (67)

 

[HillcrestHawk]

I’m really impressed with the pitching staff. They give us a chance to win almost every game. The new coach came with a great resume. Well deserved in my opinion. All the girls have taken a step up this year. She calls timeouts with great timing. We are lucky to have her.
A few more timely runs will go a long way.

 

[undersized_post]

Series sweep!

 

[MossHawk6]

The first game yesterday showed some growth. That was a game that we would have lost last year. Pretty sluggish for the first several innings. Their pitcher had us off balanced all game. But we came up with a couple big hits when they were needed!

MSU was not a very good team though. We really needed to get all 3 games; the Sweep was important to keep momentum going. A loss would have hurt.

Really nice stadium on campus. Glad the field dried out, and Iowa was able to play the DH on Sunday there (played at a DII school. Had standing water all around the outside of the stadium, but the field was in great shape.

The Maryland series this weekend will be huge! Hope to play well and see how things shake out.

Pitching is keeping us in every game, playing REALLY clean in the field, and getting some timely hits. Only concern I see right now, is keeping those timely hits coming. Some teams may be able to outscore us, if we don't continue to take advantage of RISP.

 

[UptownHawk]

Nice to get the weekend sweep. Standings below with RPI rank and this weekend's games. Still nine opportunities left for Top 50 RPI wins.

(14) Northwestern 10-1
(30) Indiana 9-2
(34) Wisconsin 7-2
(40) Nebraska 7-4
(60) Iowa 7-4
(72) Rutgers 7-4
(38) Ohio State 6-5
(26) Michigan 5-4
(28) Minnesota 4-5
(47) Maryland 4-7
(70) Illinois 2-9
(101) Purdue 2-9
(58) Penn State 2-9
(132) Michigan State 1-9

Non-Conf RPI: UNI 135, W Ill 298, Drake 202, ISU 122

Weekend: Northwestern/ Wisconsin
Nebraska/Indiana
Iowa/Maryland
Rutgers/Penn State
Michigan/Purdue
Ohio State/Illinois
Minnesota/Michigan State

 

[Row55]

It's been awhile since we were looking down at both Michigan and Minnesota in the standings

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

16 games left, 10-6 would have them at 35-21 before the conference tournament. Realistic?

 

[UptownHawk]

16 games left, 10-6 would have them at 35-21 before the conference tournament. Realistic?

I think 10-6 is realistic. We should be favored in the four non-conference games, but in-state games can be dicey.

The four series we have left are Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin and Minnesota. All will be tough series but we're playing really well right now. Maryland will be interesting this weekend. They swept us last season in non-competitive games. Would be nice to get revenge. Maryland started the season hot and was ranked but have cooled a bit in conference play.

Nia won Big Ten Player of the week this week!

Hawks play at Drake tonight.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Hawks with the 5-2 victory over Drake

 

[Fair Child]

Hawks with the 5-2 victory over Drake

Lost 2 against Maryland at HOME……not good!

 

[LinusPF]

Over-powered by some dominate Mary pitching. Not catching up with the Mary pitcher today either. Bri keeping us in the game!

 

[Fair Child]

Over-powered by some dominate Mary pitching. Not catching up with the Mary pitcher today either. Bri keeping us in the game!

We are way too tentative if you ask me. put the damn ball in play!

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Pulled one out...Nia 3-4 with the walk off

 

[Fair Child]

Whew! They put the ball in play and good things happened! way to pull it off!

 

[Row55]

Interesting to put in a soft-tosser in to try to close out the game. Guessing the UM coach will be kicking himself all the way back to College Park, they had a sweep in the bag.

 

[LinusPF]

Interesting to put in a soft-tosser in to try to close out the game. Guessing the UM coach will be kicking himself all the way back to College Park, they had a sweep in the bag.

Starting P had just thrown a 4-pitch walk. Reliever no slouch. But ya...
Someone get Nia an NIL deal to get her to use her 5th year!

 

[Row55]

Starting P had just thrown a 4-pitch walk. Reliever no slouch. But ya...
Someone get Nia an NIL deal to get her to use her 5th year!

Yep, really hoping Nia changes her mind and stays.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

 

[HillcrestHawk]

Picked up a win against Western Illinois today. Probably won’t do much for there rpi. Western was 299 I believe.
Vasquez has a one hitter thru 5 with nine k’s.
Our rpi is sitting at around 60. Looking for an opportunity to move up. Don’t want to be put in the situation that we have to win the big 10 to get into the postseason.
Thoughts?

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Mid-week W. What's the pitching outlook when Vasquez leaves? Adams hasn't been too bad for a freshman. Is she #1 material next year or will the staff look for a transfer?

 

[HillcrestHawk]

If I was a pitcher, I would certainly take a look at Iowa. The new pitching coach has definitely impressed me. She came with a great resume.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Picked up a win against Western Illinois today. Probably won’t do much for there rpi. Western was 299 I believe.
Vasquez has a one hitter thru 5 with nine k’s.
Our rpi is sitting at around 60. Looking for an opportunity to move up. Don’t want to be put in the situation that we have to win the big 10 to get into the postseason.
Thoughts?

If they get 2 in Minnesota this weekend, that would be a nice start. Could go a decent run with ISU & Rutgers at home coming up.

 

[UptownHawk]

Big Standings with RPI

1. Northwestern 13-1 (9)
2. Nebraska 10-4 (31)
3. Indiana 9-5 (37)
Michigan 9-5 (30)
5. Wisconsin 7-5 (57)
6. Ohio State 8-6 (29)
Iowa 8-6 (58)
8. Rutgers 7-7 (74)
9. Minnesota 6-6 (38)
10. Maryland 6-8 (46)
11. Penn State 5-9 (47)
12. Illinois 3-11 (70)
Purdue 3-11 (105)
14. Michigan State (138)

NW vs Michigan
Nebraska vs. Wisconsin
Indiana vs. Rutgers
Ohio State vs. Purdue
Iowa vs. Minnesota
Maryland vs. Penn State
Illinois vs. Michigan State

Minnesota/Wisconsin have a 2 game mid week series next week.

RPI Non Conf - UNI 104 ISU 101

 

[UptownHawk]

Picked up a win against Western Illinois today. Probably won’t do much for there rpi. Western was 299 I believe.
Vasquez has a one hitter thru 5 with nine k’s.
Our rpi is sitting at around 60. Looking for an opportunity to move up. Don’t want to be put in the situation that we have to win the big 10 to get into the postseason.
Thoughts?

I think we still have work to do. I'd guess we'd need to be Top 50 RPI to be in the discussion. We do have some quality wins and an opportunity for three more this weekend. Taking the series at Minnesota would be a needed first step to be in the discussion.

Hawks RPI Record

Top 25 2-4
25-50 5-5
51-100 2-4
101-200 11-4
200+ 8-0

 

[UptownHawk]

Mid-week W. What's the pitching outlook when Vasquez leaves? Adams hasn't been too bad for a freshman. Is she #1 material next year or will the staff look for a transfer?

Softball Signs 9 For 2023

hawkeyesports.com

Sunz,

The 2023 recruits are in the attached article. Looks like three pitchers: Clark from Alabama, Jaskowiak from Wisconsin and Ojo from California. I'd guess if there is an experienced pitcher in the portal and scholarship money is available they may look at that as well.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Article on the aforementioned Andrea Jaskowiac.

 

[MossHawk6]

Softball Signs 9 For 2023

hawkeyesports.com

Sunz,

The 2023 recruits are in the attached article. Looks like three pitchers: Clark from Alabama, Jaskowiak from Wisconsin and Ojo from California. I'd guess if there is an experienced pitcher in the portal and scholarship money is available they may look at that as well.

We have 9 pitchers on roster now, only lose 1 to graduation, and have 3 more coming in. Probably going to see some move on in some fashion. Might free some money up for a transfer if the staff feels the need?

 

[LinusPF]

Picked up a win against Western Illinois today. Probably won’t do much for there rpi. Western was 299 I believe.
Vasquez has a one hitter thru 5 with nine k’s.
Our rpi is sitting at around 60. Looking for an opportunity to move up. Don’t want to be put in the situation that we have to win the big 10 to get into the postseason.
Thoughts?

Think we need to win the three remaining series and at least split the two non-cons. Or maybe win 2-3 series and make the B1G tournament final.

 

[LinusPF]

Forecast calling for 40° at gametime tomorrow. 37° Saturday.
UCLA can't wait. 😅

 

[UptownHawk]

FPN Podcast - In The Circle - Fastpitch Softball News, College Softball, Club Softball

fastpitchnews.com

Coach Gardner was on the In The Circle podcast. Link above. Her interview starts about 20-25 minutes into the podcast.

Good interview. Coach Gardner talked about giving Bree a new grip she can use for all pitches which has helped her not get her pitched picked by opposing coached. She talked about having nine pitchers on staff and about Jalyn and Denali's pitching this season.

Her grandfather coached at Iowa under Gorge Raveling and her grandmother was an Iowa Tennis coach (about the 43:30 mark). I didn't know the family history.

I'd recommend taking a listen.

Go Hawks!

 

[LinusPF]

Thought today's announcer was crazy when he said Iowa leads the conference in hits. But he's right! Well, now we're second, I suppose with mid-week games included. We've played a few more games than everyone else, but still..

Problem has been lack of timely hits (8th in runs scored) and power (8th in doubles and 12th in homeruns). After so many recent years bringing up rear in hitting, I'll take it! The next step is to add a little pop!

 

[Fair Child]

Thought today's announcer was crazy when he said Iowa leads the conference in hits. But he's right! Well, now we're second, I suppose with mid-week games included. We've played a few more games than everyone else, but still..

Problem has been lack of timely hits (8th in runs scored) and power (8th in doubles and 12th in homeruns). After so many recent years bringing up rear in hitting, I'll take it! The next step is to add a little pop!

Ugh! Can’t watch anymore. Not a very good showing against our rival.

 

[LinusPF]

Ugh! Can’t watch anymore. Not a very good showing against our rival.

Easy for Pease to rack up K's when the strikezone extends 2-3 inches outside off the plate.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Easy for Pease to rack up K's when the strikezone extends 2-3 inches outside off the plate.

Looking at the Twitter updates, your comment about timely hits, seems spot on. Listening to the podcast link above, I found it interesting the pitching coach mentioned normally working with 5 pitchers. What's the story on the new additions Judesh, Winters, & Berndt?

 

[MossHawk6]

Easy for Pease to rack up K's when the strikezone extends 2-3 inches outside off the plate.

Umpire was actually apologizing to our catcher saying he missed this pitch, or that pitch... She said he didn't know what he was doing? 🤷

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Took the lead in the top of the 7th but couldn't hold it...rough weekend

 

[MossHawk6]

Took the lead in the top of the 7th but couldn't hold it...rough weekend

Really tough obstruction call at 3rd base to cost us a run in btm 7 that allowed Minn to tie it. Would or should have been out of the inning and the win without it. Haven't seen replay, but TB swipe tagged at 3rd, so looked like there was a path for runner. Still had some chances, just didn't get the hits when needed. That would have been a big win. Makes next weekend even more important now...

 

[LinusPF]

Really tough obstruction call at 3rd base to cost us a run in btm 7 that allowed Minn to tie it. Would or should have been out of the inning and the win without it. Haven't seen replay, but TB swipe tagged at 3rd, so looked like there was a path for runner. Still had some chances, just didn't get the hits when needed. That would have been a big win. Makes next weekend even more important now...

Tori argued, but the Coaches didn't appear to. Coach has to get out there stand up for her player, at least a little bit. Did look like Tori blocked much (if not all) the bag.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

 

[LinusPF]

Why are slow runners running the bases?!? Someone other than Doster could have scored on the pitcher's error in the first. Someone other than Diaz could have scored easy on Tory's double!! There has to be a half-dozen players on the bench faster than those two.