2023 NCAA Softball Tournament

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,773]

And the 2023 season comes to a close with a 7-3 loss.  We did score 3 in the 7th to make it somewhat respectable but it was too little too late.

 

[maharkn 1,736]

Scored 3 in the 7th but fall short on a comeback rally. Leaving the bases loaded twice in this game really hurt. This team should be dangerous next season. Hopefully can add some depth at pitcher in the off season

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[Aaron 4,293]

What a season! Beat absolutely everyone they were equal or greater than and played their guts out against superior squds.

Next year they should be the legit favorites in the league and in line to potentially host a Regional with a squad of young players this season. Baseball is in same position. Definitely a Bloomington Regional is in play for both the Hoosier teams on the diamond in 2024. Already just the second time both baseball and softball will be in a Regional in the same season now in 2023. 

What a turnaround for our two big spring sports from 2022! They were both very good in 2023. Now the challenge is to be great in 2024 and a legit contender and both are capable.

[OliviaPope40 6,520]

Had chances earlier in the game to score can't have bases loaded and get nothing out of it.

[Aaron 4,293]

33 minutes ago, maharkn said:

Scored 3 in the 7th but fall short on a comeback rally. Leaving the bases loaded twice in this game really hurt. This team should be dangerous next season. Hopefully can add some depth at pitcher in the off season

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In softball 'pitching depth' is not a thing. It takes two good pitchers that alternate to win at a high level along with maybe a bit reliever and a high level offense. With the underhand pitch being a natural motion you could literally throw the same pitcher everyday at 200 or more pitches a day. IU basically did this in 2011 when they made the NCAA tourney. Morgan Melloh was the best pitcher in program history by a large margin and singlehandedly dragged a bad offense into a Regional pitching every inning of everyday pretty much as a grad transfer. Now that is not ideal and to be a legit contender you need more .

For the current Hoosiers, Copeland is a fine pitcher to be one of your two regular starters. The issue is you will never win at a top level with Heather Johnson as your second pitcher. This is not a knock on her but she cannot be the no. 2 starter on any team with championship aspirations.

For IU to be elite (and they are closer than ever before), they need to keep it up with the current offense and find a second good starter to pair with Copeland (or Johnson to get a lot better but I think we know what she is at this point). At the moment IU is one more solid or elite starting pitcher from winning at the top level of college softball. It is the only thing separating them from teams like Tennessee at the very top.  

[Aaron 4,293]

33 minutes ago, Aaron said:

In softball 'pitching depth' is not a thing. It takes two good pitchers that alternate to win at a high level along with maybe a bit reliever and a high level offense. With the underhand pitch being a natural motion you could literally throw the same pitcher everyday at 200 or more pitches a day. IU basically did this in 2011 when they made the NCAA tourney. Morgan Melloh was the best pitcher in program history by a large margin and singlehandedly dragged a bad offense into a Regional pitching every inning of everyday pretty much as a grad transfer. Now that is not ideal and to be a legit contender you need more .

For the current Hoosiers, Copeland is a fine pitcher to be one of your two regular starters. The issue is you will never win at a top level with Heather Johnson as your second pitcher. This is not a knock on her but she cannot be the no. 2 starter on any team with championship aspirations.

For IU to be elite (and they are closer than ever before), they need to keep it up with the current offense and find a second good starter to pair with Copeland (or Johnson to get a lot better but I think we know what she is at this point). At the moment IU is one more solid or elite starting pitcher from winning at the top level of college softball. It is the only thing separating them from teams like Tennessee at the very top.  

If you want further proof that this is correct Northwestern hosted and is into a super regional and a legit contender for the College World Series.

They have basically the same offensive numbers as IU. What do they have that the Hoosiers don't? Two pitchers just a hair better than Copeland who alternate starts. If Copeland (who is only a sophomore and improved by leaps and bounds already this season from 2022) can get just a tad better over the next few months into her junior season and they find a second pitcher on that level they are exactly what the Wildcats are now. The key is figuring out who can be that other starter to pair with Copeland who can have an ERA in the low to mid 2's rather than Johnson's which is close to 4 and has been that now for two seasons. Your second starter cannot have those numbers on a high level squad and she is a rising junior. As a third option (and NW has someone with those numbers who is just that), Johnson is totally fine. But as a number two option you need better to win at the level NW did this season and Michigan usually does.    

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,389]

Proud Hoosier! Great season!


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[TheWatShot 14,002]

Pretty good season for a team that was picked to finish 10th in the conference.