Friday, May 25
Coach Lu Harris-Champer's UGA softball team will take on Tennessee this weekend for a spot in the Women's College World Series. This weekend's NCAA Super Regional in Knoxville will be televised by ESPN's family of networks. (Photo courtesy of UGA Sports Communications)
To get a better read on this weekend's best-of-three NCAA softball super regional in Knoxville between No. 10 seed Georgia (44-15) and No. 7 Tennessee (50-11), we consulted Mike Griffith, a beat writer and resident softball expert for the Knoxville News-Sentinel for five keys to watch for this weekend.
Here's what he had to say ...
Pitching
"You've got to start with pitching. I want to see how effective (UT pitcher) Ellen Renfroe (27-3, 1.21 ERA) is going to be. Ellen led the SEC in ERA. Of late, she's had some control issues. ... Ivy Renfroe (23-8, 1.74) has pitched wonderful. She got the decision in all five of the regional games and went 4-1. As well as Ivy has pitched, though, and as many teams as she has overpowered, I think when you get to this stage of the game and you talk about super regional teams, I don't think they can be overpowered, and I think the effectiveness of Ellen Renfroe will play a role in whether or not Tennessee advances to the World Series."
Timely Hitting
"Tennessee is only 8-9 when they score 0-2 runs, so they're 42-2 when they score three runs or more. ... Early in the year, before they went on a 19-game win streak, they were leaving runners in scoring position. Tennessee has got to show that they can get the timely hits. At times, they've been somewhat sporadic. So that's going to be key."
Speed game
"The speed game is big. Georgia and Tennessee are two of the fastest teams in the SEC. Both teams have really good speed games, so obviously the execution is going to be big."
Determination
"One of the things about Tennessee is they've got all sorts of talent, but there have been times when their grit has been challenged a little bit. How gritty and how much resolve do these girls really have? Yeah, they're talented. They've got Team USA experience and all that. But Georgia is a really tough team. I think there's going to be a little bit of that want-to factor. Which team really leaves it on the field? I think both teams will, but ultimately who wants it more? That's big in women's sports and especially in softball."
Game Management
"Lu Harris-Champer and Ralph and Karen Weekly, you're talking about some very experienced coaches. They're playing chess with each other out there. It's not who has got the speed game and who's got the pitching, but how do you manage it. When do you pinch-hit? When you drop down the bunt? When do you steal? It's a little bit of that chess match too, because these teams are very familar with one another. They played for the SEC championship in the tournament last year. Tennessee won on a walk-off homer in the eighth. They split this year. These have been very contested games between these teams. I'd be surprised if it didn't go three games."
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Game one of the Super Regional is Saturday at Noon on ESPNU.
Sunday's second game is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN with a third and deciding game (if necessary) to follow afterward.
The winner advances to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
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ON THE AGENDA
Wil Spencer is the only UGA singles player still alive as the NCAA individual bracket enters the Round of 16.
He'll face second-seeded Mitchell Frank of virginia at noon Friday.
The entire weekend ahead ...
FRIDAY, MAY 25
-Tennis: NCAA individuals
-Track & Field: NCAA regionals in Jacksonville, Fla.
SATURDAY, MAY 26
-Softball: NCAA super regional at Tennessee (Noon)
-Tennis: NCAA individuals
-Track & Field: NCAA regionals in Jacksonville, Fla.
SUNDAY, MAY 27
-Softball: NCAA super regional at Tennessee (1 pm, 3:30 pm if necessary)
-Tennis: NCAA individuals
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LINK(S) OF THE DAY
Tony Barnhart has a good read on how offensive coaches for Missouri and Texas A&M are preparing for the defenses each is going to see in the SEC.
And after his accuser recanted her testimony, a former top football recruit in California has now been exonerated on a rape charge that derailed his promising career.
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TWEET(S) OF THE DAY
Getting better every day with rehab #comebacksoon
OL Xzavier Ward
Going up to Athens w/ my boy @CharlesMann5 man today. #PlacementTest..... We just got outta school ! Dang....lol
Hoops signee Kenny Gaines
I'd go to Blue Mountain State if it really existed ...
RB Keith Marshall
I love talkin to my big sis, at least I kno I'll have someone that I'll be close to and understands me at UGA.
DB commit Shaq Wiggins
You have to hate to lose more than you love to win .
RB commit Derrick Henry
Hard to believe in less than two weeks I'll be in Athens startin football and school for the dawgs!! Gotta make the last days count!
P signee Collin Barber
Just listened to the Boys of Fall. Can't wait to do work my senior year then get to Athens with @joshcardiello56 and @brandonkublanow #Dawgs
OL commit Aulden Bynum
A wolf is no less a wolf because he's dressed in sheepskin and the devil is no less the devil because he's dressed as an angel.
QB Christian LeMay
- Gentry Estes
- Georgia Insider - Dawgs247