Ag1188 said:

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Gap said:

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From the "Way-Too-Early 2026 Softball America Top 25":

2 - Texas
3 - Oklahoma
6 - Arkansas
7 - Tennessee
11 - Florida
12 - Alabama
13 - Texas A&M
14 - South Carolina
15 - Georgia
19 - LSU
24 - Mississippi St.
25 - Auburn

So, 12 SEC schools in the top 25. Not ranked Ole Miss, Kentucky, Missouri. Vandy doesn't play softball.

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That's kind of an Ouch-disrespect toward us. We didn't lose that much. Should provide a chip-on-the-shoulder. Has to be about our pitching staff.

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It's 100% about our pitching staff

I think it has more to do with losing in the regional at home as the one seed. We would be top 8 now easily if we had done what we were supposed to do and make the CWS. But we did not do that one.

Like most others on here, I would have loved getting a dominant pitcher. However, I really like Lessentine and Kate M. Hopefully Grace can stay healthy and our freshman pitcher that didn't pitch last year can develop into something special. Defense, hitting, and speed on the base path can win with adequate pitcher. I'm excited to see how things shape up this fall! Gig'em Aggies!

Also. I forgot we got a solid closer from Missouri that should help tremendously.

Where do we expect the girl from Florida to play? The one who transfered in the fall so couldn't play this season.

Killzone3abc said:

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Where do we expect the girl from Florida to play? The one who transfered in the fall so couldn't play this season.

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I think 1st but she could end up at 3rd. Just dont see us moving KP to 2nd.

cevans_40 said:

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Ag1188 said:

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MSTC Man said:

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Ag1188 said:

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littlebitofhifi said:

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No, she's a closer. Sid & Syd are the ace(s). I suspect Pannell fills a role like Leavitt did for us this year, but from the left side.

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That sounds like a recipe to not make it out of Regionals or Supers again, let alone Omaha or a title.

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Omaha? Do you follow this sport much? Or just here for the negative comments?

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Okay, OKC. Whatever. You're not unlike the grammar police. I'm a realist who wants a title and not to waste this incredible batting roster we got by having anything less than a legit championship pitching staff to get us beyond the super-regionals for a change. I do like our pitcher addition out of Missouri.

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We must have a similar route as Florida did this past season. Only 4-5 extremely elite pitchers can carry a team to OKC. Our path is doable, but we need good defense and timely hitting. Let's see how that goes.

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It's an offensive sport, and A&M had and will have a GREAT OFFENSE THIS YEAR

Looking at the roster, can anyone share their knowledge of on Taylor Brown (RHP, 2024 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year)? I don't recall her pitching or playing much this past season. Just curious. From her High School tape / stats, pretty special athlete.

She was a redshirt this past year. Simply too many pitchers on the roster and no need to burn her eligibility. The 2 freshman who were most ready played. She red shirted and the 4th freshman medically retired. She did throw once or twice in the fall as I recall.

Thanks for that update!

By doing that, she became the de-facto pitcher in the incoming Freshman class, though she will be classified as a Red-shirt Sophomore.

This is good news, right? She's been in the program (conditioning & pitching workouts for a year). Noticed she played 1B in High School and was a pretty decent hitter. Don't know the level of competition but Senior year BA @ 0.548 / HR @ 16 / RBI @ 62 and Sophomore year BA @ 0.470 / HR @ 9 / RBI @ 61. She just might be a hidden gem of the 2026 roster.

She was great on the mound and at the plate. Sure am looking forward to how she does. And really hope she gets to pitch and play 1B !!!

[Note: I edited my previous short post 4 times because was having tech issues and modified the post slightly until issue worked out !!]

Darn, another post that turned out to be long - sorry, guys !!

I will start with something I have said before - I have no idea what the coaches think about our returning non-starters. Specifically Hailey and Scout in the OF (both Juniors-to-be) and Reagan (Redshirt Sophomore-to-be) and Larisa (Sophomore-to-be) in the IF. Recall Kelsey and Larisa were both 6A All-State their Senior year in HS.

We have found out in three years that our coaching staff loves moving players around. Whatever is best for Aggie Softball. Not a darn thing wrong with that. Some of the transfers really surprised me. This all makes it very complicated, but interesting, to 'guess' who will start and who will play where.

Ariel played 3B her only year at Florida. I have seen mentioned here that she has played OF and C. I read an article about her playing C in some club team tournaments and in championship games, I think it was her senior year in HS. She loved it. Her pitchers loved her skill behind the plate and spoke very highly of her. She had a great bat, too.

I do not know about her at any other positions, especially 1B. Until Amari declared for the portal I do not think the coaches had any interest in signing a 1B. After she declared they offered to the 1B from OSU.

KP played LF in her Freshman year at UCLA and did well. Tallen, the transfer starting 3B from OK State was Golden Glove this year. Only 8 SO's and 4 errors on the year - outstanding. She had the lowest BA (.282) on the team amongst the regular starters but can hit with power and last year led the team in runs and walks (.421 OBP last year).

One of the OF positions is open (Kelsey and Frankie good chance to start but see more on Frankie below).

I think Ariel and Tallen will almost certainly start but where is the question. Wark, 1B transfer from OK State, a maybe or a probable at 1B. If only because she is a dedicated 1B. Low BA (.241) this year but has power. 2B Paislie Allen a future prospect, really do not see her starting UNLESS the coaches do not have any luck with other players at 2B. Great player in HS but her numbers this year at Georgia (GP-GS 41-27, BA .246, OBP .315) are not impressive at all. It WAS her Freshman year, though, but perhaps 2027 at 2B if her numbers improve, in part because as of now we have no 2B's in the Class of 2026. HOWEVER, note that Frankie came in as a utlity player and has played 2B here. Maybe put her there. Recall we DO have Hailey and Scout and two OF's coming in. Annsley Groce of Keller, TX has some great stats at the plate (.625 BA, .683 OBP) and had 65 stolen bases, too! And the following year three very highly-rated OF's are coming in. Perhaps Annsley will be another KK and Frankie, starting as a Freshman. This would certainly free up Frankie for 2B. I do not see Bland, the OF transfer from OU, starting because her stats are not that good BUT she was really good in HS and maybe she has an outsanding Fall.

So, multiple possibilities but some are: KP moves back to OF, Tallen at 3B, KK at SS, All-State Larisa or Frankie at 2B and Wark at 1B (hoping her BA improves with Coach Harger helping her) with Ariel behind the plate. OR, Ariel at 2B with Sauni behind the plate, getting the start as a Freshman! ORRR, Larisa or Frankie at 2B, Ariel at 1B and Sauni behind the plate! Note that Coach Ford said that she has followed Sauni for many years, just like she followed Mya for many years. She believes in her. Just like Mya.

ORRRR, KP still at 3B, KK at SS, Tallen at 2B and Wark at 1B with Ariel behind the plate !! With Hailey or Annsley joining Kelsey and Frankie in OF.

Gosh, it sure is fun wondering about who will play where!

Pitchers. I agree with those who think pitching is our big question mark. Sidne's stats last year were better than the other pitchers in several categories even though she played only a few innings (7, I think) in SEC play. I am anxiously awaiting seeing how Redshirt Freshman Taylor Brown does. Two time Gatorade POY. She might be really, really good. The other pitchers are, I think, solely 'crafty' pitchers. They do not have the velocity to blow it by hitters so have to try to beat them with pitch selection and really good movement on the ball. They were just average in SEC this year. Note that we have lost many games over the year to pitchers like this although the better hitting teams often adjust quickly and can pound them. And the ever-present sore subject of free passes. We have to limit them. Has been a problem with us for many years. Almost forgot - the closer we signed from Mizzoui. She was awesome last year (as a reliever, with 16 saves and ZERO starts) but off this year (only 3 saves with 7 starts). Hopefully next year we will see the older version of her. If so, she will be a huge asset.

Regardless, I sure am looking forward to the Fall games!

Reposting transfer stat links, leaving out my comments from the first time.


Taylor Pannell (P)

https://d1softball.com/player/1658031/taylor-pannell/

https://mutigers.com/sports/softball/stats/2025


Tallen Edwards (3B)

https://d1softball.com/player/1658245/tallen-edwards/

https://okstate.com/sports/softball/stats/2025


Maya Bland (OF)

https://d1softball.com/player/1695343/maya-bland/

https://soonersports.com/sports/softball/stats/2025


Micaela Wark (1B and DP)

https://d1softball.com/player/1645444/micaela-wark/

https://okstate.com/sports/softball/stats/2025


Paislie Allen (2B)

https://d1softball.com/player/1761704/paislie-allen/

https://georgiadogs.com/sports/softball/stats/2025

AK at catcher makes the most sense. Not sure how I forgot about that.

cevans_40 said:

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AK at catcher makes the most sense. Not sure how I forgot about that.

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I had forgotten, too, and give full credit to te_page for reminding me due to a possible 2026 lineup posted a few weeks ago. It reminded me of the article I read about her playing C in club ball and the thought stuck with me since the post. As mentioned in the previous (long) post, I think Ariel and Tallen will start, only question being where.

Note that I give a small nod to the transfer playing 1B even though her BA is low because it is a very difficult position to play and experience counts a lot. She has to handle throws from just about any position on the field. Throws that can be high, wide, scooped out of the dirt, etc. - all whilst keeping her foot on the bag. Has to be great at anticipating, reacting to and fielding bunts, too. Which means that it is not easy for another infielder to simply step in and play the position. Amari did it well, playing both 2B and 1B with ease. Had a few errors but overall a very good job.

Same with 3B, the hot corner. I played it in my youth and loved it. Great glove and accurate, strong arm required. Bunts, too.

SS and 2B can be difficult, too, because of the need to execute double plays really well and really quick. Practice, practice, practice. KK is great at this and has truly awesome range. Can KP or Ariel step in at 2B and play it well if needed? I might be waaaay wrong but do not see KP at 2B. She's really good at 3B and played LF at UCLA so probably see her there or still at 3B, in part because she has played the position for her two years here. We will find out in the Fall.

Ole Miss P transfer commits to OU.

https://d1softball.com/player/1761867/miali-guachino/

On the Premium Channel, Kay Naegeli interviewed Tallen. In that interview, Tallen mentioned that she is a "utility" and has caught during her time at OSU. So, that is another option for the Staff if they so elect. I'm sure Coach Heffley will find the player with the best defensive skill set to fill that critical position.

Kay also interviewed Micaela Wark. Micaela mentioned the injuries (both knees) she has overcome and that Coach Harger will be working with her approach / swing to return her to the stats she put up her freshman year (BA @ 0.314 / OBP @ 0.392 / SLG @ 0.541 / OPS @ 0.933).

@ frankie00, thanks for the nod.

Go get Emilee Boyer

cevans_40 said:

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Go get Emilee Boyer

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Great stats and accomplishments ...

https://gobuffsgo.com/sports/softball/roster/emilee-boyer/13752

https://gobuffsgo.com/sports/softball/stats/2025

Indeed but didn't see her in the transfer portal. She is listed as a Junior on the 2025 West Texas Softball site (https://gobuffsgo.com/sports/softball/roster/emilee-boyer/13752).


Not sure how Coach Ford approaches Pitcher / Players or how important Hitting is to Emilee. Should would like to find out.

https://www.newschannel10.com/2025/06/28/west-texas-am-softball-star-emilee-boyer-enters-transfer-portal/

Thanks for the link. Searched both D1 & Softball America and neither listed her. Shows how much activity there is when the two leaders in that type of tracking missed her. Wonder if we are plowing any interest.

Do those sites typically show the Div2 transfer players? I don't recall seeing any but might be wrong

Beginning to think only D1 players are being followed at Softball America and D1 Softball. Just went back through each respective site and all the schools associated with portal athletes appeared to be D1 programs.

I did a few searches and could not find a site that lists DII portal info. With her stats I would certainly welcome her to Aggieland to see what she can do in the SEC. And brings up once again my wondering if our coaches will allow a pitcher to play any other position and hit. If a pitcher has great stats both on the mound and at the plate why the heck not? I always think of Taylor Brown when I think of this!

There is a new, one-time transfer portal window.

NCAA Committee on Legislative Relief has issued a waiver to permit athletes who schools place on “Designated Student-Athlete” lists to enter the portal July 7-Aug. 5.

DSAs are grandfathered-in athletes exempt from roster limits.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 2, 2025

Not sure if we will see any movement from this but it is possible. Sunday is the deadline for schools to designate students athletes who will not count against the roster cap. Then Monday those players can choose to enter the portal if they wish.

Seems like anyone jumping in this portal window would want to have a landing spot before they.

Gap said:

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I don't see any way that a D2 pitcher with those stats would be a front of the line pitcher in the SEC. Most of the players she faces wouldn't even produce competitive at bats in the SEC. Now you have to do that 1-9. Add at least a couple of runs to that ERA to translate.

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You do realize Bre Ellis almost didn't play softball. There are tons of good players out there without D1 offers. Especially kids from North and South Dakota. Not exactly a recruiting hotbed. This kid can flat play. Wherever she goes, she will produce. To what level, remains to be seen.

With the timing (Dellenger's post and tagging players with DSA), this "DSA Portal Window" had to be in the House Settlement agreement. Right?

Curious if this applies to all sports, men's & women's or just those that are participating in Revenue Sharing? Every school is approaching which sports are part of Revenue Sharing, so if this (Rev Share) is playing into this "DSA Portal Window", will be interesting how the other sports react to this. Just when you think things are settling down, boom!

Yes the DSA was part of the house agreement that got it across the finish line. The judge wanted to prevent harm to current players who would be cut because of roster caps.

I expect that Track will designate several non scholarship runners. They carried 52 on the men's team last year and now have a roster limit of 35. House allowed for 45 but A&M needed to balance roster limits to comply with title 9 so some men's sports have limits lower that the house settlement allows. Men's Golf -1, Men's Swimming -8, Men's Tennis -1 and Men's Track -10, the only women's sport at A&M below the houses limit is Equestrian at -10.

I think there is decent chance that softball will designate some players if they haven't already to keep open the possibility of taking an additional player or 2 from the portal should they find a player that will fit. Other sports are also likely to designate players. I would think football would designate all walk ons even though they can count 20 walk ons against the cap. No reason to use cap space on any current walk ons. I believe players must be designated this year and remain with the DSA tag until they complete their eligibility. So all coaches will need to consider this option even if they end not going over the limit this year.

Gap said:

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I don't see any way a D2 pitcher with those stats would be a front-of-the-line pitcher in the SEC. Most players she faces wouldn't even produce competitive at-bats in the SEC. Now you have to do that 1-9. Add at least a couple of runs to that ERA to translate.

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She'd be a DH Candidate or pitch against midweek and mop up duty. She'd be a GREAT LAND FOR a u or something like that

Boozer92 said:

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There is a new, one-time transfer portal window.

NCAA Committee on Legislative Relief has issued a waiver to permit athletes who schools place on “Designated Student-Athlete” lists to enter the portal July 7-Aug. 5.

DSAs are grandfathered-in athletes exempt from roster limits.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 2, 2025

Not sure if we will see any movement from this but it is possible. Sunday is the deadline for schools to designate students athletes who will not count against the roster cap. Then Monday those players can choose to enter the portal if they wish.

Seems like anyone jumping in this portal window would want to have a landing spot before they.

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Seems like an interesting way to allow the grandfathering demanded by the judge while trying to minimize the effect on roster limits. Also keeps the schools honest on who they are designating.

The designated student athletes are supposedly the players you intended to cut to meet the roster limits so unlikely to be significant adds/subtractions from teams.

I've got no idea about how the hitting would translate. Hence, my comments here were solely about pitching translating into an ace or top of the line option.

Quote:

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I don't see any way that a D2 pitcher with those stats would be a front of the line pitcher in the SEC. Most of the players she faces wouldn't even produce competitive at bats in the SEC. Now you have to do that 1-9. Add at least a couple of runs to that ERA to translate.

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