SEC Softball Power Rankings: High-powered Dawgs claim the top spot in week two
Week two of the SEC softball season is behind us. What we do now, is that the SEC will be just as strong as ever. However, we still have several questions to ask.
The first one, will anyone cool off Georgia’s hot bats? The No. 3 Bulldogs continued to mash the softball last weekend as they picked up three convincing wins over ranked opponents. Georgia continues to lead the SEC in home runs, and the race is not particularly close.
The next question is regarding Alabama pitching… who will crack the code? Central Arkansas transfer Kayla Beavers has struck out 33 batters while Jaala Torrence and Alea Johnson have yet to allow a run.
Finally, what is with the M’s? Mississippi State claimed four wins over three ranked teams while Missouri continues to drive up its undefeated record.
Outside of Georgia, who is the SEC’s best team? Which teams have made the biggest moves after two weeks of action? Here is a look at this week’s SEC softball power rankings.
Auburn
Record: 4-1-1
Last week: No. 13
Auburn fared better in its second weekend, but the rain in Mexico still keeps us from seeing what this team is truly capable of. The Tigers knocked off No. 13 Utah in a 1-0 battle but were robbed of a chance to get revenge on No. 8 Clemson last weekend due to rain.
Amelia Lech continues to swing a hot stick while Maddie Penta continues to dominate in the circle. Maybe one day we will see the Tigers play a full weekend, which will allow them to climb the power rankings ladder.
South Carolina
Record: 8-1
Last week: No. 12
South Carolina enjoyed a successful weekend at the Puerto Vallarta College Classic, leaving Mexico with a 3-1 weekend record. Their highlight win was a run-rule victory over Utah, 9-1. Brooke Blankenship, Marissa Gonzalez, and Karley Shelton each recorded two RBI in the win.
However, they suffered a blemish against Wichita State and needed extra innings to beat UC Davis. The Gamecocks return to action Wednesday to face Furman before hosting the Gamecock Invitational, which features solid competition in James Madison and South Alabama.
Arkansas
Record: 8-2
Last week: No. 9
The Razorbacks went 4-1 on the weekend at the Bear Down Fiesta in Tuscon, Arizona. Arkansas earned wins over Long Beach State and Omaha before splitting decisions with host Arizona. In Arkansas’ revenge win over the Wildcats on Saturday, Kennedy Miller went 3-for-3 while Robyn Herron allowed five hits in 7 complete innings of work in the circle.
For more Arkansas news, visit Razorbacks Wire
Kentucky
Record: 6-2
Last week: No. 8
The Wildcats followed up their strong showing in San Diego to open the season by winning two games in the Clearwater Invitational. One of those wins was a 12-10 thriller over North Carolina, where Kentucky held a 6-5 advantage through the 1st inning.
Vanessa Nesby and Karissa Hamilton each picked up three hits in the game while Alexia Lacatena and Sydney Schoonover combined to strike out eight batters in relief.
The lone loss of the weekend was an 8-1 decision to No. 5 Washington.
For more Kentucky news, visit UK Wildcats Wire
Ole Miss
Record: 9-1
Last week: No. 7
The Rebels swept the competition at the Kennesaw State tournament, which included two run-rule wins over Pittsburgh and host Kennesaw State.
The Rebels currently possess the third-highest team average among SEC teams with a .360 clip, which will be put to the test this weekend when they face Valerie Cagle and Clemson twice at the Clemson Classic.
Texas A&M
Record: 9-0
Last week: No. 10
The Aggies earned two quality wins this week by defeating No. 17 Oregon twice in San Diego, California. In Friday’s 4-1 win over the Ducks, Aiyana Coleman drove in two runs while Allie Enright recorded two hits. In Sunday’s 2-0 shutout win, Emiley Kennedy earned the save for Texas A&M by striking out four batters over the final two innings, allowing just one hit.
For more Texas A&M news, visit Aggies Wire.
Missouri
Record: 10-0
Last week: No. 5
Missouri put on another dominating show this weekend by winning five games at the Tracy Beard College Classic in Denton, Texas over the weekend. The Tigers run-ruled host North Texas in Sunday’s finale thanks in part to a grand slam by Katie Chester and a three-strikeout performance by Laurin Krings.
Tennessee
Record: 4-2
Last week: No. 4
The Volunteers were victims of bad luck last weekend, as most of their games at the Clearwater Invitational were rained out. Tennessee played just two games last weekend and dropped both of them.
In Tennessee’s 1-0 loss to No. 9 Stanford, pitcher Payton Gottshall allowed two hits and struck out four batters. Sophia Nugent and Destiny Rodriguez recorded two hits in the second game of the weekend with No. 3 Texas, but Tennessee could not knock off the Longhorns, falling 2-1.
For more Tennessee news, visit Vols Wire
Mississippi State
Record: 8-1
Last week: No. 11
Mississippi State continues to build a solid resume, which leads to a boost in the power rankings this week. The Bulldogs opened the week by beating No. 23 Louisiana twice before knocking off No. 8 Clemson and No. 13 Utah in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
In the Bulldogs win over Clemson last Saturday, Madisyn Kennedy went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a double to end her day with three RBI.
This week, Mississippi State, who holds the title of the top offensive team in the SEC, heads to the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, California. Among the competition they will see this week is No. 1 Oklahoma, which will provide a great measuring stick to see just how good this team is.
Florida
Record: 8-2
Last week: No. 6
The Gators continue to be one of the SEC’s top run producers as they added 18 more runs to its season total over three games last weekend. Florida defeated Georgia Southern and Loyola Chicago before rain canceled the remainder of the Bubly Invitational in Gainesville.
However, the rain allowed an extra game to be added on Monday. The Gators dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 6 Oklahoma State. Defense and pitching were strong, as the only smudge on the game was a three-run blast by Oklahoma State’s Karli Godwin was the difference. Keagan Rothrock allowed just two hits while striking out seven batters in the tough loss.
For more Florida news, visit Gators Wire
LSU
Record: 9-0
Last week: No. 1
Alabama and Georgia are having great seasons to this point, and LSU can be included in the mix.
The Bayou Bengals only played three games in Clearwater last weekend but knocked off two ranked teams in No. 6 Oklahoma State and No. 22 Northwestern. LSU is one of the most disciplined teams in the SEC by drawing 52 walks over nine games and driving in 75 runs, which leads the SEC. Collectively, they hit at a .366 clip, which is No. 2 in the SEC behind Mississippi State.
Pitching is a concern for LSU early, as they have an SEC-worst ERA of 3.08, and opposing teams are hitting .226 off of them. They are near the bottom of the strikeout total as well with 48.
For more LSU news, visit LSU Wire
Alabama
Record: 10-0
Last week: No. 2
Alabama continues to be the SEC’s top pitching team after allowing just six runs over five games in the Easton Bama Bash over the weekend in Tuscaloosa.
Crimson Tide pitchers allow opponents to bat .159 against them, and they have combined to strike out a total of 80 batters in 10 games, which is 12 more than Ole Miss, the next team on the list. Kayla Beavers leads the way in strikeouts with 33.
For more Alabama news, visit Roll Tide Wire
Georgia
Record: 9-0
Last week: No. 3
The hot-swinging Georgia Bulldogs continue to roll as they earned four wins in Clearwater. Georgia played Wisconsin close, but prevailed in the opening game of the weekend, 7-6, in 10 innings. Along the way, Georgia defeated No. 6 Oklahoma State, No. 19 UCLA, and No. 7 Florida State.
In the Florida State game, Georgia rattled off four home runs including two by Jayda Kearney in the 20-10 run-rule win. Georgia leads the SEC in home runs with 18, which is six more than the Texas A&M and Florida, which are tied for second in the conference.
For more Georgia news, visit UGA Wire
