SEC and Big 12, who are the top teams?

[SoftballFan15]

Just curious how Texas A&M will do in the SEC this year. We all know that Alabama will be it's usual self, who do you think will be strong?
Same with U Texas in the Big 12. Obviously Oklahoma is the class, but who do you think might surprise?
Any new players from Texas that will make a splash nationally at the D1 level?
Your thoughts...................................

[PDad]

SEC: Alabama will be strong if the pitching issues from the end of last year are behind them. I expect Tenn and Florida to be strong.

Big 12: Oklahoma and Texas won't be as strong due to players they lost, especially pitchers. I expect Baylor will challenge them this year.

JMHO...

[SoftballFan15]

who is pitching for Baylor? I am surprised that Oklahoma is not as strong, they usually retool well.... any players from Texas on any of these teams going to make an initial impact in the line up?

[PDad]

who is pitching for Baylor?
The top 2 returning Big 12 pitchers (ERA) are both with Baylor.
Whitney Canion LHP 5-11 L/L RS SR 2L Aledo, Texas/Aledo
Heather Stearns RHP 5-9 R/R SO HS Plano, Texas/Hebron

I am surprised that Oklahoma is not as strong, they usually retool well....
OU lost Ricketts, Gascoigne, Shults and Turang - all their pitching and 3 strong bats.

any players from Texas on any of these teams going to make an initial impact in the line up?

I'll leave that to the Texas experts...

[SoftballFan15]

I thought that Baylor got better, Texas still has coaching issues, Texas Tech will never be a factor,
Texas A&M has Fox, that will help, but the SEC is tough, we will see

[fastpitchforever]

My guess is Texas will be fine with Kern leading the pitching, but not as dominating as it was (51-10) with Luna on the mound. There are 3 more pitchers to choose from for relief this year, plus 2 more pitchers coming in the 2014 class (add in the 3 catchers and you can field an entire team!). They will challenge for the Big 12 title with Baylor this year, but doubt they can get too far in Regionals without Luna or experience. If Fox had stayed, they would have had a better chance to advance while Kern and the rest learn more about the college game in their new roles.

I think A&M will struggle to match the 2013 results of 42-18, and they still need relief for Fox although Davenport and Marks may help to a degree. More experience is needed here as well for the relief. They might make it past Regionals, but don't think they can go any deeper.

Both teams need a dominate pitcher to show up, that's what will make the difference. Its pretty tough to sit here today and figure out if that's going to happen for these two teams.

[SoftballFan15]

Who is Marks?

[frito_burrito]

Who is Marks?

Katie. transfer from south carolina.

[SoftballFan15]

Wow, that is a good get for TAMU, do you know why she transferred?

[Ron Burgundy #1]

UGA should give some teams a run for their money.

Dem Dawgs got some strong defense, let's just hope Montemayor is fit enough to take back her starting position in the circle.

LSU...well we will see