While its real early, may give us an indication...

Posted on: October 2, 2016 at 15:15:58 CT

How rough the season is going to be with a wounded pitching staff. Will be Conrads first shot at some elite teams, and a chance for Baumgartner, Baxter, and Louisville transfer Madi Norman to show who can be effective against some of the best teams in the country. Hard not to play several really good teams out there, with another loaded field.

Will be interesting to see where Norman fits in on the pitching order. Without throwing a single pitch here yet, you have to think highly touted freshman Parker Conrad will be the ace (and if she isn't, it's going to be a very, very long season), with Baumgertner the #2, and Baxter #3. Would be nice if Norman is good enough to push Baumgartner for the #2 spot and be able to pitch effectively against SEC teams. Big if.

Could very well be a transition year where our offense will have to be amazing and just outscore other teams for Mizzou to stay in the top 20 and have a chance for another national seed. Until a very young pitching staff grows up and Lauren Rice and Danielle Williams come to the rescue in the next 2 years.