Deal was the #1 recruit for Extra Innings Softball and went to OU, so no "Mike White's pitchers don't get better" curse
2024 - 1.97 ERA
2025 - 2.98 ERA
It's not just a Texas problem. Gotta credit TK for putting in the work between her freshman and sophomore seasons.
When it comes to OU, I don't buy that they didn't prep for WSU. Their pitching staff just ain't what it was during the 4-peat:
Landry - 1.31 ERA (and missed some time due to an injury)
Smith - 2.76
Deal - 2.98
Lowry - 2.10
Monticelli - 4.02
Team ERA - 2.33
Some of the run totals they've given up this year - 6 to SDSU, 5 to Bowling Green, 9 to SoCar, 9 to SoCar again, 7 to Arkansas, 16 to Wichita State. Texas has only allowed 5+ runs only four times this year (Lamar, Stanford, South Florida, Auburn) and just 3 if you remove Sophia's meltdown against Lamar (6 runs).
The most runs Texas has allowed so far is 9 (to Stanford). OU, 16 to Wichita State. LSU, 11 to Georgia. Florida, 13 to Texas. aggy, 12 to Florida. Tennessee, 9 to Arkansas
I'm taking TK, Mac, Cit and Cam over the OU top 3 (Landry, Smith, Deal). 2.01 team ERA for Texas, and if you remove SS, 1.89 team ERA. SS 6 ER in 1.1 IP, rest of staff is 56 ER in 207.2
They've given up 23 HR as a staff - Texas only 13, against a stronger schedule. Texas/OU series is going to be a lot of runs and/or a lot of TK and Sam Landry.