Mizzou Links, 6-3-11

Mizzou Softball Links

So we learned two things last night:

1) Mizzou was still nervous. The "0-fer the WCWS" thing has become a "thing," it seems, and Mizzou will continue to play tight until ... well, until they don't.  Hopefully the sight of a familiar face (Oklahoma) in the next game allows them to finally loosen up a bit (though Mizzou's history with Oklahoma in must-win situations, in all sports, has me nervous, so we'll see).  But between the first-inning miscues in the field, and Chelsea's struggles with first-pitch strikes, and the fact that experienced players like Ashley Fleming and Marla Schweisberger were swinging for eight-run home runs every time they came up with a runner on, Mizzou players weren't completely relaxed and playing their game.  The Beef and I agreed yesterday that Florida was the worst possible matchup for Mizzou, and it showed (god, can they hit the ball), but Mizzou still didn't give themselves a chance because they were in their own heads again.

2) First-pitch strikes, first-pitch strikes, first-pitch strikes.  Here are Florida's hitting stats from last night based on three categories:

Chelsea Throws a First-Pitch Strike: 2-for-11 (1 single, 1 HR, 5 K)
Chelsea Throws a First-Pitch Ball: 3-for-8 (3 singles, 3 K, 4 BB)
Florida Swings at First Pitch: 3-for-4 (2 singles, 1 HR)

So basically, when Chelsea got an 0-1 count, Florida's on-base % was .182.  When Chelsea got a 1-0 count, Florida's OBP was .583, and when she threw a predictable/hittable first pitch, Florida's OBP was .750.  You can't just throw it over the plate on the first pitch because they'll whap it, which makes things less simple than "THROW STRIKES!" ... but even Chelsea is at a severe disadvantage starting 1-0.

• MUtigers.com: Tigers Dropped by Gators in Opener, 6-2
  
• The Missourian: Missouri softball team frustrated in WCWS loss
• The Missourian: PHOTOS: Tigers lose opener in WCWS
• The Missourian: PHOTOS: Missouri fans warm up with tailgate parties before WCWS begins
• KC Star: Florida tees off on Thomas; Tigers fall
• KC Star: Big 12 enjoys spotlight in WCWS
• Post-Dispatch: Tigers fall to Gators in WCWS

Mizzou Football Links

• Joplin
  Post-Dispatch: Mizzou, Gabbert, Daniel continue efforts to help Joplin
• Pinkel
  College Football Talk: At least for now, Gary Pinkel says he'd pass on 'another' Big Ten opportunity
  KC Star (Campus Corner): Alden on Pinkel; Dodds on Brown
  

Other Football Links

• Big 12 Meetings
  CBS Sports: Big 12 didn't need that championship game anyway
  San Antonio Express-News: Big 12 believes in BCS's staying power
• Le Pirate
  Washington Post: Mike Leach lives in Key West, hoping to coach again
  
• Black Heart Gold Pants: Relegate This: Where Indiana And Illinois Spend Half the Aughts In The MAC (God, this just SCREAMS for a "What If..." post)
  

Mizzou Basketball Links

• Big 12 Tournament
  ESPN.com: Top six teams earn byes in new format for Big 12 men's, women's basketball conference tournaments
  The Missourian: Big 12 sets new format for basketball tournaments
  

Other Mizzou Links

• Mizzou Golf
  MUtigers.com: Mizzou's Jace Long Finishes His NCAA Golf Championship Run (You know if MUtigers doesn't mention where he placed in the headline, it might not have ended up too pretty)
  The Missourian: More struggles for Missouri's Long at NCAA men's golf championship
• Mizzou Baseball
  The Trib: Tough Missouri baseball season comes to a difficult end
• Mizzou Volleyball
  MUtigers.com: Brimmage's Team Wins USA Volleyball A2 Title

Other

• SI.com (Steve Davis): U.S. to face world champion Spain with Gold Cup in mind
• SB Nation: The Best Animated Sports GIFs Of May: A Complete Waste Of Your Time

It's not too late to donate to the Rock M Nation Tremendous Stubble Charity Drive!

And for those interested in donating to the Ozarks Red Cross in the wake of the brutal Joplin storms, you can go here.