This time last year, I had given up on Patrick Murphy.
Several years of bad hitting, only partially masked by the GOAT pitcher (Montana Fouts) and Bailey Hemphill's bat. Piling up stats in pre-conference play against inferior competition, then stumbling badly in SEC play. Near the bottom of the SEC in virtually every hitting category when counting only in-conference performance. Swinging at bad pitches, endless 3-pitch strikeouts and equally endless runners left on base.
Clear dissension on the team. Solid players transferring out and becoming superstar SECPOYs at other schools (Skyler Wallace at Florida and KB Sides at Arkansas). Lexi Kilfoyl leaving for Okie Light and becoming the first player selected in the pro softball draft. Mudita was becoming a caricature of itself. Losing series to teams we absolutely shouldn't lose to. Run-ruled at our house.
My feeling was that Murphy's coaching strategies and recruiting hadn't changed with the rules or with the evolution of other programs and of hitters in general. I felt that he still believed in winning championships built on small ball, slap hitters, and a dominant pitcher....despite the fact that new rules made slap hitters far less effective and hitters generally having caught up to pitchers. I thought he had become the softball analogue to Gene Stallings and Les Miles.
I still think some of that was true. But then Murphy did some things I didn't think he could do.
The biggest was that he did in fact change.
First, he recruited hitters and a hitting coach. I wasn't convinced of the choice of hitting coach, but that seems to have turned out fine.
Second, he bought into the need for more power. It's taken some of the pressure off of the pitching staff and energized the crowds -- they no longer feel like being down a couple of runs is tantamount to losing the game.
Third, he somehow reinvigorated the culture of Mudita. When you have a strong organizational culture (any organization, in no way limited to sports), then lose it, it's really hard to get it back. But look at the 2026 team, and it's clear that he did exactly that -- those ladies genuinely like and play for each other.
So Patrick Murphy and the 2026 team served me a plate full of crow, and it never tasted so good. I'm incredibly happy for the entire team -- players, coaches and support staff. I know it's been a tough few years, and I'm proud of them for sticking it out when a lot of people [**blush**] had lost faith.
On to Oklahoma City. No matter what happens there, it's a great season!
Several years of bad hitting, only partially masked by the GOAT pitcher (Montana Fouts) and Bailey Hemphill's bat. Piling up stats in pre-conference play against inferior competition, then stumbling badly in SEC play. Near the bottom of the SEC in virtually every hitting category when counting only in-conference performance. Swinging at bad pitches, endless 3-pitch strikeouts and equally endless runners left on base.
Clear dissension on the team. Solid players transferring out and becoming superstar SECPOYs at other schools (Skyler Wallace at Florida and KB Sides at Arkansas). Lexi Kilfoyl leaving for Okie Light and becoming the first player selected in the pro softball draft. Mudita was becoming a caricature of itself. Losing series to teams we absolutely shouldn't lose to. Run-ruled at our house.
My feeling was that Murphy's coaching strategies and recruiting hadn't changed with the rules or with the evolution of other programs and of hitters in general. I felt that he still believed in winning championships built on small ball, slap hitters, and a dominant pitcher....despite the fact that new rules made slap hitters far less effective and hitters generally having caught up to pitchers. I thought he had become the softball analogue to Gene Stallings and Les Miles.
I still think some of that was true. But then Murphy did some things I didn't think he could do.
The biggest was that he did in fact change.
First, he recruited hitters and a hitting coach. I wasn't convinced of the choice of hitting coach, but that seems to have turned out fine.
Second, he bought into the need for more power. It's taken some of the pressure off of the pitching staff and energized the crowds -- they no longer feel like being down a couple of runs is tantamount to losing the game.
Third, he somehow reinvigorated the culture of Mudita. When you have a strong organizational culture (any organization, in no way limited to sports), then lose it, it's really hard to get it back. But look at the 2026 team, and it's clear that he did exactly that -- those ladies genuinely like and play for each other.
So Patrick Murphy and the 2026 team served me a plate full of crow, and it never tasted so good. I'm incredibly happy for the entire team -- players, coaches and support staff. I know it's been a tough few years, and I'm proud of them for sticking it out when a lot of people [**blush**] had lost faith.
On to Oklahoma City. No matter what happens there, it's a great season!
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The dilemma now is who to cheer for in the TN v Texas game. I don't like either team.. they both have really good pitchers.... not sure who will win that game. Wish our game wasn't so late, as you know it won't start on time.
