Episode 43: Tightening the Screws and Bama U

Out of the Box

College softball is in full swing now! After a weekend that had a postseason feel, Tom Canterbury and Gray Robertson are back to break everything down involving Alabama, the SEC, and a lot of the hot topics around the country. Here's your trip around the bases:

At the Plate (0:00-27:55): Tom and Gray start off explaining how you can listen to this weekend’s Alabama games in Youngsville and why there isn’t streaming (Thursday is on ESPN+), plus the dangers of clicking links in the comments. Then, the guys look back at the Bama Bash and discuss the impressive defense, timely hitting, and incredible pitching before talking a bit about Virginia Tech and previewing the Mardi Gras Mambo.

Advancing to First (28:01-54:48): Tom and Gray spend more time with the SEC and look at the teams who played in Clearwater, Florida’s weekend, Kentucky’s wild trip to Tucson, Texas A&M’s numbers, Georgia’s confusing loss, Missouri’s offensive issues, the trouble with Arkansas, and much more. Then the guys present the newest FGCL Player of the Week and a new nickname for Florida State's Mack Leonard.

Stealing Second (55:00-1:26:22): ESPN analyst, 7Innings Podcast contributor, and Texas A&M Aggie Amanda Scarborough returns to the show and discusses all things St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational, including the epic primetime game on Sunday, where UCLA goes from here, the various problems at Texas, Washington’s pitching depth, the Ashley Rogers situation, the battles between Alabama and Virginia Tech, Jocelyn Alo’s record-tying swing, and much more.

Rounding Third (1:26:30-1:38:38): Tom and Gray give winners and losers from the St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational and then look at the best non-SEC games in Week Three.

Heading Home (1:38:43-2:09:42): To close the show, an old segment returns as Tom gets “On Our Soapbox” and talks about the need for softball to become more media friendly and ways neutral site tournaments can improve. Then, “Off the Wall” returns as the guys discuss why it’s important to actually watch the games if you’re going to comment on them and why you shouldn’t complain about only having radio to the radio guys.

*record scratch* BUT WAIT—if you think the show is over, you’d be wrong. Tom and Gray pop in at the end for a bonus “Off the Wall” (begins at the 2:04:50 mark) addressing the complaints on Twitter about the use of Bama U.

Note: The Crimson Tide Sports Network’s softball radio affiliate has changed. To listen to games, tune in to 97.5 FM Tuscaloosa, download the 97.5 FM app (https://t.co/MC0HVxSw2T), or visit https://nick975.com/listen-live/popup/.

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