How would D3 College Teams do against the top Ohio HS teams?

[Yappi]

There are some very good HS teams in Ohio that have multiple players going to play D1 college softball. These teams are full of D1, D2, D3, and NAIA players.

How would these HS teams do if they played versus some of the D3 college softball teams in Ohio?

The age, experience, and potentially strength would favor the college teams but the schools that have dominant players that will be playing in D1 college the next season would seem to have their own advantage.

So how do you think any of the top 10 teams in Ohio HS softball would do against any of the D3 college softball teams?

 

[NewOldBlood]

If the high school teams have a high level pitcher, throwing mid 60ish, I think they do well against a D3 college team. Other than that, I think the D3 teams win more often than not unless its a really poor program. Every kid PLAYING at a D3 school was probably a pretty solid high school player and most likely played at least B level travel ball.

 

[queencitybuckeye]

Depends on the college team. Good to excellent D3 teams would wear out the HS teams.

 

[Yappi]

For clarity, these are the top 10 teams currently in Ohio based on MaxPreps:

1 Perrysburg
2 Wheelersburg
3 Anthony Wayne
4 Dover
5 Kenton Ridge
6 Mt. Vernon
7 Walsh Jesuit
8 Riverside
9 Boardman
10 Lancaster

 

[Yappi]

So far this Summer, I've seen some current D3 and D2 college pitchers playing in 18U tournaments. None were the ace of their college teams but a few have gotten some innings. What is interesting is that there is no clear line dividing the college pitchers from the younger pitchers. The best pitchers I've seen are those that are going to pitch D1 next year. I've seen pitchers who are not pitching next year in college beat the college pitchers. I think the competition between a D3 college team and a top notch HS team would be competitive. If it is a lower level D3 team, I would probably favor the top HS team.

I think the reason might be the number of girls that are choosing not to play college softball. Just talked to a Dad of a First Team All-District pitcher who is going to the local college because it is much cheaper and giving up softball.

 

[HSFB Fan]

There are some very good HS teams in Ohio that have multiple players going to play D1 college softball. These teams are full of D1, D2, D3, and NAIA players.

How would these HS teams do if they played versus some of the D3 college softball teams in Ohio?

The age, experience, and potentially strength would favor the college teams but the schools that have dominant players that will be playing in D1 college the next season would seem to have their own advantage.

So how do you think any of the top 10 teams in Ohio HS softball would do against any of the D3 college softball teams?

"Bottom of the pack" college programs would struggle vs top Ohio DI HS programs or top tier 14-16-18U travel teams outside of (NCAA power D1 conferences).

(There are a lot of weak college softball teams at all levels even DI and some surprisingly good college club teams).
Many of these schools also have poor facilities or facilities no better than a average HS program. Some schools even have to borrow players from other teams. I remember a hitting clinic we did at a central Ohio college and I had a player come to my station holding the bat incorrectly. I asked her who taught her how to hold a bat. She said no one, it was the first time she held one. She played soccer and was asked to help the softball team...

Several years back there were a couple nice tournaments in KY. They were the Vernon Bibb and the and Keith Carver Memorial tournaments that paired Invite Travel teams up against college teams and other more well known travel teams.
Our 94 16U team was invited to the Vernon Bibb both years of 16U and went 4-2 vs the college programs. Both years losing to Georgetown in close games. I recall the Doom and Louisville Lady Sluggers won the event the years they were down there. I think this event still runs.

The Keith Carver tournament had a High school division for teams 14u-18u or HS teams. There was also an open division that top tier 16/18U travel teams could play in vs college teams and adult teams.

Most of the adult teams were made up of current and former college players ranging from Big school D1 programs to JC programs.
I remember Tommy Martins Cincy Force team was loaded. He had a pitcher from Wright State, Catcher from Ohio State, CF from FSU and the rest of the players from NKU or Thomas Moore. They won the event the last time we played in it but that stacked team had a lot of close games in the 10 team open division. This event was truly one of the best events we ever played in. With DIII and KHSAA umpires, 3 umpires in Bracket play 4 in championship play, southern style concessions, live music, and the ability for the ladies, parents and coaches to just connect.

While high school softball pitching is down, the top teams in the GMC, GWOC, ECC could still knock off a lot of JC, NAIA or DIII programs.