I can't tell y'all just how much I have enjoyed watching and listening to these ladies play this year. Starting out the season #1, winning 23 of the first 24, losing our first game to a Stanford team in an Arizona tournament. We got into SEC play and didn't lose again until mid March against a #2 Florida, but won 2/3 from them at their house...still playing well, then lost 2/3 to Tenn Vols against the fastest throwing pitcher on the planet...but bounced back by winning 2/3 against a top 10 LSU team....then got our butts whooped by getting swept in Norman...always tough for us...went limping into the SEC tourney only to get bounced by a #1 aggy team (the highlight of their year) 14-2....time to regroup....came back to win the Regional by winning 3 straight....then in came Clemson to give us a fit, losing our 1st game and had to win twice...down one game, trailing late with Clemson baserunners 2 & 3 no outs, and on the brink of being eliminated....but survived and won 2/3! Wow.
Then to the WCWS to knock out Florida, OU (a hump we were finally able to get over), then had to face Tenn Vols again, and won and on to the finals to take 2/3 from Tech. Just an unbelievable season that we will remember forever. Such a wonderful sports year for these young ladies who said over and over how much they loved each other, worked hard together, pumped up each other and really appreciated Mike White's coaching and support. I've had more fun watching and posting and hoping that winning the World Series would happen, but there were no guarantees. Loved the play of Mia and Teagan, Stewie, Henry and the others...having to survive the loss at shortstop and watching Mike try Stewie there, only to move her back to LF. Don't know how many posters wanted Mike's head for making numb scull decisions, and all who knew they could coach better....yea, right.
Anyhow, really enjoyed the posts here (most...not all) and Js1's contributions....a women's sport's book of knowledge...hope next year can duplicate and we can repeat. Waking up this morning with a National Championship was great. Now, I'll watch some men's baseball and root against LSU, Tenn, and Arky....maybe I'll pull for UTSA...enjoyed the season.