WCWS Day One: Thoughts and Takeaways
The first day of play in Oklahoma City was jam packed with great defensive plays, high flying home runs, pitching duels, record setting crowds, and more. These games also gave us a great first look at the teams, strengths and weaknesses, as well as answers to questions and other story lines. Here are our thoughts, take aways, and questions we have following day one.
#2 UCLA
This Bruins squad is on another level. I’m truthfully not sure who will be able to beat them twice. There was a sense of calmness, even when the game may have gotten more tense for them, that resulted in big time production. Look at the Aaliyah Jordan home run; oh, and the unreal leaping catch she secured.
Minnesota’s head coach, Jamie Trachsel, had a great quote in the post game press conference: “I think UCLA doesn’t let you settle into a game,” she said. “That was part of it, too. Whatever she was feeling. I don’t want to speak on that because I didn’t have that conversation with her. She didn’t look quite as comfortable that we’ve seen her in previous games. You come out, they put a pitch that wasn’t even over the plate over the fence, then they get their leadoff, then another. They never let her settle in. That’s the type of offense they are. That was something we hadn’t experienced for a while because sometimes we’ve been able to work through that as a pitcher or as a team. Credit to UCLA.”
Trachsel articulated it perfectly, if you watch UCLA play, you’ll see it. Not just in this contest against Minnesota but nearly every time they step on the field. Bruin head coach, Kelly Inouye-Perez, talked about this being a manifestation of experience in these moments. The Bruins also talked about trusting their plans and process while being convicted in and really sticking to them That experience, poise, calmness, and patience is what I believe makes them the favorite to win it this year.
Lastly, Rachel Garcia was also purely “Rachel Garcia” and she’s the National Player of the Year for a reason. Couple that with her trusting in her team to “have her back” and an amazing arm ready to pick her up in Megan Faraimo, she can play more free. It’s commonly said that playing free is dangerous for those opponents across from you.
#7 MINNESOTA
Though the score was 7-2, that isn’t an accurate representation of the game that unfolded. Take away the runs that scored due to two uncharacteristic defensive miscues (accounting for four of the seven runs) and this is a completely different ball game. And if you look at the box score, it was 3-2 until the sixth. Minnesota, and most importantly ace Amber Fiser, hung in there enough until the Gopher offense was able to make something happen.
Give the Gophers a lot of credit, especially the bottom half of the lineup. For the most part, Minnesota put decent at-bats together, fouling off strong pitches, and squared up a number of balls. But as is the game of softball, it seemed like any time a Gopher hitter or the offense started taking steps forward UCLA would come up with a stiffling play. Like this catch from Aaliyah Jordan, robbing Minnesota’s Allie Arneson of a single.
Another example Arneson came up big later in the sixth inning, sending a shot to the left center gap to score Natalie DenHartog. She was thrown out digging for second. It wasn’t a bad decision by Arneson to push for two; with speed plus a great angle and step to the ball, UCLA’s Bubba Nickles managed to cut it off before it could reach the wall. That’s tough. It makes it near impossible to generate any momentum.
Another observation that hindered Minnesota early on; they were getting taken out of their at-bats. The lower half of the strike zone was shaky at best and while, yes, hitters have to adjust and mentally stay in it that makes a tough task even more difficult.
Looking forward to their elimination game versus Washington there is a lot for Minnesota to build on. First and foremost, the 7-2 game wasn’t a “true” 7-2 contest. The offense started to produce against the National Player of the Year, Rachel Garcia. Next, all and all they didn’t play nearly to the level they are capable of competing at; and that’s good news for Minnesota!
The Gophers are eighth in the country in fielding percentage (.977) and defense is something they take a lot of pride and responsibility in. The two miscues, that all but sealed UCLA’s victory, are very uncharacteristic and I would expect to see cleaned up by game two. In the past, errors have played a critical role in Washington’s victories over the Gophers.
UCLA and Washington are similar in their presence and disruption. To mention the above quote again, Washington comes with a lot of energy, vocal presence, and obviously they are extremely talented. For the Gophers to have faced something similar in their first game should benefit them greatly heading into Saturday.
Lastly, Fiser got hit, she gave up only her eighth and ninth home runs on the season, she was relieved, and one can only imagine that was hard both mentally and physically. Yet, she fought. She got tough, she got out of jams, and she gave her team a chance to win. That is a key positive going into what could be an even more challenging game Saturday.
#5 FLORIDA
The Gators are in trouble facing elimination on Saturday versus Alabama. Inconsistent offense has been the struggle for Florida this season and led to their defeated versus Oklahoma State. Kelly Barnhill surrendered two solo home runs to the Cowgirls’, Samantha Show, but a 1-2 loss is not a pitching problem especially after the Gators stranded five runners. They also weren’t making all that solid of contact or squaring many pitches up. Amanda Lorenz roped a double in the early innings and Jordan Roberts went yard but in general, they struggled.
Florida is playing better softball than when they originally faced off against Alabama during SEC play, but arguably, so is Alabama.
Kelly Barnhill held the Tide to three runs in both of her outings during the regular season and I would expect her to keep the Tide within striking distance. Florida is going to have to figure out how to string offensive together; which maybe playing a familiar foe will be a positive thing and help me solve that puzzle.
#13 OKLAHOMA STATE
What a way to open their campaign in Oklahoma City! For one of the “new” squads on the block, the Cowgirls looked more comfortable and prepared than expected. They come out with, in my opinion, the most vocal and vibrant energy of any program yesterday. That energy will continue to carry and serve them well if they are able to maintain it.
Something worth noting: outside of Samantha Show, Oklahoma State did not have a hit, and this is something they are going to have to obviously figure out. Was it getting used to this “stage” and environment? Was it getting the butterflies and nerves out? Maybe. Whatever it is, the Cowgirls’ road is not going to get any easier; starting Friday with “Bedlam”.
#3 WASHINGTON, #6 ARIZONA
#1 OKLAHOMA, #8 ALABAMA
With hopes it does not appear like I’m “shorting” these incredible matchups and phenomenal programs. All four squads are playing such great ball right now and all have a legitimate shot to reach the championship series. There isn’t too much else to say.
Oklahoma just needs to continue to “do Oklahoma”.
Alabama need to trust in their depth, especially in the circle as they arguably have one of the top two pitching staffs in the tournament, and truly take things “one pitch at a time” even if that is the world’s largest cliche.
Washington lost a hard fougth, heartbreaker. Their key will be how well they can put game one behind them and just move on.
For Arizona there also isn’t too much else to say; they just need to keep it firing on all cylinders. Across the board Wildcats are pitching, hitting, and defending well.
