[d4cohn]

Sad way to end on the delayed throw.  But then we didn’t score

I’m a long time season ticket holder plus went at the beginning when Stanford softball started play at the rec field across from Stanford mall. 

What a great season.  Hard to be upset
Now please stay ms Canady

A possible piece of good news from the postgame press conference: NiJaree said multiple times "I will pick us [Stanford] every single time [to win in these big games]", and that Stanford could beat anyone [in the World Series]. Granted, you wouldn't expect her to say differently, but the fact that she repeated it and seemed like she meant it means I think she truly believes that this young team can win a championship (people forget the entire infield other than Aly Kaneshiro, and the entire outfield other than Kaitlyn Lim, is freshmen and sophomores). 

I will also say with transferring the opportunity to win isn't always greener or guaranteed somewhere else: I am still very grateful for all Alana Vawter provided our program (I think she is still a Stanford Athletics HoF), but after pre-season expectations of big things, South Carolina went out in the regional finals, did not do well in the SEC, and actually had much less hitting and run support this year than Stanford provided (particularly toward the end of this postseason run, tonight's result notwithstanding). Vawter also had a weird year in terms of her innings pitched. She got her innings, but it almost felt like she was splitting the ace role with a younger player.

As another example, Oklahoma was pushed to an if necessary game. A team that has dominated college softball in the post COVID era could be eliminated tomorrow if they struggle again against Florida.

I think it depends on what NiJaree wishes to prioritize. If she wants to increase her chances of winning a national championship a bit more, perhaps there is maybe a school or two in the SEC that would have slightly better odds year in and year out (though honestly, given how young and good this core is, and how ahead of schedule they are, I am not sure).

This team can absolutely win a national championship with NiJaree leading it, that I am certain of. I also think we have the best coaching staff in the country (and the best pitching coach in Coach Nyberg).

---

Upside: the team ended 50-17.  Any season where a team does that is a pretty darn good season.  Kudos to the team, coaches, and fans.

The greatest season in program history IMO. Previously in our WCWS runs, we had to rely on elite pitching, defense, and scrappiness honestly.

This team, the games against Teghan Kavan notwithstanding, hit. 

Also, first ever WCWS win against UCLA (had lost to them in Oklahoma City three times previously).

[d4cohn]

Sad way to end on the delayed throw.  But then we didn’t score

I’m a long time season ticket holder plus went at the beginning when Stanford softball started play at the rec field across from Stanford mall. 

What a great season.  Hard to be upset
Now please stay ms Canady

A possible piece of good news from the postgame press conference: NiJaree said multiple times "I will pick us [Stanford] every single time [to win in these big games]", and that Stanford could beat anyone [in the World Series]. Granted, you wouldn't expect her to say differently, but the fact that she repeated it and seemed like she meant it means I think she truly believes that this young team can win a championship (people forget the entire infield other than Aly Kaneshiro, and the entire outfield other than Kaitlyn Lim, is freshmen and sophomores). 

I will also say with transferring the opportunity to win isn't always greener or guaranteed somewhere else: I am still very grateful for all Alana Vawter provided our program (I think she is still a Stanford Athletics HoF), but after pre-season expectations of big things, South Carolina went out in the regional finals, did not do well in the SEC, and actually had much less hitting and run support this year than Stanford provided (particularly toward the end of this postseason run, tonight's result notwithstanding). Vawter also had a weird year in terms of her innings pitched. She got her innings, but it almost felt like she was splitting the ace role with a younger player.

As another example, Oklahoma was pushed to an if necessary game. A team that has dominated college softball in the post COVID era could be eliminated tomorrow if they struggle again against Florida.

I think it depends on what NiJaree wishes to prioritize. If she wants to increase her chances of winning a national championship a bit more, perhaps there is maybe a school or two in the SEC that would have slightly better odds year in and year out (though honestly, given how young and good this core is, and how ahead of schedule they are, I am not sure).

This team can absolutely win a national championship with NiJaree leading it, that I am certain of. I also think we have the best coaching staff in the country (and the best pitching coach in Coach Nyberg).

---

Upside: the team ended 50-17.  Any season where a team does that is a pretty darn good season.  Kudos to the team, coaches, and fans.

The greatest season in program history IMO. Previously in our WCWS runs, we had to rely on elite pitching, defense, and scrappiness honestly.

This team, the games against Teghan Kavan notwithstanding, hit. 

Also, first ever WCWS win against UCLA (had lost to them in Oklahoma City three times previously).