The Super Regionals in college softball delivered chaos, weird plays, and a lot of emotion. One standout moment featured Clemson’s catcher with an odd but effective stance producing solid stats. Utah-San Diego had the strangest play of the weekend. A throw hit the runner in the helmet, bounced into the first baseman’s glove, and still counted as an out. Later, a batter tried the slash swing but ended up running over the ball and got called out for interference. In another game, Washington tried to squeeze in an insurance run with a sneaky steal of home after a routine throw back to the pitcher. It almost worked.
Alabama leaned on ace Montana Fouts, who returned from injury with a knee brace. The home crowd lost it when three borderline pitches didn’t go her way. Tension built in the sixth when a line drive came off her brace and hit her knee again, but Fouts stayed locked in and finished the game. Her teammates celebrated with a careful dog pile, making sure to protect her leg. In another game, Ruby Maylin closed it out for her team and immediately broke down in tears after a clutch strikeout that sent them to the World Series. Her emotion said it all.
Oklahoma and Clemson battled through extra innings tied at seven. First pitch of the ninth, Oklahoma launched a go-ahead home run. They then shut the door with smart pitch sequencing, mixing high rise balls and a sharp drop ball for a strikeout. Clemson nearly kept it alive with a blooper to the outfield, but after a dropped tough chance, the very next hitter sent one to the same spot. This time the catch was made, and Oklahoma locked up their trip to the World Series. The team danced and celebrated, knowing they’re still the ones to beat.