What a couple of weekends for the Huskies! Huskies went 3-0 in their Regional last weekend. In fact, Bryanna Walker no hit Hawaii and they ruled them 8-0 in the last game of the weekend! Offense wasn't a little sluggish in the first 2 games but they found their groove in the 3rd game. They fought, clawed and battled the whole weekend and came up with 3 great team wins! They set themselves up for a rematch in Supers with Mizzou. I honestly didn't know what to think about this weekend. I knew Mizzou is a good team and they have a fabulous pitcher in Chelsea Thomas. I was nervous about it. But I had a good feeling. Despite what a LOT of people seem to think this is not the same team from 2011. Kaitlin Inglesby is not the same pitcher, Bryanna walker is 100% and pitching as well as she has probably in her entire career, Huskies D has been lights out all season, and the offense has been clutch. I never doubted the talent was there but I wondered if everything would come together.
Yesterday Kaitlin got the start and it was pretty much a pitching dual between her and Chelsea Thomas until the bottom of the 6th when Mizzou got on the board. It really seemed like that would be enough... But the Huskies had other ideas. Kaitlin got on and was lifted for a PR. The PR was able to move up to 2nd on a wild pitch and senior Shawna Wright knocked her in with a single to tie up the game. Bryanna came in and sat Mizzou down in order in the 7th. Kelli Suguro hit single and reach 2nd on a bad throw to start the 8th and Victoria Hayward hammered a ball to the outfield for a double to bring Kelli home for the go ahead run and Bryanna shut them down to win the game!
I felt the Huskies had a very good chance to win and advance today. But I also felt that with Chelsea Thomas in the circle for Mizzou anything was possible! I normally have this superstition of not wearing my national championship shirt on game day. The few times I have they always lost. But this morning I was feeling it! There was no other shirt I wanted to wear more today and so I put it on and this time it worked! Kylee Lahners robbed a 2 run HR in the top of the 1st and Victoria Hayward hit a solo HR in the bottom of the 1st and that was pretty all that was needed. Bryanna and Kaitlin again combined for a great game. The defense was stellar! Not just these 2 games but the whole season! One of the best defenses the Huskies have ever had and one of the best in the country I'd say.
I just could not be more happy for them right now! This group of girls are very very special! I think about last season and I think we got a little taste of what these girls were made of in pre-season. But when Pac-12 season started things fell apart. I look back at those blogs and I remember how frustrating it was the watch and I remember the frustration I could see on their faces. But the beauty is those are the games where the biggest lessons come from. It's very interesting to me the thing that was maybe the worst part of the game for the Huskies is now the best, not just for this season but the best defense the Huskies have had in a long long time... maybe ever. The defense last season was no where near the top, they were a hot mess. But this year the experience, the chemistry, the talent, and the right combination of players has led to an extremely strong defense which in turn leads to better pitching. When a pitcher know she can count on her defense to back her up, she is going to be more relaxed and it opens up her pitch availability. But all around this team is more well rounded. Coach Tarr has done a fantastic job with these girls! But it took alot of disappointment, alot of hard lessons, and even more practice to get here.
At the end of the game Kaitlin Inglesby and Bryanna Walker hugged for a long time and it was probably the most beautiful and emotional moment for me. If there are 2 pitchers who have fought through more adversity than those 2, I don't know who they are! Kaitlin is 80% deaf, has Graves disease, and was smashed in the face with a ball off of Hooch Fagaly's bat leaving her with 47 breaks in her face(you don't even have 47 bones in your face). She also had issues with injuries last season and pitched almost every inning her freshman season. Bryanna Walker broke her leg her freshman year and had to have a rod put in it(it's purple btw lol). And what few people know is she also lost her father. But they both just kept pushing on! They are the co-leaders of this team! The trials of their early careers have made them strong, confident competitors and leaders. The taste of defeat in Super Regionals the last 2 years that both experienced has put a fire in their bellies! I read a blog earlier that referred to them as a two headed monster lol. The blog was poorly written and frankly didn't give enough credit to these two women for what they've accomplished but I think the person who wrote it got that right! They are a great 1-2 punch and are such different pitchers that it's really hard for hitters to adjust! I know this was sweet revenge for Kaitlin. I remember how upset she was when they lost in 2011. You could just see she was putting the full blame on herself. The smile on her face and Bryanna's face was just... priceless!
Two more players who I think are leaders for this team and strong competitors are Shawna Wright and Victoria Hayward. Shawna's bat has not always been the best but as a catcher she is one of the best! She is also a great leader! I love watching her with the pitchers. She is always smiling and always able to get them to smile and take a deep breath. The thing about Shawna was that there was no easing into the role. She came in right after Alicia Blake graduated and was expected to catch Danielle Lawrie, probably the best division 1 pitcher in the country at the time. You might think she would be a little intimidated but if she was she never showed it. She stepped in there and caught Danielle like she was a Senior too. The next year she took on an even bigger challenge, catching a freshman when she herself was still pretty inexperienced and on top of that new pitcher was 80% deaf! She's done great though! The Huskies have 4 pitchers(plus one other player who can pitch) and she has caught all of them. Shawna is a senior and no matter what happens in OKC 2 thins are certain about her career. First off it will draw to a close and second off she's left her mark all over this program! I will miss watching her play for the Huskies. I'll miss that big smile and the passion she plays with. Victoria Hayward has always been a favorite of mine. She has always been great in the field and a strong hitter but this season has seen her really step forward and take on a huge leadership role(I've written more about her in previous blogs you can check them out). Hooch Fagaly is another who has really stepped up. Honestly at one point in time every one of these girls has stepped and made a play, or got a clutch hit, or scored a key run. That's the beauty of this team! It's not just one player, it's all of them and they wouldn't be where they are without every single one of them! This team plays with passion and energy! I love watching them play!
I'm done babbling now lol! No idea if any of this even made any sense! I am just so happy and proud of them! Congrats to the Huskies on sweeping Mizzou and being the first team to punch their ticket to the WCWS! I of course would love to see them win it all but whatever happens I'm proud to call myself a Husky fan!
I'll update on other things and teams later. I just wanted to take the time to congratulate the Huskies and express my happiness and pride!
Go Huskies!!
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