Photo from Google Images
There are two things in life I will never understand; people who pay money to run and sports fans that do not like/support college softball.
I’m always shocked by the reaction I get when I mention how much I enjoy watching college Softball. Maybe it’s because I’m a fan of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols; an exciting, strong program to watch. Or maybe it’s because I just like to watch a good program play great ball year, after year.
The Lady Vols are 45-10 as they head to Norman, Oklahoma on Friday for the NCAA Super Regionals. As #10 seed, they will face the defending National Champions, a # 7 seed, the Sooners of Oklahoma.
This two out of three series should be one of the best match ups in the tournament as these two teams rematch from last years NCAA Women’s College World Series Championship game. (Well played sports gods, well played.) The lineups from a year ago are missing dominating players from both teams (Ricketts and Shults for Oklahoma & Gibson and Chavanne for Tennessee), but with my girl, Ellen Renfroe in the circle the Lady Vols are in good hands.
Senior, Ellen Renfroe is just one of those athletes where I became a fan at first sight. Her swag, her leadership, the bow in her ponytail, and that fierce look she gets in her eyes when she commands dominance every time she steps into the circle. She’s an ace and when she is in her zone, she’s untouchable. Ellen shines in the post season and earned her 11th shutout on Sunday against Lipscomb striking out 10 batters (and Lexi Overstreet’s two-run homer to put runs on the board) advanced the Lady Vols to the Super Regional.
Renfroe is going into Friday’s Super Regional game with 29-6 win-loss record this season and 101-23 in her career as a Lady Vol. It’s no surprise that she earned the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year award and is a top 25 finalist for the 2014 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
The Lady Vols have been to the WCWS six times since 2005 and this will be their third consecutive appearance to the NCAA Super Regionals. Hitters one through nine can hit bombs. With clutch senior Madison Shipman (SS), the senior leader in the outfield, Melissa Davin (LF), and Ellen in the circle these ladies have the talent and the experience to do what hasn’t been done in program history- win the WCWS!
Beauty, brains, and an SEC athlete, how could Ellen Renfroe and the Lady Vols softball team not be your #WCW?