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.
Beauty, brains, and an SEC athlete, how could Ellen Renfroe and
the Lady Vols softball team not be your #WCW?