UCLA v Washington...Garcia HR

[sluggers]

Batters don't hit fastballs, riseballs, changeups, or drops...they hit mistakes.

In the bottom of the 10th, Rachel Garcia was up. On a 1-2 count, Washington pitcher Gabby Plain was trying to throw a low, inside change. She had some drop spin on the ball, so the intent was for the ball to be shin height at the plate.

Plain was excited (of course), and either threw the ball too fast or released too late. The ball was probably thigh height over the plate, and then the ball was 30 feet in the air as it left the park.

 

[4KidsDad]

I think you meant shin height.

Yup... I'm a UW fan and that mistake hurt.

 

[Lozza]

Yeah that pitch missed. Unfortunately one pitcher was always going to make the error. It was just who was first.

 

[4KidsDad]

Can't disagree about the pitching but I also disagree with coaching decisions... or lack thereof....

Leaving 17 or 18 runners on base with batters not able to get timely hits calls for small ball to move the runners. Tarr just wouldn't go there.

 

[djcarter1966]

Yeah when it is 0-0 after 5 or 6 innings you have to start thinking to yourself I need one run.

 

[uncdrew]

One pitch before her game winning home run the 3B fielded one just foul that would have ended the game and given UW the win.

Game of inches...

 

[Lozza]

Don’t forget the batter who shrunk out of the way from getting hit. With loaded bases.

It is what it is and that team will come back stronger. They’re losing Alvelo and Molloy. Not as bad as losing 5 the previous year.

 

[Comocoach]

One pitch before her game winning home run the 3B fielded one just foul that would have ended the game and given UW the win.

Game of inches...

You'll have to explain how it would have ended the game. The score was 0-0 at the time.

 

[uncdrew]

You'll have to explain how it would have ended the game. The score was 0-0 at the time.

Hah, I'm sorry. I thought they were down 1 at the time. I flipped on the TV and only caught the last at bat.

 

[Chris Delorit]

Batters don't hit fastballs, riseballs, changeups, or drops...they hit mistakes.

This couldn't be farther from the truth, but I understand the context from a pitcher's dad's perspective.

An epic pitcher's battle for 10 innings on the biggest of stages. A delayed coaching decision on an infield single changed the dynamic of the game, team and the atmosphere.

Gabbie Plain did a great job, as good as she could entering in a very challenging position in the 10th inning before an attendance of about 10k. But she knew it was Taryn's game to lose. So did Taryn.

Similarly, Alabama's #2 & #3 also performed their hearts out. Freshman Montana Fouts found a permanent seat on the bench after just shutting down the tournament's #1 seed just a half hour earlier. Perhaps she was fatigued or injured. Coach Murphy's pregame comments about overuse during the regular season were interesting at best.

Ironically, trips home for Washington and Alabama.

Chris