Latest news with #WashingtonSoftball
USA Today
7 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Former Washington Softball star set to compete for national championship
Former Washington Softball star set to compete for national championship Former Washington Huskies star Alana Johnson is on the cusp of achieving every college softball player's goal: winning the Women's College World Series. Following two seasons with coach Heather Tarr's team, where she tallied a .301 batting average, .983 OPS, 20 home runs, and 62 runs, Johnson, along with seven other members of the 2024 Huskies, entered the transfer portal and made her way to Texas Tech. "Alana is the consummate student-athlete," head coach Gerry Glasco said in a press release when she signed with the Red Raiders. "She is incredibly bright and a pre-med major. She is always smiling and brings great energy everywhere she goes. Alana is a great athlete and is excellent in the classroom. She has the ability to become an All-American before she ends her career here at Texas Tech. She will make an immediate impact not only on our team but on the Lubbock community." During her first season with the Red Raiders, Johnson has impressed. The 2024 All-Pac-12 Second Team honoree has put together a .318 average, .985 OPS, 9 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, which earned her a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team. In a walk-off 3-2 upset win over the No. 2-seeded Oklahoma Sooners, who have won the last four national championships, Johnson came up clutch. She went 1-for-2 with a double, adding a walk and a run scored in the contest. Now, Johnson and the Red Raiders will take on the No. 3-seeded Texas Longhorns in a three-game series for the national championship, which is set to begin on Wednesday, June 4, at 5:00 p.m. PST.
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Heather Tarr warns of early growing pains for Washington Softball
Heather Tarr warns of early growing pains for Washington Softball After losing 12 players from the 2024 roster, including the top eight hitters in the lineup and every member of the pitching staff, there could be some growing pains for coach Heather Tarr and the Washington Huskies. During Big Ten media day on Thursday, Tarr said as much herself after the Huskies slotted in at No. 22 in the NFCA's preseason poll, which ranks fourth among the five Big Ten teams that made their way onto the initial list. "We're going to go through some tough times," she said. The Huskies are only returning four players from last season's roster: Sophomore Giselle Alvarez, who was a part-time starter at third base, backup catchers Jadyn Glab and Haley Winckler, and Jing Gardner, who was mainly utilized as a pinch runner. 2024 was also the team's earliest exit from the NCAA Tournament in nearly 20 years, after losing to the Missouri Tigers in the Regional semifinals. But despite the struggles the Huskies faced at different points last season, the roster overhaul is unique for Tarr and has brought its fair share of challenges. 'I think for our gals, it's just growing and learning together and sticking together through the good times, the tough times, and not letting one thing define us, whether it's really good or not good,' she said. The Huskies are bringing in a promising freshman class, highlighted by top infield recruits Sophi Mazzola and Alexis DeBoer, and pitcher Morgan Reimer. As her team transitions to the new guard, Tarr added that she's been impressed with the way her veteran players have adjusted to leadership roles. 'It's been crazy just to watch our returning players. There's only four of them, so not to burden them so much like, 'Let's teach what Husky softball is to a whole group of 16 new women,' but they've done such a great job," she continued. "They have humbly taken on that opportunity to be leaders. Giselle and Jayden came into this program last year trying to earn starting spots and they did awesome last year. And then to watch them and help them navigate a leadership experience, it's pretty cool." What will it look like on the field? Tarr will get her first opportunity to assess her team on February 7 at the Candrea Classic in Tucson, Arizona, where the Huskies will open the season with matchups against the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 17 Arizona Wildcats.
