How about a softball picture, we haven't had one for awhile.
2004 Pac 10 softball. University of Oregon vs University of California - Berkeley (Cal) at Howe Field in Eugene.
Two Shorecrest High School alumni go head to head in a Pac 10 conference game. Both teams likely rated in the top 25 at that time. The Pac 10, then and now, considered the pre-eminent collegiate softball conference in the country. Parity certainly on its way but not yet, not yet.
Cal sophomore Kristina Thorson pitches to Oregon freshman Suzie Barnes. Interesting that Susanna is slapping from the left in this picture. In genenral, they did not let her slap as a freshman, most of the time swinging away from the right.
Kristina coming in with one of her wicked pitches. Known, not for her speed, but for her movement. Her mom, Gin, and I still can't tell the pitches by looking at them. But she's pitching something nasty to Suzie, no doubt. Yup, looked it up, Cal (ranked 3rd) swept a doubleheader against Oregon (ranked 13th) that day. Kristina struck out 21 out of 41 Duck batters she faced that day. Ouch!
They continue as friends. In fact, by 2006, the personal contacts between the two teams revolving around the friendship of Susanna and Kristina was so strong that both coaches declared no fraternization between the two teams on the visit to Eugene.
Cal made it to the World Series that year, Oregon to the finals of their regional.
During the three years they played against each other in the Pac 10, Susanna never never got a hit against Kristina. At least one walk, but that's it.
College sports update: Just got a call from UW Athletics asking me to work the UW-WSU Volleyball game Friday night as an usher/ticket taker. Sure, why not? Also have a football game this Saturday night against Arizona State
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