Stephanie Watts reflects on the Kajikawa Classic
Diamond Cuts: Stephanie Watts
2/17/2012 4:47:42 PM | Softball
We were all pretty excited when we found out our first tournament was hosted by the 2011 National Champions, Arizona State. This was the first time we would be playing outdoors, on dirt and real grass, since September. And we were playing good teams. So maybe excited is an understatement.
Since we traveled all the way across the country to a huge tournament, there was no doubt that competition would be intense. Cal and Arizona are great teams, and it was really good for us to play ranked teams in this first tournament. We learned a lot last weekend and playing the best showed us what it takes to be elite. Things didn't go the way we wanted against Cal but in the last inning, we finally changed our game plan at the plate and put up a fight against the now ranked number one team in the nation and their ace pitcher. It's moments like this that show us we can compete and win against the best of the best.
For us, softball is the fun part. Our days revolve around our games and it's all we talk about. However, when we finally get to escape the Syracuse winter, being outside in the sun is all we can think about. Games come first but when we're done for the day, we all like to relax by the pool or go for a walk. We are always competing and turning everything we do into a competition. Whether we're playing Marco Polo, or swimming relay races there always has to be a winner. Traveling around to different campuses around the country, we get to experience everyone's Marshall Street. The Tempe Market was a cool, outdoor area with a bunch of fun stores and restaurants. We like walking around to see where other students our age hang out. We try to keep ourselves balanced to have fun when we're off the field but “lock in,” as Coach King would say, when it's game time.
Since we traveled all the way across the country to a huge tournament, there was no doubt that competition would be intense. Cal and Arizona are great teams, and it was really good for us to play ranked teams in this first tournament. We learned a lot last weekend and playing the best showed us what it takes to be elite. Things didn't go the way we wanted against Cal but in the last inning, we finally changed our game plan at the plate and put up a fight against the now ranked number one team in the nation and their ace pitcher. It's moments like this that show us we can compete and win against the best of the best.
For us, softball is the fun part. Our days revolve around our games and it's all we talk about. However, when we finally get to escape the Syracuse winter, being outside in the sun is all we can think about. Games come first but when we're done for the day, we all like to relax by the pool or go for a walk. We are always competing and turning everything we do into a competition. Whether we're playing Marco Polo, or swimming relay races there always has to be a winner. Traveling around to different campuses around the country, we get to experience everyone's Marshall Street. The Tempe Market was a cool, outdoor area with a bunch of fun stores and restaurants. We like walking around to see where other students our age hang out. We try to keep ourselves balanced to have fun when we're off the field but “lock in,” as Coach King would say, when it's game time.
Syracuse Softball
Sunday, March 22
Softball vs. Virginia (DH 2) 3/21/26
Sunday, March 22
Syracuse Softball vs. Virginia (DH 1) 3/21/26
Sunday, March 22
Syracuse Softball Highlights vs. Florida State 3/15/26
Tuesday, March 17
