Spotted
*LSU superfan DeAngelo Sanchez – whose cheering and polarizing personality have made him a well-known character around the Baton Rouge and SEC softball scene – appeared in Oklahoma City. Still decked out in purple and gold, despite LSU’s elimination in the Super Regionals, Sanchez joined the cheering sections for both Washington and Alabama, naming friends and connections on each team as the cause for his rooting interests for the week.
*College of Charleston assistant coach Barb Sherwood was one of a host of current and former coaches to make an appearance during the week. Sherwood is the former head coach at Portland State and spent a significant portion of time on staff at Virginia Tech.
*Hall of Fame coach Bill Edwards, Missouri head coach Larissa Anderson, and East Carolina head coach Courtney Oliver made their annual appearances in OKC. The trio are frequent guests at the WCWS, though this was Anderson’s first appearance after an inaugural season at Missouri that earned her rave reviews.
*UCLA legend and current Liberty head coach Dr. Dot Richardson was a popular individual during the tournament, as young players and other fans alike visited her seat throughout the WCWS and even lined up at times for autographs, photos, and an opportunity to meet one of the game’s all-time best.
*The cheering sections for each team in the WCWS were full of family members and numerous alumni, all sporting loud and frequent cheers. The two teams in the Championship Series – UCLA and Oklahoma – brought out some serious starpower to lead their team sections. On the Bruin side, program legends like Natasha Watley and Tairia Flowers showed up early in the week to root on their alma mater. Hall of Fame coach Sue Enquist was at the forefront of the cheering section for the full week, while other alumni, like Katie Schroeder and Delaney Spaulding, flew home to California over the weekend, only to return to Oklahoma City in time to root their team on to the national championship.
*For Oklahoma, no bigger program legend could have been in the stands than all-time home run queen Lauren Chamberlain. Chamberlain announced her retirement from professional softball during the week, and rooted on her Sooners throughout the tournament. Program great and ESPN analyst Erin Miller got to root on her alma mater, while others like Mississippi State assistant coach Samantha Ricketts – also a Sooner alum – added to the cheering party.
Read
Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman wrote a moving profile of Tom “Taco” Collins. An irreplaceable part of the Women’s College World Series team every year, Taco is a favorite of event staff, media members, and fans alike. Check out The Oklahoman article on the man everyone looks forward to seeing every June, here.
Tasted and Smelled
There’s always time to enjoy some quality eating, whether in between games or on days when there isn’t a full game schedule, and we recommend a pair of places that may not be on the main drag, but received a solid “A” for both their food and service.
First, have brunch at Sunnyside Diner on NW 6th Street. A menu full of quality options for breakfast and lunch, there are also a number of options for a mid-morning meal to combine the two. From classic brunch offerings like steak and eggs to biscuits and gravy, a cozy atmosphere; well-prepared food; and quality service will make this one a must-see for good homestyle cooking.
Speaking of homestyle cooking, if it’s a hearty lunch you’re after, look up George’s Happy Hog Bar-B-Q. With a number of meats to choose from, as well as some hearty sides, the café-style hole-in-the-wall restaurant is worth waiting for, as evidenced by the long lines during the lunch hour. And even though you may not see it on the menu, order the mac and cheese for one of your sides; it’s worth it!
