Washington’s Sami Reynolds — a Snohomish High School alumna — plays the outfield during a March 3 game against Michigan in Fullerton, California. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Washington’s Sami Reynolds — a Snohomish High School alumna — plays the outfield during a March 3 game against Michigan in Fullerton, California. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

UW softball on mission to win NCAA title

After reaching the Women’s College World Series finals last season, the Huskies are back to finish the job.

  • Herald news services
  • Wednesday, May 29, 2019 8:14pm
  • Sports

Herald news services

SEATTLE — The goal has been clear from the start of the season for the University of Washington softball team: win the Women’s College World Series after coming so close last year.

The Huskies publicly embrace that, probably because the goal never changes.

It’s unlike the attitude of many sports teams and coaches, who act as if even thinking past the next game will do irreparable harm.

After sweeping Kentucky in a super regional last weekend at Husky Softball Stadium to get back to the Women’s College World Series, the Huskies are close to reaching their goal. But for them, it’s also about the journey.

That journey has them in the first game of the WCWS against Pac-12 foe Arizona at 9 a.m. PDT Thursday in Oklahoma City.

“The mission is to win the last game at Oklahoma City; that’s our mission,” said UW coach Heather Tarr, who won a national title as the Huskies’ coach in 2009. “But why we exist isn’t because of that. We exist to try and be the best versions of ourselves and to be the best team that we can become and create relationships amongst each other that are life lasting.

“We try to be tough when we need to be tough, and typically, that has brought us to the College World Series.”

The Huskies are in the WCWS for the third straight year. Last year, they were the No. 5 seed and marched to the title series with three impressive wins: two over Oklahoma, the No. 4 seed playing about a half-hour from its home in Norman, and top-seeded Oregon.

But Florida State, the No. 6 seed, swept UW in two games in the championship series, 1-0 and 8-3.

Now the second-ranked Huskies are back, hoping to complete their mission.

“It’s not easy, even though these guys make it look easy,” Tarr said of reaching the WCWS. “We had nine newcomers this year. … It’s been an amazing story and we still have more to write.”

Among the newcomers who have made an immediate impact is Sami Reynolds, a freshman outfielder from Snohomish. Reynolds has started all 54 games she’s played this season, is the Huskies’ fourth-leading hitter with a .320 average and leads the team in doubles with 14.

Washington was ranked No. 6 and Arizona was No. 3 when the teams played a three-game series earlier this month in Tucson. The Huskies won all three, by scores of 2-1, 3-1 and 7-4, part of UW’s current 12-game winning streak.

Sophomore Gabbie Plain won the first game at Arizona and senior Taran Alvelo won the last two. If there is any significance to the teams playing again Thursday, Tarr wasn’t letting on Sunday night after winning the super regional.

“Just another game,” she said.

If Washington wins, it would play the winner of the UCLA-Minnesota matchup on Friday night. If the Huskies lose Thursday, they would play the loser of the UCLA-Minnesota game in an elimination game Saturday morning.

The Huskies have two of the best pitchers in the country in Plain and Alvelo and with 28 wins in their past 29 games, they are one of the favorites to win the title.

“I just hope we don’t stop getting better,” Tarr said. “I think this group has an endless capacity to learn from the game, learn from all the things we’ve gone through, and with the season we have had, it’s awesome because it builds on itself for the years to come. We want to see how far we can get and if we can accomplish our mission.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.