Much of the drama surrounding the Texas Tech softball team’s Super Regional against Florida centered around Mia Williams’ return to Gainesville.
Williams transferred to Texas Tech after spending the first two years of her career with the Gators. Her first year in Lubbock has been successful, Williams setting new program records for home runs, runs scored, total bases, RBI and doubles.
Florida pitcher Keagan Rothrock set the tone for the series when Williams, batting leadoff, was plunked by the first pitch of Game 1 on Friday morning.
This didn’t end there. Williams was hit by five pitches during the series, including to start the decisive Game 3. That set off some fireworks between the two teams.
“How big for Mia Williams to go up there today, with all the pressure on her and everything that’s been done to create as much attention as you can,” head coach Gerry Glasco said after Game 3. “It’s a normal thing in this day and age for athletes to transfer. It happens every day, and we want to make a big deal out of it and that’s uncalled for.
“For her to take. … another hit by pitch, I think she was hit five times, on the first pitch and then when they did pitch to her she took the challenge and hit it out. She won every battle that was thrown her way today, and I’m really proud of her.”
After the HBP in the first, things got chippy between Texas Tech and Florida, on the field and in the stands. After the weather delay, not wanting to hit Williams with another pitch, Williams hit a two-run home run that helped pushed the Red Raider offense to the 16-7 run-rule win in five innings to get back to the Women’s College World Series.
Williams wasn’t alone in providing an offensive spark. Taylor Pannell, one of Williams’ best friends who has had to endure plenty of scrutiny for her transfer from Tennessee, and Jackie Lis each hit two home runs. Pannell applauded the team for coming together and having Williams’ back.
“I’m just so proud of how she handled it and the way she carried herself,” Pannell said, “because I know most of the team it wouldn’t have been handled with such grace.”
Pannell also said the team talked about how they didn’t have Williams’ back enough when she got hit by pitches because it offered a free base runner. Seeing her get hit again in Game 3 lit a fire under the team.
The dramatics didn’t end there as after the game, Florida players declined the customary postgame handshake line, which ignited some more vocal responses. Florida head coach Tim Walton was ejected in the bottom of the fifth and said he didn’t see what happened, but that it was probably for the best.
Glasco offered his own opinion on the matter, however brief.
“I’m just proud of my team,” Glasco said.
Glasco said that the experiences of the weekend have helped Williams if anything.
“This is growing her up,” Glasco said. “All the experiences that happened, people boo at you, that’s not going to hurt you, but it is going to help you mature into a beautiful person. … I’m just proud of her. The way she handled this weekend, pure class.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: How Texas Tech softball had Mia Williams’ back after hit by pitches
Reporting by Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
