Jessi Warren’s “Inside Pitch:” 10 Things I Learned from Being At, Or Watching, the Women’s College World Series

Extra Inning Softball correspondent Jessie Warren has a unique perspective when it comes to enjoying the Women’s College World Series as she made one of the most memorable plays ever in softball, when her diving catch in the 2018 WCWS that was voted as the #1 on ESPN’s SporsCenter that day

We flash back to June 5, 2018 when Jessie made one of the greatest plays in WCWS softball history as was shown live on ESPN…

Jessie has also been a professional player with USSSA Pride and with Athletes Unlimited, so she knows the game from the inside as a player and as a fan, like the rest of us!

After having watched the recently-concluded 2022 season, Jessie shares her thoughts on what the Championships mean to her…

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1. Take in the moment

You finally get to where you’ve been dreaming of getting your whole life, and you get there and are wide-eyed and nervous (at least I was)! Sometimes, we forget to take in all the little moments we’ve dreamed about because you’re standing in your dream but it’s reality. In 2016, I was so shocked to be in the World Series, I forgot to just take a step back and take everything in. In 2018, I made sure every moment was taken in and I was present.

2. Don’t let the moment get too big

At the end of the day, we are playing a game. Yes, you’re on the biggest stage of your life, and, yes, your eyes are on the same mission and goal as the other 24 girls on your team, but at the end of the day, a game doesn’t define you as a human being. It’s crucial to remember that you shouldn’t allow a moment to get too big to where you shut down and can’t perform. Pressure is a privilege!

3. The games not over until it’s over

The game is not over until the last pitch is thrown. In 2018, for example, we were playing UCLA in the first semi-final game, because we needed to win two against them to move on and play Washington in the finals. It was the bottom of the 6^th inning, and we were down 1-0. My teammate, Dani Morgan, hit a home run, but UCLA’s Bubba Nickles robbed it. Elizabeth Mason came up to bat with two outs and runners on 2^nd and 3^rd with the best pitcher in the NCAA at the time in the circle. Elizabeth hit a three-run home run to allow us to go up 3-1 on UCLA. It took one pitch, and the mentality of “This game isn’t over, until it’s over!”

4. One pitch can change the entire game

As mentioned in No. 3 above, ONE PITCH can indeed change the entire game. Keep your head in the game, maintain a positive mentality and don’t ever, ever give up.

5. The “Game” doesn’t know if you were in a slump all season

In 2021, Dani Morgan struggled her entire season at the plate. During the World Series vs. Arizona, she ended up being the one who hit the home run to take them to the Finals. She had ONE home run all season and it was during that game! The “Game” doesn’t know. The “Game” doesn’t know if you are 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. The “Game” will never know… just keep swinging and staying confident and positive!

6. It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish

It’s not about how you start a season, but how you finish it. We saw this in the 2022 NCAA tournament with Florida State and Texas being two perfect examples. One program (FSU) had a great regular season, won the ACC tournament, went into the tournament ranked No. 2 and then lost to Mississippi St. in the Regional Finals and then to Texas… which had lost to Oklahoma State in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament and then came back and beat them two times to get to the semifinals a few weeks later. The lesson? Keep your head on right and keep grinding with your teammates. Your time will come…

7. Your team ranking doesn’t matter

We saw this again in the tournament: there were three unranked teams who were in the Final 8 and one of them (Texas) making it to the Championship Finals. Rankings don’t matter at that point; it’s about who shows up that day wanting to be better!

8. Enjoying each other’s presence & the highs and lows

You’re with your team almost 24/7 during season and you strap yourself into a rodeo of emotions. ENJOY EVERYTHING! Enjoy the good and bad with the people you’re putting in work with. As I know all too well, it’ll be over in the blink of an eye.

9. Positive interactions with fans

No matter the outcome of the game, it’s never enough to stop the happiness that the fans bring! Spend the time to converse with those who support you and cheer you on, and sign autographs for the young girls and your fans. You may never know what taking just a few seconds of being nice can do to inspire.

10. The people in your fox hole are the ones that are important

The outside noise doesn’t matter. For instance, let’s go back to last year, with Florida State versus Oklahoma in the 2021 National Championship games. It was a whole state (Oklahoma) vs. a small section of fans cheering (FSU). The Seminole players and coaches weren’t worried about everyone else around them, but more about who they’ve been with the entire season and who was important to them. Win or lose, these are the people that you’ve shared key moments of your life with… treasure them always!

— Jessie Warren, correspondent for Extra Inning Softball

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