When Auburn softball came up one run short in the championship final of the Women’s College World Series, I’m sure the players that comprise this uncanny team couldn’t stop feeling as if a national title had slipped out of their grasp. And I’m sure a myriad of emotions were racing through them. And I’m sure it was easy to see that on their faces and in their body language.
But I wouldn’t know because, a split-second after the final out was recorded, I changed the channel.
I didn’t want to see the tears in their eyes or the disappointed embraces, both of which were inevitable when a team cares — for each other and the game — as much as this one does.
I couldn’t stand to see these players upset because this team changed me, for the better, as fan of Auburn University athletics. Before Clint Myers arrived on The Plains, I, like many, followed Auburn football — and almost only Auburn football.
Sure, I’d watch basketball games and pretty much any other Auburn sport when I’d catch it on the television, but only football was a must-watch and only Auburn football had the ability to both make and absolutely ruin my day (or longer).
But not anymore. Auburn softball now stands firmly right alongside Auburn football for me and for many others. And that’s because of the girls who comprised the last few softball teams and particularly this one.
When I say this team made me better as a fan, I say it because of this: As bad as it sounds, I always wanted Auburn football to win for Auburn and, selfishly, for me — to make me happy. I never really considered, not for more than a fleeting moment anyway, the feelings of the players and how a big play or a bad play, a win or a loss, made them feel.
I wanted them to win for Auburn. And for me.
But when it comes to this softball team, that isn’t the case. During their amazing run through the regular season, the SEC Tournament, regionals, super regionals, and the WCWS, it was different.
I wanted them to win for Auburn. And for them.
I hated the thought of this team and especially this group of seniors coming up short.
The ultimate leadership of Emily Carosone, the quiet intensity of Jade Rhodes, the sheer happiness that Tiffany Howard makes people feel just by watching her be her, the intimidated-by-no-batter-or-moment Rachael Walters, the ability of Lexi Davis to step in at a moment’s notice and show why she is Auburn’s all-time winningest pitcher, Marcy Harper being the consummate teammate, the inspirational story of Kelsey Bogaards — I needed to see all of it rewarded.
For them.
But, really, even more-so, I didn’t want them to incorrectly feel, even for a second, as if they are anything but champions.
True, I’ve always had a soft spot where females are concerned and can never watch a girl — especially an Auburn girl — cry. But this being the first women’s sport at Auburn that I’ve followed passionately is not the sole reason I felt differently for this group than I have for all other Tigers teams. It’s because of the way they play the game and how badly they want to win. It is evident and undeniable.
Sports fans — and I’m guilty of this where Auburn is concerned — care so much that sometimes we make the mistake of thinking we want our team or school to win more than even the players themselves.
College Softball World Series 2016: Auburn vs. Oklahoma Game 3 Score and Recap
But you could never delude yourself into thinking that about this Auburn softball team and its athletes. And knowing, truly knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt, that every player on the field wants an Auburn win as much — and, yes, more — than even the most die-hard of supporters bonds the fans to the team even more.
Still avoiding potentially seeing them at anything other than their usual energetic, upbeat best, I actually couldn’t bring myself to read anything about the game or watch any video of the team until almost 24 hours later.
I finally broke and saw the players returning to Jane B. Moore Field to a full house of fans, and I saw them smiling — and that helped. But of course they were smiling. Their never-to-yield resilience was their trademark.
As I see my references to the team go from present to past tense, I can’t help but be saddened by it. There I go — already back to being a selfish fan. But I’ve never enjoyed following and cheering on an Auburn team more.
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Earlier, I said that I’m sure the players that comprised this remarkable team were feeling as if a national title had slipped out of their grasp as the final game of the season ended. The seniors probably felt that the deepest since it was their final game as an Auburn player.
But that — a 2016 title — is not the bigger picture.
To the seniors, I say that you did in fact clinch a national championship for Auburn — just not this season.
Because of you, the Tigers will win a title — and soon. And when they do — when we do — whether it’s in 2017, 2018, 2019, or any other year, it will belong as much to you as it does to the team that brings the trophy home from Oklahoma City.
Without you, there is no them.
Before you, Auburn winning back-to-back SEC Tournament championships was literally laughable. Making the Women’s College World Series? Unbelievable. Finishing national runner-up? Impossible.
But no longer.
You will always be remembered as the team that — by cementing last season’s results and even taking it to the next level — started it all. Never again will any misguided naysayer write off 2015 as merely a fluke. Never again will there by any misguided naysayers about Auburn softball at all.
While there were people who believed Clint Myers would eventually be able to turn Auburn softball around, not many other than Myers himself believed that the Auburn softball team could become a bona fide championship program in the future.
Next: A Look at the New College Football Rules for 2016
Because of you — one last time, Emily Carosone, Jade Rhodes, Tiffany Howard, Rachael Walters, Lexi Davis, Marcy Harper, Kelsey Bogaards, Madison Dickey, and Maria Mitchell — the future is now.