“Our motto this year is ‘next step, one vision.’.”
That’s Duke softball star Deja Davis, talking to the media Wednesday afternoon, two days before her team starts that next step.
Duke’s program is in only its sixth season. Duke started 23-4 in 2020 but COVID ended that season prematurely. No NCAA Tournament for anyone.
Duke was seeded 13th in 2021 but somehow managed to not host. Duke won two games in Athens in the school’s first trip to the NCAAs.
But Duke couldn’t get past Georgia.
Duke was seeded 12th last year, did host and this time won the regional, defeating Georgia in the final game.
Duke lost a heart-breaker to UCLA in the Super Regional, lost a second game and the season ended.
Duke is seeded eighth this season, meaning a win this weekend would result in Duke hosting a Super Regional, perhaps against Stanford, a team Duke beat earlier this season.
You probably see where I’m heading with this. Getting out of the Super Regional and into the College World Series is the next logical step in the progression.
Doesn’t mean it’s inevitable, of course. But Duke coach Marissa Young said that Duke has been very open about the goal.
“Having success in the regular season is one thing but learning to have success in the post-season is something different. We’ve talked to the team about this. Right now it doesn’t matter how well of a season we’ve had. The post-season is a new start for everybody and you’ve got to show up and play your best softball.”
Duke opens Friday at noon against George Mason. Campbell and Charlotte follow and nobody knows what happens next until those games are completed.
Duke defeated Campbell (twice) and Charlotte in the regular season, all three games on the road.
On paper Duke is a big favorite. The Blue Devils are 7th in the latest RPI. Charlotte is 34th, Campbell 66th and GMU 131st.
But you don’t play the games on paper.
“You can’t take any team lightly in post-season,” Davis said. “They win their conference and they’re here to play and out to get us. We’re going to get every team’s best game.”
A cliche to be sure but a cliche that every favorite ignores at its peril.
The 45-10 Blue Devils have a blend of experience and newcomers.
Davis is one of the former. She’s a grad-student and said her message to the freshmen is basic.
“You’ve been playing softball your whole life, you’ve been playing this game well the whole season, so just keep doing what you’ve been doing and the results will follow. Stick to the game plan, play our game. It’s on us older ones who’ve been here to step up in these moments.”
Young added that the veterans “have done a really great job of just empowering the freshmen to have a voice, to be themselves and just compete.”
Aminah Vega is one of those freshmen, an infielder with a robust .374 batting average and a dozen home runs.
“We’re playing very well. I think our team is looking very good. We have swag and we’re confident. Super ready to go.”
First Big Dance?
“Just continue to play my role, just be who I’ve been the whole year. Everybody’s working for the same goal.”
Pitcher Cassidy Curd is another one of those freshmen stars and she’s coming off a no-hit win against Clemson in the ACC Tournament. Curd didn’t allow any walks, either but she hit two batters.
She described her pitching style as “effectively wild. I just throw my game and stuff just moves a lot. I just rely heavily on that.”
Curd praised junior catcher Kelly Torres.
“She doesn’t know where the ball is going half the time. She’s just so disciplined behind the plate. She’s so agile, she gets balls that I throw to the backstop that I have no idea how she gets to. She does a great job commanding me, letting me know what’s working, what’s not working. Her communication is top tier. She lets me know what spins are working. She’s a heavy communicator and that gets my energy going.”
Curd and Jala Wright figure to get most of the work inside the circle. Young said “we’re still considering matchups. Look at the offense and figure out which pitcher will be the best matchup.”
Duke had some defensive struggles early, which Young attributed to several players learning new positions.
“It took some time for them to settle in, learn to play with each other and mesh.”
Young said she likes where her team is.
“Obviously, we’ve got to take this one step at a time. Our defense has continued to get better throughout the season. Our pitching staff is really working collectively and our offense is really deep up and down the lineup.”
Good stuff, Jim as always.
GoDuke!
This team is fun to watch!