Oursler swung too late. The ball smacked loudly, above the cheers, into Peters' mitt. Blades leaped into the air, her arms triumphantly above her head. Her Southern Miss teammates surrounded her while the crowd kept cheering. No pitcher in the history of collegiate women's softball has struck out more.
Royal tractor ride The celebration had only begun.
USM president Horace Fleming brought Blades a bouquet of yellow flowers and a huge plaque. Then Blades hopped on a small tractor, normally used to drag the infield, and was driven around the field, cheered by fans, both in the grandstand and outfield bleachers. I felt like Cal Ripken going around the field. I kept waiting for them to give me a Corvette like Ripken got, but I guess that would be against the rules. As a collegian, first at Nicholls State and for the last two years at USM, she has won 141 games, while losing just 32.