Four NCAA softball players made history at the NCAA Super Regionals

The GIST: ICYMI, superstars dominated the storylines at the long weekend’s Super Regionals. National awards, NCAA records, and Women’s College World Series (WCWS) berths — oh my!

The accolades: Last night, USA Softball named No. 8–seed Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady the Player of the Year. The sophomore leads the nation’s pitchers in earned run average by an unbelievably wide margin and will continue to tear up the circle as her Cardinal goes to work in the WCWS.

• Joining Canady in the spotlight is infielder Jaysoni Beachum, who unanimously bagged Freshman of the Year last night. Although her heroics at the plate weren’t enough to help No. 15 Florida State reach the WCWS, the future’s bright in Tallahassee.

The records: Two players made Division I (DI) history over the long weekend. First, No. 4–seed Florida utility player Skylar Wallace set the career runs record when she crossed the plate for the 303rd time in Friday’s Game 1 win over Baylor. She’s a runner, she’s a track star.

• Next, No. 7 Missouri pitcher Taylor Pannell is walking away a winner despite her squad’s season-ending loss to No. 10 Duke — her 15th save on Saturday tied the DI single-season record.

• As for DI team records, No. 2 Oklahoma extended one of their own on Friday when the Sooners beat aforementioned Florida State 4–2 to advance to the WCWS, marking their 18th (!!!) straight NCAA Tournament win. Doesn’t get more dominant than that.