Graham Hays Archive

Graham Hays | email

espnW.com

Graham Hays covers college sports for espnW, including softball and soccer. Hays began with ESPN in 1999.

Hays: Hensley changes fate for Florida State
One swing of the bat. That was all it took for Kelly Hensley to rewrite history and help Florida State earn its first super regionals berth.
May 22 2:07 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Oregon a shifting power under coach White
For years, Oregon's softball squad seemed content with its bucolic surroundings and subpar record, but coach Mike White and pitcher Jessica Moore have keyed a turnaround.
May 21 3:38 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: 5 questions heading into super regionals
Few expected Florida to do much this season, but the youthful Gators have used discipline at the plate to their advantage. The question is, will it get the No. 2 seed to Oklahoma City?
May 20 1:16 AM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Super regional surprises may be in store
Louisiana-Lafayette, Florida State and UAB all are unseeded in the NCAA softball tournament. And all three are just one victory from moving on to the super regionals.
May 19 2:18 AM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: As sister acts go, hard to top the Campbells
Lannah Campbell tossed a complete game in UAB's big victory over UCLA. A few hundred miles away, sister Hannah Campbell threw a six-inning perfect game in South Alabama's 10-0 win against Mississippi Valley State.
May 18 1:35 AM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Fresh faces lead Florida offense
Will a mid-major pull an upset in Knoxville, Louisville or Tuscaloosa? Can Florida finally master an in-state foe? Graham Hays answers those questions and more in his regional capsules.
May 16 3:59 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Will history get in the Longhorns' way?
Graham Hays breaks down the opening round of the NCAA tournament, where the host teams are favored to win.
May 16 3:59 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Top seed Oklahoma sets pace in regionals
With the NCAA softball tournament set to start, Graham Hays breaks down the seeds, sleepers and players to watch in Norman, College Station, Ann Arbor and Baton Rouge.
May 16 4:00 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Pitching strength at forefront of regionals
With 90-plus games on tap and double-elimination at stake, Graham Hays highlights the teams to beat and the players to watch in the opening round of the NCAA softball tournament.
May 16 4:00 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Opposite personalities key Cal's success
Teammates and friends since the age of 7, Cal seniors Lindsey Ziegenhirt and Jolene Henderson have had different experiences with the Bears but have one unified goal for their team.
May 14 6:14 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: 5 questions on the NCAA tournament
Oklahoma enters the NCAA tournament with a chance to win a national championship with four or fewer losses. And the Sooners have the reigning national player of the year in Keilani Ricketts, who's a good bet to win it again.
May 15 8:38 AM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Mom's illness inspires Liddle sisters
Their mom Susan's no-nonsense fight with breast cancer has made Virginia Tech softball stars Courtney and Bailey Liddle appreciate her strength even more.
May 10 2:31 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: LSU ace Fico savors time with Dad
With her father and beloved mentor, Ralph, suffering from terminal cancer, LSU star pitcher Rachele Fico is grateful for every day they have together.
May 9 2:50 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Durham's knuckleball perfectly amazing
Holy Cross freshman Gennifer Durham baffles hitters with the rarest of softball pitches, the knuckleball, including a perfect game against Colgate.
May 2 2:41 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Sooners continue to rule power rankings
Oklahoma continues to top the power rankings after winning four games by a combined score of 56-2 last week and running its total of run-rule victories on the season to 19.
Apr 30 12:34 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Wisconsin's Massei finds motivation in softball
Mary Massei was looking forward to her freshman season at Wisconsin when she got a life-changing diagnosis: cancer. Now a junior, she's thriving playing the game that motivated her through treatment.
Apr 25 2:39 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Oklahoma, Oregon hold steady in power rankings
Familiar names are still holding strong atop our softball power rankings, while a surprising Sun Belt team steps into the top 10.
Apr 23 2:05 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Scars linger from 2011 Alabama tornado
Tuscaloosa will never forget the devastating tornado of two years ago, which had Alabama softball players and fans scrambling for their lives.
Apr 24 1:33 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Softball legend Osterman to retire from game
Cat Osterman has decided to retire after years of college, Olympic and professional softball dominance.
Apr 16 6:51 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Oregon makes big leap in weekly power rankings
Oregon has been on the upswing and last week's sweep of perennial power Arizona is proof the Ducks are a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 and beyond.
Apr 16 3:21 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Jordan Patterson extends family's legacy at Alabama
Jordan Patterson isn't among the stat leaders for the defending champion Alabama softball team, but her presence doesn't go unnoticed -- by her teammates or her family, whose name is synonymous with Crimson Tide success.
Apr 11 4:27 PM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Tough early schedule paying off for Tennessee
Tennessee got the bulk of its tough conference schedule out of the way early and is now seemingly on cruise control winning 11 straight games.
Apr 10 10:49 AM ET | By Graham Hays
Hays: Louisville's run still great, even without a national title
Louisville didn't complete its Cinderella run with a national title, but Tuesday's loss to UConn will not diminish what the Cardinals accomplished over the past few weeks.
Apr 9 | By Graham Hays
Hays: Cardinals guard Shoni Schimmel embraces leadership role
What does Louisville have that can help it beat UConn? Shoni Schimmel, a player who has the talent to single-handedly take over any game, even one as big as this. And a player who no longer believes she has to do so for her team to win.
Apr 8 | By Graham Hays
Halftime analysis: Cal 37, Louisville 27
A quick look at what happened in the first half between Cal and Louisville.
Apr 7 | By Graham Hays

1629 Results

Columnists