There are catches, and then there are game-changing home run-robbing catches on the biggest stage in college softball.
Not every girl at the Women's College World Series has nerves of steel, especially when playing the most storied softball program of all time. Florida Gators outfielder Katie Kistler is not just another ponytailed jersey-wearer eating up space in the outfield.
With her team's season on the line in Oklahoma City, Kistler made the catch of the tournament. She made it look routine — probably because she's done this before.
Katie Kistler's WCWS Home Run Robbery
We have a ??????? in OKC ? @katie_kistler07
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— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 5, 2022
The Gators had their backs against the wall against the fifth-ranked UCLA Bruins in a win-or-go-home matchup. Pitcher Elizabeth Hightower was in the circle against a UCLA offense led by star slugger Maya Brady, the niece of Tom Brady.
With Florida already down 1-0 in the third, Kistler found her way to the left-field wall on a deep drive. If it leaves the yard, UCLA takes a commanding 3-0 lead. Kistler and her penchant for thievery decided that wasn't the case.
She reached over and brought the would-be long ball back, and the reaction from her teammates was priceless. My favorite part is when she spikes the softball while running back to the dugout. Now THAT is how you give a team a shot in the arm.
It wasn't the first time Kistler has robbed an opponent of four bases. She did so about a month ago when she made a circus-like juggling catch against LSU. This one, however, was on softball's grandest stage in front of thousands of fans and millions at home.
Unfortunately, Kistler couldn't rob any more hits in this game. Florida fell to UCLA, 8-0, to end a terrific season yet again under head coach Tim Walton.
Still, Katie Kistler gifted Florida fans with a play that I'll be dubbing "The Catch" for the rest of eternity.
