WORLD CUP OF SOFTBALL Q&A: U.S. JUNIOR TEAM / OU PITCHER MARIAH LOPEZ
OU pitcher Mariah Lopez wasn’t expecting to be heading back to Oklahoma this summer. She planned on spending time with family, but when she was in Colorado watching her younger sister in a softball tournament, she got a call that changed her plans.
On July 2, Lopez joined the U.S. Junior Women’s National Team as a late addition and headed back to the spot where she helped her team win a national championship a little more than a month ago. It wasn’t the summer she planned on having, but the sophomore simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity to represent her country. She spoke with The
Oklahoman during the World Cup of Softball Tournament:
Q: You were a late addition to the junior team. What were you doing when you found out?
A: “I was actually in Colorado with my sister. I have three younger siblings, two sisters, and they both play softball. We were out there for the tournament and just got the call. I was on my way back, so I drove to get home and straight from home, I came here.”
How long was the drive back home to California from Colorado?
“It was 15 hours. I didn’t actually get home until 4:30 and from there, my flight was at 9:45. I showered, washed some of my clothes and went to the airport.”
Once you got here, did you take a deep breath?
“Definitely. I’m familiar with a lot of people on the team, obviously. I played with a lot of them or against a lot of them in travel ball. Just the game of softball, it’s very social. So I knew a lot of people on the team. There’s a lot of familiar faces. It’s just kind of getting back into the groove of being out here and playing games. It’s been at least a month since the World Series.”
The last time you were out at Hall of Fame Stadium, you guys were winning the Women’s College World Series, what’s it like to be back here with a different team?
“When I first got here, it was kind of like, ‘OK, I’m back.’ It was a really good feeling to be here again because the last time I was here, I won a national championship. It’s just taking it step by step. Yeah, this is a new team that I’m with, but we have the same goals that my other team does in winning games to win championships. It’s just that kind of mentality.”
If there’s one professional team you could throw a first pitch out for, who would it be?
“I’m from California and the closest team to me is the L.A. Dodgers. My family are huge Dodger fans, so it would be awesome. I’m ready to go.”