Southmoore grad thriving as fan, coach & player
Q&A:
Sydney Sherrill wore a Florida State jersey as she clapped and yelled behind the first-base dugout.
Her fan attire was fitting since she suited up for a program-record 283 softball games at Florida State from 201822. But this year, Sherrill has embraced the Women's College World Series atmosphere from the crowd, sitting on the front row at USA Hall of Fame Stadium and leading cheers until she nearly loses her voice.
The Southmoore High School graduate is home for the summer, and she isn't done playing softball. Sherrill has signed with the Oklahoma City Spark, a new team in the Women's Professional Fastpitch league.
After watching Florida State defeat Tennessee on Monday night to reach the WCWS finals, Sherrill talked to The Oklahoman about her career moves, her World Series fan experience and the upcoming rematch of the 2021 finals between OU and Florida State.
Q: How does it feel to be back at the Women’s College World Series, only leading fan cheers this time?
A: It's definitely different, but I'm just happy to be here and proud of what I've given to the program and proud to see these girls go out there and make it to the national championship. I'm just excited to cheer them on for it.
You’re familiar with OU as a player, so what can you expect from these finals between OU and Florida State?
I just know it's gonna be a great game. OU's a great program, but so are we, so I'm excited to put on a great show for the softball world. Hopefully, we come out on top this time.
How did your opportunity with the OKC Spark come about, and what made you know you wanted to be part of that organization?
I'm originally from Moore, Oklahoma, so when I heard that Oklahoma City Spark was becoming a thing as a professional softball team right here in my city, I knew that I just couldn't pass up that opportunity to live at home all summer, be here and be able to support my 'Noles in the Women's College World Series — and also be training for a really big season ahead for the WPF. It's just super-exciting for the sport of softball, and I feel like I'm a part of it in every way. I'm just really blessed to be able to be a part of it.
Are you going to continue coaching at Grand Canyon University along with playing for the Spark?
Yes, so with the (ability to have a) third paid assistant, I'm finally on staff now. I was a volunteer last year, so I've been putting in my work at all places: a fan, a coach and a player. I'm really just trying to give back to the sport everything I can, and I think the sport deserves the biggest crowds, the biggest stadiums and fans like me losing their voice over the Seminoles winning. I'm just really happy and blessed to be here, and I'm excited for what's next.
Being on that Grand Canyon staff of a team that ended up upsetting UCLA (at NCAA regionals), what was that experience like?
It was really awesome. Me and (fellow assistant) Maribeth Gorsuch – she's from LSU, I'm from Florida State – I think having that younger experience that we've both played big games against UCLA and teams like UCLA, we were able to give our girls confidence in the sense that they can do it. We prepared them well. We prepare them the same way Florida State prepares, and I think that gave the girls a ton of confidence to be able to go into UCLA and just give them a good game. That's all we ask for from our girls is play how we know how to play, and we did, and we came out on top.
With upsets like that and some of the games you’ve seen here, what do you think of the parity and level of competition in college softball right now?
I think softball is the craziest sport. I think anyone can win on any day, and it can be your day, and sometimes it's not your day. At Florida State, we talked about (this) a lot: the most tired team that can play the best is gonna come out on top in the end. I know Florida State prepares very, very hard and very well for moments like this, and to go up against OU in the finals, they've prepared for it. I know firsthand because I've prepared for it for five years. I think they're ready. I know OU's ready. I think it's just gonna be a great game of softball and a great series to watch, and it's exciting for the sport.