In the attempt to be No. 1, Mike Candrea started his No. 2 pitcher in Sunday’s NCAA regional final. Boom. Home run I. Boom. Home run II. Boom. Home run III. “It was pretty great,” said Mississippi State catcher Mia Davidson, who hit the second home run. “(Sarai Niu) hit one that hasn’t landed yet.”

This wasn’t a February freebie against Montana or Cal State Northridge, it was elimination Sunday at Hillenbrand Stadium. But if there’s anyone in college softball who has earned trust the last 30 years — anyone whose impulses, gut reactions and sixth sense have stood the test of time — it is Candrea.