This week on Softball Speakeasy, Raine and Kelly reunite to break down the Duke vs. Clemson series, analyze what’s behind Duke’s struggles, and debate the best way to prepare for a tough season. They also dive into the rise of UNC and Syracuse, what makes Florida State so dangerous, and the power of belief in softball. Plus, Raine shares a lesson from Coach Alameda, Kelly preps for a freezing weekend in Syracuse, and they both tackle the big question—does softball have an elite team this season?

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome Back! Raine & Kelly reunite after guest episodes
01:12 - Guest Recap & Listener Feedback Thoughts on Cassidy Curd & Maddie Moore episodes
02:47 - Duke vs. Clemson Breakdown Emotions from both sides of the rivalry
05:54 - What’s Behind Duke’s Struggles? Theories on their performance this year
08:24 - UNC’s Strong Season Are the Tar Heels a tournament team?
10:59 - Strength of Schedule Debate Is it better to play tough opponents early?
14:23 - Syracuse’s Rise Why the Orange could be a dark horse
16:00 - Clemson vs. Syracuse Preview Kelly’s insights before the matchup
17:57 - Taking Teams Lightly The mental challenge of staying locked in
19:22 - The Mental Side of Softball How routines can help or hurt performance
27:06 - The Obstacle is the Way A must-read for athletes
28:49 - Advice for Young Athletes Handling obstacles and staying composed
30:24 - Duke vs. Florida State Preview Why FSU is always a late-season powerhouse
32:19 - The Secret to FSU’s Success A lesson from Coach Alameda
33:50 - The Power of Belief in Softball Why some teams turn it on when it matters most
35:48 - Is There an Elite Team This Year? Breaking down the parity in NCAA softball
37:37 - Syracuse Series Weather Report Kelly preps for a freezing weekend
38:46 - Final Thoughts & Soft Plug Support the show & what’s coming next