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Mari Takeda Bajan's full circle journey in softball

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Mari Takeda Bajan's full circle journey in softball

Mari Takeda Bajan, a senior pitcher for the Gators, threw her pitching glove to the fence in celebration after her pitch was caught during the final out of the 2025 CCAA championship final. Gator softball head coach Alicia Reid saw the emotion and excitement that escaped from the senior, who knew she had just clinched the team’s first CCAA tournament title in San Francisco State University program history.

“Just a moment of fresh air and breathing and exhaling like ‘all right, we got it done,’” Reid said.

Mari’s success and contributions to the team, or career in softball for that matter, would not have been possible if she had put down her glove at California State University, Chico.

After Chico State’s softball team concluded their 2023 season with back-to-back losses versus CSU Dominguez Hills in the CCAA final, their relief pitcher from San Jose, Mari, ran into a junction in her time on the mound.

Mari Takeda Bajan (30) high-fives her team as they retire from the field on May 8, 2025. (Haley Abarca / Golden Gate Xpress)

Mari, at the time a sophomore Wildcat, thought about quitting the sport she had played since her childhood after a negative experience with the Chico State softball coaching staff. Her initial plan was to remain at Chico State and finish her education with her best friends, including other teammates who also quit.

“I just kept thinking about it, and I’m like ‘I’ll just put my name in the portal and see what happens,’” Mari said. “I knew I wanted to finish my four years. I didn’t want to play two and regret it in the future, which I knew I would.”

Entering the NCAA transfer portal led her to San Francisco State University, where her parents, Myuki and Mark, met and graduated from. After talking to head coach Alicia Reid and some players, Mari grew interested in donning the purple and gold out on the diamond.

Mari’s love for softball began when a friend from her basketball team suggested she come and join the Almaden Valley Girls Softball League. The mental and team aspects of softball intrigued the 8-year-old girl, who decided to play pitcher when she first saw the field and felt the ball in her hand. She wanted to have a role in every play.

Mark said Mari is the same on and off the field.

“She’s got a good sense of humor,” Mark said. “She’s got an easy way about her. She’s not a big talker, but when she does talk, she talks in meaningful ways.”

Her parents credit Mari’s longtime pitching coach, George Silvey, in developing and coaching her pitching and mental skills, advising Mari not to show emotion or fear on the field. Silvey’s coaching, mixed with meditation, helped Mari be able to keep calm on the field.

As Mari grew up and developed her skills and mindset, she played on the San Jose Sting club team and the Pioneer High School team, winning Most Valuable Player and was recognized as Hamilton Valley League Pitcher of the Year in 2018.

After high school, Mari took her talents to Chico State, wanting to experience something different than the Bay Area.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 CCAA championships, Mari was unsure whether she’d wear the glove and fielder’s mask again. Her grandparents encouraged her to continue playing.

“When they heard that I quit, they were like ‘Oh my god. You can’t stop now. You have to finish,’” Mari said. “That was probably my No. 1 reason for looking to transfer and ending up coming to San Francisco State.”

After she entered the transfer portal, Mari narrowed her options to CSU Monterey Bay and SFSU. After those conversations with Reid and her soon-to-be teammates, she said to herself, “I’ll give it a shot.”

“It’s kind of funny how I ended up here because in high school, I just wanted to get out of the Bay Area… but it’s really nice coming back here,” Mari said. “It feels like home, especially since they went here and they’re so close to me now.”

Mari’s start as a Gator had one unforeseen setback when she was bitten by a dog in September 2023, which meant she would miss the first scrimmage game. Combined with her previous experiences at Chico, she felt her confidence wavering. Reid stepped up and helped rebuild that foundation of confidence in her new pitcher.

“She’s a tough one to crack. She’s going to be her hardest critic all the time,” said Reid. “I tried to balance that out by being the inflating positivity around her. I’m definitely not going to be a bs-er and kind of pat her on the back if I know she’s not too thrilled about what just happened. I’m not going to necessarily tell her, ‘Oh it’s okay,’ because she doesn’t roll with that. That’s not how Mari is.”

Myuki attributed Reid’s coaching strategy to getting Mari back in the game.

“Coach Reid has been pivotal to her confidence,” Myuki said. “She [Mari] wanted to quit. I think she quit in her mind. And so, even when she did decide to continue to play softball and come here, Coach Reid was just instrumental, guiding her through that process, a little PTSD from where she was before. But coming here and the coach really understanding where she was coming from and how much confidence she had in Mari was just out of this world.”

Mark said the move to SFSU from Chico State was a change of scenery.

“The coach’s mindset was always ‘You’re doing okay here,’ but every bad pitching outing, she would get on her, make her doubt herself, make Mari doubt herself,” said Mark, referring to a coach at Chico State. “That was a very different experience when she came here. I think the confidence that Coach Reid had in Mari over the last two years, not only on the field, but also off the field as a person, really made a positive difference.”

Reid made the pitcher’s career-changing call to have Mari as a strong starter for the team.

“She was really comfortable on her arrival of the role of a relief pitcher,” Reid said. “But I felt she could be a dominant starter in this conference.”

Mari’s senior season began with a familiar face. Ashley Rocha, Mari’s former teammate from Chico, transferred to SFSU.

“Being able to have her here was so great,” Rocha said. “Mari was a great role model for me and mentor through all of it.”

Rocha and Reid have known Mari to be the biggest supporter of her squad on and off the field.

“She’s everyone’s biggest supporter when she’s on the mound,” Rocha said. “We know that we have her back and she has our back. She’s always supportive, even when she’s not pitching, she’s the loudest cheer for whoever’s pitching in all of our team.”

Reid described Mari as goal-driven and extremely friendly.

“You want to have many people like that in your program,” Reid said. “Sure, the competitive on the softball side is great, but I always say it’s about the relationships that you hopefully can take long after this experience.”

With time and growth in Mari’s role, she embraced and adjusted to being a starter. From pitching half a game at Chico State after a starter to pitching more complete games at SFSU, it drove her confidence to new heights.

Reid saw a switch flip for Mari in an 11-inning win against CSU San Marcos on March 9, 2024, where a shutout and only nine hits proved Mari herself to be the pitcher Reid saw in her.

In Mari’s senior season in 2025, her confidence and comfort were reflected in her stats with a 19-7 record and four shutouts.

Those assets carried into this season, where the Gators faced the San Marcos Cougars six times.

When the Gators reached the championship game, two worlds collided for Mari.

For Mari and Rocha, the win was especially meaningful; they remembered losing in their previous CCAA championship together at Chico State.

“It was just an awesome feeling knowing that we made history and completed one of our goals that we had for this season,” Rocha said.

This year, the Gators softball team played and hosted the NCAA Western Regionals for the first time in its program history. Though the Cougars ended up winning, the season marked a tremendous journey for Mari.

“It’s really to her strength and resilience that she was able to continue and get to this point, but not without the support of her coaching staff and players, ‘cause one person can’t do it all,” Myuki said.

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No. 1 college football transfer portal QB predicted to draw $3 million offer

Published

8 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

In the weeks leading up to the opening of the NCAA transfer portal, hundreds of college football players have announced their decisions to leave the schools they played for in 2025 for new horizons next season.

Some cases involve players transferring up from Group of Five or FCS programs to broaden their exposure. Others feature players following their coaches from one school to another due to the coaching carousel. In occasional instances, players are searching for the highest bidder on the portal.

Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is a portal entry drawing the attention of high-bidding college football programs. He will enter the portal with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

On3 ranks Leavitt as the top available quarterback in the transfer portal. Chris Hummer of CBS Sports reported that schools are expected to offer Leavitt around $3 million.

Sam Leavitt look toward the sideline in Arizona State's game at Texas Tech. — Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“Sam Leavitt on the open market is going to command a significant amount of money,” Hummer said. “We’re talking $3 million plus most likely. Although, in all fairness, I think teams really do have questions about Sam Leavitt’s injury and what that means moving forward. It’s kind of like the Carson Beck situation a year ago.”

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder began his college football career with Mel Tucker at Michigan State in 2023. He played in a maximum of four games that season to maintain his redshirt, throwing for 139 yards, two touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions.

Leavitt transferred to Arizona State in the 2024 offseason. The Sun Devils were 10-2 in the regular season and defeated Iowa State (45-19) en route to the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Leavitt passed for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushed for another 443 yards and five touchdowns.

Postseason honors for Leavitt included Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big 12. His 2,885 passing yards are the most by a freshman quarterback in Arizona State history.

Leavitt’s season was cut short after the Sun Devils’ game against Houston due to a Lisfranc injury. He threw for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while he ran for 306 yards and five touchdowns in seven games.

Arizona State will not start Leavitt in its bowl game. The Sun Devils (8-4, 6-3) will play ACC champion Duke (8-5, 6-2) in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas (3 p.m. EST, CBS).

The NCAA transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2, 2026, the final day of bowl games across the FBS ranks. It will remain open for the following two weeks.

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University of Alabama football player uses NIL money to spread Christmas cheer

Published

1 hour ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – University of Alabama offensive lineman Parker Brailsford’s childhood experiences inspire him to help Tuscaloosa’s underserved youth.

Brailsford is an Arizona native, who has made a name for himself in the world of college football. But when he takes off the helmet and pads, his focus shifts to something else.

“Being able to give back to kids that don’t have – that’s something that fulfills me,” Brailsford said. “It’s my purpose.”

Brailsford took 10 children and their families from the Boys and Girls Club Christmas shopping on Monday.

Each child received a $100 Target gift card. All together it was $1,000 of NIL money.

Alabama moves up to No. 14, Auburn falls out of AP men’s college basketball rankings

“He just gave her a turkey for Thanksgiving, and now he’s taking her Christmas shopping,” Toniko Bryant said. “I’m very thankful because he doesn’t have to do that.”

Brailsford understands he doesn’t have to – but he wants to.

“As a kid, we didn’t have a lot but we had enough,” Brailsford said.

During Brailsford’s infancy years he was adopted.

“I never was in the foster care system, but one of my friends was,” Brailsford said.

Brailsford’s formative years were a stark contrast to what he saw other children experience. His parents gave him support and stability, while other children moved from home to home.

At the same time, his mother took him to homeless shelters and food pantries to volunteer. There he saw how poverty affects anyone of all ages, races, and gender.

“Sometimes you get caught in the what you’re living in right now – you think there’s not a place for you,” Brailsford said.

Brailsford found his place on the field, but his purpose is to help children find theirs.

“This is something God put on his heart,” John Nero said. “I appreciate every bit of it, not just for Oshae but for all the other kids.”

Brailsford relates to many of the children he serves. Whether it’s adoption, financial hardships, or empathizing with experiences his friend encountered years ago.

While Brailsford’s success in football gives him the financial resources and name recognition to coordinate outreach events, this is just the beginning even if his football career comes to an end.

“I’m working on my social work degree right now because I really want to be able to help kids, anyway I can,” Brailsford said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.

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Major college football team reportedly does not have ‘any interest’ in $2.4 million QB

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Indiana’s meteoric ascent to the top of college football has transformed the Hoosiers into a prime destination for transfer quarterbacks, and for a brief moment, that attention turned toward a familiar face.

Cincinnati signal-caller Brendan Sorsby, who spent his first two seasons at Indiana before moving on, formally entered the transfer portal on December 15 after a productive 2025 campaign with the Bearcats.

In 2025, Sorsby produced 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes, and five interceptions, plus 580 rushing yards and nine rushing scores.

Across his collegiate career, he has totaled 7,208 passing yards, 60 passing touchdowns, 1,305 rushing yards, and 22 rushing touchdowns, positioning him as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks currently available in the transfer portal.

He is also one of the market’s most valuable quarterback assets, with an estimated NIL valuation of approximately $2.4 million and reports indicating that suitors have discussed packages exceeding $4 million.

Recent reports have tied Sorsby to several Power-5 suitors, notably Texas Tech and, in initial rumor threads, a potential reunion with the Hoosiers.

However, “Hoosier Tailgate” host Shannon “Coach Griff” Griffith pushed back on the speculation during a December 20 episode, suggesting that Indiana would not view Sorsby as a realistic target.

“I do not think Sorsby is anybody that Indiana would have any interest in,” Griff said. “I don’t necessarily think Sorsby is better than, other than playing, Alberto (Mendoza). I just don’t think that’s something that I can see them getting back in. He’s kind of linked to Texas Tech.”

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby. — Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) throws the ball during the game between the Horned Frogs and the Bearcats | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Hoosiers finished the 2025 campaign undefeated, captured the Big Ten title, and entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed.

Their offense was driven by Fernando Mendoza (2,980 yards, 33 TDs, six INTs), who swept national awards (Davey O’Brien, Maxwell, and the Heisman) and is widely discussed as a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Head coach Curt Cignetti’s program has proven adept at integrating transfer quarterbacks, with both Fernando Mendoza (Cal) and Kurtis Rourke (Ohio) finding success after joining the Hoosiers.

For Sorsby, the portal still offers multiple paths, including a high-value college package or an NFL evaluation, but commentary from influential IU voices, such as Griff, has effectively taken a straightforward reunion scenario off the table.

NIL

University of Alabama football player uses NIL money to spread Christmas cheer

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – University of Alabama offensive lineman Parker Brailsford’s childhood experiences inspire him to help Tuscaloosa’s underserved youth.

Brailsford is an Arizona native, who has made a name for himself in the world of college football. But when he takes off the helmet and pads, his focus shifts to something else.

“Being able to give back to kids that don’t have – that’s something that fulfills me,” Brailsford said. “It’s my purpose.”

Brailsford took 10 children and their families from the Boys and Girls Club Christmas shopping on Monday.

Each child received a $100 Target gift card. All together it was $1,000 of NIL money.

“He just gave her a turkey for Thanksgiving, and now he’s taking her Christmas shopping,” Toniko Bryant said. “I’m very thankful because he doesn’t have to do that.”

Brailsford understands he doesn’t have to – but he wants to.

“As a kid, we didn’t have a lot but we had enough,” Brailsford said.

During Brailsford’s infancy years he was adopted.

“I never was in the foster care system, but one of my friends was,” Brailsford said.

Brailsford’s formative years were a stark contrast to what he saw other children experience. His parents gave him support and stability, while other children moved from home to home.

At the same time, his mother took him to homeless shelters and food pantries to volunteer. There he saw how poverty affects anyone of all ages, races, and gender.

“Sometimes you get caught in the what you’re living in right now – you think there’s not a place for you,” Brailsford said.

Brailsford found his place on the field, but his purpose is to help children find theirs.

“This is something God put on his heart,” John Nero said. “I appreciate every bit of it, not just for Oshae but for all the other kids.”

Brailsford relates to many of the children he serves. Whether it’s adoption, financial hardships, or empathizing with experiences his friend encountered years ago.

While Brailsford’s success in football gives him the financial resources and name recognition to coordinate outreach events, this is just the beginning even if his football career comes to an end.

“I’m working on my social work degree right now because I really want to be able to help kids, anyway I can,” Brailsford said.

Link

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$1.4 million QB predicted to follow departing coach to college football powerhouse

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The college football offseason landscape shifted dramatically this week as one of the nation’s most productive quarterbacks officially signaled his intent to explore new options. This decision comes immediately after a major coaching carousel change in which his longtime mentor left their shared Big 12 Conference program for a prestigious opening in the Big Ten Conference.

The move immediately sparked speculation regarding a potential reunion that could reshape the competitive balance of the upcoming season.

Analysts are already connecting the dots between the veteran signal-caller and his former head coach’s new destination. The quarterback boasts a reputation for delivering in high-pressure fourth-quarter moments and possesses the type of high-floor reliability that championship contenders covet. His entry into the transfer database essentially resets the market for teams in desperate need of a veteran presence under center to stabilize a transition.

Media personalities have wasted little time identifying a frontrunner for his services. The prevailing sentiment suggests that the existing bond between the player and the coaching staff makes one specific landing spot nearly inevitable unless a drastic shift occurs.

This specific transfer recruitment is expected to be swift given the deep ties and the immediate need for a starter to lead the coach’s new program.

Connection between Rocco Becht and Penn State is undeniable

During a recent episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show, the host addressed the developing situation regarding Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht. The redshirt junior holds a $1.4 million NIL valuation according to On3 and has entered the transfer portal following the departure of his head coach. Pate views the link to the Penn State Nittany Lions as logical, given the recent hiring of Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell in Happy Valley.

“Rocco Becht is in the portal. This is not a shock,” Pate said. “He is a Matt Campbell guy. Campbell goes to Penn State, quarterback goes in the portal. You’ve got to think Penn State’s going to play a major factor here.”

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) concludes his career with the Cyclones with more than 9,000 passing yards and 64 touchdowns. | William Purnell-Imagn Images

Becht leaves Ames as one of the most decorated passers in school history. He accumulated over 9,200 career passing yards and 64 touchdowns while winning 26 games as a starter. His 2025 campaign was hampered by a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. He still managed to throw for 2,584 yards despite the physical setback. Pate emphasized the mental attributes that make Becht an attractive target for the Nittany Lions.

“He is an excellent player in fourth-quarter moments,” Pate stated. “If you add Rocco Becht there, there is no crash-and-burn season unless he gets hurt. So you get a high floor, but a very next-level mentality too. He kind of thinks more like an NFL guy.”

Forever A Cyclone❤️🌪️🌪️❤️ pic.twitter.com/chHf7fjh0j

— Rocco Becht (@RoccoBecht) December 20, 2025

The transition would be seamless for Becht. He would reunite with Campbell as well as offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters. This familiarity is crucial as Becht rehabilitates his shoulder ahead of the 2026 season.

“He’s a coach’s kid and a friend of the program, Anthony Becht, by the way,” Pate added. “I would say Penn State (is the leader) until otherwise noted there.”

The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opens for all players to enter on Jan. 2.

Only one college football coaching hire earned an A+ grade

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The 2025 college football coaching carousel is one for the history books — and it’s not even over yet! As of late December, 30 FBS college football teams have hired new head coaches for the 2026 season, including six from the SEC and several more from the other power conferences.

Now that almost all of the jobs have been filled, ESPN writer Bill Connelly took the time to grade each and every hire made by an FBS program, assigning anywhere from an A+ to a C — a fairly friendly scale, even to the No. 30 hire on the list, which we won’t spoil. You can view the whole thing right here.

In Mr. Connelly’s seminar on How To Properly Conduct A Coaching Search, A’s were aplenty as eight students (meaning: FBS schools) earned an A or better in his book for the hire of their new head football coach. Those are the following…

Eight coaches earn an A grade

*Alphabatized by school

That list represents several of the biggest hires of the 2025 college football coaching cycles but also has a couple of underrated names as well. Plus, Kentucky’s Will Stein and UCLA’s Bob Chesney were mentioned as hires on the A-/B+ cusp. The one that earned an A+ grade, though? Perhaps you guessed, but it was Lane Kiffin picked as the prized sea bass.

New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

“We won’t overthink this one,” Connelly wrote on the LSU hire of Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss, noting that the process was certainly over-dramatic. “But in his past nine years as a head coach, he has won double-digit games six times and he engineered the Rebels’ best three-year run in 60-plus years. He checks almost every box for a school that can afford to hire a guy who checks lots of boxes.”

The LSU coaching transition featured a dispute and eventual promised payout of a $50+ million buyout to Brian Kelly, then included the public interference of the Louisiana Governor, the firing of the LSU athletic director and the offer of a massive contract to Lane Kiffin to poach him from an SEC rival. Yet, with the dust still settling, the Tigers appear set up to go for glory in the latter half of the 2020s.

Per ESPN and Bill Connelly, Lane Kiffin is the No. 1 hire of the college football season.