TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

How much of an impact will this year’s freshman class have for your team? What do you feel are some of the other major differences between this year’s team as compared to last year’s?
We are working much more as a team this year than during any of my experiences in the past. It’s the type of team that will hang out both on and off the field – which I think really does positively affect a team’s performance.

As far as newcomers, Sophie Barstad has been a significant addition to our pitching staff. She has a great changeup, especially when she can get the umpires to call it for strikes. Also, Shannon Prochaska has come in and will provide depth for us at the catcher’s position and Mary Russell has stepped in for our injured shortstop, Lauren Picciano.

The freshman class will definitely make an impact for us. Having some fresh faces also brings in a new attitude for the team. We definitely are committed to finishing in the top six of the Mid-American Conference to qualify for the postseason tournament.

This season, your team has played in tournaments in Georgia, Tennessee and Arizona – you also have one upcoming in California. What has been the most exciting part of those early season competitions?
The highlight of our trips probably came at Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Frost Classic when we played Alabama, who was ranked in the top ten nationally at the time we played them. Coming away with a 6-3 loss was disappointing, but it was nice to know that we hung in the game the whole time. It was an all-around good performance by our team.

What were some of the flight problems you experienced prior to that Alabama game?
Our flight was delayed two hours, so we got in late on Thursday night. Then we had to turn around and play an early game on Friday. It was tough, but we were able to pull through.

During the season, what types of challenges do you face as a student-athlete?
Right now we are in the preseason, so it’s a little different than when conference play begins – because at that time we play a lot more on the weekends. So now, we miss a lot more class, which makes it very tough to keep up and make up any assignments that we miss. We have one day off each week, which is usually Tuesday.

When did you first start playing left field?
I have played in the outfield during all of my time at UB, as well as two or three years prior to coming to UB. Primarily during that time, I’ve been in left field – though I have played a little bit of center and right in the past couple years.

What differences have you noticed between the three outfield positions?
I think the main change in your approach would be in the angles you take to the ball. The perspective is always different as far as positioning yourself and also knowing where to throw the ball.

Where are you hitting in the order? What do you view your offensive role as on this team?
So far this season, I have been hitting fourth in the lineup. Primarily, my job is to drive in runs when the top of the order gets on base. It is certainly a fun spot in the order to hit.

How often does your team use a pitching machine to hit off of?
We hardly ever use a pitching machine. Our coaches do a lot of front toss with us, which is just hitting an underhand toss from close range. We also do a lot of work off the tee, focusing on the mechanics of our swings. We hit a lot off of our own pitchers, as well.

Is there a lot of use of film in softball?
Yes. The coaching staff video tapes us and keeps it available for us to access. From time-to-time, we will come in and take a look at that.

Both you and fellow senior Marce Ross are from Ontario. What differences did the two of you have in your athletic upbringing as compared to some of the other players on your team?
The high school athletic program is totally different in Canada as compared to the United States. I believe I played one year of softball in high school, but the rest of the years we did not field a team. So, I played a lot of summer ball. The differences in that lie in the fact that you do not have your coach around you all year, like you would if your coach was also at your high school.

-The "10 Questions with…" feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.