Four years ago I made a phone call in a stairwell at a school I could not call my second home. I did not know it at the time, but that phone call to Coach Miller to transfer and play softball at SMU was leading to my second home and second family. Four years later, I think back on all the friendships, memories, and life lessons I have made and cannot help but say I am truly blessed. Here’s a cheers to all those who have crossed my path here and made these the best four years of my life so far.
Most importantl,y I want to start by thanking my family. Mom and Dad I cannot thank you enough for all the sacrifice and hard work you do for us kids. Ever since I was little you have always pushed me to dream big. Dad, thank you for putting a mit in my hand when I was younger and letting me play t-ball with the boys. For playing catch with me in the backyard and teaching me not to be afraid of the ball. You have always been my biggest fan and person I look for down the foul lines watching my games. During college, I will miss calling you telling you about the games and hearing your advice and words of comfort. I know with work and distance it has been hard for you and Mom to come to many games, but I know you are always listening to the great funny announcers broadcasting online. And when you guys can make it to my games, it makes my entire week. Mom, thank you for always being there to listen. You’re the first person I go to for anything and keep me grounded when I become too dramatic with things. Hahah. Thank you for driving me to all my games all across the state and sitting in the countless number of cold softball games bundled up in every warm piece of clothing possible. Mom and Dad you are my heroes and I will forever be thankful for everything you have done for me and giving me the opportunity to go to college and become the person I am today. I love you both very much. To Brian, Jake, and Kevin- Thank you for not bullying me too much when we were younger and letting me play sports with you guys. You guys made me and taught me how to be tough. Even if it meant strapping me up in a goalie uniform and shooting slap shots at my face in the court. Or playing WWE in the basement and letting me fight with you guys. Actually not letting me, mostly making me. Kevin not to call you out but I think I beat you up more than anyone. Hahah Sibling love. I love you guys so much and look up to every single one of you. I am so glad how close we have gotten over the years and cannot wait for the years ahead of us.
Thank you to all those outside of softball who have been supportive. Jew- I mean Ashley. I mean Tori. I will never forget the day G said Jess and I need to meet you because we’d all get along really well. Little did I know us 3 were made for each other. Out of everyone you are the biggest fan and always there at our games. You are a true friend and one of my best. I know we will be friends for a lifetime. 808 block, thank you for the great memories and making time to come to a few games. The weekends on the block will never be forgotten and more to come after college! Hockey team- both girls and guys. Thanks for cheering for us on the sidelines at each game. Seeing you guys I know pumps a lot of us up. Lastly, Steve thank you for everything. You’re my home away from home at school and I do not know what I would do without you. Thank you for trying to come to every game possible, I wish it was easier for me to see all of your rugby games! Thank you for listening to all my happiness and frustrations after games and just being there for me when I start to ramble. I cannot wait for what is ahead of us after college. I love you!
To the training room staff. Thank you for all you have done in keeping our team healthy. For putting up with all the nonsense we bring to the room, whether it’s a story or all of us just being really weird hahah. I’m surprised you haven’t banned us from that place. Ambjor- thank you for keeping me in one piece over the years. Thanks for game nights and the many laughs we have shared. I wish you luck and blessings for the next chapter in your life next year.
Thank you Donny for the many pre- & post-game write ups for our team and all teams on campus. It’s amazing how much you do and the support you give the athletes here at SMU. Thank you!
Coach Miller and Coach Bray- Thank you for everything you have done for our team the past 4 years. For pushing us at practices and in games, and believing in us. I have grown as a player because of you two and can not thank you enough for allowing me to be apart of the SMU softball team. Miller thanks for letting me come in the middle of freshmen year. I was definitely going through a hard time in Ohio and was so relieved when you made the transfer transition a lot easier. Thanks for putting up with my dramatic ‘being hit by the ball’ acts. I swear I’m surprised I have not put my hand or foot out in a real game the amount I do in pre-game. Coach Otte- haha… I know you hate that, so Cass- I am so glad I got to opportunity to have you as a teammate and a coach. You bring so much knowledge to the game and appreciate all the time you sacrifice for us. You definitely bring a light of encouragement and great energy to the team. Thank you for everything over the years, both as a friend and coach.
Finally, I would like to thank the group of people that have impacted my time here the most. Being able to play the sport you love with your best friends is not something many people get to do. To the past players- Jess, not only are you a past player, but you are one of my best friends and I cannot look back on my 4 years without thinking of you. From good old slugger days to Astro vans to SMU, you have always been there with me. I can count on you for anything and I also know we will be friends for a lifetime. I missed playing with you this year but I know it worked out for the better. I mean your resume is blossoming with your crossing guard and lunch lady land jobs. Love you Bri! Jaci- Like I said with Jess, I miss playing with you guys. I wish you guys were here right now writing these salutes with us and be there on the field for that last pitch. But I know it worked out also for the better with you also. You’re set for life with your job! Lucky. You are a hell of a pitcher and teammate and I want to thank you for the great friendship we made along the way. Gut- Walleee! I am so lucky to have played with you and the friendship we have made. I will always remember seeing you at the hockey house and taking you under our wings. I knew you were going to be friends with us that night whether you liked it or not. You’re too funny with your every dramatic move or story. I’m laughing right now thinking of your, ‘So..like…I know this guy at Winona State…like…’ Hahah can’t wait to be Old neighbors next year! Many more memories to come. To every other past player I have had the opportunity to play ball with, thank you for the many memories and friendships you have given me these past years. I will forever remember each and every one of you and wish everyone luck in their future. Cannot wait for the future Alumni games and weekends to catch up.
To the freshman class. You four are so unpredictable. Laura- you are one of the funniest people on this team whether you think so or not. You are a very strong person and it amazes me how you can just put a smile on whether in good times or bad. I am so lucky you opened up and let everyone know the real you in Arizona- the real you as in your devil voice is the scariest thing I’ve ever heard. The countless idiot games, scary stories, scary voices, and just room bonding really made the spring trip unforgettable. Angie Club Friday Night Bates- way to represent Roselle with me. You are such a talented pitcher and have so much knowledge of the game. Outside of softball though, we will not talk about that…Hahah some of the things that come out of your mouth makes everyone double think and just say, ‘Did she really say that??’..but that makes you, you and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Sam- first off thanks for washing all our gross uniforms after games and practices. I nearly pass out just being around everyone after we play. It takes a lot to bear our stench. You are very mature for your age and your sense of humor is just like mine. I can always count on you to blast some J.Beibs with. You are also a really strong player and need to instill more confidence in yourself. You have more potential that I think you realize. Kristen- I love asking you if any of the stuff in practice even makes you tired, and your response is always like, ‘No, that was easy’ Haha I idolize your endurance and speed! I appreciate all your hard work and positive attitude. We can always count on you! Some advice for all the freshmen is to appreciate your time here, study hard, but have some fun along the way. Grades are very important but so are making lifetime memories. Play every game to the fullest, because you will be old hags like us one day and will want it all back in a heartbeat.
To the sophomore class that has more people in it than I actually knew. Erin- I loved having you as my left fielder the past few years. I feel so confident with you behind me, especially with our favorite tweeners. You are a natural athlete. I think if you were asked to play any sport, you would still succeed in all of them. I am so confident with you starting off our team at the plate. You really get things going with hits and pitcher readings. You are going to do great things the next two years. Keep it up! Leah- Hinge. Hahah half the inside jokes/words I want to talk about I do not think I can write in here. So I will just say..’that’s just weird…’ and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Hahah you are a great shortstop and will miss having you around there. Don’t ever lose your sense of humor either; you’re always one step ahead of everyone. Kayla- Thank you for coming back to us! You really have opened up to the team this year and I love it! Even though you are a little quieter than some of the loud mouths on this team, you still make a big presence on the mound. Your change up is unbelievable. I cannot hit them for the life of me- let alone any change up! You have improved so much and really bring it. Keep up all the hard work. Buege- gosh where do I start with you. You are beyond funny. I get a kick out of 99% of the things that you do in everyday life. You’re a great softball player and have amazing strength. I do not think your pain receptors are turned on at all though. You never give up and I admire that, but please take care of yourself and stay in one piece! Ps. Let me know if you want the couch at our house. I mean it’s practically yours now. Jules- Chaaaaals Emmanual Cheese. I remember watching your Providence game with Jo and saying, “We need her on our team.” You have one of the hardest arms and fastest bats I’ve ever seen. You’re a great player and bring so much to this team. Thank you for all the Arizona memories and laughs. If you want, I am down for taking a ‘Learn How to Talk in a British Accent’ class. I always have a good laugh with you and cannot wait to hang out more next year! Now the two who I always forget are sophomores because I feel like I have known you guys for years. Paige- Plague, doobag, and every other nickname in the book. I cannot imagine the outfield without you. You are one of the strongest overall players I know. Although you are a few years younger than me, I look up to you very much. I can always count on having a good laugh with you as well as going to for anything. You’ve become a best friend and I cannot wait for 111 Old next year! There will never be a quiet or dull moment. I cannot wait to see whose going in the dungeon or sink next year. Nose goes Denver. Hailey- [fake microphone]: So how does it feel to hit a homeeeerun!?!... You are a great softball player and I have never seen so much passion in an individual to learn more or work harder. Becoming a slapper in a year is great, but becoming a slapper/bunter that can execute and become one of the top hitters on the team is incredible. I love making plays at short in the 5-6 hole and gunning them down to you because I know you will be there to scoop ‘em up. Keep working hard, dreamboat is always watching. And of course, I am so glad we also became very close this year. One of my best friends and cannot imagine life without you! Being roommates next year is going to be something else. Remember when we picked names for roommates and it was awkward because it made it seem like we were overly excited but looked like we didn’t want to be roommates. HAHA. I am so happy we will be and I will probably laugh myself to sleep 99% of the nights. Ehhhhhhh. Love you guys!
To the junior class — the Olson twins & Mitch: Bre- you are a great asset to this team and bring a lot of speed. You also have opened up over the years and am thankful for that. Keep up all the hard work and I better get an invite to Cole and yours wedding! Mitch- I am so glad you came out for the team this year. I wish you had come out your freshmen year so I could have known you longer! You are naturally funny and can make any situation funny. Your personality and humor really brings the team together. You are a great softball player and amaze us in the outfield. Half the time it does not even look like you’re going to get the ball but you somehow always do! I will never forget your dive in Arizona that was followed by your Mia Hamm victory arm pump. So funny. Good luck in your education major, you’re going to be the fun teacher that everyone wishes was theirs. Olson- I can’t think of anyone else to play middles with. You are one of the most talented middle infielders I’ve ever had the opportunity to play with. You are one of the most level-headed and honest people I know and I admire that about you. You tell it how it is. You’re going to be a great cop one day, probably the only one in the field who won’t swear. You’ll slip.-+
Last but not least, the group of girls that have made it to the end through thick and thin with me. I could not ask for a better infield to walk on and off the field with these past years. Mal- I know there have been the ups and the downs but in the end we have had some good times. Freshmen year is one of my most memorable years here with you and Jess. We’ve had a lot of memories and I will always remember them. Your sense of humor is also just like mine and I think that’s why we still can crack jokes left and right. Playing the repeat what you’re saying game still gets me. My hearing disability gives me an advantage. In the field, you are an amazing pitcher and I feel very confident when you are on the mound. “We’re better than them!..Even at video games!”…Like I said, there’s never a dull moment with you whether it’s talking softball by the fence during games, debating on who is the weirdest on the team..Mitch..or stealing OSFAs helmets. Plus when else in our life are we going to be able to where that stupid eye black or call people muffins. I’m glad we were able to keep out the drama these past few years and still be good friends. Here comes the meat wagon. WWEEEEOOOO WEEEOOOO. Jo- Drkky Drk. I don’t even know where to start with you. It’s funny to look back and say I had no idea who you were freshmen year but apparently I found out later that you cared enough to look for an ‘anonymous balls’ at the rugby house. Good future friend. You’ve become practically a sister to me here and I think I spend more time with you than anyone else on this campus, seeing I am your bus driver to school and practice every day. One minute we’re yelling at each other about something and a minute later it’s over with and laughing. Is it too soon if I bring up the Wendy’s situation? Hahah… I’m so glad ‘Mal recruited you’ sophomore year and you decided to be part of the team. On the field you’re an incredible softball player. It still makes me laugh if you strike out or anything goes wrong. You either look like you’re going to charge the pitcher or break the bat over your knee. Keep the anger for when it’s really needed- St. Patty’s Day. Love you Joyo and can’t wait for Old 111. Kellie- Kull, Kewwy. You’re the one person I am going to miss playing ball with the most. I cannot imagine the left side without you. I get so excited when there’s a timeout in the game so we can temporarily do a rap sesh. I wonder what everyone in the crowd thinks when they see us rapping. You’re a great softball player but even better friend. I’m so glad we were friends before I even came here too, thanks to Jess. ‘Are you Kellie… Are you Balls?’ I am so glad you’re going to also be here next year, I can’t say bye to you right now. So thanks for planning that. But even after next year, I know we will stay great friends, even if it means visiting you guys up here in the GREAT STATE OF MINNESNOWDA to catch up. Left side, strong side. Love you Kull!
This chapter in my life has come to an end. SMU has become my second home and my team has become my second family. I love every single one of you guys and will always remember SMU fastpitch.
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