Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

How did I get here so fast? The day to write my senior salute is finally here. Never, did I think this day would come. Ever. Everyone says your four years in college go by so fast and that couldn’t be more accurate. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday my mom and I were packing our cars and driving down to SMU to move me into my dorm room. I received the warmest welcome from the whole softball team as they helped my mom and I carry my things into my first place away from home. 

When I think of my time here at SMU I think about fall ball, hill sprints, Haunted Forest, 6 AM morning workouts, Miss Cardinal, captain’s practices and most importantly February 1st; the day we all anxiously look forward to. My team has become my second family. We are bulldogs. When the sound of Bad To The Bone sounds thorough the speakers, we know it’s game time. I will forever cherish every moment that Cardinal Softball has given to me. Without my teammates, coaches, and family, the past four years would not have been possible. Thank you to all who have crossed my path here and made these the best four years of my life this far.
Mom and dad, you guys are honestly my biggest fans. Without you both none of this would’ve been possible.  Mom, you put my softball games before everything else in your schedule and I appreciate your support. Your calendar is filled with all my softball games, along with half of a highlighter and a bunch of scribbles because you always keep up to date with the numerous changes Minnesota weather has on our schedule. I love that you stay so organized around my schedule because it means I know I can count on seeing you behind home plate cheering me on.  I appreciate you sitting in the countless number of cold softball games bundled up in every warm piece of clothing you owned along the years. You know every score of each game because you keep your own score board in a notebook, that’s what I call dedication. I know you wouldn’t miss it for the world, even if some random man along side the road dropped a crow bar on your toe when you came to help me change a flat tire. Neither one of us had a clue what we were doing that day, yet through the pain there you were behind the plate rooting for me. Thank you for being an amazing cheerleader, friend, and mom. Thanks for always believing in me and being my number one fan.

Dad, you passed down your love for softball to me, and I am so glad you did. Seriously, thank you for teaching me the all about the game (although I never really caught onto the whole hitting aspect.) Thanks for sitting behind the plate on a bucket to catch for me and allowing me to draw targets on the garage with side walk chalk to practice, once my speed became more than you were willing to catch. You’ve been the greatest support system and I have been blessed to have you along this journey with me. You took me to numerous late night pitching lessons with Mike Mook because you knew it would make me better. When I wanted to quit, you never let me because you knew the potential I had. You believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I look back on my softball career and you are my number one supporter, continually teaching me to work hard and be dedicated.  I always look forward to your pep talks before game time, followed by a ‘Go get ‘em girl!’ and of course two Cool Blue Gatorade’s which you never forgot. These gestures though they seem small, mean the world to me. You’re the most honest person I know, never afraid to teach me about my performance. When I do well you give me praise, when I suck you let me know that too.  Your knowledge of the game has helped me become the pitcher I am today. The way you remember batters is astonishing. I can hardly remember hitting habits of the batters from game one into game two in a double header yet you are able to remember what batters did from when we played them the year before. This skill you have helped me prepare more effectively for games. You have watched me play my whole life and you know exactly what to say to keep me going. I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you for attending almost every game of mine. I owe so much of my softball career to you, and I hope that I have made you proud throughout it all. You are my hero, my friend and most of all an amazing dad.

Leah, I know how afraid you are of a yellow softball, and how terrified you are of the different pitching between slow pitch and fast pitch softball, yet you have been a great supporter for my efforts this whole journey. Thank you for always supporting my dedication to softball and wearing softball gear to match my team. I appreciate the time you take out of your busy schedule to come watch me play ball, because I really do love seeing you there. I know that when you are unable to make a game you are constantly calling mom for updates or checking the website because you are so engaged during season. The numerous photos you take of me playing ball will be great memories to keep in a scrapbook of my college years. I have been blessed with the best sister I could ever ask for and I know I can always count on you. I look forward to what is in store for both of us in the future and I can’t wait to be by your side for all of it.

Miller, thanks taking a chance on me, twice. You are always there for me on and off the field, and for the softball program as a whole. You would honestly give the shirt of your back for any of us, and your dedication to your players does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do.

Carolyn, I am thankful for your persistence and determination to get me into a Saint Mary’s uniform.  I like to think I am lucky to have had you watching me play ball since about 9th grade. Thank you for always being there for me and believing in me whether it regarded softball or just life issues in general. You have molded me into a great softball pitcher, have been a great mentor, and became a great friend along the way. I would not be here if it wasn’t for you. 

To my fellow Captains- Hailey, you are the greatest support system for me on the mound and your bionic arm has sure saved me from a few errors. I don’t know what it is about throwing to first base but I wouldn’t want anyone else standing on the receiving end, ready to do the splits in any direction to catch my throw, besides you. I have learned a lot from your confidence in leading the team vocally, and I know that those skills will help you be successful in your career. You are a TRUE LEADER. I like to reminisce our moment in Arizona when you looked at me as we laced up our cleats, for the last first time, and told me to cherish the moment. Each day we practice and each game we play is a last moment and I thank you for sharing these last moments with me. Paige, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for joining me in the circle this year I could not do it without you. You are the most talented, versatile, and positive athlete I have had the privilege to play with. If I could change one thing I wish we could both be playing an infield spot simultaneously, as I’d like you join the team huddles between innings with us, because you too are a strong leader. Your message is always impactful, when you speak up you mean business, and I enjoy hearing your motivational messages. I have had the best time with you the past few seasons and I am definitely going to miss playing ball with you in the future. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

Julie and Anna, I appreciate getting the opportunity to play my seasons with you both. Julie, your arm is incredible, I never doubt when a ball is hit to you that you will either catch it or gun the girl out with your throw. Outstanding. Anna how the heck did you get so quick? Seriously you run so fast on the bases or sometimes you even hit the ball over so you don’t have to. Either way I’m so glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to play with you. You are strong and you are fast. The both of you are talented athletes and I know the future looks bright for each of you. I have never been more proud to be a part of our team especially with this talented class of seniors.

To the remainder of my current teammates, keep working hard. As you can see hard work does pay off, as it has for us so far this season. Whoever takes over leading the team next year I encourage you to PYPYT (push yourself, push your teammates) because it will only make you more successful as a whole. I can’t say it enough to enjoy your time as a Cardinal athlete because it truly does go by so fast. Before you know it you too will be writing your salute. I encourage you to enjoy every moment, make every practice count, and to shut the door each game.

To the alumni who I was able to play with during my time at SMU, thank you, each of you have impacted me in some way and I appreciate my time spent with you. I have never been a part of a program so dedicated to the team and the goal of having a successful season. Thank you for welcoming me into the softball family, a family one truly never leaves behind.

It’s hard to believe that this time has finally come; I don’t know how I will be able to just stop playing ball, eating fruit snacks, and having juice boxes. I am thankful for my time here at Saint Mary’s University and I am confident that it has helped prepare me for what is next. Although this chapter in my life has come to an end, my time with Cardinal Softball will remain some of my greatest memories. I have made some of the best friendships here, on and off the field, and I appreciate everyone who has impacted my experience.  I am truly going to miss this place, thank you too all for making it the time of my life.