Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing (unless I ‘m speaking too soon) the weather is finally cooperating enough for us seniors to celebrate a stellar season of Saint Mary’s University Cardinal Fastpitch Softball!  This year has been a wild ride for the whole team.  Having the majority of our games cancelled, postponed, or switched around made all of us realize just how special and how important our sport is to us…especially the senior class.  There were times when we questioned if we would even be able to finish a whole season.  This team persevered.  Practicing indoors for three months isn’t anyone’s cup of tea, but we made the best of it.  We even made the best out of practicing outdoors in freezing weather and snow.  This season is definitely a season to remember.  As my career of playing collegiate softball winds down to its final weeks, I can’t help but reflect on all the memories made.  After playing two years at Rochester Community and Technical College and making a National Tournament appearance, I knew two years of competing wasn’t going to be enough for me.  Choosing where to go for my final two years wasn’t difficult.  My sister, Laura, was a freshman softball player at SMU when I decided to transfer here after graduating from RCTC.  Saint Mary’s has the slogan saying, ‘The Best Four Years of Your Life.’  As a transfer student, I only got two of these four years.  These two years, however, have been some of the best in my life.
To my fellow senior teammates:  I could not have asked for a better group of girls to celebrate this day with.  Even though I didn’t get to play all four years with you, these two seasons have been a blast.  Love you!

Hailey:  Wow, how times can change!  I never would have guessed, that out of everyone on the team, you would be the one to know me best!  I think you knew me before I even realized you knew me!  If it hadn’t been for you sending me all sorts of inappropriate text messages in class in my first semester here, I don’t know if I would have been able to open up!  You are a genuine friend, amazing person, and excellent softball player.  I can’t thank you enough for turning me around and making my time at SMU so much fun.  I’m beyond excited for SKILLS this summer in Alexandria.  I can’t wait to head up there with you and learn how to become cool lady cops.  ?  W.O.O.F.

Paige:  The thing that comes to mind for me right now is laughing.  I don’t think there has been a point in time I’ve spent with you where we haven’t been giggling about something.  Usually, it’s something dumb that we both notice and can’t help but chuckle about.  Or… laughing about laughing about laughing!  ?  Anyway… On with the serious side of things!  You are a great teammate, player, and leader.  Your bat has always been solid and you always keep team morale up.  The leader side of you has helped many girls become better individuals and players.  I’m proud of you for landing an awesome job and I know you will be nothing but superior in the future!

Julie:  I don’t think I’ve ever had a teammate give me more bruises than you have.  From running me over with your vehicle, to catching your laser beam throws (and getting the girl out on third at the cost of a concussion) or taking a ball to the shins (my fault), I’ve never felt a teammate was out to get me more than you.  ?  Gosh, I wish I had an arm like you!  I’m even scared for the girls who you gun down at the bases!  You are a huge threat on the field.  Just like in softball, I know you will run down any competition you have in the future.  You are great at what you do and I wish you nothing but the best!  You make the best cake-pops.

Kayla:  I was just going through my Facebook pictures and found one of us in high school.  You were mid-pitch and the ball was coming right for my butt!  ?  We went from rivals to teammates and even roommates for awhile!  You are a huge part of the success our team has had in the years I’ve played with you.  I don’t know how your arm can handle all that it does.  You have made the entire team better at hitting through pitching live.  Your confidence on the mound assures the rest of us that we can pull out wins and relax more on defense.  Good luck as you continue to pursue your dreams after graduation!

To my non-senior teammates:  I’ve never known a group to have more talent and heart than all of you.  As seniors, we all wish we could have more time on the field, one more practice..one more game..one more season.   It feels like just yesterday that I stepped into the world of collegiate sports for the first time. Take advantage of the time you have.  Keep improving.  Don’t stop working hard.  Never stop having fun!  If you feel like giving up, DON’T.  There will be times when you question if softball is really worth it.  It is.  It’s worth the friends you get, the memories you make, and the family you gain.  It’s a game you will never forget.  Thank you for making this season so enjoyable!  Love you all!

Now, on to all the thank-you’s I owe..
Laura:  You’re the reason I came to Saint Mary’s.  Playing high school ball with you was something I missed (and still miss) more than I can tell you and, even though we didn’t get another season of playing together, you have still been there for me.  We have had our share of ups and downs, but through it all you have made me into a better person and, in turn, into a better teammate and softball player.  You come to my games, listen when I have to vent, and give me criticism when I need it most.  I have never had a better teammate than you..in life or in sports.  Thank you for being the reason I’m here.  I love you!

Dad:  From when I can remember, you have always been the best coach and teacher of the game I’ve ever had.  I think you taught Laura and me to bat before we could even walk!  Playing in the yard and trying to hit the ball over the shed was always something I looked forward to with you.  Playing games of catch and taking us down to the high school fields as we got older..  Taking us to tee-ball.  There are so many memories of you helping us get better at softball.  These are things I have never forgotten and will never forget.  I always hear you in the crowd, giving suggestions and picking me up.  The same goes for outside of the game.  You are always there to talk to, to turn to.  You always seem to know just what to say to make me feel better about things.  Thank you for being an amazing dad and teacher.  I love you!

Mom:  You have always been mine and Laura’s #1 fan.  You make it to as many games as you can, regardless of the weather.   You’ve taken millions upon millions of pictures of us in ‘action.’  I always know I can turn to you for advice (maybe not on the game), ? but on everything in general.  You’re a huge supporter of me and Laura.  When you and Dad would take us down to school to hit, you’d always cheer us on.  The same goes for now.  I can always hear you cheering me on in games and I always look to you for a smile when I get on base.  You making it to almost every game means more to me than you know.  You are the best fan I’ve ever had.  I love you!

Emilia: Being a college athlete, you know how important a senior season is to someone.  It’s been a learning experience for us both, getting to know a different sport this year.  Your dedication to understanding softball means more to me than you know.  You never fail to ask me how practice goes everyday or how my games went.  You’ve listened to me rant about every aspect of the game.  You keep my head up at the hardest times and you are ALWAYS there for me.  Thank you for everything you do for me, including surprising me in Arizona over spring break!  Maybe, just maybe, I can bring the game of fastpitch softball to Sweden next year!  ?  I love you!

Miller and CBray:  Thanks for putting up with me the past two years!  ?  I think we all can agree it’s been a crazy ride.  You’ve been patient with me and understanding at times I may not have deserved it.  You’ve taught me to learn from my mistakes and only move on.  I believe my seasons here have been all about taking chances and although the chances may not seem like the right ones at the time, we’ve ended up in a good place.  You’ve pushed me to be a better player, offensively and defensively.  You’ve worked hard to improve my confidence in the field.  I truly respect the both of you very much and I’m glad I made the decision to play under you.  Thank you for a great two years and good luck in the next seasons!

I’ve taken pride in being a Cardinal and every time I put that jersey on.  Being a part of this ‘family’ has been a great experience.  I’m fortunate to have had the teammates and coaches I did.  Let’s get a win today!!  GO RED!