Speaker 1 00:00:12 Hello, this is Paul Sullivan, tropical Wichita state university, strategic communications. Thank you for listening to the roundhouse podcast. We're going to get you ready for softball season. At Wichita state, we have Neeley herring and Madison Espinosa shockers play five games this weekend in Huntsville, Texas. They start Friday. They play Dayton. They play Sam Houston state and the bear cat classic Neely is a senior first basement. She was on the all American athletic conference team and the NFCA all central region. Second team last season, she had 3 75, 10 home runs and a team leading 13 doubles Neely is from Chandler. Oklahoma. Madison is a sophomore in fielder from St. Louis. She was on the American athletic conference, all academic team in 2021. And they're going to get us started on softball. So you have a whole bus ride coming. What's the best way to pass the time on a bus ride. Uh, Huntsville
Speaker 2 00:01:09 And I was about to say, besides sleeping, I don't know. I like to, I like to read, so I always have two books and I can maybe pull out and just spend an hour or whatever a little bit. But some people have like game consoles. We have a lot of people that have like Nintendo switches and stuff like that. So we'll play me doing that kind of stuff. I just listen to music. I feel the whole way there.
Speaker 1 00:01:34 Yeah, we should probably tell people. Huntsville is, you're almost a Houston, right? So it's probably what at least 10, 12 hours.
Speaker 2 00:01:39 Um, I don't know. I think it was like seven and a half when I checked it. So not quite that long, but it's still on,
Speaker 1 00:01:46 You're on the bus for a long time. All right. What books are you taking on this trip?
Speaker 2 00:01:51 Uh, a Stephen King book, kind of can't remember what it's called, but that's, that's what I like to read. I like the kind of thrillers or kind of like scary type stuff, but yeah,
Speaker 1 00:02:03 Madison, what's your playlist. You have queued up and ready to go.
Speaker 2 00:02:06 Um, I'll probably use a playlist that I use for our hitting rotation. We went through this, they were sort of starting from the oldest to youngest. We would all have a play list each day for our hitting rotation. So I'll probably be listening to that given in the zone, maybe some motivational speeches just to get me ready. Cause we, you know, we gotta be hyped. We gotta be ready to go. And we always are.
Speaker 1 00:02:28 You have a favorite motivational speaker? Someone who listened to a lot?
Speaker 2 00:02:32 No, but I mean, I listened to a broad range of speakers, but I would say that a good person to listen to. I like CT Fletcher. He's like a X bodybuilder type straight coach. If he always has something good to say,
Speaker 1 00:02:49 He brings the best junk food.
Speaker 2 00:02:52 Oh Aaron McDonald's. She always has like the nerd ropes or uh, what is it sweetheart wrote? She got herself. Yeah. She likes the gummies and all that stuff. So she's usually the hookup with candy or anything like that. And you wouldn't expect it either. Cause she's so slim, but she now
Speaker 1 00:03:11 She's got the sweet tooth. Anybody, any big bakers, anybody brings cookies, things like that, that they make at home
Speaker 2 00:03:18 Entertaining, likes to bake. So she'll bring like snacks. And of course, coach B has brought like stuff before too. Or they made us snack bags before and pass them out on the bus. So we've got quite a few people who will bring,
Speaker 1 00:03:32 Is there a favorite bus trip, movie or TV shows that people request?
Speaker 2 00:03:38 So yellow jacket? Oh yeah. I guess there's a new TV series app. I have a yellow jackets, which I guess somebody said they heard it me and talked to them on the radio. And it's kind of like a coach. You said like a Lord of the flies, but with girls instead of like voice specific aspirationals and that bed's going to be everything, she gives us as inspirational job I lived for.
Speaker 1 00:04:04 She does do that a lot. I've done several stories on that over the years, whether it's been in I one year she had the team picked a, uh, a team that had won like one NCAA basketball championships, kind of do research on that. What'd she come up with lately. She's had books that I know she's had as a group and discuss what's been this year's project.
Speaker 2 00:04:23 We did a little reading assignment on found the stone as a book. And I, I think that's the title of it. That's the main focus of it is kind of like, you know, you show up every day and grind and do your work. You put your work in and then when it comes to game time, trust what you've done. And that kind of allows you to relax and get out there and perform well. And I had to always show, you know, all the hard work might not always show right away, but if you just continue to be persistent and persevere through everything, you know, at some point you're going to break through and you're going to be on top
Speaker 1 00:04:56 The big flip or switch to flip because in high school and a lot of cases, you were just really good and you were just better than other people. And maybe you didn't have to, to grind. Maybe you didn't have to pound the stone, but you got to, you know, you hit college and now you realize that's important.
Speaker 2 00:05:13 Yeah. It's definitely something you learn. Uh, just the speed of the game here. And the competition is just so different than from where you come from. I came from, you know, small town chamber. So it wasn't like I couldn't just go out there and show up and be one of the best well-known feel. But you come here and you're like, well, there's 23 kids that are just as good as me who want to just as bad as I do. So you just have to find what you can do to kind of set yourself apart and make yourself better.
Speaker 1 00:05:42 So Madison, you mentioned the practice playlist that I was going to, I was going to get to describe that. And then I'll ask a couple of questions about who had good ones and who had the worst ones.
Speaker 2 00:05:52 Um, my playlist is full of just good vibes, nothing. That's insane. I'm not really into rap. It's not really my thing because I feel like rap kind of goes in different way nowadays. That's kinda too provocative. I need something that's going to just put me in a good mood. Maybe get me a little high. It's a little there and a little dance mood. So basically I just, I just got a whole bunch of songs that I could just get up and dance to.
Speaker 1 00:06:15 So coach breadwinner had everybody, everybody got to put together a playlist for practices. That's what the, that's what the plan was, who had the best one?
Speaker 2 00:06:22 I think my favorite so far has been said, McKinney's, I mean, she's just good at everything. I mean, she's all American. She's a great teammate. There's nothing that girl can't do. So, you know, I didn't expect anything less even just for her playlist. And she came out on top for me. I liked Kate, Kate had a good one. She kind of mixed into country. And then she kind of threw it back to like the Jonas brothers and stuff that like when we were younger, everybody kind of would sing. So it was just kind of fun to have that flame,
Speaker 1 00:06:55 But
Speaker 2 00:06:57 She had a bunch of just mellow music, nothing too insane, but it's like, it's still got a good beat. I really liked Sam Smith. So when she had that on there or Daniel Levada, Demi Lovato is my all time favorite. And she had like three songs on there. She's like, Matty, this is for you. And I was like, you know, that's it I'm surprised your post wasn't straight. I know Debbie is my girl. And that's why she's my walkup song because you know, she just brings those competent woman vibes and I'm all for women empowerment and everything. So everything, she stands for, something that I kind of aligned myself with.
Speaker 1 00:07:34 Anybody have a clunker that maybe they regretted after, after playing.
Speaker 2 00:07:38 I don't think we had any like, no, there may have been some that there was like one song that might've been, I know this one's a little slow for me, but like, everybody's just been pretty sad.
Speaker 1 00:07:50 Are you concerned? The coaches are just going to be total, seventies and eighties that nobody's going to recognize.
Speaker 2 00:07:55 Uh, I'm kind of excited. Yeah. I kinda like the old times nobody's really knows that about me. Like I don't even think anyone on the team knows that about me, but I really do vibe with the old songs. That's kinda my thing. And I'm excited to see each coach then differences between them. Because usually before we did this, they just kind of throw something on and we just kinda roll with it, but it'll be fun to see each coach's different individual.
Speaker 1 00:08:22 All right, let's talk about softball. So as has been, well-documented shockers swept the conference titles last year, set a bunch of records, beat Texas a and M twice and NCAA regional play. So what lessons, what experiences do you take from 2021 and use them moving ahead in this season?
Speaker 2 00:08:40 The biggest thing for me last year, our team chemistry was awesome throughout the season. We had some kind of struggles in the fall to finding that team chemistry, but once we found it and we jumped right in the season, you know, it was there all year. Everybody was kinda in the same boat, rowing together, pulling for each other. So to me, that's huge for us if we can find that and we're working on it and building it right now. But when we jumped into games and stuff, if we can all just get behind each other, then I think we can have just as much success as we did last year. I definitely agree because you can have a full field of talent, but if you don't get along with each other, that's how it kind of goes down the drain because you have to, you have to be there for your teammates. You have to back them up. And that's what really gets us through the whole season. Yeah, we play well, we hit, well, you know, obviously we hit really well last year. You know, we always have strong defense, but if you don't have that connection, it's going to show and it's going to haul your play.
Speaker 1 00:09:39 So building that chemistry, does that start with the coaches or does it start with the players? Who's got more, more responsibility there.
Speaker 2 00:09:47 I think it's both, you know, coaches can do what they can do to say, Hey, you know, this is how we need to be as a team. This is what we're going to do, pound the stone and all that stuff. But it also has starts with the players and the leaders on the team going, Hey, this is what we want to do. We want to go to a regional, we want to go to a server. We want to win conference again. And this is how we have to do it. And so I think it's just a combination of both, both sides of it.
Speaker 1 00:10:11 Madison, what's your role with building that chemistry?
Speaker 2 00:10:14 Um, I would say I'm just, I'm someone people can look to. I feel like I'm a pretty reliable teammate. I'm always there for them because I don't know. That's just kind of how I was raised. And I feel like that is my job on this team. My team, my job on this team is to motivate, to get them fired up, to get them focused. And I felt like I do that part by just bringing the energy everyday, bringing the positivity and try to make sure that everybody feels like they're welcomed. I make that a goal every year, since I was a freshman, my freshman year, I feel like we kind of struggled to get that chemistry in the fall. And you know, maybe they weren't as open as they could have been with us. So every year I've made it a main focus in the fall to make sure that all our freshmen feel like they're a part of this family because we are a family. And that's, what's so great about our team is we're not just players. We're not just competing for a spot where family through and through. I mean, we ride and die together through anything. And I feel like that's something that I stand for in. Everybody knows that I stand for. And I always show it.
Speaker 2 00:11:29 I feel like, you know, she's the height man, the heart, the big energy. And I try to kind of bounce it out and I like to talk through his name. So I like to, if somebody is having a rough day or if I'm having a rough day, I like to talk with somebody and say, Hey, let's calm it down. You know, we're good. We practice, we've done this. So I try, I try to kind of, you know, help spread that out and keep everybody even does. She's not, not right at that this year. I mean, she's really stepped up as a leader this year, honestly, because nearly as a quiet girl, she's not super loud. I'm very energetic and loud and just out there really it's never been that way, but she stepped up this year and every day she gives us some words of wisdom that everybody is just like, took it back from because she just, she just knows what to say to get us going. And I feel like she's really stepped up to the plate this year for that.
Speaker 1 00:12:21 Yeah. So we kind of talk about leadership things until you actually played softball. And then we can talk about softball things. So I asked this to Aaron McDonald and Caitlin being up earlier this week. Was it a conscious decision over the summer or were you thinking, all right, well, Riley, Buck's not here anymore. A massive parent is not here anymore or somebody who's going to have to step up and say something and maybe that's something I need to prepare myself for. How do you approach it from that? Is there a, you know, a strategy to saying, all right, this is my time to maybe do something different than I'm done.
Speaker 2 00:12:51 I think, especially me going into it, like you said, we lost around the books. We lost the baby lines butters. So I knew that if we didn't prepare for that, there was going to be, that felt absence. And of course there always is to starting the year, but by this time we want to kind of go, okay, this is our team. This is who we feel competent in. And so I kind of did have to prepare myself and go, like she said, I'm not a big talker. I'm kind of a hangout, you know, here let's go like have a good time. She does it. She shows through her leadership what she did before she just showed by her play. Yeah. And so this year I was like, okay, like start giving the little bitty things after practice or Hey, let's, you know, we gotta focus on this. Just little things like that. That has to be anything crazy. But I just wanted to kind of take that next step and just be a little bit more vocal to kind of feel that, uh, what last year seen the left.
Speaker 1 00:13:44 So how many random people stopped you over the summer or texted you maybe in the fall when you got back here and say, Hey, I saw you on TV last spring. That was, that was really cool. Was that kind of a recurring thing over the last five or six months?
Speaker 2 00:13:57 Yeah, honestly, because our team did so well. And then I had an interview about high twos and everybody thought it was like the greatest thing ever. They thought it was hilarious. So I got a whole bunch of texts and I was like, I mean, it was great, but my team is even better. And that's why I was like, so pumped about doing the interview. Cause I was like, I get to talk about my teammates and I love them. So yeah. Yeah. We had, I think one of my parents, friends were in some restaurant or something and they actually had the game on the TV, like, you know, after everything had happened and they were like, oh, you know, we were watching. And so that's always cool to see that and just to get, to go back and remember, cause it was so fun last year to be able to remember that and then look forward to this year and go a week and make it just as fun and we can make it even better. And so it's exciting. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:14:47 All right. Let's help out some of the fans who are going to be tracking the shockers and coming out to Wilkins stadium later this spring, uh, hit him with a new cover or maybe a returner who played some last year, but it's going to be stepping into a larger role who is somebody they should be paying attention to as things get started.
Speaker 2 00:15:05 I think I'm a new comer that everyone should know about is Alison Cooper. She's a lefty pitcher. I mean, the girl has improved so much from fall. She has freaking movement. It's insane. I mean, we, we all struggled to hit against her and we have one of the best. I mean last year was a clear sign that we have one of the best, you know, offices and we struggle against her. And I think that maybe people don't know about her as much and they should be looking out for her because she is a stellar picture. She has everything in the book. I mean, she has curved dropped her. She is just every pitch you can think about. She has Bryce. She has everything. Her change up is nasty. They've been working on it and they've been persistent on getting that veteran. They have done, they've done what they set out to achieve. And I think that she is so ready to step in that circle and she's going to destroy it.
Speaker 1 00:16:04 Alright, good tip Neely. Who do you recommend people take, take attention to?
Speaker 2 00:16:08 Uh, well of course we have our two transfers, Ariel doing so Jones who are going to come in and kind of fill in some places in that line up and are going to be good defensively. They've got experience out there and you know, area's been doing this for a while. We like to joke and say, she's the, she's the old lady on the team for six years. But you know, they're going to bring a lot of experience and a lot of time into it. Um, I think somebody that I was like pumped about was Kristen, uh, in our scrimmages recently. I mean she hit, like, I don't know how many devils, but it was just double up, double up double and house. Like she is just squaring the bottle up like crazy. So she's one that could definitely, I could see getting in there and get some pressure. And,
Speaker 1 00:16:50 And you're talking about Krista Nelson, she's an infielder, Texas third base and then let's make sure people, uh, Ariel James transfer from Houston. She plays second. Okay. And then Zoe Jones is the transfer from Texas tech. She is a third baseman primarily. Okay. And let's get people, make sure we're filling in the gaps there. Madison, I interrupted you. What were you going to say?
Speaker 2 00:17:15 Oh, I'm just going to say that, uh, Christmas, not personnel since glove, it's just it's impeccable. I mean, the girl has such range and like nearly said, her hitting has improved so much. I mean, she was hitting doubles left and right. That was
Speaker 1 00:17:35 Doubles or good doubles are good. Uh what'd you learn about this team in the false scrimmages?
Speaker 2 00:17:41 We, to me, we're still, you know, ready to compete. We hit the ball. Well, we pitched well, and I think a lot of people, especially in the beginning of the year, we're kind of like focusing on that people that we lost, which is understandable, you know, you lose people like Madison Paragon. You're gonna feel that. But you know, we showed in the fall that we're back at it. We're still going to be just as good as we were last year. We're still ready. We believe that this team just as much as we believe in one last year. So for me, that was really awesome to see that we're still ready to go over. So by, yeah, I agree. I came in and I was like, I don't know if we're going to be as successful as we were last year because I didn't know the talent that was coming in. But once I saw our team and how we, you know, we performed, I was like, you know, there's no doubt in my mind that we could be way better than the team that we were last year, even with losing such fundamental players.
Speaker 1 00:18:36 So really you were a freshman in 2018 that NCAA regional team went, went to Arkansas, beat Oklahoma state twice. And when the shoppers did not play in the NCAA in 2019, we know the COVID shut down 2020. So all those experiences that you've had and then getting back to regional play last year, how do you pass on to maybe the younger players, the new players that, you know, last year success there's, there's no guarantee you got to put in a lot of work.
Speaker 2 00:19:02 Yeah. It's all about focusing on the team that we have now. You know, we like to celebrate what we did last year and what we've done in the past and what could be done with this program has just been amazing. But we also have to go look, this is the here and now this is what matters. Now last year, sober, put it up, put it in the books and kind of say, you know, let's look forward to what we're doing now. Let's be excited about what we get to do now. Let's enjoy every game, especially being my last one. I'm trying to soak everything in, have a good time, be out there and just do everything I can to help the team. And so I try to kind of share that with everybody else. Just be excited. Let's have fun and get to play softball.
Speaker 1 00:19:42 So Maddy, the high chew candy, uh, became a, just a central part of last season's fun, I think. And you were the originator of that. You were the spark that got high go going, tell us that story.
Speaker 2 00:19:54 Well, we were out of town and we were about to get on the bus and coach was like, Hey, do you guys want anything? I'm going to go into the store. And I was like, coach, can you please give me some hot shoes? She was like, what is that? But she found him, she came on the bus, she had two big bags and she was like mad. And I was like, ah, and then everybody on the bus was like, I want to try them. Everybody tried them. They enjoy doing the, then all the coaches try them. And they're like, this is it. You know, with the pandemic, we couldn't shake hands, give high fives. You know, we obviously have to keep our distance. So coach was like, I'm going to throw them out for home runs. And it just became a big thing. And now whether how to quit
Speaker 1 00:20:29 And hi to scent Wichita, state of bucket and iTunes. I
Speaker 2 00:20:32 See that
Speaker 1 00:20:35 Right. Exactly. You need a lot of high twos. If you're going to hit a lot of home runs is high twos. Is that St. Louis thing? Where did you come up with your love for that KV?
Speaker 2 00:20:42 I don't know if it's the St Louis thing, but I know that I'm, my mother knows that I don't really like chocolate or anything of the sort. So I always liked fruit flavored candy and she saw that they had mango. So she was like, I got to get this from Maddie. And she did, and I fell in love with them instantly. And I eat them every day, every day. So it just became a thing.
Speaker 1 00:21:02 Your favorite flavor of Hi-Chew Neeley. What about your,
Speaker 2 00:21:05 I know if my leaves fail, but I'll tell you every time in the fall or anything. If I do the Houma, I know I'm catching up mango high too, but I like the strawberry personally
Speaker 1 00:21:17 High for people who have not had that.
Speaker 2 00:21:19 It's almost like a Starburst, but better Laffy guy, really strong flavors. It's just so delicious.
Speaker 1 00:21:29 Lots of pets on this team. That's one of the interesting things about shocker softball, Maddie, you have a dog and two Guinea pigs. Is that correct?
Speaker 2 00:21:37 Um, my dog's name is Cruz and I have two Guinea things and one's name is smores. The other one is sugar couch actually bought me one of my Guinea pigs as a, as a gift. It was really, it was a beautiful story. My, I had a Guinea pig. His name was Hank. He kind of was like our team pet. Everybody knew about it. And everybody came over to see him. He was a big part of everything. I hadn't brought him to the field. One time he passed away. I was distraught to say the least and coach B and everybody on the team was just so supportive in me. In that moment. We took that weekend. We sweat UCF and I remember butters in the middle was like this one's for, Hey, we're sweeping on this weekend. And we did just that. And then we came back on the bus and I was like, why is, why is waning here?
Speaker 2 00:22:27 My roommate, which is one of our catcher. She was injured last year, but I was like, why is Laney here? She comes up. And she had, uh, she had snores in her van. I was like, oh my gosh. And coach bought her for me. And I was like, I mean, that's just how coaches, she's just a genuine person. I mean, obviously she's, you know, she's going to get onto us on the field. She's going to get us ready. But she also has just one of the kindest hearts and she bought me that Guinea pig. And I, I swear, I, I'm never gonna forget that.
Speaker 1 00:22:57 So hyper getting paid, played an important role. And this was last season seasons success. Interesting. I didn't know that. How did you get into Guinea pigs?
Speaker 2 00:23:06 Honestly, it was, it was kind of an idea for my ex-boyfriend and he was like, let's get one together. So we did and that's Hank was the Guinea pig we got together. And then I was like, I got to keep getting more because obviously I love 'em and they're, they're not too much to handle. So I was like, it's good for the softball season. And then this year I was just like, you know what, I'm going to get a dog. And I did that kinda, I'm kinda spontaneous as a Caitlin, being able to say,
Speaker 1 00:23:37 What's your pet situation?
Speaker 2 00:23:38 Actually, my landlord, we aren't allowed to have pets, but I am a big dog person. So that's the first thing I'm doing after I get done with school and all that. And I get back to Oklahoma is giving me, I can't teach you some Madden who was like a big old dog, like a great day. And you know, the six footer.
Speaker 1 00:23:58 So Madison, if you follow shocker softball on social media, you saw the tattoo. Tell us about the tattoo. Describe that for people who had not seen it.
Speaker 2 00:24:07 Well, I have shops in my lower lip. It was kinda, it was kinda just spontaneous. You know, I live in die for shocker nation. I would die for anyone on this team. Even the coaches, I love them all. And you know, we've kind of built this sisterhood. So I was like, you know what, I'm going to get a tattoo that has includes shopper nation because there's nothing better than shocker nation. So I went to go get another tattoo. And two of our, my fellow teammates actually went with me, uh, Kristen Nelson and Allison Cooper went and I got that tattoo. And it was just like a memory you're never going to forget. And I mean, I didn't even feel the pain because I was like, this is for shocker nation. So I don't even feel anything. I mean, and it, I mean, it's gotta be some, some views because it's out there.
Speaker 2 00:24:58 I'm not afraid to say that I, I live for Shaka nation. And once you said she would die, for sure. She worked the team needs you to jump in front of that bus. She would jump in front of that bus. That's just how devoted she is, which is I want to show up. That's a good word. I wanted to show how committed I am to shop her nation. And what better way to do it than a tattoo. That's going to be on your skin for a while. And it's in my lit. So, you know, it's, it's a sensitive area, but I was willing to do it. I was willing to go through anything for shock at softball.
Speaker 1 00:25:32 I was curious about that. Is it more painful than a regular tattoo?
Speaker 2 00:25:36 Um, it's not, it wasn't too bad. I'd say my worst tattoo was probably on my ankle, but the lip, I mean, it definitely was a little bit uncomfortable because I hadn't quoted in a specific position and there was like spit. I was like, okay. And you know, it's a tattoo. So it's, it's not going to be something that's, you know, painless, but it did. There was a little pain.
Speaker 1 00:26:02 And does it last as long on the inside of your mouth as a tattoo on your shoulder
Speaker 2 00:26:07 To last a few years, but best believe when I'm graduated, I will be getting a shocker tattoo as a memory, because this is something that I'm never going to forget. I mean, I've only been here three years, but I'm considered a sophomore because help it. But the two years or three years that I've been here have really, you know, they've changed me as a person in a better way. And I think that it's just something that I'm never going to forget because this, this whole program is, it's just spectacular. I mean, we're shocker, we're shocker spectacular. That's the great thing about how coach B runs everything and how coach and Presley. And when you're here, it's not just about being shopper, softball player. Like you grow so much, you learn so much, you never forget this. I said, I'm never going to forget these five years that I've been here and that there forever, it will be some best memories of that.
Speaker 1 00:27:05 It's like a shocker spectacular that just didn't fit on the, on the inside of the lid. So you had to, you had to short,
Speaker 2 00:27:11 I wanted to get shocker nation, like the shocker on the top lip and the nation on the bottle. But then I was like, you know, I don't think it's a good fit. And I was really bummed about that, but I was like, Hey, shots is good. You know? So I had to get it. I had to get in it's, you know, I'm never going to forget it.
Speaker 1 00:27:32 Sidney bikini. We mentioned her shortstop had great. And last season she was conference player of the year, all American let's wrap up by just giving people some insight. What has made her such a, such a great hitter.
Speaker 2 00:27:45 She was calm and collected. I mean, I've never seen that girl nervous since I've been here. She just knows that she has prepared for this moment. And she embraces the moment when she gets up to pet up to that. She is so ready for anything. When she's building, she's ready for it. I mean, there's nothing that she is not prepared for. They say, when you prepare, you don't have for you. She doesn't have here because she's knows that she's put in that at work. Yeah. She's just a gamer. I mean, you can see it anytime we're out on the field, anytime we're stepping in between the lines play games, she's just ready to go. She's ready to compete. And she trusts her own abilities that she should because she's proven. I mean, she's, you know, she's awesome. All American I've been working, you said, literally you don't even need to say anymore, but soon, you know, since not even just a great player, she's a great person, a great person to look up to a leader. I mean, she, she's just amazing all around. And I think that it shows when she comes on the field. Not only should you be a player, but she's a good person, a good teammate. She's somebody you just, I don't know you, she says anything to you. You're like, oh my God, like you take it to heart because she's such, she's just such an impeccable person. Yeah. And I got to say the best throwing partner that you could ever have.
Speaker 1 00:29:02 What makes her a good throwing
Speaker 2 00:29:04 Partner? Well, she's always out there first. So she always beats me out there, you know, get to be hustling to get over there. And we don't take too long, you know, some of the outfielders and people like to throw a lot on me and said, we're just like, get in there, get, get it done and get it ready for press.
Speaker 1 00:29:21 And are you paired together? Cause she plays shortstop. You played first play first base and it's just kind of an apical pairing or how does that
Speaker 2 00:29:27 Actually, a couple of years ago, I think it just kind of happened and it was just like, oh, you know, Sydney department. Okay. And then, you know, I want you to get a throwing partner you're pretty much done prior to July. And so ever since then, I was feeling pretty bad when I had gone a boot for a little bit in the fall. And Maddie had to take over my throwing partner close as well. But you know, the connection that they used to get, you know, it's never going to be broken even when she's gone next year, which is going to be a heartbreaking moment for me. You know, I'm probably going to bawl my eyes out because she's such a great, just a great person. I mean, the connection they have is you can't break it.
Speaker 1 00:30:06 I'm not going to pretend that I've watched, you know, millions of hours of softball hitters. But one thing that stands out to me about Sidney is she seemed to have an amazing ability to hit bad pitches, to just take it and just kind of flip it over the second basement and all those kinds of things. Is that something that really stands out about that?
Speaker 2 00:30:22 As I would say, she's got the whip. I mean, no matter where that ball is, she's getting that barrel to it. She's getting to it. And she always gets on because I don't know, she just always manages to hit it where they're not, I mean, I've seen her hit balls over her head, her base hits, doubles. I mean, she could just put that back. She's got such good, bad control and hand eye coordination. I mean, she, she could put that bat head wherever she needs to, no matter where the ball is. And that's why she only strikes out once or twice the whole season. I think I've only ever seen it when it happens. I'm like what just happened? You know? Cause it's, it's so good. I mean the heart's out in the conference easily. I mean maybe yeah. I feel like maybe the whole, she was just horrible to softball nation. I feel like, I don't know. Maybe I'm just biased because it's so good. But I mean, I've seen that that girl hit balls in the dirt and I'm like, how does she deal with that? It's just touching them either.
Speaker 2 00:31:28 I don't think so. No, I don't think so, but I don't know if she's gotten like amazing, amazing hits off. I mean, I wouldn't doubt it. I would have said hits off everyone, but I do stuff coming from the left side, Allie, when she gets in the circle, you can tell she's got that game and she's done. She's determined. I swear. She came to that. So determined me and my roommate, uh, around we're talking about her. And we were like, she is so determined and you can see it when she starts in that circle. She's like, I got this, you know, she just has this. She just believes in herself. And that it's all a mindset. I mean, any position you play it's about your mindset and she has that mindset. So I mean, if you're not, if you've got talent and you got the mindset, I mean, you're really, really a force to be messed with. I mean, she's just, she's just too good at the game.
Speaker 1 00:32:38 Thank
Speaker 3 00:32:38 You. Listening to the roundhouse podcast, courtesy of Wichita state university, strategic communications. We appreciate your time. We encourage you to rate review, subscribe, wherever you get your podcasts, such as on iTunes or Google play, you can find more roundhouse
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Speaker 4 00:33:00 And they let him pass it up court. And then it gets picked up along three by PENGOS. No good. One second. It's over. It is over. And what your task has beaten. The number one team in the nation to go to the sweet 16, go crazy. What Utah.
