April 30, 2007
What has been the biggest difference between college and high school hitters?
Vicky Brown: As a whole, college teams are much more aggressive at the plate. In high school, you may face one or two aggressive hitters, but not the whole team.
Who has the most unique personality on the team?
VB: BK. She wins in that category. She is extremely outgoing and has a very true personality. She makes you feel at home and makes sure she gets to know everyone.
What did you do in your free time at your first college tournaments?
VB: Free time, what is free time? I guess just vedge out and take advantage of a full bed.
Which Big Ten opponent are you most looking forward to playing?
VB: Northwestern, just because of how well they did last year and I want to beat the best.
Do you have any dugout rituals?
VB: Ashley and I have our Jordan earrings and matching wristbands. And I always get stretched out by the trainer before the game after our hitting stations.
Are you superstitious at all?
VB: I'm not really superstitious, I just get in a set ritual each game.
Which upperclassman has helped you the most?
VB: Makenzie. She teaches me the most about how to get by and all the little things.
Do you have a favorite dugout snack?
VB: Not really, we usually just get bananas, granola bars, and Gatorade, that's about it.
Besides pitching, what is your favorite position?
VB: I don't really play anything else, but I guess I'd pick first base.
Do you have a favorite drill to do at practice?
VB: Probably the dropped third strike defense one.
Is there a team prankster?
VB: Makenzie, Makenzie again. She's just a big jokester.
What has been the biggest difference between college and high school hitters?
Christine Christopoulos: The college hitters are definitely more aggressive. You can't just throw strikes down the middle. You have to hit your spots and make your pitches move, which is a big part of it. No mistake pitches.
Who has the most unique personality on the team?
CC: BK, definitely. She is very outgoing all the time and has her quirky ways. She also made up a dance after we won the Capital Classic Tournament; it was called the Sacramento Sweep. It was interesting, you should ask her about it.
What did you do in your free time at your first college tournaments?
CC: Rest, relax, and just try to talk to some of the players you don't see as much during the week because of different class schedules.
Which Big Ten opponent are you most looking forward to playing?
CC: Northwestern, I grew up pretty close to there and I know some girls on the team. It should be pretty exciting because they are a pretty good team and fun to play.
Do you have any dugout rituals?
CC: I always tend to stand near the stairs where we walk out. That's about it.
Are you superstitious at all?
CC: Yea, I am, I shouldn't be, but I am. Like the media guide says, I have a lucky body wash that I use the night before the game. If things are going well, I will do everything the same, like putting on my batting gloves in the same order.
Which upperclassman has helped you the most?
CC: I'd say Diller. She really knows the game and it's always good to listen to her talk in the dugout.
Do you have a favorite dugout snack?
CC: Bananas. We always get bananas on every trip and I love it. In between games we always have them.
Besides pitching, what is your favorite position?
CC: First Base.
Do you have a favorite drill to do at practice?
CC: I love when the pitchers play Strike. It's like horse, someone will throw a pitch and you have to try to hit the same spot and if you miss, you get a letter.
Is there a team prankster?
CC: Not yet, maybe me next year. Don't tell anyone.
What has been the biggest difference between college and high school hitters?
Ashley Wright: The pitching mound in high school is at 40 feet instead of 43 feet, like it is here. I needed to adjust to that and get used to the higher level of talent that I face.
Who has the most unique personality on the team?
AW: BK. She's always upbeat and loud during the games and leads cheers.
What did you do in your free time at your first college tournaments?
AW: Listen to music, watch movies, do homework.
Which Big Ten opponent are you most looking forward to playing?
AW: Michigan because they have the big college atmosphere and a solid program.
Do you have any dugout rituals?
AW: I like to listen to the same songs before games. Vicki and I have matching earrings and wristbands, too.
Are you superstitious at all?
AW: Not really.
Which upperclassman has helped you the most?
AW: A lot of them have in different ways, but I'd say BK, being a catcher and all.
Do you have a favorite dugout snack?
AW: Gatorade.
Besides pitching, what is your favorite position?
AW: First base, I used to play there.
Do you have a favorite drill to do at practice?
AW: I like taking ground balls at the mound.
Is there a team prankster?
AW: Makenzie.
