I was not expecting to get Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) MVP award this summer. I was just coming down here to play softball and win. To get this prestigious award, on top of it being the inaugural year of a women's summer league for softball, felt more than amazing. I know a lot of people around me are proud of me, which makes me extremely happy, but I'm just so proud of myself. I feel like I've really come to understand the player I am this summer and who I can be in the future. I've been able to do it all while having fun and enjoying my summer. I'm glad to still love this sport after 13 years of playing it and blessed for the opportunities it has given me.
The All-Star game (and weekend) was awesome. There was no pressure and we were able to just go out there and have fun with it, while getting to know each other. It was kind of like how the beginning of summer went. I also had the opportunity to participate in two Home Run Derbies – one with other players from our collegiate league and another against three members of the USSSA Pride pro team. We had a blast competing, and you know what else is a good feeling? Winning in the postseason tournament with the RiverMocs!
This experience has been an amazing one. It has taught me that I need to go outside of what I am used to and experience new things. I am so glad I had this opportunity, and now an extension to it. I was asked to stay and play three games against the USSSA Pride professional softball team in Viera, Florida. I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I just had to stay longer, no matter how much I am missing home and my family and friends. We play at the Space Coast Stadium, which is their home stadium, and it's an awesome facility. I am lucky to be a part of the team that is getting the opportunity to play the Pride.
I feel as though I have become a better leader throughout the season and this experience. It was not a new role for me, but it gave me more of a view of what it's like to lead without being around people I have been playing with for months and years. I hope to continue this role around my teammates at ISU and in life in general. I feel way more comfortable leading and learning the mindsets of the people around me.
Being in Florida for 6 weeks, I told myself I would try new things. One of those "firsts" was I tried oysters! And I surprisingly really liked them. I also went parasailing and I was probably at the beach 3-4 times a week down here, so I really took advantage of that. Other than that, I don't really have any crazy "firsts." Everything we did surrounding softball; I pretty much already knew or just gained more knowledge on, which I'm looking forward to taking back with me to Illinois State and my teammates.
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