Prior to the ASU softball team’s clash against Alabama on Friday, ASU freshman third baseman Haley Steele talked to The State Press about the Women’s College World Series.
State Press: You’ve had a lot of hard hit balls hit to you at third base. How do you prepare for that since you are so close to the batter?
Haley Steele: In practice we always work a lot on hard hit balls. I just trust our preparation and I’m never really nervous about it. It’s actually a lot easier for me to field a ball hit hard at me than a soft ball, because I don’t have to think about it as much. It’s all reaction.
SP: You had a big double play in the seventh inning of the game against Oregon. Can you run me through that play and what you were thinking before the ball was hit?
HS: It was definitely a game-changer. It really changed the momentum of the last inning there. We really needed those first two outs of the inning. I actually didn’t know it was that big of a play until I turned around and everybody was riled up. It really changed our team’s mentality and I hope that momentum carries on into Friday.
SP: Speaking of that, you are playing Alabama next and they have a lot of really talented slap hitters. When you are coming in and you have the slap hitter so close to you, how can you get the advantage on your side being just feet away from the hitter?
HS: Depending on the situation there is not much to it, except being in the right place. I need to make sure I react and I stay low and I move with my head to the ball.
SP: How helpful has it been to have one of the most experienced players in the country, Katelyn Boyd, playing next to you for a whole season?
HS: It’s been great. I’ve really learned a lot from her and I’ve been able to pick up a lot from her. She’s a great shortstop and I’ve learned so much from playing with her. She’s always there giving me reminders. She’s been extremely helpful and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to play with her this year.
SP: You’re leading the team in batting average for the postseason and now are in the third spot of the order. How are you able to keep that momentum going and perform so well in the postseason thus far?
HS: Coach Myers always tells us it’s a marathon not a sprint. This whole year I have really taken the opportunity to learn a lot and now that we are in the final third of the season, I have really been able to put all of my preparation into action. I am really excited to see it pay off.
Reach the reporter at jjmckelv@asu.edu
