Thursday, February 28, 2008
All freshmen have to adapt in their first year of college and college athletes are no different. Freshman catcher Brittany Hile said she already understood the differences in competition level from high school to college.
Hile splits time with junior catcher Elle Pottorf behind the plate for the University of Kansas softball team. Hile was in the starting line-up for 15 of the Jayhawks’ 16 games so far this season. She said the biggest difference in high school to college competition was the mental part of the game.
Freshman catcher Brittany Hile has been transitioning from high school to college level softball this year. Hile's mentor Elle Pottorf has been a large influence and help in her transition.
“You have to be in the game all the time, every time,” Hile said.
Hile said she was predisposed to softball because her brother was always involved in sports.
“Before I could actually play, I was always running around the fields with him,” Hile said.
She admitted she always had either a basketball or a glove with her so she could play sports.
Hile said her family moved around a lot when she was growing up and she lived in both Minnesota and Florida at different points in her life. When her family settled in Kansas, Hile said that being close to home influenced her choice to play softball for the Jayhawks.
Hile said she tried to adapt to the college game by communicating and learning from the upperclassmen on the team and from the coaches. Hile said while playing behind Pottorf she tried to learn from her work ethic.
“She’s really pushed me to become a better catcher,” Hile said.
Hile said she noticed the work Pottorf put into even the little things, like blocking the ball.
“In college ball, even the littlest thing, you really have to focus on that,” Hile said.
breakbox
Hile’s offensive statistics
.268 batting average
.488 slugging percentage
5 RBIs
9 runs scored
3 doubles
2 homeruns
Hile starts as the designated hitter when she is not catching and she said she enjoyed just being a part of the game.
“It’s always hard for me to just sit back and watch,” Hile said. I always want to be a part of it no matter what I have to do.”
The Jayhawks prepare to face off against the Northwestern Wildcats this weekend. The Wildcats are ranked fifth, according to the espn.com USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll. Hile said she was especially looking forward to facing one of Northwestern’s pitchers, sophomore Lauren Delaney. Hile said that she faced Delaney in summer ball when she was a junior in high school
“She threw the ball hard. It was kind of a shocker, but it got me ready for the next level,” Hile said.
Hile said her expectations coming into her freshman season were just to have fun and win. She has contributed a lot to early success of the team, as she is tied for the team lead in doubles and third in slugging percentage. Hile continues to play a large role for the Jayhawks as they travel to Carbondale, Ill. for the Southern Illinois Invitational this weekend where they will face Northwestern, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois and Bradley.
—Edited by Madeline Hyden
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