September 29, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode, AJ interviews Ana Gold, the rookie of the year and infielder for the AUSL Blaze. Ana shares her journey from a determined young athlete to becoming the Rookie of the Year in professional softball. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and reflects on her experiences, including the challenges of transitioning to professional sports and the thrill of competing against her idols.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. Welcome to Dropping Diamonds with Me
Aj Andrews, where we dive headfirst into the world of softball.
(00:23):
Today we are joined by the the Rookie of the
Year and infielder of the UAUSL Blaze, Anna Gold. Anna,
thank you so much for coming on the show. Of course,
thank you for having me. I'm so excited. Yay, I'm
excited too. I don't know, you know, it's not every
day you can just sit and talk to a Rookie
(00:45):
of the Year, So this is super exciting for me
as well, Banna. Every time I start the podcast, I
like to start with a quote, but then also like
build an affirmation from it, because in the sport of softball,
we need motivation and all the time in order to
keep going, you know, playing this game of failure. And
so one quote that I kind of thought was very fitting,
(01:09):
being that I am talking to Miss Gold herself, is
that every moment is golden for those that have the
vision to see it as such.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Hmmm.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I love that. What affirmation. Do you think we can
pull from that m like what it represents kind of
or we could just like come up with them. Yeah,
whatever it like first comes to mind. We can come
up with an affirmation. If you wake up every morning
if you saw the quote, what would you tell yourself
in the mirror? You are golden. You're a golden girl,
(01:40):
just because I.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Think positive, positive words coming out of your mouth already
set you up for a great day. So kind of
starting it off like I am that girl, Like I'm golden.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
I can do whatever I put my mind to.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Oh okay, Okay, so let's say I'm huge on the rhymes.
So if we did, You're bold, you don't fold. It's
your life, You're in control. Okay, M Today I'm basically gold.
(02:17):
Or today I'm gold. Today, Today I'm gold. Do you
like that? Today I'm gold, You're bold, you don't fold,
it's your life, You're in control. Today. I shine bright
as cold old. Yeah, and I like it. Do you
have a quote or affirmation that has really gotten you
through your career in softball?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I think like along the way, I've kind of like
grabbed little ones here and there, like I'm big on
like control, like I am control of my life and
I'm just that like I'm I'm that girl, you know.
And I think just having confidence and everything you do
can get you a long way, because if you don't
believe in yourself, then like who else will? And then
(03:02):
I like become presence too, So like being very present
in the moment, you know, having your shoulders back, head high.
And I think that also builds your confidence as well.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Oh, I love because it's so easy to not or
to get away from being present in the moment, like
starting to think about, okay, my next ab or I
didn't do well here on the you know what, maybe
make an error you're's Oh, it's we're constantly thinking about
either the past or the future, and it's really hard
to maintain presence. What have you done in order to
make sure you stay in those present moments when your
(03:33):
mind is trying to take you elsewhere. I like to
make jokes.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
I like to laugh at my teammates, you know, try
to enjoy those around me, because then my mind gets
taken off of you know, maybe my last dot that
or if I'm in an error, and then I'm also
very deep in my faith. So you know, praying to God,
talking to him in that moment, just asking to get
my mind right there.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
What's like sometimes I think about, uh, you know, the
prayers I've sent up to the universe in my times
of need. What was your most like die your prayer,
Like I'll listen. I don't know if you listen, but
please clock in right now because I need to help.
Do you remember like a moment where it's like, this
is a moment where I really need to be present
(04:15):
and you're kind of calling to yourself, calling to God
to kind of help you get right.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah, I can think specifically. I think it was my
sophomore year in college actually, and or maybe my freshman year.
I forget, but I remember I like struck out my
first two at bats and I was like, God, like
I need you, like I have one more bat left.
It's helped me at least at least make contact with
the ball and I end up hitting a home run.
So yeah, that also just shows up never give up, obviously,
(04:43):
But yeah, that was that was definitely a moment that
I can remember that.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
All right now, God answer the call. We love to
hear that. And also you're probably just you're just a
great hitter. So it's like, yeah, I made the adjustments
I needed, and you know, just a god behind me. Yeah,
of course. Do you remember your the moment when you
knew softball was a sport for you.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I would probably say my early years of high school,
freshman sophomore year. I can't think of a specific moment. Well,
that's when my brother and my older brother committed to
play baseball in college and I didn't really know, like
it was like a huge thing, like you could get
scholarship to go play sport. Yeah, that's when I kind
of was like, I want to do that. And I
played basketball up until my sophomore year of high school,
(05:31):
so I was like between softball and baseball, but softball
and basketball. But I just knew that I was way
more talented at softball and I knew that could get
me farther, and I also enjoyed it more. So. I
think probably my freshman sophomore of high school is when
I was really like like, this is what I want
to pursue, this is what I want to do, this
is what I want to help get me far in life.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
So I love that, and everybody kind of asked the
Simes feels Why why softball because I play multi different
sports when I was younger too. I just think that
I was like, you know, there's no other sport where
I could just be like cheering at the top of
my lungs every inning, making up these cheers, banging on buckets.
I don't know. I think it was just the team camaraderie,
mixed wealth, also with being able to dive around the outfield.
(06:16):
But it was just an experience that I feel like
I hadn't really had any other sports super competitive, right,
So every other sport played basketball, ran track, soccer as well.
There's there's just not a lot of moments like breaks
for fun in those sports, right, You just like, go go, go,
go go. You know, in basketball and softball, you at
(06:36):
least had like when you're not up to bat, at
least have a moment to cheer for somebody else. You
playing basketball. Your family is extremely athletic as well. Your
dad played baseball, your mom played basketball, and then of
course your brother played baseball as well. He was drafted
to Amo.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah, he was drafted, oh gosh, twenty two maybe, I think, yeah,
to the Tigers, Detroit Tiger.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah, he went to Boston College. Played baseball there. And
then my younger brother he's a junior at Boston College.
He also plays baseball. He's a pitcher.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Look at this, Yeah, it's a family full of athletes. Yeah,
you're probably just going to what it was like growing
up with just such a competitive and athletic family. They
to kind of help you and help you mold into
that athlete you are today.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Oh yeah, one hundred percent. We're super competitive and everything
that we did, and I think if one of us
was going to work out, then the other two were
going with them. Like I think it just motivated each
other and just seeing one person being successful at what
they're doing, like mad, it made us want to do
it as well. And like we would all work out
(07:44):
with each other, we'd like give each other tips, give
each other advice, And I think like that was really
helpful in my development, you know, playing with boys and yeah,
kind of being more competitive with them.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
What do you feel like is maybe like the biggest
lesson and you've learned from your parents or your brothers
that still you still hold true to you today.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, I just think I'm always going to go back to,
like you have to believe in yourself even when no
one else does, because I had a lot of people
who I think doubted me, like throughout my whole career,
but especially like once I was like looking at colleges,
(08:27):
like different colleges, people might might have thought, like, oh,
she can't go play there, she can't go play there,
but like I didn't care what everyone else was saying,
you know, and like just saying like I've had people
tell me that I wouldn't have success at the college level,
but like I didn't care what anyone else like said,
Like I knew what I could do when I was
capable of and I was gonna work my butt off
(08:48):
not to prove those people wrong, but I think just
to show like myself that like what I can put
my mind too, I can do.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
I love it to not I'm doing this not to
prove you wrong, but to prove myself right. Essentially, I'm
going out there to prove myself right and what I
know that I can do, what I know I can achieve,
And not only did you do it, but you did
it in a major, major way. Going to play at
Duke University for your letter winner you started two hundred
(09:18):
and thirty of two hundred and thirty two games. Were
you sick? Just the other two? Honestly, I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Yeah, I know I broke I broke my panky my
freshman year, so that might have been.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
So and so you already hear first. Guys, the only
reason she can play those other two games is it
because she was injured, so I know would have been
all over that field. What do you feel like, I
mean in order to be able to achieve that, I mean,
you played all games for your letter winner. You step
in because freshman year can be intimidating sometimes, you know what,
(09:54):
our travel ball teams were the best, and then we
go into an environment where everybody was the best, and
you're now competing at in order to win a spot
for you to go in and win that spot, but
then also maintained such consistency throughout those four years. What
do you feel like it took for you to do that?
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Yeah, I think you know, when you step on campus
as a freshman, you feel like you have to do
like be someone else or be extra. I really tried
to stay true to myself and just knew that if
I was me that that was enough. So I really
tried to cancel all like the outside noise and like
almost forget the fact that there were girls on my
team four years older than me and I was just
(10:31):
playing softball, you know, same.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Bat, same yellow ball.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
So that's kind of what I tried to tried to
remind myself.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Same bat, same yellow ball. Just go out and play.
And when you feel like you stepped on the field
at Duke, was there a moment where you felt really
comfortable or where you felt like, oh, I know that
not only can I come out here and compete with
all these girls, but I can start. And not only
can I start, but I can do really really well
this university.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Yeah, I think just you know, like our fall scrimmage games,
I had a pretty decent amount of success, you know,
the coaches and like the players around me, Like I
felt very welcome, like as soon as I slept on
to campus, and like, yes, a little bit intimidated, but
nothing like too overwhelming. But I think, yeah, just you know,
being able to compete in practice in those scrimmage games definitely,
(11:23):
like it gave me kind of an idea like I
could I could potentially like have a starting spot when
it comes to springtime. So that's what I worked for.
Off of all and then it ended up happening.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Duke Softball is only ten years old, I believe right
twenty fifteen was the start.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
I think this would be the ninth going in here.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
H Yeah, that's crazy. Such a young program that has
had so much success off rip and you being a
part of that success. Why do you think that Duke
has had the success that is had as a as
a program even though it's so new to the softball space.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Yeah, I mean, I think coach Young, that Marissa Young,
she does such a great job at like promoting a
culture of just excellence all around. And I think like
she's really big on accountability, holding each other accountable and
(12:28):
just holding one another to a higher standard.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
And I think like that's.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
A big reason while there has been some success, is
so much success is because of the culture she's built.
And like I think all the girls when they come in,
they buy into what she's saying, which is huge. You know,
you don't have people who are like not bought in.
And I think being a cohesive unit is huge in
(12:54):
part of having success. So I think she's done a
great job of the program obviously, but then also the
girl's being able to buy in and to what she's
saying is huge.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
What is Coach Young saying? What does she say that
fires y'all up and says, Okay, you got me, coach,
I'm locked in. We have three like core core values,
which I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
I won't get into that now, but I think those
three things that she talks about, like it's not only
for softball, but it's also for life, Like she's trying
to make us a better woman off.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
The field as well. And I think that it just
shows that she.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Cares about us like as human beings, as people, and
she cares about our mental health. So I think just
knowing that it like knowing that she cares about us
like makes us want to like listen to her and
be better for her obviously, So I think that just
her caring for us like as a person overall helps
a lot.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
Are the three core values? Just like y'all's secret, y'all
don't share it if you're not in the Duke's stratosphere,
I don't. I don't know about that.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
I don't think so, but I will say one of
them is life of excellence, Like living a life of
excellence on and off the field. You know, if you
see a piece of ground, a piece of garbage on
the ground, don't walk by it, pick it up. Just
little stuff like that. But I think like knowing that
she cares about us as people like she can get
like on us, and we know that it's not.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Because she like hates us or anything.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
It's because she does care about us, and she's holding
us accountable and she wants us to do better.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
And so it's for the best. If I see somebody
putting their grocery cart away at the grocery store, I
can know that, Okay, wow, you probably did Dukes sometball. Yeah,
but that good. You got it. Well, those three core values,
we know one, but the other two are also what
helped that historic run in twenty twenty four that you
(14:47):
were a part of the Duke's first trip to the
Women's College World Series. Yeah, when you look back on
that season, what was the biggest adversity that the te
overcame in order to get there to make it that far?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I just remember we had so many like tight games
like within one run, or like we'd be tied until
like the last inning and we'd win. Like there there
were so many of those games that we always came
out on top, and I think it just showed our
grit that, like we were not letting anything get in
(15:25):
our way to making it to the World Series, Like
that was our goal from the moment we stepped on
campus and fall, we literally talked about like every day
we're playing for the World Series, Like it doesn't matter
how you feel today. You know, like we're gonna go
all in so that we can be at the World
Series in June or May or whatever it was. But Yeah,
(15:50):
that team just had so much grit. We went through
a lot of adversity with you know, just I feel like,
like I said, like having so many close scoring games,
but we always came out on top because we never
stopped believing in ourselves and believing in each other.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Let's take a quick break to hear word from our sponsor.
So your determination to get to the World Series in
twenty twenty four started from the very beginning, started from fall.
How important do you feel like that is in order
(16:26):
to make it all the way because seasons get long,
seasons get tired, and having a reminder every single day
from the start of where you want to end, how
do you feel like that basically sets up your trajectory
for the season.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Yeah, I feel like it's super important. It's almost like
what's your why, Like why are you playing today? And
I think for a lot of us it was because,
like we're making it to the World Series. You know.
Last year before that, we lost Super Regionals that we hosted,
and I just remember like crying on the field after that,
like my heart was broken, and like I never wanted
(17:01):
anything so bad than to go to the World Series.
So I knew every day for the next year like
that is what my focus was, you know. And like
obviously you have to be present in the moment and
like still like be where your feet are and compete,
but just having that like as in like the back
of your mind almost, I think it's definitely a motivation.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
I don't know if there's anything more motivational than watching
a team celebrate on your home field to move on,
whether it's the Super Regionals or the World Series. It
is like the most gut punching feeling. It's all right,
we never want to feel like this again, y'all. Making
sure this doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Literally, that was exactly me, but like my heart was
ripped out.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Okay, so you make it to the World Series, you're
in Oklahoma City. You look around, what is the feeling.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
At Like no words, Like you literally look around and
you see all the fans and you're just like like
is this real? Like literally a pinch me moment. Like
I've watched the World Series ever since I was a
little girl, and I'm like, like, it's literally a dream
everything you could ever dream of, like experience what the
World Series is like it was that and more. I
like still like can think about it and I'm like.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
In awe, my love in all the World Series. Your
career in softball, you are someone that I would assume
was a big leader, a big portion of the Duke softball.
You have two Grand Slams in one game Sister eight
RBIs and I was against North Dakota State, which was
(18:34):
a legendary game for you. In those kind of games
where you are just on fire, like you're unstoppable, no
one can stop you, what is the mentality that is
present throughout the entire game.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yeah, I just I feel like I have those games
where I feel like I'm unstoppable and like I'm almost
like in my own little world, like I'm seeing the
ball like it looks like beach balls. Yeah, I just
I feel like I'm on top of the world. And
sometimes it's like like it's not like I put myself
in this position like to feel like that way, to
(19:11):
feel like I'm on top of the world. I feel
like some days you just wake up and it's like
like I'm gonna I'm gonna like be a beast today,
and it just happens, you know.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
I feel like I feel like.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
You can't always put yourself in like that mind space.
I feel like otherwise I would like hit ten hormuns
every day.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
I love it. Lexid, I'm gonna be a beast today,
and that's kind of just done. I don't really know
what else to tell you, guys. I'm gonna be a
beast today. I don't know what that's gonna look like.
But the beast is a risen here I am, and
that leads to two grand slams in one game. All right, Well,
(19:51):
I think that's what I mean. Movie should just switch
our affirmation or add to it. Be in control. I'm
a beast. Time to go for gold? Oh yeah, I
like it could be a beast to day go for goal. Well,
not only were you a beast that day, but you
also broke Duke's all time home run record. Mm hmm.
(20:15):
So you're a beast just about every single day on
a What did that milestone mean to you? And what
did I mean? I feel like when we talked about
earlier about you proving yourself, right, I feel like in
those moments that had been one of them where you
proved yourself and everybody else right who believed in you.
What did it mean to you?
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Yeah, it meant a lot for me because that was
my junior year. I think, yeah, it was my junior year,
which was honestly, it was a hard time for me
just because I wasn't performing as well as I wanted to,
and it was honestly one of the worst seasons of
my career.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
So it was kind of like a little pick.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Me up after after I hit that home run to
break the record, and I think, yeah, it was just
a little bit like you still got it, like you
can do it.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
But yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
It was such an honor, you know, because there's been
so many amazing players to go through the Duke program,
So to be able to do that, it's it's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
You still got it. I think it's said. I mean,
I have softball players. It's so funny when we are
we're just good, right, you'd be one of the best players.
But then you have a bad game or you have
a bad series, and all of a sudden, just like
doubt starts to creep in and you just don't feel
as confident as you have, which makes you doubt yourself
(21:35):
even though you've prove in just how good you are.
And I think it's so amazing how there's always another
game like go into that, just that other game with
a different mentality, and you never know what could happen.
You could end up breaking the Duke home run record
going in when you change your mentality from you know,
feeling like you didn't have a great year, and then
you come in and you'll be able to have that
(21:56):
huge milestone for you. What do you feel like it
proves in the game of softball.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
I just think like goes back to never giving up.
You know. It's like, yeah, I could have given up
the rest of the season, and just like like that
would have happened if I if I gave up, you know,
like I could have been like I don't care about this,
like f this, you know, but I wanted to play
for my team, and I really kept my focus on
(22:21):
that and it ended up working out. We made it
to the World Series that year. So everything everything happens
for a reason.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
All's well, that ends well, it all ends with the
World Series. But I think it's so important to note
that it started with the World Series as well, because
that was your team's goal from fall practice, We're going
to be at the World Series this year, and so
every practice you practice like you go to the World Series.
Every game, every series, the mentality was, this is we're
(22:48):
trying to get This is practice for the big stage.
And I think having that mentality throughout the year is
really what sets you up to ultimately get there. Because
the game doesn't know who's supposed to win. Sometimes the
best teams don't make it all the way. So it's
really important to set your eyes on that every single time.
And for you anna setting your eyes on whether it
is breaking records, hitting home runs, whether it be the
(23:14):
home run that broke the record at Duke or your
very first home run as a professional softball player being
a walk off, you truly continue to set the stage
and build a new stage at every level that you
are at. So when you're up to the plate for
the AUSL Blaze and your first home run goes out
of the park. What are you telling yourself in that moment?
Speaker 2 (23:38):
All I can think about is my teammate, my teammates
getting so hype for me. Like I remember coming around
their base going into home and they were like jumping
and screaming, and it was just it was a really
cool moment, Like I think, like just knowing that all
my hard work paid off, like on the literally the
biggest stage in softball that we have, just that I
(24:01):
made it, you know, But I had so much fun
with the Blaze has past year, like I asked, really
loved it, loved my teammates, loved my coaches, loved everything
about it. Even though we might not have, you know,
won as many games as we wish, But I loved it.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
So that was your Do you feel like that was
your I made it moment? Yeah? In Pro Bowl for sure.
That whole game as a whole, I think, why do
you say that the whole game? I think I might
have had a couple other hits or something. I just
had a great game. Aja, Like I'm gonna be honest
with you, I forget raked that day. So yeah, that
was a good day. Well, going into a pro ball
(24:41):
before you hit that walk off, you had to become
a pro, and becoming a pro involved the aus L
Golden Ticket, where I believe Kim ing that presented that
to you. The commission came out and gave you your
golden ticket and told you you're going to be a
professional softball player. In that moment, did you realize exactly
what was happening that you are now going into. Is
(25:05):
it I'm a pro, I've been drafted and this is
the real deal or did it not really sink in
at that yet.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
I actually didn't know what was happening at first because
it was senior weekend, so I assumed that we were
just having like a little senior celebration. But yeah, then
Kim brought out Kim walked out with the Golden.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Ticket, and I was like, are you serious?
Speaker 2 (25:26):
But yeah, it literally did not feel real at all,
Like I'll tell you that, Like I could not stop smiling,
Like it felt like I was in a movie or something.
Oh like like asking myself every day, I'm like, I'm
really going to play preessional softball? And then it felt
real once I got to training camp.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Yeah, I imagine I once you step on to the
fields say okay, yeah, this is around really here. You
said that you were starstruck in those moments, and you
talked about now how it felt it didn't feel real.
Why Why did that moment mean so much to you
that it felt surreal?
Speaker 2 (25:59):
There was so many moments where I didn't think like
it would.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
Be possible for me, and just like I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Like I'm I just still feel like I'm a little
girl from you know, upstate New York, Like who would
ever think that she would be playing kresh and softball?
But I just feel like I've come such a long way,
Like it's just been it's been really cool. But yeah,
you know, because there's so many players in that league
that I watched growing up. So I'm like, I'm really
(26:27):
gonna be playing with like all these people that are
little idols to me.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
So it was really cool. And some of those people
that you really looked up to, Sierra and Sydney Romero,
and you know, they always say like get to play
with it or compete until your idols become your rivals,
which they in fact did become your rivals. What do
you feel like you have learned from them growing up?
(26:53):
Why were they someone that you wanted to, that you
looked up to, and then the moment when you step
on and like, hey, I'm a big fan, but I'm
gonna beat you, Like that interaction with the two of
them afterwards.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
I liked watching them going up. They were just dogs,
like straight competitors and obviously very very talented. And actually
Sidney was my coach at Duke for my sophomore year.
Well that was that was really cool as well. Being
able to learn from her was such an amazing experience.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
But yeah, it's it's honestly weird.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
It was like we were at first like playing with them,
playing against them, just because I have looked up for them,
like to them for so long. I wouldn't say weird.
It was more just like, holy crap, Yeah, it's real,
like THEY'REMERI sisters. I'm around the same field as me competing. Yeah,
so more so like that, but literally so honored to
(27:52):
be able to, you know, be on the same field
as them and all those all the other players around me.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Did you tell them that you think Sydney knows.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
I don't know about Sierra, but if they watched this,
now I don't know what would you.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Say to Sierra or I mean for Cydny to tell them,
what did I say or what would you say?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Like, Hey, guys, I would just be like, you guys
are my idols.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Like I love you guys so much. I love that.
What do you feel what inspired you the most about
them when you watch them play?
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Like I said, I think just their competitiveness and their
athleticism and they're just they were always just so much
fun to watch, Like you know, like I feel like
every time they step up to.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
The play, you were like, what are they gonna do now?
Speaker 2 (28:37):
M Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
The confidence, the confidence between their Merriw sisters is was
palpable to watch on the screen. And then you having
Sydney at third base and now you being this human
highlight reel that you are. We talked so much about
your offense that we haven't even talked about the defense
and all that Anna is able to do at third
(28:59):
base and what she's done in aus Sell this season
to where you can't blink or you may miss amazing,
amazing play from Hona, to be honest, and one of
the ones that I remember watching I think I was
there that game was the one where you fell and
then you still got the out. I know she's grinning
now because I don't know if you probably don't let
you leave that one down. But hello, that is pure
(29:20):
athleticism to its peak. I know you probably asked asked
that question all the time about that play, but for
you the determination to not stop because, to be honest,
like if someone fell to their feet, it's easy to
just sit in the play, but you kept going and
then get the out. Yeah, walk me through that level
(29:40):
of persistence to never stop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
I feel like I've had plays in the past where
like I have fallen and just obviously haven't thrown the ball.
So as soon as I realized I was falling after
I got the ball, I was like, oh, shoot, I
have to get the ball to first base because I
was my momentum was going towards first kind of, and
(30:06):
I was just like, do not give up on this play,
like you can, like you can make the throw.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Honestly, I thought of it very quickly.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
Yeah, well, yeah, all I had to do was get
the ball going towards first base because the ball was
hit pretty hard, so I didn't have to throw it
hard to first base. I just had to get it
going in the direction of first base, and it ended
up making there in time, Thank.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
Goodness, Thank goodness. What happened to you? Just like was
your your momentum going too fast and you just tripping
the ball.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Like was hit hard, and it like got caught under me, okay,
and like my feet just got caught under me also,
and I just started to tumble forward.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Your body was moving too fast for your feet if
you didn't catch up in time. And then but you
know it did catch up that hand, those hands, with
those hands at accuracy, and that persistence to get that
ball to first base no matter what. Hello, and I
think that you know, we're always just gonna find a lesson,
even in the in the funny stuff. Never give up, y'all.
(31:07):
I mean, I feel like that's basically our diamond for
today with Anna. Never give up, no matter who's doubting you,
no matter one of my favorite things I tell people. Listen,
I made trip, y'all, but I never fall on a trip.
And she also felt but the ball also caught the
ball down in the first base, so nobody cares. It
doesn't even matter. Well, human highlight reel, that's not the
(31:28):
only amazing play you made. You made several at third base,
whether it is making diving catches down the line, quick scoops,
diving catches up in front of the plate. You literally
will throw your body any in which way in order
to make the play. You are fearless when it comes
to third base, in which, in my opinion, is one
of the scariest positions to play. What makes you so fearless?
(31:51):
That's a good question.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
I think that, like, I just have so much confidence
in my athletic ability that I know I have very
quick reflexes. So anything like it's hit at me or
near me, like I want to get like I just
I want the ball hit to me so bad.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
So I feel like.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
I'm ready for anything at any moment.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
There's more to cover, But first let's take a quick break.
What do you feel like should be the mentality? If
someone asks you, what is your mentality at third base?
What do I need to tell myself in order to
be fearless in order to go after every single ball
(32:33):
and make these plays? What would you say?
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Yeah, I think one of the big things at third
base is like starting low and already in an athletic
position so that you can just get your glove to
the ball and then also just go after it like
you cannot be afraid playing third base, like I like
tell myself, I'm willing to put my body on the
line to get the ball.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
And that you do that, you literally do put your
body on the line to get the ball. It's so
funy because exactly what I saw myself in the outfield.
It's like, listen, I don't care where it's hit. If
it's anywhere in my vicinity, it's going to get caught.
And not even the fence is going to stop me
unless you know it doesn't. I'm gonna go to and
it's not gonna scare me. But you know, the fence is.
(33:18):
I can't run through wall as much as I think
I can. I you know, it's hard to do. Oh.
I think that that's so dope. Being able to be
fearless at third base and knowing what to do. Those
quick reflexes are the things you work on in order
to be so quick to the ball.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Nothing really specific, I think, just you know, doing a
lot of glove or drills, and there was a drill
that we.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
Used to do.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
You can you can even do it with tennis balls
like you'd hold two tennis balls up and you drop
one and you.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Have to catch that. So little jills like that, I think.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
And then also I remember at Duke we had it
was like a light game. There was probably like maybe
five different lights and whatever, like one lit up you
have to press.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
I remember all things to basically work on your reaction time.
Yeah okay, okay. And then when it comes to the
field work, it's just taking those reps, being comfortable with them.
Speaker 2 (34:13):
Yeah, reps, footwork, you know, making sure your glows in
the reposition, all that being very very tedious like during
that time, so that when you get to the game
time it's just all natural.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
You remember your first like diving play down the line.
I feel like that's like the coolest thing. For reason.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I actually when I was playing with my traveball team,
the Lady Dukes, because I was the first time I
played third base, was was with them, otherwise I played
shortsot my whole life, So it was one of our
first tournaments that it was my first diving played down
the line because I was when I first started playing
third So I do I actually do remember that.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
And imagine you don't have a lot of time to think,
right it's just you just react over there, like you
just go exactly. In order to get rate at that,
you just have to have someone hitting to you and
constantly just go, go, go until the point where your
reaction time is exactly where it needs to be. Mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
Yeah. We work on diving plays a lot or in practice.
I think that's really important because if you don't do
in practice, it's kind of like, how would you like,
how would you like put that into a game if
you haven't really practiced it, you know. So I think
that it is important to do that. Literally, just have
someone pepper balls at you and every direction and trying
to catch everything.
Speaker 1 (35:28):
Yeah, I see third base. I don't know. If you
couldn't pay me enough money to play their base, i'd
have that like full gear on, like full catcher's gear
to play third. To be honest, Well, this is your
first season a USL. If you describe it in one word,
how was the season for you? Fun?
Speaker 2 (35:48):
I think I tried to make that a priority and
I think that started this past season in college, Like
I just wanted to have fun, like softball is meant
to have fun, enjoy the people around you laugh, And
I think like this this past pro season with the
AUSL it was so much fun. Yes, it was challenging, obviously,
(36:10):
but it's also a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
So much fun that she was named the Rookie of
the year. I said in the beginning, but it deserves
being set again on a gold is golden and she
is the Rookie of the Year for a us SEL
in twenty twenty five. What do you believe really attributed
to you woitting the Rookie of the year? If you
(36:32):
had to say when they were determining, oh that you're
probably yeah, this is probably why.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
I think.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Just my overall offense, Like I feel like I had
a really good offensive year, and then I made a
lot of really good plays. I think that, Like my
athleticism probably stood out, and I think just all those combined,
like I feel like I had a pretty good impact
on my team, which is a goal that I always
try to have. Think all those things allowed me to
(37:02):
get Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
The transition from college to pro can be really difficult
at times, and it's definitely something that some rookies take
time to really get adjusted to. Why do you feel
like you were able to adjust so quickly? What was
the difference for you.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
I remember my first pro game. I struck out my
first to have bats and didn't. I didn't get nonoe
of at bat that game, and I remember just being
my hotel room and I was like, like, dude, you're fine,
Like it was your first game against pros, Like you
need to flush it because I know if I don't
flush it, like it will roll over and it won't
(37:40):
stop me. Like it's it's no effect really, So I
was like, you need to flush this reset like you're
on a gold you can do it. And then I
went in the next game and I think I had.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
A hit or too.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
So it just really like not letting your past determine
your future.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
Oh I love that. Don't let your past determine your future.
And being in this space where you're able to flush it,
and I think it's so cool to have that mentality.
You come and say that was that doesn't define you,
those two abs that just happened to you, Like, yeah,
that just happened. That's not who I am as a player.
That doesn't make me. It just it just happened that game.
(38:20):
Tomorrow something else is gonna happen. And then you move
forward with that and that having that mentality, you feel
like is really what helped you adjust to pro ball.
So then the next game you came in, what did
you tell yourself the next day after you flushed it?
Speaker 2 (38:33):
I kind of went back to like, it's just softball,
Like you've been playing this game your whole entire life.
Speaker 1 (38:38):
You know what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (38:39):
You know, like, yeah, the pictures are probably a lot
better than you face in college, but you know, just
reminding myself that this is what I've trained for, like
I'm capable of like everything I put my mind too,
and just not.
Speaker 1 (38:56):
Not making the game bigger than what it is. I
guess it's perfect. It'll make the game bigger than what
it is. If a young athlete came up to you
and said, I want to be just like you, what
would you tell them? What advice would you give them?
Speaker 2 (39:12):
I would tell them that you got to put in
the work. You know, you got to be working when
no one else is. And I think just I was
lucky enough to have a village around me who helped
me get to get me to where I am so
but obviously everyone doesn't have that. So I think just
finding people around you who you know you can go
(39:33):
train with who will push you to be better. I
think that is very important as well. And yeah, just
always always, always believing yourself no matter what. Yes, that
will creep in like it's it's inevitable, but not allowing
that to take you over and take control of you. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:52):
I love that. And to me it sounds like, especially
in the moment of doubt, where you were able to
go to your hotel and talk to yourself and flesh it.
It's simply like talk to yourself more than you listen
to yourself, because our brain lies to us often, and
so talk to yourself, tell yourself what it is that
you want to believe in, what you want to hear
versus listening. That helps. Yeah, I like that, Oh, Honor.
(40:16):
We're going to go into the no fly zone segment,
because if there's one person on the infield that can
turn the infield into a no fly zone, it definitely
is you. It is the rookie of the year with
all her amazing diamonds that she's dropping. So we talked
a little bit about amazing plays your first diving catch,
but do you remember your favorite play that you've ever
made in your career?
Speaker 2 (40:38):
When that comes to the top of my mind is
this past college season at Duke when I was playing
shortstop and it was ball hit up the middle like
almost like a chopper, but I grabbed it. I stepped
on second base, I spun and then through it to
first base for a double play. Who that was pretty cool.
(41:00):
You like dream of having those plays.
Speaker 1 (41:03):
But it's fun just to add some flare like you're
trying to get out of wa No, it was just quicker,
but it looked cool too. Oh heck yes, in my mind,
instead of people yelling out, g are they gonna start
yelling Anna or gold? Did it go? The spin? Like
freaking have that is your signature? I love that? Or
even at third base, maybe add a little spin every
(41:25):
now and then just because. But tell it, this is
my gold flare, y'all. Oh my god, wait, Anna, that's
actually so cool. Yeah, you do this way. Just add
a little gold flare. There's that goldflare we talked about.
I can hear the announcers now. I love it. I
love it. But what do you feel like is the
key to being an elite in fielder, whether it's shortstop
(41:46):
or third base. What goes into being the best of
the best yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
Think learning the correct footwork and learning how to make
plays where you're not going off with two feet you know,
being an athlete, everything's not cookie cutter. And also having
a quick transfer definitely helps. You don't have to have
the strong starm, but quick transfer from your glove to
your throwing hands.
Speaker 1 (42:12):
Huge, especially as you get older and the runners get faster.
Speaker 2 (42:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
Well, Anna, in this game of failure, it is inevitable
as a softball player, but failure is truly what helps
us reach some of the biggest successes. So when you
look back on your entire softball career, what do you
feel like is your favorite failure that's ultimately led you
to maybe some of your best successes.
Speaker 2 (42:37):
I would say, honestly, my junior season as a whole.
I talked about it a little bit earlier, but it
was such a low point for me, like softball wise
and just mentally, but I think it taught me so
many things. Like I was so consumed by the sport,
like that is all who I was. Like I e
sleep and breathed softball because I thought doing more was
(42:58):
going to make me better. And I think sometimes you
need to take a step back and take a break
and have more balance, which is what I did this
past college. She's in my senior year. You know, I
didn't like, I didn't let softball defind me like I'm
a person who plays softball, I'm not just a softball player.
(43:19):
And finding my identity and other things, you know, through
my faith and just finding, you know, little hobbies that
might take your mind, your mind away from softball, Like
this year I started to paint, I read more, just
little things like that, so you're not so consumed by
the sport, because I think it can be very more
(43:39):
overwhelming and cause burnout. So having more balance, that's what
I've learned from my biggest failure.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
Find balance, Find balance within the game, and allow that
to lead you to what would you describe as fine,
more fine, whether it's your senior year in college or
your rookie yeaar as a pro well, Anna, thank you
so much for coming on and dropping your diamonds. Essentially,
(44:08):
I feel like when it comes to it, it is
going out there y'all and proving yourself right and have
a lot of fun while you're doing it. Set out
to prove yourself, don't set out to prove up people wrong,
but to prove yourself right, and you never know what
could happen. You can break the homeown record at your college.
You could become the rookie of the year in professional softball,
(44:29):
whatever sport is your play. But also make sure when
we start that we start the affirmation of your bold.
You don't fold. It's your life. You're in control, be
a beast and shine bright as gold, just like on
a gold Hona. Thank you again, thank you so much
for joining me on Dropping Diamonds.
Speaker 2 (44:49):
Thank you that was Awesomeay, well, thank you all for
listening to this episode.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
Let's continue this conversation on Instagram Dropping Diamonds podcast, and
remember to go out and beat gold. I'll meet you
here next week on the Diamond Bye for now. Dropping
Diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports production
(45:18):
in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep Blue
Sports and Entertainment. I'm your host, AJ Andrews. Our executive
producer is Jesse Katz. Tari Harrison is our supervising producer,
and this episode was mixed and mastered by Mary Do
listen to Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews on the iHeartRadio
app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. Welcome to Dropping Diamonds with Me
Aj Andrews, where we dive headfirst into the world of softball.
(00:23):
Today we are joined by the the Rookie of the
Year and infielder of the UAUSL Blaze, Anna Gold. Anna,
thank you so much for coming on the show. Of course,
thank you for having me. I'm so excited. Yay, I'm
excited too. I don't know, you know, it's not every
day you can just sit and talk to a Rookie
(00:45):
of the Year, So this is super exciting for me
as well, Banna. Every time I start the podcast, I
like to start with a quote, but then also like
build an affirmation from it, because in the sport of softball,
we need motivation and all the time in order to
keep going, you know, playing this game of failure. And
so one quote that I kind of thought was very fitting,
(01:09):
being that I am talking to Miss Gold herself, is
that every moment is golden for those that have the
vision to see it as such.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Hmmm.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
I love that. What affirmation. Do you think we can
pull from that m like what it represents kind of
or we could just like come up with them. Yeah,
whatever it like first comes to mind. We can come
up with an affirmation. If you wake up every morning
if you saw the quote, what would you tell yourself
in the mirror? You are golden. You're a golden girl,
(01:40):
just because I.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Think positive, positive words coming out of your mouth already
set you up for a great day. So kind of
starting it off like I am that girl, Like I'm golden.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
I can do whatever I put my mind to.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Oh okay, Okay, so let's say I'm huge on the rhymes.
So if we did, You're bold, you don't fold. It's
your life, You're in control. Okay, M Today I'm basically gold.
(02:17):
Or today I'm gold. Today, Today I'm gold. Do you
like that? Today I'm gold, You're bold, you don't fold,
it's your life, You're in control. Today. I shine bright
as cold old. Yeah, and I like it. Do you
have a quote or affirmation that has really gotten you
through your career in softball?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I think like along the way, I've kind of like
grabbed little ones here and there, like I'm big on
like control, like I am control of my life and
I'm just that like I'm I'm that girl, you know.
And I think just having confidence and everything you do
can get you a long way, because if you don't
believe in yourself, then like who else will? And then
(03:02):
I like become presence too, So like being very present
in the moment, you know, having your shoulders back, head high.
And I think that also builds your confidence as well.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Oh, I love because it's so easy to not or
to get away from being present in the moment, like
starting to think about, okay, my next ab or I
didn't do well here on the you know what, maybe
make an error you're's Oh, it's we're constantly thinking about
either the past or the future, and it's really hard
to maintain presence. What have you done in order to
make sure you stay in those present moments when your
(03:33):
mind is trying to take you elsewhere. I like to
make jokes.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
I like to laugh at my teammates, you know, try
to enjoy those around me, because then my mind gets
taken off of you know, maybe my last dot that
or if I'm in an error, and then I'm also
very deep in my faith. So you know, praying to God,
talking to him in that moment, just asking to get
my mind right there.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
What's like sometimes I think about, uh, you know, the
prayers I've sent up to the universe in my times
of need. What was your most like die your prayer,
Like I'll listen. I don't know if you listen, but
please clock in right now because I need to help.
Do you remember like a moment where it's like, this
is a moment where I really need to be present
(04:15):
and you're kind of calling to yourself, calling to God
to kind of help you get right.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah, I can think specifically. I think it was my
sophomore year in college actually, and or maybe my freshman year.
I forget, but I remember I like struck out my
first two at bats and I was like, God, like
I need you, like I have one more bat left.
It's helped me at least at least make contact with
the ball and I end up hitting a home run.
So yeah, that also just shows up never give up, obviously,
(04:43):
But yeah, that was that was definitely a moment that
I can remember that.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
All right now, God answer the call. We love to
hear that. And also you're probably just you're just a
great hitter. So it's like, yeah, I made the adjustments
I needed, and you know, just a god behind me. Yeah,
of course. Do you remember your the moment when you
knew softball was a sport for you.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I would probably say my early years of high school,
freshman sophomore year. I can't think of a specific moment. Well,
that's when my brother and my older brother committed to
play baseball in college and I didn't really know, like
it was like a huge thing, like you could get
scholarship to go play sport. Yeah, that's when I kind
of was like, I want to do that. And I
played basketball up until my sophomore year of high school,
(05:31):
so I was like between softball and baseball, but softball
and basketball. But I just knew that I was way
more talented at softball and I knew that could get
me farther, and I also enjoyed it more. So. I
think probably my freshman sophomore of high school is when
I was really like like, this is what I want
to pursue, this is what I want to do, this
is what I want to help get me far in life.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
So I love that, and everybody kind of asked the
Simes feels Why why softball because I play multi different
sports when I was younger too. I just think that
I was like, you know, there's no other sport where
I could just be like cheering at the top of
my lungs every inning, making up these cheers, banging on buckets.
I don't know. I think it was just the team camaraderie,
mixed wealth, also with being able to dive around the outfield.
(06:16):
But it was just an experience that I feel like
I hadn't really had any other sports super competitive, right,
So every other sport played basketball, ran track, soccer as well.
There's there's just not a lot of moments like breaks
for fun in those sports, right, You just like, go go, go,
go go. You know, in basketball and softball, you at
(06:36):
least had like when you're not up to bat, at
least have a moment to cheer for somebody else. You
playing basketball. Your family is extremely athletic as well. Your
dad played baseball, your mom played basketball, and then of
course your brother played baseball as well. He was drafted
to Amo.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah, he was drafted, oh gosh, twenty two maybe, I think, yeah,
to the Tigers, Detroit Tiger.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah, he went to Boston College. Played baseball there. And
then my younger brother he's a junior at Boston College.
He also plays baseball. He's a pitcher.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Look at this, Yeah, it's a family full of athletes. Yeah,
you're probably just going to what it was like growing
up with just such a competitive and athletic family. They
to kind of help you and help you mold into
that athlete you are today.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Oh yeah, one hundred percent. We're super competitive and everything
that we did, and I think if one of us
was going to work out, then the other two were
going with them. Like I think it just motivated each
other and just seeing one person being successful at what
they're doing, like mad, it made us want to do
it as well. And like we would all work out
(07:44):
with each other, we'd like give each other tips, give
each other advice, And I think like that was really
helpful in my development, you know, playing with boys and yeah,
kind of being more competitive with them.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
What do you feel like is maybe like the biggest
lesson and you've learned from your parents or your brothers
that still you still hold true to you today.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, I just think I'm always going to go back to,
like you have to believe in yourself even when no
one else does, because I had a lot of people
who I think doubted me, like throughout my whole career,
but especially like once I was like looking at colleges,
(08:27):
like different colleges, people might might have thought, like, oh,
she can't go play there, she can't go play there,
but like I didn't care what everyone else was saying,
you know, and like just saying like I've had people
tell me that I wouldn't have success at the college level,
but like I didn't care what anyone else like said,
Like I knew what I could do when I was
capable of and I was gonna work my butt off
(08:48):
not to prove those people wrong, but I think just
to show like myself that like what I can put
my mind too, I can do.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
I love it to not I'm doing this not to
prove you wrong, but to prove myself right. Essentially, I'm
going out there to prove myself right and what I
know that I can do, what I know I can achieve,
And not only did you do it, but you did
it in a major, major way. Going to play at
Duke University for your letter winner you started two hundred
(09:18):
and thirty of two hundred and thirty two games. Were
you sick? Just the other two? Honestly, I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Yeah, I know I broke I broke my panky my
freshman year, so that might have been.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
So and so you already hear first. Guys, the only
reason she can play those other two games is it
because she was injured, so I know would have been
all over that field. What do you feel like, I
mean in order to be able to achieve that, I mean,
you played all games for your letter winner. You step
in because freshman year can be intimidating sometimes, you know what,
(09:54):
our travel ball teams were the best, and then we
go into an environment where everybody was the best, and
you're now competing at in order to win a spot
for you to go in and win that spot, but
then also maintained such consistency throughout those four years. What
do you feel like it took for you to do that?
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Yeah, I think you know, when you step on campus
as a freshman, you feel like you have to do
like be someone else or be extra. I really tried
to stay true to myself and just knew that if
I was me that that was enough. So I really
tried to cancel all like the outside noise and like
almost forget the fact that there were girls on my
team four years older than me and I was just
(10:31):
playing softball, you know, same.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Bat, same yellow ball.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
So that's kind of what I tried to tried to
remind myself.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Same bat, same yellow ball. Just go out and play.
And when you feel like you stepped on the field
at Duke, was there a moment where you felt really
comfortable or where you felt like, oh, I know that
not only can I come out here and compete with
all these girls, but I can start. And not only
can I start, but I can do really really well
this university.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Yeah, I think just you know, like our fall scrimmage games,
I had a pretty decent amount of success, you know,
the coaches and like the players around me, Like I
felt very welcome, like as soon as I slept on
to campus, and like, yes, a little bit intimidated, but
nothing like too overwhelming. But I think, yeah, just you know,
being able to compete in practice in those scrimmage games definitely,
(11:23):
like it gave me kind of an idea like I
could I could potentially like have a starting spot when
it comes to springtime. So that's what I worked for.
Off of all and then it ended up happening.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Duke Softball is only ten years old, I believe right
twenty fifteen was the start.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
I think this would be the ninth going in here.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
H Yeah, that's crazy. Such a young program that has
had so much success off rip and you being a
part of that success. Why do you think that Duke
has had the success that is had as a as
a program even though it's so new to the softball space.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Yeah, I mean, I think coach Young, that Marissa Young,
she does such a great job at like promoting a
culture of just excellence all around. And I think like
she's really big on accountability, holding each other accountable and
(12:28):
just holding one another to a higher standard.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
And I think like that's.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
A big reason while there has been some success, is
so much success is because of the culture she's built.
And like I think all the girls when they come in,
they buy into what she's saying, which is huge. You know,
you don't have people who are like not bought in.
And I think being a cohesive unit is huge in
(12:54):
part of having success. So I think she's done a
great job of the program obviously, but then also the
girl's being able to buy in and to what she's
saying is huge.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
What is Coach Young saying? What does she say that
fires y'all up and says, Okay, you got me, coach,
I'm locked in. We have three like core core values,
which I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
I won't get into that now, but I think those
three things that she talks about, like it's not only
for softball, but it's also for life, Like she's trying
to make us a better woman off.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
The field as well. And I think that it just
shows that she.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Cares about us like as human beings, as people, and
she cares about our mental health. So I think just
knowing that it like knowing that she cares about us
like makes us want to like listen to her and
be better for her obviously, So I think that just
her caring for us like as a person overall helps
a lot.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
Are the three core values? Just like y'all's secret, y'all
don't share it if you're not in the Duke's stratosphere,
I don't. I don't know about that.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
I don't think so, but I will say one of
them is life of excellence, Like living a life of
excellence on and off the field. You know, if you
see a piece of ground, a piece of garbage on
the ground, don't walk by it, pick it up. Just
little stuff like that. But I think like knowing that
she cares about us as people like she can get
like on us, and we know that it's not.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Because she like hates us or anything.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
It's because she does care about us, and she's holding
us accountable and she wants us to do better.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
And so it's for the best. If I see somebody
putting their grocery cart away at the grocery store, I
can know that, Okay, wow, you probably did Dukes sometball. Yeah,
but that good. You got it. Well, those three core values,
we know one, but the other two are also what
helped that historic run in twenty twenty four that you
(14:47):
were a part of the Duke's first trip to the
Women's College World Series. Yeah, when you look back on
that season, what was the biggest adversity that the te
overcame in order to get there to make it that far?
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I just remember we had so many like tight games
like within one run, or like we'd be tied until
like the last inning and we'd win. Like there there
were so many of those games that we always came
out on top, and I think it just showed our
grit that, like we were not letting anything get in
(15:25):
our way to making it to the World Series, Like
that was our goal from the moment we stepped on
campus and fall, we literally talked about like every day
we're playing for the World Series, Like it doesn't matter
how you feel today. You know, like we're gonna go
all in so that we can be at the World
Series in June or May or whatever it was. But Yeah,
(15:50):
that team just had so much grit. We went through
a lot of adversity with you know, just I feel like,
like I said, like having so many close scoring games,
but we always came out on top because we never
stopped believing in ourselves and believing in each other.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Let's take a quick break to hear word from our sponsor.
So your determination to get to the World Series in
twenty twenty four started from the very beginning, started from fall.
How important do you feel like that is in order
(16:26):
to make it all the way because seasons get long,
seasons get tired, and having a reminder every single day
from the start of where you want to end, how
do you feel like that basically sets up your trajectory
for the season.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Yeah, I feel like it's super important. It's almost like
what's your why, Like why are you playing today? And
I think for a lot of us it was because,
like we're making it to the World Series. You know.
Last year before that, we lost Super Regionals that we hosted,
and I just remember like crying on the field after that,
like my heart was broken, and like I never wanted
(17:01):
anything so bad than to go to the World Series.
So I knew every day for the next year like
that is what my focus was, you know. And like
obviously you have to be present in the moment and
like still like be where your feet are and compete,
but just having that like as in like the back
of your mind almost, I think it's definitely a motivation.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
I don't know if there's anything more motivational than watching
a team celebrate on your home field to move on,
whether it's the Super Regionals or the World Series. It
is like the most gut punching feeling. It's all right,
we never want to feel like this again, y'all. Making
sure this doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Literally, that was exactly me, but like my heart was
ripped out.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Okay, so you make it to the World Series, you're
in Oklahoma City. You look around, what is the feeling.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
At Like no words, Like you literally look around and
you see all the fans and you're just like like
is this real? Like literally a pinch me moment. Like
I've watched the World Series ever since I was a
little girl, and I'm like, like, it's literally a dream
everything you could ever dream of, like experience what the
World Series is like it was that and more. I
like still like can think about it and I'm like.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
In awe, my love in all the World Series. Your
career in softball, you are someone that I would assume
was a big leader, a big portion of the Duke softball.
You have two Grand Slams in one game Sister eight
RBIs and I was against North Dakota State, which was
(18:34):
a legendary game for you. In those kind of games
where you are just on fire, like you're unstoppable, no
one can stop you, what is the mentality that is
present throughout the entire game.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yeah, I just I feel like I have those games
where I feel like I'm unstoppable and like I'm almost
like in my own little world, like I'm seeing the
ball like it looks like beach balls. Yeah, I just
I feel like I'm on top of the world. And
sometimes it's like like it's not like I put myself
in this position like to feel like that way, to
(19:11):
feel like I'm on top of the world. I feel
like some days you just wake up and it's like
like I'm gonna I'm gonna like be a beast today,
and it just happens, you know.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
I feel like I feel like.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
You can't always put yourself in like that mind space.
I feel like otherwise I would like hit ten hormuns
every day.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
I love it. Lexid, I'm gonna be a beast today,
and that's kind of just done. I don't really know
what else to tell you, guys. I'm gonna be a
beast today. I don't know what that's gonna look like.
But the beast is a risen here I am, and
that leads to two grand slams in one game. All right, Well,
(19:51):
I think that's what I mean. Movie should just switch
our affirmation or add to it. Be in control. I'm
a beast. Time to go for gold? Oh yeah, I
like it could be a beast to day go for goal. Well,
not only were you a beast that day, but you
also broke Duke's all time home run record. Mm hmm.
(20:15):
So you're a beast just about every single day on
a What did that milestone mean to you? And what
did I mean? I feel like when we talked about
earlier about you proving yourself, right, I feel like in
those moments that had been one of them where you
proved yourself and everybody else right who believed in you.
What did it mean to you?
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Yeah, it meant a lot for me because that was
my junior year. I think, yeah, it was my junior year,
which was honestly, it was a hard time for me
just because I wasn't performing as well as I wanted to,
and it was honestly one of the worst seasons of
my career.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
So it was kind of like a little pick.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Me up after after I hit that home run to
break the record, and I think, yeah, it was just
a little bit like you still got it, like you
can do it.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
But yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
It was such an honor, you know, because there's been
so many amazing players to go through the Duke program,
So to be able to do that, it's it's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
You still got it. I think it's said. I mean,
I have softball players. It's so funny when we are
we're just good, right, you'd be one of the best players.
But then you have a bad game or you have
a bad series, and all of a sudden, just like
doubt starts to creep in and you just don't feel
as confident as you have, which makes you doubt yourself
(21:35):
even though you've prove in just how good you are.
And I think it's so amazing how there's always another
game like go into that, just that other game with
a different mentality, and you never know what could happen.
You could end up breaking the Duke home run record
going in when you change your mentality from you know,
feeling like you didn't have a great year, and then
you come in and you'll be able to have that
(21:56):
huge milestone for you. What do you feel like it
proves in the game of softball.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
I just think like goes back to never giving up.
You know. It's like, yeah, I could have given up
the rest of the season, and just like like that
would have happened if I if I gave up, you know,
like I could have been like I don't care about this,
like f this, you know, but I wanted to play
for my team, and I really kept my focus on
(22:21):
that and it ended up working out. We made it
to the World Series that year. So everything everything happens
for a reason.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
All's well, that ends well, it all ends with the
World Series. But I think it's so important to note
that it started with the World Series as well, because
that was your team's goal from fall practice, We're going
to be at the World Series this year, and so
every practice you practice like you go to the World Series.
Every game, every series, the mentality was, this is we're
(22:48):
trying to get This is practice for the big stage.
And I think having that mentality throughout the year is
really what sets you up to ultimately get there. Because
the game doesn't know who's supposed to win. Sometimes the
best teams don't make it all the way. So it's
really important to set your eyes on that every single time.
And for you anna setting your eyes on whether it
is breaking records, hitting home runs, whether it be the
(23:14):
home run that broke the record at Duke or your
very first home run as a professional softball player being
a walk off, you truly continue to set the stage
and build a new stage at every level that you
are at. So when you're up to the plate for
the AUSL Blaze and your first home run goes out
of the park. What are you telling yourself in that moment?
Speaker 2 (23:38):
All I can think about is my teammate, my teammates
getting so hype for me. Like I remember coming around
their base going into home and they were like jumping
and screaming, and it was just it was a really
cool moment, Like I think, like just knowing that all
my hard work paid off, like on the literally the
biggest stage in softball that we have, just that I
(24:01):
made it, you know, But I had so much fun
with the Blaze has past year, like I asked, really
loved it, loved my teammates, loved my coaches, loved everything
about it. Even though we might not have, you know,
won as many games as we wish, But I loved it.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
So that was your Do you feel like that was
your I made it moment? Yeah? In Pro Bowl for sure.
That whole game as a whole, I think, why do
you say that the whole game? I think I might
have had a couple other hits or something. I just
had a great game. Aja, Like I'm gonna be honest
with you, I forget raked that day. So yeah, that
was a good day. Well, going into a pro ball
(24:41):
before you hit that walk off, you had to become
a pro, and becoming a pro involved the aus L
Golden Ticket, where I believe Kim ing that presented that
to you. The commission came out and gave you your
golden ticket and told you you're going to be a
professional softball player. In that moment, did you realize exactly
what was happening that you are now going into. Is
(25:05):
it I'm a pro, I've been drafted and this is
the real deal or did it not really sink in
at that yet.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
I actually didn't know what was happening at first because
it was senior weekend, so I assumed that we were
just having like a little senior celebration. But yeah, then
Kim brought out Kim walked out with the Golden.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Ticket, and I was like, are you serious?
Speaker 2 (25:26):
But yeah, it literally did not feel real at all,
Like I'll tell you that, Like I could not stop smiling,
Like it felt like I was in a movie or something.
Oh like like asking myself every day, I'm like, I'm
really going to play preessional softball? And then it felt
real once I got to training camp.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Yeah, I imagine I once you step on to the
fields say okay, yeah, this is around really here. You
said that you were starstruck in those moments, and you
talked about now how it felt it didn't feel real.
Why Why did that moment mean so much to you
that it felt surreal?
Speaker 2 (25:59):
There was so many moments where I didn't think like
it would.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
Be possible for me, and just like I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Like I'm I just still feel like I'm a little
girl from you know, upstate New York, Like who would
ever think that she would be playing kresh and softball?
But I just feel like I've come such a long way,
Like it's just been it's been really cool. But yeah,
you know, because there's so many players in that league
that I watched growing up. So I'm like, I'm really
(26:27):
gonna be playing with like all these people that are
little idols to me.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
So it was really cool. And some of those people
that you really looked up to, Sierra and Sydney Romero,
and you know, they always say like get to play
with it or compete until your idols become your rivals,
which they in fact did become your rivals. What do
you feel like you have learned from them growing up?
(26:53):
Why were they someone that you wanted to, that you
looked up to, and then the moment when you step
on and like, hey, I'm a big fan, but I'm
gonna beat you, Like that interaction with the two of
them afterwards.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
I liked watching them going up. They were just dogs,
like straight competitors and obviously very very talented. And actually
Sidney was my coach at Duke for my sophomore year.
Well that was that was really cool as well. Being
able to learn from her was such an amazing experience.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
But yeah, it's it's honestly weird.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
It was like we were at first like playing with them,
playing against them, just because I have looked up for them,
like to them for so long. I wouldn't say weird.
It was more just like, holy crap, Yeah, it's real,
like THEY'REMERI sisters. I'm around the same field as me competing. Yeah,
so more so like that, but literally so honored to
(27:52):
be able to, you know, be on the same field
as them and all those all the other players around me.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Did you tell them that you think Sydney knows.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
I don't know about Sierra, but if they watched this,
now I don't know what would you.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Say to Sierra or I mean for Cydny to tell them,
what did I say or what would you say?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Like, Hey, guys, I would just be like, you guys
are my idols.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Like I love you guys so much. I love that.
What do you feel what inspired you the most about
them when you watch them play?
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Like I said, I think just their competitiveness and their
athleticism and they're just they were always just so much
fun to watch, Like you know, like I feel like
every time they step up to.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
The play, you were like, what are they gonna do now?
Speaker 2 (28:37):
M Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
The confidence, the confidence between their Merriw sisters is was
palpable to watch on the screen. And then you having
Sydney at third base and now you being this human
highlight reel that you are. We talked so much about
your offense that we haven't even talked about the defense
and all that Anna is able to do at third
(28:59):
base and what she's done in aus Sell this season
to where you can't blink or you may miss amazing,
amazing play from Hona, to be honest, and one of
the ones that I remember watching I think I was
there that game was the one where you fell and
then you still got the out. I know she's grinning
now because I don't know if you probably don't let
you leave that one down. But hello, that is pure
(29:20):
athleticism to its peak. I know you probably asked asked
that question all the time about that play, but for
you the determination to not stop because, to be honest,
like if someone fell to their feet, it's easy to
just sit in the play, but you kept going and
then get the out. Yeah, walk me through that level
(29:40):
of persistence to never stop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
I feel like I've had plays in the past where
like I have fallen and just obviously haven't thrown the ball.
So as soon as I realized I was falling after
I got the ball, I was like, oh, shoot, I
have to get the ball to first base because I
was my momentum was going towards first kind of, and
(30:06):
I was just like, do not give up on this play,
like you can, like you can make the throw.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Honestly, I thought of it very quickly.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
Yeah, well, yeah, all I had to do was get
the ball going towards first base because the ball was
hit pretty hard, so I didn't have to throw it
hard to first base. I just had to get it
going in the direction of first base, and it ended
up making there in time, Thank.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
Goodness, Thank goodness. What happened to you? Just like was
your your momentum going too fast and you just tripping
the ball.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Like was hit hard, and it like got caught under me, okay,
and like my feet just got caught under me also,
and I just started to tumble forward.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Your body was moving too fast for your feet if
you didn't catch up in time. And then but you
know it did catch up that hand, those hands, with
those hands at accuracy, and that persistence to get that
ball to first base no matter what. Hello, and I
think that you know, we're always just gonna find a lesson,
even in the in the funny stuff. Never give up, y'all.
(31:07):
I mean, I feel like that's basically our diamond for
today with Anna. Never give up, no matter who's doubting you,
no matter one of my favorite things I tell people. Listen,
I made trip, y'all, but I never fall on a trip.
And she also felt but the ball also caught the
ball down in the first base, so nobody cares. It
doesn't even matter. Well, human highlight reel, that's not the
(31:28):
only amazing play you made. You made several at third base,
whether it is making diving catches down the line, quick scoops,
diving catches up in front of the plate. You literally
will throw your body any in which way in order
to make the play. You are fearless when it comes
to third base, in which, in my opinion, is one
of the scariest positions to play. What makes you so fearless?
(31:51):
That's a good question.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
I think that, like, I just have so much confidence
in my athletic ability that I know I have very
quick reflexes. So anything like it's hit at me or
near me, like I want to get like I just
I want the ball hit to me so bad.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
So I feel like.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
I'm ready for anything at any moment.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
There's more to cover, But first let's take a quick break.
What do you feel like should be the mentality? If
someone asks you, what is your mentality at third base?
What do I need to tell myself in order to
be fearless in order to go after every single ball
(32:33):
and make these plays? What would you say?
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Yeah, I think one of the big things at third
base is like starting low and already in an athletic
position so that you can just get your glove to
the ball and then also just go after it like
you cannot be afraid playing third base, like I like
tell myself, I'm willing to put my body on the
line to get the ball.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
And that you do that, you literally do put your
body on the line to get the ball. It's so
funy because exactly what I saw myself in the outfield.
It's like, listen, I don't care where it's hit. If
it's anywhere in my vicinity, it's going to get caught.
And not even the fence is going to stop me
unless you know it doesn't. I'm gonna go to and
it's not gonna scare me. But you know, the fence is.
(33:18):
I can't run through wall as much as I think
I can. I you know, it's hard to do. Oh.
I think that that's so dope. Being able to be
fearless at third base and knowing what to do. Those
quick reflexes are the things you work on in order
to be so quick to the ball.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Nothing really specific, I think, just you know, doing a
lot of glove or drills, and there was a drill
that we.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
Used to do.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
You can you can even do it with tennis balls
like you'd hold two tennis balls up and you drop
one and you.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Have to catch that. So little jills like that, I think.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
And then also I remember at Duke we had it
was like a light game. There was probably like maybe
five different lights and whatever, like one lit up you
have to press.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
I remember all things to basically work on your reaction time.
Yeah okay, okay. And then when it comes to the
field work, it's just taking those reps, being comfortable with them.
Speaker 2 (34:13):
Yeah, reps, footwork, you know, making sure your glows in
the reposition, all that being very very tedious like during
that time, so that when you get to the game
time it's just all natural.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
You remember your first like diving play down the line.
I feel like that's like the coolest thing. For reason.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I actually when I was playing with my traveball team,
the Lady Dukes, because I was the first time I
played third base, was was with them, otherwise I played
shortsot my whole life, So it was one of our
first tournaments that it was my first diving played down
the line because I was when I first started playing
third So I do I actually do remember that.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
And imagine you don't have a lot of time to think,
right it's just you just react over there, like you
just go exactly. In order to get rate at that,
you just have to have someone hitting to you and
constantly just go, go, go until the point where your
reaction time is exactly where it needs to be. Mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
Yeah. We work on diving plays a lot or in practice.
I think that's really important because if you don't do
in practice, it's kind of like, how would you like,
how would you like put that into a game if
you haven't really practiced it, you know. So I think
that it is important to do that. Literally, just have
someone pepper balls at you and every direction and trying
to catch everything.
Speaker 1 (35:28):
Yeah, I see third base. I don't know. If you
couldn't pay me enough money to play their base, i'd
have that like full gear on, like full catcher's gear
to play third. To be honest, Well, this is your
first season a USL. If you describe it in one word,
how was the season for you? Fun?
Speaker 2 (35:48):
I think I tried to make that a priority and
I think that started this past season in college, Like
I just wanted to have fun, like softball is meant
to have fun, enjoy the people around you laugh, And
I think like this this past pro season with the
AUSL it was so much fun. Yes, it was challenging, obviously,
(36:10):
but it's also a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
So much fun that she was named the Rookie of
the year. I said in the beginning, but it deserves
being set again on a gold is golden and she
is the Rookie of the Year for a us SEL
in twenty twenty five. What do you believe really attributed
to you woitting the Rookie of the year? If you
(36:32):
had to say when they were determining, oh that you're
probably yeah, this is probably why.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
I think.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Just my overall offense, Like I feel like I had
a really good offensive year, and then I made a
lot of really good plays. I think that, Like my
athleticism probably stood out, and I think just all those combined,
like I feel like I had a pretty good impact
on my team, which is a goal that I always
try to have. Think all those things allowed me to
(37:02):
get Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
The transition from college to pro can be really difficult
at times, and it's definitely something that some rookies take
time to really get adjusted to. Why do you feel
like you were able to adjust so quickly? What was
the difference for you.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
I remember my first pro game. I struck out my
first to have bats and didn't. I didn't get nonoe
of at bat that game, and I remember just being
my hotel room and I was like, like, dude, you're fine,
Like it was your first game against pros, Like you
need to flush it because I know if I don't
flush it, like it will roll over and it won't
(37:40):
stop me. Like it's it's no effect really, So I
was like, you need to flush this reset like you're
on a gold you can do it. And then I
went in the next game and I think I had.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
A hit or too.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
So it just really like not letting your past determine
your future.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
Oh I love that. Don't let your past determine your future.
And being in this space where you're able to flush it,
and I think it's so cool to have that mentality.
You come and say that was that doesn't define you,
those two abs that just happened to you, Like, yeah,
that just happened. That's not who I am as a player.
That doesn't make me. It just it just happened that game.
(38:20):
Tomorrow something else is gonna happen. And then you move
forward with that and that having that mentality, you feel
like is really what helped you adjust to pro ball.
So then the next game you came in, what did
you tell yourself the next day after you flushed it?
Speaker 2 (38:33):
I kind of went back to like, it's just softball,
Like you've been playing this game your whole entire life.
Speaker 1 (38:38):
You know what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (38:39):
You know, like, yeah, the pictures are probably a lot
better than you face in college, but you know, just
reminding myself that this is what I've trained for, like
I'm capable of like everything I put my mind too,
and just not.
Speaker 1 (38:56):
Not making the game bigger than what it is. I
guess it's perfect. It'll make the game bigger than what
it is. If a young athlete came up to you
and said, I want to be just like you, what
would you tell them? What advice would you give them?
Speaker 2 (39:12):
I would tell them that you got to put in
the work. You know, you got to be working when
no one else is. And I think just I was
lucky enough to have a village around me who helped
me get to get me to where I am so
but obviously everyone doesn't have that. So I think just
finding people around you who you know you can go
(39:33):
train with who will push you to be better. I
think that is very important as well. And yeah, just
always always, always believing yourself no matter what. Yes, that
will creep in like it's it's inevitable, but not allowing
that to take you over and take control of you. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:52):
I love that. And to me it sounds like, especially
in the moment of doubt, where you were able to
go to your hotel and talk to yourself and flesh it.
It's simply like talk to yourself more than you listen
to yourself, because our brain lies to us often, and
so talk to yourself, tell yourself what it is that
you want to believe in, what you want to hear
versus listening. That helps. Yeah, I like that, Oh, Honor.
(40:16):
We're going to go into the no fly zone segment,
because if there's one person on the infield that can
turn the infield into a no fly zone, it definitely
is you. It is the rookie of the year with
all her amazing diamonds that she's dropping. So we talked
a little bit about amazing plays your first diving catch,
but do you remember your favorite play that you've ever
made in your career?
Speaker 2 (40:38):
When that comes to the top of my mind is
this past college season at Duke when I was playing
shortstop and it was ball hit up the middle like
almost like a chopper, but I grabbed it. I stepped
on second base, I spun and then through it to
first base for a double play. Who that was pretty cool.
(41:00):
You like dream of having those plays.
Speaker 1 (41:03):
But it's fun just to add some flare like you're
trying to get out of wa No, it was just quicker,
but it looked cool too. Oh heck yes, in my mind,
instead of people yelling out, g are they gonna start
yelling Anna or gold? Did it go? The spin? Like
freaking have that is your signature? I love that? Or
even at third base, maybe add a little spin every
(41:25):
now and then just because. But tell it, this is
my gold flare, y'all. Oh my god, wait, Anna, that's
actually so cool. Yeah, you do this way. Just add
a little gold flare. There's that goldflare we talked about.
I can hear the announcers now. I love it. I
love it. But what do you feel like is the
key to being an elite in fielder, whether it's shortstop
(41:46):
or third base. What goes into being the best of
the best yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (41:51):
Think learning the correct footwork and learning how to make
plays where you're not going off with two feet you know,
being an athlete, everything's not cookie cutter. And also having
a quick transfer definitely helps. You don't have to have
the strong starm, but quick transfer from your glove to
your throwing hands.
Speaker 1 (42:12):
Huge, especially as you get older and the runners get faster.
Speaker 2 (42:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
Well, Anna, in this game of failure, it is inevitable
as a softball player, but failure is truly what helps
us reach some of the biggest successes. So when you
look back on your entire softball career, what do you
feel like is your favorite failure that's ultimately led you
to maybe some of your best successes.
Speaker 2 (42:37):
I would say, honestly, my junior season as a whole.
I talked about it a little bit earlier, but it
was such a low point for me, like softball wise
and just mentally, but I think it taught me so
many things. Like I was so consumed by the sport,
like that is all who I was. Like I e
sleep and breathed softball because I thought doing more was
(42:58):
going to make me better. And I think sometimes you
need to take a step back and take a break
and have more balance, which is what I did this
past college. She's in my senior year. You know, I
didn't like, I didn't let softball defind me like I'm
a person who plays softball, I'm not just a softball player.
(43:19):
And finding my identity and other things, you know, through
my faith and just finding, you know, little hobbies that
might take your mind, your mind away from softball, Like
this year I started to paint, I read more, just
little things like that, so you're not so consumed by
the sport, because I think it can be very more
(43:39):
overwhelming and cause burnout. So having more balance, that's what
I've learned from my biggest failure.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
Find balance, Find balance within the game, and allow that
to lead you to what would you describe as fine,
more fine, whether it's your senior year in college or
your rookie yeaar as a pro well, Anna, thank you
so much for coming on and dropping your diamonds. Essentially,
(44:08):
I feel like when it comes to it, it is
going out there y'all and proving yourself right and have
a lot of fun while you're doing it. Set out
to prove yourself, don't set out to prove up people wrong,
but to prove yourself right, and you never know what
could happen. You can break the homeown record at your college.
You could become the rookie of the year in professional softball,
(44:29):
whatever sport is your play. But also make sure when
we start that we start the affirmation of your bold.
You don't fold. It's your life. You're in control, be
a beast and shine bright as gold, just like on
a gold Hona. Thank you again, thank you so much
for joining me on Dropping Diamonds.
Speaker 2 (44:49):
Thank you that was Awesomeay, well, thank you all for
listening to this episode.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
Let's continue this conversation on Instagram Dropping Diamonds podcast, and
remember to go out and beat gold. I'll meet you
here next week on the Diamond Bye for now. Dropping
Diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports production
(45:18):
in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep Blue
Sports and Entertainment. I'm your host, AJ Andrews. Our executive
producer is Jesse Katz. Tari Harrison is our supervising producer,
and this episode was mixed and mastered by Mary Do
listen to Dropping Diamonds with AJ Andrews on the iHeartRadio
app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
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