Feb. 4, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With the Knights' 2009 softball season only two days away, the UCFAthletics.com recently caught up with the upperclassmen on this year's squad to chat about the excitement leading up to the team's Feb. 6 season-opener at the ASU Kajikawa Classic. The Knights will square off with Texas Tech early in the day, before taking on defending national champion Arizona State in the nightcap.
In the fourth of seven installments, junior third baseman Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.) talks about the season ahead and her favorite memories from 2008.
What do you think is unique about this year's team?
"We have a lot of new players and will have a lot of freshmen starting for us. I think they are going to make a really big impact on the team which is unique for us."
What are your individual and team goals for the 2009 season?
"Individually, my goal is to hit a lot better than I did last year. I would like to hit over .300, and, honestly, I want people to be scared of me when I go up to bat. As a team, I would love for us to win back-to-back Conference USA Championships and I would like for us to win the regular-season league title, too. Lastly, I would like for the team to make it past the NCAA Regionals."
Why did you decide to play softball at UCF?
"When I came here on a visit, I really fell in love with the campus. The softball field is amazing and I really felt at home with the girls on the team, so it was a perfect fit for me."
What do you see as your role on the team this season?
"I am finally an upperclassman this year, so I will have a little more say in things. My main job is to be a motivator and to make sure everyone is communicating on the field. I also have to make sure everyone is being aggressive and always giving 100 percent."
What was your favorite memory from last season?
"Of course, my favorite memory from last year was when we won the C-USA Championship and Bre threw her glove across the field! That was definitely my favorite memory of all time. I do not think that I have ever been that happy, ever."
How does the team's mentality have to change this year with a conference title under its belt?
"Last year we were the underdogs and we didn't have anybody on our back. But, this year we do have a lot of pressure and everybody is out to get us."
What do you think last year's effort has done for this program moving forward?
"This year we are a lot more confident and motivated, which will keep getting passed down to each team year after year."
Fans can keep up with Hillary and the rest of the softball team throughout the season on her and Breanne Javier's blog, `The Hot Corner' exclusively on UCFAthletics.com.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
-UCF-