FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University sophomore softball standout Megan Baltzell/Stafford has been named this week’s Longwood Female Athlete of the Week. The catcher led the squad last week with a .429 batting average, nine RBI and three home runs. She also boasted a 1.143 slugging percentage, a .500 on base percentage and a 1.000 fielding percentage in four consecutive wins for the Lancers. Baltzell has dominated at the plate this season. The .429 hitter logged her 17th home run of the season in the squad's 19-7 win at Norfolk State on April 4 to set a new school record for homers in a season. The catcher has 111 total bases so far, good for a .991 slugging percentage and a .538 on base percentage. She also has five multi-home run games so far this season.
Question and Answer Session with Megan Baltzell and Ashley Robbins
AR: Did you prepare any differently this offseason?
MB: Obviously, the biggest difference from my freshman year to now is that I was playing basketball last year. I didn’t have that whole winter break to focus on my individual softball game and my hitting, and that’s what I did this year. I took those five weeks and I practiced all my weaknesses and not so much my strengths. That’s really helped me this season with my power and batting.
AR: Do you find yourself giving your younger teammates advice?
MB: Yes, I would say so. Through all the experiences I went through and my whole sophomore class went through as freshman, we are trying to help this year’s freshman get into the tradition of Longwood and help them out with the ways of Coach Riley.
AR: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten from Coach Riley?
MB: There’s too many. Everything that comes out of her mouth is so inspirational, and it helps me in different ways on and off the field. She’s just an amazing woman and she’s a great coach.
AR: What would you tell a young athlete aspiring to play Division I someday?
MB: Just keep your hopes high. You may have a bad game or have a bad streak going, but if you keep your persistence and keep your hopes up, everyone has a chance to play Division I softball. You’ve just got to keep on going and don’t give up.
AR: What are your goals for the rest of the season, individually and as a team?
MB: Individually, just keep my hitting going, but it’s mostly about the team. I want to win this Big South Championship for our school and for our team for the first time ever. It’s great to be a part of something that’s great, so we’re going to keep on going.
AR: Why did you choose Longwood?
MB: Mostly because of the softball tradition that I had heard Longwood had and how hard the program always worked. Coach Riley was the main reason I came because I feel like we are kind of like the same person with our work ethic. She makes me want to work harder and be a better person.
AR: What’s your favorite thing about the Longwood softball program?
MB: We have a lot of fun, but we also work hard, too, so there’s also an equal balance between fun and working hard. We put that together on the field and it works.
AR: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
MB: Mostly, there is a little inside joke where we get in a circle and I say ‘it’s such a beautiful day’ and then everyone claps. It’s just something I do every game and it makes everyone laugh.
AR: Do you have any role models?
MB: I have a lot of role models, but my main one would be my dad. He’s worked so hard throughout his life and he’s been through so much. He’s had cancer three and he’s survived three times. He’s just such an inspiration to me.
AR: What’s your favorite pro team?
MB: My favorite team is definitely the New York Yankees. I love them so much. I don’t care if they’re old and half of them are injured right now. I will always be a Yankees fan.
AR: What does it mean to you to get to play as part of the Big South this year?
MB: It’s an honor to play because I know the previous athletes came here knowing they weren’t going to have a chance (to play in the postseason). They worked so hard for us to get here and it’s just an honor to play for the Big South.
