FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University softball freshman standout Justina Augustine/Warrenton has been named the Longwood Female
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. The rookie, who started all four games last week in center field, helped the Lancers sweep doubleheaders against George Mason and at Charleston Southern to improve to 13-5 overall in 2014. She paced the team with a .455 average, logging five hits in 11 at-bats with four RBI. Augustine recorded her first-career home run, a three-run shot, to help the Lancers seal a come-from-behind 6-5 win in game one at Charleston Southern. She added two stolen bases, four runs and a .727 slugging percentage.
Question and Answer Session with Justina Augustine and Steven Sommer
SS: Congratulations on Athlete of the Week. What does earning these honors mean to you?
JA: It feels really good, especially being a freshman. It’s exciting to know that I can have an impact on the team this early and receive this kind of honor so young.
SS: Walk me through your recent wins against Big South opponent Charleston Southern.
JA: Being our first conference game, we came in pretty confident. Knowing that we had beaten them in previous years, we felt we were ready and thought we were good to go. In our first game, we didn’t come out playing like we knew how and ended up falling behind 5-1, but in the last two innings, we just felt it. We really got into a groove hitting and ended up winning the game, and then the second game was a much easier win. It was really nice getting that first conference victory and starting out on the right foot.
SS: What has the transition from high school softball to Division I softball been like for you?
JA: It’s a big difference. The biggest difference to me is that everyone here wants to be here and is competitive. Everyone’s at just about the same level, so it’s nice being there with people who want to be there, and are just as competitive and driven as you.
SS: What motivated you to come play at Longwood over other schools?
JA: I really loved the school first of all. I want to teach and Longwood is really well known for their education program. Also I just loved the softball program here. I loved Coach Riley from the moment I met her and I wanted to play for her. I just love this school.
SS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
JA: Not so much pregame, but every time I get up to bat right before I step in the box, I’ll point my bat at the pitcher. It’s my way of saying ‘bring it on’ and helps me boost my confidence.
SS: Who’s the funniest person on the team?
JA: Probably my roommate, Taylor Hedrick. She is so quiet, but when she says something, it’s always so funny. She won’t even laugh at her own joke, which I think adds to it. She just says it with a straight face and everyone just dies laughing.
SS: Who on the team is your biggest role model?
JA: Megan Baltzell. She’s a great player and she’s very driven. She’s a really good hitter and I hope one day I can get to her level of play. I really look up to her.
SS: If you could swap places with anyone on the team for a day, who would it be and why?
JA: Probably one of the pitchers. I’ve never played that position before, so I’d like to see the different point of view and see what goes into playing in the circle.
SS: What do you like to do in your spare time outside of softball?
JA: I really love to listen to music, which I guess isn’t too unique. I also like being crafty, making things like bracelets or anything artsy.
