FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University softball junior standout Libby Morris/Dillwyn has been named the Longwood Female
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. Morris went the distance in all three of her appearances last week, collecting a 3-0 record with a 1.11 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 19.0 innings pitched. She started her week by helping the Lancers earn a 9-1, mercy-rule decision in five innings against Liberty on March 20, allowing just two hits and one unearned run with nine strikeouts. Morris then picked up her first shutout of the season in a 3-0 win against Winthrop on March 22, setting a career high with 10 strikeouts. She wrapped up the week with six strikeouts in a 9-4 victory in the series finale against Winthrop on March 23.
Question and Answer Session with Libby Morris and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk about your 3-0 performance last week.
LM: Everything just kind of came together, and I think I finally realized what I needed to do to be successful. I had been doing ok in the past, but then something just clicked for me and I kind of realized the rhythm I needed to be in to be successful.
AR: You had 25 strikeouts for the week. Did that surprise you or is that something you’ve been working on?
LM: I think Megan and I just worked really well together and we were more creative, so I think that really made a difference. And just mixing the pitches up; Megan would think something and I would think the same thing. So it was kind of like a trial and error type of thing, but just being more creative.
AR: What does it mean to you to be the veteran on the pitching staff this year? Do you think that pushes you to perform better?
LM: It definitely has made me work a lot harder because both of the freshman pitchers are really good. We’re all so different too, so I try to encompass what they do well. I’ve never really had a great change-up, but Biz and Jenna are both great change-up pitchers.
AR: As an upperclassman, do you find yourself giving them advice? Do they seek advice from you or do you just try to lead by example?
LM: I definitely talk to them a lot. If they come in between an inning, and if they’re maybe struggling, I try to give them advice because I’ve been in the same situation. But then also, sometimes I learn from them with different things, so we do talk a lot.
AR: Talk a little bit about the season and the team’s performance so far.
LM: We’re definitely young and just experimenting with different people in different positions. I think we’ve done a really good job with people being able to move and play different places. We have a lot of learning to do and experimenting with different things, but I’m really excited to see where we can go because we’re working hard and we’re playing well. We just need to find that right rhythm and then I think we will do fine.
AR: What are you most excited for this season? What are your team or individual goals?
LM: I’m really excited to beat Coastal. That’s my main goal because last year we played them at home and didn’t beat them at all. Then we didn’t see them in the tournament. I also want to play well against Campbell because they’re a big rival.
AR: Who do you consider to be a role model in life?
LM: I really look up to Coach Riley. I’ve just changed a tremendous amount from high school to here. She’s really helped me grow as a person, and she’s changed my whole work ethic. She’s helped me find myself and what I need to do to be successful.
AR: What would you say is one of the better pieces of advice that you’ve gotten from her, if you can pick one?
LM: Well, she’s always told me not to be satisfied. Don’t be satisfied with just doing ok, or getting by, there’s always something you can do better. Don’t just be good for one week, be good for the season. Don’t ever be content with just being ok.
AR: If you could give a piece of advice to a young girl hoping to play Division I softball, what would you say?
LM: I would say definitely just work hard every day. And don’t take the little things for granted. Just put everything into it while you can because I wish I would’ve in high school. I wish I would’ve put more time into it instead of just getting by on talent.
AR: If you could switch places with someone on the team for a day, who would it be?
LM: Emily Murphy because she’s so athletic, everything comes easily to her, and she’s really fluid with a lot of rhythm. So I think I would switch with her.
AR: Who is the funniest person on the team?
LM: Megan Baltzell. She’s just goofy and she’s a kid at heart. She definitely keeps me really grounded and she’s just a funny person to be around.
AR: Who is the best dancer on the team?
LM: Emily and Megan falls right behind her. Emily tried to have a dance off with somebody when we played Charleston Southern. She just has a lot of rhythm and she’s the best.
