University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
In Left Field...Q&A with Amanda Brown
2/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In Left Field...Q&A with Amanda Brown
Senior Amanda Brown leads the Lady Eagles in the Gator Invitational this weekend, Feb. 14-16. |
Brown is batting .300 after four games this season. She is a gritty performer who possesses speed and power on offense, as well as a solid glove in left field. She leads the team as they compete in the Gator Invitational this weekend, Feb. 14-16, in Gainesville, Fla.
Do you see yourself as a ?sparkplug?, the one who can ignite this team?
Sometimes. It depends on how I?m playing. When I was batting leadoff, it was real important for me to get on base to set the tone for the game.
I like pressure. I don?t back down from it. If someone is going to face a full count, bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, I want it to be me. I have that much confidence in my abilities, and I think I can get the job done.
What goes through your mind when you are out there in the field?
Most of the time, I?m reminding myself of the situation of the game, so that I don?t get flustered whenever I have to make a play and don?t freak out, saying to myself, ?What do I do with the ball now?? I?m always talking to my teammates, but also I?m talking to myself when I do that because it helps me to be ready and hustle to make as many plays as I can.
What excites you more, pulling off a squeeze bunt or hitting a home run?
I favor more the squeeze play because it involves teamwork. You have to do your job, but the runner at third has to do their job too. It?s rare to pull it off. Home runs in softball are not very common either, but you see a lot of home runs in baseball. The squeeze play is one of my favorite things in softball.
What are some of your favorite memories while you?ve been attending Southern Miss?
My first year here (2001, her sophomore year) was a blast. We only had 12 players, and nobody thought we would win the conference tournament. We did win it and surprised everyone.
My favorite game probably was the game against Louisville in the tournament that year. I hit a home run to tie the game, and then Tammy came through and hit her home run to win it. Then we beat DePaul in the championship game. That was the most memorable moment I had here.
Where do you like to hang out in your hometown of Houston?
I just like hanging out with friends. We usually would get together at somebody?s house and watch movies or play games.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I intend to stay around Hattiesburg and go to grad school, possibly get a graduate assistantship either in coaching or somewhere in athletics. I have thought about going into physical therapy, so I considered getting a degree in exercise science.
