Mizzou Insider: First-Year Tigers Making Successful Transition
12/10/2015 1:48:00 PM | Softball
Mizzou Softball freshmen continue to develop academically and athletically
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2015 fall semester is nearing its end at the University of Missouri as students across campus make their closing preparations for finals week. Mizzou Athletics student-athletes are no different as they continue to manage both their athletic and academic duties.
For the upcoming 2016 Mizzou Softball season, head coach Ehren Earleywine will see eight freshmen take the field for the first time in their collegiate careers. While the team is still in the midst of its offseason schedule, the slew of first-year Tigers must continue to evolve and prepare for the academic and athletic tasks lying in front of them.
Danielle Baumgartner (Mexico, Mo.), Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) and Chase Nelson (Paragould, Ark.) are three of the Tiger newcomers on the 2016 roster. The talented trio and their fellow first-year teammates began their journey in Columbia, Mo., this past summer.
Nash arrived to mid-Missouri from a small town just outside Kansas City, Mo. Transitioning from a small-town lifestyle to a bigger and busier atmosphere in Columbia was a conflict at first for Nash, but she quickly adapted to the challenges at-hand.
"Academically, I definitely had to learn how to study," Nash said. "College classes are so much different from high school, especially coming from a small school with only 10-11 kids in a classroom. I had to learn how to reach out to professors if I was struggling with something."
Similar to Nash, Nelson had to quickly learn effective academic habits in order to succeed at the highest level in the classroom.
"I've learned that with college courses you really have to study more in advance," Nelson said. "Preparing for exams is a long process and you must plan accordingly if you want to succeed."
As the three freshmen successfully transitioned academically in their first semester, each Tiger also faced challenges ahead of them athletically over at University Field. The ability to time manage both their academic and athletic responsibilities was tough at first but the rewards at the end of the tunnel were in sight for each individual.
The freshmen's first taste of Division I softball occurred on Sept. 18 in the Tigers' 2015 Fall Ball season opener. After a month of intersquads and practice at University Field, the 2016 Mizzou Softball roster finally had its first opportunity to play live games against legitimate opponents.
Before their opening game against Jefferson College, the group of first-year Tigers had their first moment together to wear Mizzou black and gold in a collegiate game. For Nash, it was a feeling and moment that she had dreamt about for years and years.
"It was amazing to me," Nash recalled. "Since I was 12 years old, I've wanted to play softball for Mizzou. Now that it has finally happened it makes everything so perfect. I make sure to live up every second of this because this is my dream."
Like her fellow teammate, Baumgartner had her eyes set on playing for Mizzou Softball during her high school career and the reality of finally stepping into the circle at University Field was a memory of a lifetime.
"To wear Mizzou black and gold while competing in live action this past fall season was a dream come true," Baumgartner said. "To be alongside the other great pitchers on this team and go out and compete like we did was a lot of fun. I was real happy with how I fared in the circle and I can't wait to compete even more when the 2016 season starts."
The 2016 Mizzou Softball campaign officially gets underway in mid-February. With first pitch only two months away, the reality of beginning the next chapter in their athletic career is quickly coming to focus for the Tiger freshmen.
For both Nelson and Baumgartner, the common emotions that come to mind are pure excitement and anticipation.
"I'm excited and hopeful for the future this season with Mizzou," Nelson said. "We have a great team heading into this season and I can't wait to be on the field with all of my teammates."
"My excitement is through the roof," Baumgartner proclaimed. "I can't wait to experience all the traveling while also having the opportunity to compete against the most talented players in the country. I expect us to have a lot of success. Our work ethic and determiniation could potentially take us a long way in 2016."
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
