Written by Mizzou Athletics Strategic Communications student assistant, Theresa Gaul

COLUMBIA, Mo. - For most collegiate student-athletes, they have one dream school. For many players on the Mizzou Softball team, the University of Missouri is that school. 10 girls on the current 2017 roster are from the state of Missouri and many have grown up watching the Tigers at University Field.

Junior Paige Bange (Jefferson City, Mo.) remembers watching Mizzou Softball when she was little.

"There would be times where I even would get out of school early and come up for a weekday game," Bange recalled. "I watched Mizzou Softball a lot growing up."

"I actually have posters in my room at home going back to 2008," redshirt sophomore Madi Norman (Tipton, Mo.) said. "I had watched Chelsea Thomas a lot and I knew I wanted to be just like her when I was little."

For senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.), Mizzou Softball was a family affair.

"My sister (Ashley Fleming) played here before me," Fleming recalled. "She is five years older than me. Growing up through middle school and high school, I was always here. When I came here it was almost the same thing because I was so used to always being here already."

Freshman Lexi Rampetsreiter [Lee's Summit, Mo.] remembers playing in front of head coach Ehren Earleywine during softball camps in the summer.

"I went to a lot of the camps as a 13-year-old," Rampetsreiter said. "I have really always dreamt of playing here. It was a dream come true."

Coming from Kansas City, Springfield, Mo., or a small town like Silex, Mo., these women all have the opportunity to play for their home state university.

Some opportunities come at different times. Norman started her collegiate career at the University of Louisville, but she knew she ultimately wanted to play at Mizzou. Norman is now in the arsenal of pitchers for the upcoming 2017 Tigers season.

"This was always the dream so when the opportunity came, of course I was going to take it," Norman said. "You can't really say no to what you've always wanted."

Coming from a large family, staying close to home was a large factor in Fleming's college decision. Also coming from a small town required a lot of change once she arrived in Columbia, but it was nice knowing that her family from Silex, Mo., can come watch her play. 

"It's a comfort thing I guess knowing that they are here," Fleming said. "However many fans we have at games, whenever I go up to bat I can always hear my dad's voice over everybody."

High-level education at a recognized university like Mizzou was also a great opportunity in Rampetsreiter's eyes.

"Disregarding softball, I've always just wanted to go to school here," Rampetsreiter exclaimed. "I've always loved the campus. The community is great. Softball is just a huge bonus to it. It fits perfectly to me."

"To wear Missouri on your chest that is the coolest thing," Bange said. "It feels like home. You are representing your home state. Everybody is rooting for you and cheering for you and wants to see you succeed and that's what makes it feel like home."

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