MM: Who or what got you started?
BD: It’s kind of weird. I used to pitch and one of my friends from high school played on a travel team. Her team was having trouble facing slower pitchers, so they asked me to come pitch to them because I was slower at the time. They saw I had a great work ethic, so the coach asked me to come practice and actually asked me to play for the Philadelphia Spirit. I played for them from the time I was 14 through 18.

MM: Did you play any other sports while you were growing up?
BD: I tried a little bit of everything: basketball, soccer, field hockey. (I concentrated on softball) in high school after getting hurt in field hockey during my freshman year.

MM: When did you realize you were on track to play in college?
BD: Actually, not until my junior year of high school, which is when people decide what school they are going to. Everything happened pretty fast and I was never sure if I would play in college. It’s kind of surreal since I didn’t expect to even play travel ball.

 MM: What was that realization like?
BD: It took awhile. When I would talk about it with my mom, I still couldn’t believe it was happening. It was very surreal, because had only really done Little League and then I randomly joined a travel team with girls that had already been playing for five years.

MM: What other schools were recruiting you and why did you choose La Salle?
BD: Marist College was the only other one I was interested in. I actually took classes here as a senior though, so I had a feel that I wanted to come here. When I emailed (Coach Joe DiPietro) at the time, he said he’d come check me out. From then on, I knew I wanted to come here.

MM: What’s your transition been like from high school to college?
BD: It wasn’t too bad in the classroom, but on the field it’s been a little different. I’m a freshman, so it’s weird going from being captain on my high school team to being a freshman on this team. Players here are of a higher-caliber than what I was used to playing with.

MM: What’s it like to get all the playing time that you’ve seen this year? Did you expect that?
BD: I wasn’t expecting, but hoping I could prove to myself that I am good enough to play. It’s been awesome and I’m having so much fun.

MM: What do you miss most about high school?
BD: The free time and being able to do all the activities, because with being here school and playing softball consume most of my time. I also miss having class with my best friends.

MM: What do you enjoy most about college?
BD: The freedom and being open your own. I’m able to do my own thing and don’t have to answer to anyone. Everything you do is done on your own.

MM: Up until now, what has been your most crowning achievement in softball?
BD: My freshman, sophomore, and junior year of high school, our team won the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship. I also got All-Catholic and an Eastern Pennsylvania Award for playing outfield.

MM: Who’s been the most influential in your softball career?
BD: My high school coach, Sandy Hart, gave me more of a thicker skin. She was a tough cookie, but she was a good coach and tried to keep us on track. My travel coach, Ed Brabazon, helped me out a lot. He got me into the travel ball and helped me with my decision about where I had to go.

MM: Who do you consider your role model, not necessarily softball?
BD: My mom. She’s my rock. We’ve gone through a lot and she’s been the strongest and most influential person in my life. I can go to her about anything and I know she will still love me no matter what. She’s always been honest and always helped me through everything.

MM: Outside of the classroom and off the field, what do you enjoy doing?
BD: Going home to see my family. I like to hang out with my sister and friends. Basically, just relaxing, because I don’t get a lot of down time. I love the beach too.

MM: Outside of La Salle, what is your favorite place to be?
BD: Probably home or the beach. Anywhere where there are people that I can be around.

MM: Who is one person alive or deceased you would like to meet?
BD: The U.S. Olympic softball team.

MM: Do you consider yourself superstitious when you play softball?
BD: Not really. My biggest thing is probably how I sing when I’m at bat. I think too much when I’m in the field so I have to do little things that distract me.

MM: What do you sing?
BD: Recently, it’s been Spice Girls.

MM: What teams have you played for?
SS: I started off with playing for St. George’s in New Jersey and that’s when I moved back to Delaware and I played for M.O.T., which is an AA team. I played for St. Elizabeth’s High School before I transferred to Middletown High School for my junior year, so I played junior and senior year there.

MM: What or who got you into playing?
SS: My step-dad (John) got me started. He played men’s softball so he taught me how to play. The funny thing is that the very first time I tried catching, I got hit in the face with the ball, but I stuck with it.

MM: Did you play any other sports growing up?
SS: I played field hockey in my freshman and sophomore years of high school, but tore my hip flexor. After that, I didn’t play anymore.

MM: What position did you play in field hockey?
SS: I was a forward first, and then I was a defensive back.

MM: Has softball always been your favorite?
SS: It was one of those things I had to pick. My parents didn’t want me to continue playing field hockey so that I wouldn’t get hurt anymore.

MM: When did you realize you were on track to play in college?
SS: Probably my sophomore year of high school. I always wanted to play in college since I was little.

MM: What other schools were recruiting you, and why did you ultimately decide on La Salle?
SS: I was also recruited by Stony Brook, but I gave a verbal commitment to La Salle in my junior year. I didn’t give myself much time to pick a school, but I ultimately picked La Salle.

MM: Can you talk a bit about your transition from high school to college both athletically and academically?
SS: There has been a big change in softball for me. It’s more a part of my life than it was before. I used to love having a break after school, but now I’m always in the go.

MM: What is the best part about college so far?
SS: Probably playing softball with the team I have now. They have really helped me make the transition.

MM: What do you think has been the biggest part of you and Breanna getting so much playing time so soon?
SS: I think we’ve proved ourselves. We work really hard at practice and put in the commitment and the time necessary.

MM: Did you think you would be starting right off the bat?
SS: I knew I would be playing, but I didn’t expect to play this much. It’s definitely rewarding for how hard I’ve worked.

MM: Up to this point, what is your greatest achievement in softball?
SS: I’d have to say being all-State in high school in three of my four years. It was a personal goal of mine, so it was a real accomplishment for me.

MM: How did you feel when you hit your first collegiate home run, but then it ended up not counting since the game was called?
SS: I was really disappointed, but it was a relief to find out that I can still hit the ball [laughing] since I’ve been in a slump. My teammates told me that I just have to do it again!

 MM: Do you consider yourself superstitious in softball?
SS: To a point. Before I go up to bat, I’ll breathe and lick my fingers, swing my bat around and stare at the batter’s box. I just do these things without even thinking about it.

MM: Who has been the most influential person in your softball career?
SS: My step-dad, because he taught me how to play and got me interested in it. When I was younger I used to watch him play. He’s been my coach all along; he always tells me what I did right and what I did wrong.

MM: Who do you consider as your overall role-model, not necessarily in softball?
SS: I’d have to say my mom (Kim Fitzpatrick), because she’s always been there to help me with the school work.

MM: What’s the best advice anyone has anyone ever given you?
SS: My high school coach always told me to follow my dreams and never quit playing. When things get hard, always keep that in mind.

MM: Outside of the classroom and off the field, what do you like to do?
SS: I love being around my family. I just had a baby brother born two weeks ago. I love hanging out with friends, going to movies, shopping-especially the Delaware Outlets.

MM: Where is your favorite place to be?
SS: Definitely the beach. I love the beach, it’s my relaxing spot.

MM: Who is one person alive or deceased you could meet and why?
SS: Derek Jeter. I love the Yankees. I used to go to Yankees games all the time, and I think he’s a very good role model. I would like to meet him and shake his hand one time.