Sophomore Emily Hildt has been playing softball since she was four years old because her dad loved baseball, and he’d hope that his love for the game would continue with her.
However, she also started playing after watching the college softball girls play. “When I would watch them, I would just think about how cool it would be to play at that level,” Emily added.
Emily is a dual threat pitcher and first baseman. She has always been a pitcher and first baseman because she always loved to be involved in every play.
When she pitches, she loves to feel like she can control the field and the outcomes.
She has had so many amazing memories over all the years, but one that sticks out the most is winning the National Championships in 2022.
Emily said, “It was great because our once-distant team came together and became a really supportive group of girls. We had each other’s back throughout the whole tournament. It was also very memorable for me because I was awarded with tournament MVP.”
High pressure games and situations are something that Emily is very familiar with. She stresses being at the top of her game, mentally and physically.
She prepares mentally by going through the same routine. She feels like having a set routine makes a huge difference, planning everything out to the moment the game starts.
She uses a certain bat during warm-ups and has a certain way she throws pitches. “I believe a strict routine is key to mental and physical preparation.”
Emily has had many important role models in her life, but her biggest influence has been Jennie Finch. She has aspired to be like her since she was younger. She read her book and went to her pitching camp.
She even spent hours in front of her TV watching videos of her in the Olympics. She is her biggest influence because she is relatable.