This is the first in a series of weekly question and answer sessions with members of the 91Â鶹¾«Æ· Softball team conducted by team play-by-play announcer Ted Rossman. Each week a different Raider will be in the spotlight, beginning with the team’s seniors.'xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office' />
Catcher (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) had by far her best season as a Raider last season, setting career highs in every major offensive category, while continuing to provide excellent defensive play behind the plate. One of the Patriot League’s best defensive players, Stacy was named the Raiders’ Most Improved Player last season, and was a major reason for the club’s successful season which included a Patriot League Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. As the Raiders prepare to defend their title in 2004, Stacy took some time out to discuss her upcoming senior season, talking it up on the field, and her Patriot League idol.
Ted Rossman: When did you begin to focus on softball’
Stacy Mui: You know, it just always came more naturally to me than other sports. I played field hockey and basketball, but they were much harder for me.
TR: Have you always been a catcher’
SM: [Laughs] Actually, no. I used to play first and third base in high school. I caught for my travel team [the New York Clash], so that’s where I got started catching.
TR: What is your least favorite practice drill’
SM: Oh boy, I should try to give some sort of diplomatic answer here [laughs]. I’d have to say blocking drills. We don’t do them that much, but when the ball hits your arms it hurts, and in a game that’s okay, but in practice it gets old pretty fast.
TR: Do you have a favorite pre-game song’
SM: Not really. I usually just kinda zone out before games. But whatever helps out my teammates is cool.
TR: If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be’
SM: Oh boy, that’s a tough one. I’d say something like Don’t Count Yourself Out, or maybe Don’t Let Situations Dictate What You Can Or Cannot Do.
TR: Do you have trouble making time for all of your schoolwork during softball season’
SM: No, it actually helps. It gives me a better sense of time management, like I know I have to get things done under pressure, and I’m pretty good at that. A lot of my teammates bring homework on road trips, but I get bus sick, so I just get it done when I can at home.
TR: What made you decide to come to 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™
SM: Well, it was definitely the best academic school that was recruiting me. Also my brother Rickie went here; he graduated my sophomore year. One of the things I remember most about my recruiting visit, though, was Coach Sax telling me that wherever I decide to go that I should make sure I’d be happy there if I get injured, because that’s what happened to her when she was in school.
TR: Can you talk a little bit about Coach Sax and what she means to this team’
SM: I have never met a coach who cares as much about the 18 girls on her team than Coach Sax. She’s an amazing person, and the most amazing thing about her is that she cares about us as people more than she cares about us as softball players. Also, she understands that every player needs to be coached a little differently. She’s just been great for the program; 91Â鶹¾«Æ· really needs to hang onto her.
TR: How do you feel about the way the team is shaping up this year’
SM: We have very good team chemistry. It’s healthy competition, because we all know that if we don’t get it done there’s somebody behind us who can step in. And that’s okay, because it’s good for the team.
TR: Has Nichole Rawson fit in well with the team’s chemistry since transferring from Marist’
SM: Oh yes! Nichole seems like she’s been here for years. The fact that my teammates and I elected her as a captain, that says a lot about her as a person and about her sense of integrity. I always admired her as a player because she’s a great player, she always has a positive attitude, and she works very hard.
TR: How would you describe your playing style’
SM: I’d say I’m borderline cocky on defense [laughs]. I love the mental aspects of catching, the way I can look at an opponent’s swing and decide what she can’t hit. During games a lot of times I look at the on-deck batter more than the hitter at the plate. I watch her swing and I plan out the entire pitch sequence, deciding whether we want a ground ball or a fly ball, depending on the situation.
TR: How do you think an opponent would describe you as a player’
SM: Well you know that’s an interesting question because Nichole told me that when we played Marist they all hated me. I’m the kind of player that the opponents, they’re not gonna like me, but my teammates will. I’ve matured a lot; I used to be real feisty, like as a freshman. I’m not cocky in the sense of bad mouthing the other team, but I am constantly talking and cheering my pitcher on. I think I talk more when I’m nervous, too. But there are no cruel intentions there.
TR: What has it been like catching Elena Isaac for four years’
SM: At this point, it’s really like we’re one person on the field. The Patriot League championship game last year was almost surreal, like I knew exactly what she wanted to throw.
TR: How does Kate Howard compare with Elena’
SM: Kate’s going to be great by the time she leaves here. She’s amazing. I definitely think she steps up against tougher opponents, like when we played Long Beach in the [NCAA] Regionals last year, I looked into her eyes and saw a real, intense focus.
TR: Is there a player in the Patriot League that you have particularly admired during your career’
SM: Nicki Robbins. She was an outfielder for Army, graduated my sophomore year. Right now she’s fighting overseas, in Iraq, I think. She just had so much class. She won league MVP three times, was on the Patriot League’s All-Decade Team. You know how it hurts a little bit when you foul a ball off and the aluminum vibrates’ Well, I remember this one time she had a broken finger, and she had this huge foam thing on, and I knew I had to keep pitching her inside because of that. She just kept fouling balls off. She was crying at the plate, and she still got a hit. That’s dedication right there. I really admired her for that.