University of Minnesota Athletics
10 Questions with Shortstop Rachel Keeney
3/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Gophersports.com recently sat down with Rachel to get her thoughts on a variety of subjects…
You entered this year with 19 RBI in 147 career games. This year, you already have 17 in the first 28 games. What’s gotten into you?
“I was thinking about that over the weekend. I think a lot of it is being in a different spot in the lineup. You have to have a different mentality when you get up to the plate to hit. My mentality is I don’t care about the batting average or whether I get the hit or not. I care about getting that runner home or to the next base. That’s my main objective. With as much as speed that we have, especially at the top of our lineup, it makes it easy for me to relax. Most of the time, I just have to get the ball in play.”
Do your teammates ever give you any grief for being the oldest player on the team?
“Yes, I’ve been called grandma a few times so far. I tried to put a stop to that right away. Stefanie Watt probably gives me the most grief. Of course, a couple of games ago, Coach S(tandering) asked me if I needed a cane.”
Throughout your career, you’ve developed into one of the best defensive shortstops in the Big Ten….what do you think the keys are to being a successful infielder?
“I think the key is anticipation. Reading the scouting reports before the games and knowing what type of hitter is up to bat. Knowing if they are a pull hitter or a spray hitter, you can really anticipate how the ball will come off the bat. Speed and quickness are also important, along with confidence.”
What’s your favorite sports movie? Why hasn’t there been a softball version of Bull Durham or the Natural?
“My favorite movie would have to be A League of Their Own. I absolutely love that movie. It would be interesting if they made a softball version of Bull Durham. I would definitely want to be a part of it.”
What’s one thing you wish you would’ve known as a freshman that you know now?
“I wish I would have known how strategy plays such an important part of the game, both offensively and defensively. It can really affect the number of wins and losses.”
With Big Ten season approaching, which league team do you enjoy beating the most and why?
“I really enjoy beating Northwestern. They’re a tough team. We split with them last year. We’ve had some really intense games with them, especially after losing to them on the home run in last year’s Big Ten Tournament.
Your younger brother David is the manager on this year’s team…did you give him any advice before he started traveling with the team?
“The advice I gave him was to get ready to have 20 new sisters, plus the two that he already has in his immediate family. I tried to prepare him for that one. He’s been awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season with him on this team. He does the filming for us so I know I can go back and ask him about my hitting, whether I swung at a good pitch. He has a baseball background so I trust him. It’s just fun to have him around and to see how well the girls have responded to him. Everybody likes him.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I want to be a collegiate softball coach so I’m focusing on building up my resume’ and getting it out there. I want to stay in the Big Ten so hopefully it works out.”
What will you miss most about playing for the Golden Gophers?
“I will miss my coaches and my teammates. People say that whether you have fun playing the actual games or not, it’s those relationships that are the most important. They have made my experience here so special.”
Midway through this season, what are your goals for the rest of the year?
“We want to get consistent. We’ve been able to beat some ranked teams, but then we turn around and lose to teams we probably shouldn't lose to. Playing every team the same and keeping it simple will be important down the stretch.” Senior shortstop Rachel Keeney and the Golden Gophers begin their Big Ten season next weekend at home against Penn State and Ohio State. Keeney currently leads the team with 17 RBI, along with five doubles and a triple. A full-time starter the past three seasons, Keeney has appeared in 174 career games with the Maroon and Gold. A native of Eagan, Minn., Keeney is majoring in child psychology and coaching.
Gophersports.com recently sat down with Rachel to get her thoughts on a variety of subjects…
You entered this year with 19 RBI in 147 career games. This year, you already have 17 in the first 28 games. What’s gotten into you?
“I was thinking about that over the weekend. I think a lot of it is being in a different spot in the lineup. You have to have a different mentality when you get up to the plate to hit. My mentality is I don’t care about the batting average or whether I get the hit or not. I care about getting that runner home or to the next base. That’s my main objective. With as much as speed that we have, especially at the top of our lineup, it makes it easy for me to relax. Most of the time, I just have to get the ball in play.”
Do your teammates ever give you any grief for being the oldest player on the team?
“Yes, I’ve been called grandma a few times so far. I tried to put a stop to that right away. Stefanie Watt probably gives me the most grief. Of course, a couple of games ago, Coach S(tandering) asked me if I needed a cane.”
Throughout your career, you’ve developed into one of the best defensive shortstops in the Big Ten….what do you think the keys are to being a successful infielder?
“I think the key is anticipation. Reading the scouting reports before the games and knowing what type of hitter is up to bat. Knowing if they are a pull hitter or a spray hitter, you can really anticipate how the ball will come off the bat. Speed and quickness are also important, along with confidence.”
What’s your favorite sports movie? Why hasn’t there been a softball version of Bull Durham or the Natural?
“My favorite movie would have to be A League of Their Own. I absolutely love that movie. It would be interesting if they made a softball version of Bull Durham. I would definitely want to be a part of it.”
What’s one thing you wish you would’ve known as a freshman that you know now?
“I wish I would have known how strategy plays such an important part of the game, both offensively and defensively. It can really affect the number of wins and losses.”
With Big Ten season approaching, which league team do you enjoy beating the most and why?
“I really enjoy beating Northwestern. They’re a tough team. We split with them last year. We’ve had some really intense games with them, especially after losing to them on the home run in last year’s Big Ten Tournament.
Your younger brother David is the manager on this year’s team…did you give him any advice before he started traveling with the team?
“The advice I gave him was to get ready to have 20 new sisters, plus the two that he already has in his immediate family. I tried to prepare him for that one. He’s been awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season with him on this team. He does the filming for us so I know I can go back and ask him about my hitting, whether I swung at a good pitch. He has a baseball background so I trust him. It’s just fun to have him around and to see how well the girls have responded to him. Everybody likes him.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I want to be a collegiate softball coach so I’m focusing on building up my resume’ and getting it out there. I want to stay in the Big Ten so hopefully it works out.”
What will you miss most about playing for the Golden Gophers?
“I will miss my coaches and my teammates. People say that whether you have fun playing the actual games or not, it’s those relationships that are the most important. They have made my experience here so special.”
Midway through this season, what are your goals for the rest of the year?
“We want to get consistent. We’ve been able to beat some ranked teams, but then we turn around and lose to teams we probably shouldn't lose to. Playing every team the same and keeping it simple will be important down the stretch.”
