University of Minnesota Athletics
Summer Update: Kaitlyn Richardson in the NPF
7/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
We got the chance to ask Senior Class All-American from this past Gopher softball season Kaitlyn Richardson how her first season playing in the NPF with the Dallas Charge is going. Richardson is one of the leaders in batting average for the Charge with a .289 on the season.
Hello Gopher fans! I cannot believe it is already July. Summer is going by faster and faster every year. Although I have not had much time to catch my breath since season ended, I have enjoyed every second of it. Although I miss my Gopher family it has been fun to meet new girls from programs across the country and even the world! I really like my team and they are big part in why I am having such a great summer. We have traveled to Chicago, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and we are about to come up on our 22 day road trip.
Being a rookie has been very exciting for me. It has been a good transition but there are definitely some adjustments I have had to make. Every game you are playing the best of the best; being surrounded by that high of a level of competition is amazing. I have had the opportunity to face some pitchers that I grew up idolizing and I will forever be grateful for those opportunities. My role has ranged from being a pinch hitter, to batting second, third, ninth and sometimes not playing. It has been great to be in all sorts of different situations for this team. I like being able to learn from every role that I have taken on so far this season. We play a team sport so whatever role I am in for the game, I make sure to do my best to make a difference.
So far my favorite series has been the Bandit series. It was really weird being in the opposing dugout of my longtime teammate Sara Moulton. Facing her was fun. Of course we split and each won an at bat that I faced her. She threw very well that game and kept our team from gaining any momentum. Of course I had to give her a little smirk when I made my way to first base after my first at bat. Sara is a fierce competitor and my team and I spoke nothing but good things about her. She looks great and does more then hold her own in the league.
Although there is not a lot of time left, we still have cities to see and places to explore. We have a few days off coming up and I am excited to be able to venture into Dallas a little bit. Our team is taking a trip to the Six Flags here in Texas and my family comes in at the end of the week for our next Bandits series. I am also looking forward to playing the Bandits in July in Chicago because I know that some of my Gophers teammates are going to go there to see Moult and I face off for the third time. It has been too long since I have seen my Minnesota teammates so I know that will be a memorable weekend. It cannot come soon enough!!
Thank you for reading! I am loving my experience here but there is nothing like being a Golden Gopher. Ski-U-Mah!
Richardson with Gopher alumnae Alex Davis (left) Kari Dorle (right) and Kari's daughter Kaelynn.
Action photo courtesy of Jade Hewitt
