This week, I sat down with softball pitcher Kristen Rumley ’15, who has 11 wins on the year for the 18-13 Big Green. The Texas native leads the Ancient Eight in wins, strikeouts and saves. Rumley has 128 strikeouts in the early season, 51 clear of University of Pennsylvania junior Alexis Borden. After two two-game sweeps this weekend, the Big Green leads the Ivy League at 8-0. Last week, Rumley was awarded her second Ivy League Pitcher of the Week award of the season.
How did it feel to be named Pitcher of the Week again?
KR: Getting any award is pretty awesome. It always feels great, but it really is not about individual performance. It’s all about how the team is doing, and this has been one of the best starts to the season we’ve ever had. I’m so proud of how our team is doing right now.
Do you have any predictions for the rest of the season?
KR: We’ve obviously started off pretty well. I don’t want to say that we are for sure going to go to the Ivy Championships, but we all have this high confidence that we will make it there. We have a great team this year and are so stoked for the rest of the season. We’re pumped to get back to the Ivy Championships and take it all this year.
What do you think some of the keys to your success and the team’s successes early on have been?
KR: All the hard work that our team has been putting in. Everybody has this drive to go in and take Ivies after being so close last year. Now that we’ve felt what it’s like to be there, we have this big hunger to win the whole thing and just come out and crush.
Last year, you set the single-season record for strikeouts. Are you going to try to break your own record again this year?
KR: I was actually talking to my coach about this the other day. For me, it’s not all about breaking records. It’s more about taking the team to the Ivy Championships. If I can do that by getting ground balls for them and making it easier on them, then I’ll do that. I’m just going to do what the team needs me to do. If that’s strikeouts, it’s strikeouts. If that’s getting ground balls for the infield, then that’s what I’m here for.
When you started playing softball, did you always want to be a pitcher? What made you decide to become a pitcher?
KR: I did not always want to be a pitcher, and my dad actually told me multiple times not to be a pitcher. I started out as a first baseman and actually started pitching really late. Then I just decided that this was something I really wanted to get into. Now I love it, and I couldn’t imagine playing softball any other way.
Are there any professional players you admire or that motivate you?
KR: I look up to the people that I’ve played with. Obviously, there are some professional players like Jennie Finch that I look up to, but the upperclassmen that I’ve had the opportunity to play with these past couple of years have really had an influence on me.
Is it hard to have to be able to pitch for four games in a weekend?
KR: Yes, it is hard. But it can be easy just knowing that the team is behind me. If I’m having a rough day or I’m having a good day, I know that the team is going to give its all so I’m going to give my all. It’s a team thing.
What would you say your favorite part about being on the softball team is?
KR: The team. For sure. Just having a group of people that I can go and hang out with and have a great time and enjoy these experiences with. Being a college athlete is not like anything else I’ve ever experienced. Having this great group of people is what really makes this college experience amazing.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
