I sat down with Kelsey Miller ’16, the starting third baseman for the softball team, to chat before the team’s big weekend. Miller helped keep the team’s hopes alive with a walk-off home run against Harvard University on April 27 in game two of the home doubleheader. In this weekend’s Ivy League Championship Series she scored two runs in the Big Green’s 2-1 series win over the University of Pennsylvania.
What was running through your head when you hit you walk-off against Harvard last weekend?
KM: In those moments I really just try to stay calm and do what I’ve done every single bat before that. I had no doubts about what my plan was going into the box so I was looking for that first pitch strike, and that’s what I got. I swung, and about halfway to first base I knew it was over.
How is the team feeling about playing its second Ivy Championship in a row and being able to host this year?
KM: It’s definitely awesome. I think last year it was kind of “Yeah, we’re ready for this,” but this year we 100 percent knew from the very beginning that we were going here, we were going to win the North and we would play for an Ivy Championship. It’s really awesome to get to host it this year and it’s awesome that we get to play Penn again, who we lost to last year. There’s kind of some revenge going on there.
What would you say has been your other favorite moment of the season so far?
KM: I think beating Penn in the regular season when we played them at home. It was just so nice after losing to them in such close games last year, but this year we came back.
What are some of your personal strategies for success?
KM: Keeping a positive attitude, even when I’m in a slump, is really key. I started out the season hitting really well, and then I kind of slowed down at the beginning of Ivies. Definitely keeping a steady mind and not getting frustrated with myself is important.
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
KM: We always have the same warm-up and stretch, but then Katie [McEachern ’16], our shortstop, and I always throw together and do short hops and different warm-up drills. We always do the same number and do it exactly the same way, and we have certain handshakes that we do. I have my own routine that I’ve done since I was about 12 for literally every single pitch. Those little things just keep me in my zone and keep me focused.
If you could play any other sport besides softball, what would you choose?
KM: I would probably choose volleyball because I played in high school. I was a defensive specialist since I wasn’t tall enough to hit the ball. I loved it.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
KM: I’ve played the piano since I was 7 years old. I played for 10 years and took lessons. I competed and I actually am pretty good, I guess. I decided I didn’t want to do it in college because it’s not actually something I wanted to pursue. I really enjoy it and I just like to play in the basements sometimes when I’m by myself. There are songs I remember, and I’ll learn new music when I’m home and have time.
If you could meet any professional athlete who would it be?
KM: It would be Ian Kinsler who played for the Texas Rangers for a really long time and just got traded to the Detroit Tigers. He has been my favorite player since I was about 10 years old. I was always like, “I’m going to marry him one day!” He’s so cute and nice and such a good player, but now he’s not a Ranger anymore. It’s so sad.
If your team did superlatives, what would you win?
KM: They would honestly probably give me something like “most likely to charge the mound” or “get in a fight on the field.” It’s probably not the greatest of superlatives, but I’m one of the feistiest people on the team.
What’s your favorite thing about Dartmouth?
KM: The community and all the friends I’ve made here. Not only on my team, but also in my sorority and other friends, and the relationships we have with our professors.
We caught back up with Miller after the team’s win over Penn.
What was it like to win the Ivy Championship?
KM: I feel so blessed to win the Ivies. It was something we worked so hard for all year and it is seriously the best feeling ever. We did this for each other and our coaches and that’s what’s most important. We went through a couple tough losses but we came out on top and it feels amazing. But we’re not done yet!
This interview has been edited and condensed.