May 19, 2008

OhioBobcats.com: In your opinion, which player(s) on the team got the most out of their ability?
Clark: I think every player on the team got the most out of their ability. We all had individual goals, but we all had the same destination... "Firestone". That pushed us to work hard and to give it 110%. We all had a part to do and everyone contributed in some way, which got us as far as we did. Our team resembled a puzzle, each player had their own piece of the puzzle and we knew that if we wanted to reach our goal, we had to put our pieces together and become one.

OhioBobcats.com: Softball seems to be a sport where players go through a lot of little routines. What are some of the routines practiced by the Ohio softball team?
Clark: We were very particular about our routines. We wanted to make sure before each game that we did the same ones and did not change anything up because our team is very superstitious. We took a lot of cuts off the tee and front toss and made sure that our swings were always ready to go.

OhioBobcats.com: Besides playing softball, what do you like about Ohio?
Clark: I just love being with the girls and having our little get-togethers. Most people say that you will get tired of being around each other because we saw each other everyday, but honestly I don't think we ever did. The team is what keeps me going and gives me a reason to smile because they are my second family.

OhioBobcats.com: What was it like to be recruited by Coach Matyuch?
Clark: It was an experience that I'll never forget because it got me where I am today. I remember the day that Coach came up to me and my parents in Huntington Beach and I actually didn't know much about Ohio, but just talking to Coach, it seemed that going to Ohio would be a good thing to do. Coach and Coach Jessie would always send me the nicest things and updates of what was going on and I felt that I would have an enjoyable time being coached by them and I was right.

OhioBobcats.com: Can you talk about the postseason and what each game felt like?
Clark: Going into the MAC tourney, we went in knowing that we had nothing to lose. Each game got more intense, but the team knew that no one could beat us. If we competed like we knew how, then no one was going to stop us. Coach Matyuch's motto was "Compete Pitch-by-Pitch" and we took it to heart and did it. After our loss to Bowling Green, we never gave up, we only got fired up. No other team in the MAC wanted to win as much as we did, so each game got more important. We wanted to leave our mark at the Firestone Field and give the teams something to remember and I think we did. And like we love to say...It was FREAKEN FUN!

OhioBobcats.com: What are some of the things that you learned from the seniors?
Clark: I learned the definition of leadership. Every senior was a great example of what it takes to work hard and give it everything you've got. They pushed themselves and us as underclassman to fight and give it our all. I can say that I look up to every one of the seniors for their dedication on and off the field.

OhioBobcats.com: What will you remember the most about your freshman season?
Clark: The chemisty that the team shared. We did so many things that I have never seen a team do before games such as jump roping, singing "I am proud to be an American", doing the Cupid Shuffle and watching Alicia and AJ "Move It, Move It". I think the entire year would be something to remember because we accomplished so much and the team helped me grow as an individual. I have the best memories and laughs to look back on and be thankful that I have these girls as teammates and the best of friends.