Erika Elias '16 Recruiting Profile

I started playing softball when I was five. I was a small kid; when I came up to bat the other coaches would pull their outfielders in... and then I would hit over their heads. This earned me my nickname, Big Stick. I'm not so little anymore but playing softball is my most favorite thing to do. I love this sport, and I can't stress the word enough. I started playing because my mom played too and when I was little I wanted to be just like her. Now I play because I took it and made it my own. Now softball is just a part of who I am, a big part. 

It took me a while to find a coach that would let me spread my wings, that would let me hit how I wanted and play where I wanted. In 16u I flew past what I thought I could do and got better and better. Then in high school, try outs came around and I made Varsity as a freshman, started at every position except catcher, led my team in batting average, and made 2nd team All Conference.  As a sophomore, I led my team in almost every offensive category (including batting average and slugging percentage) and made 1st team All District and 2nd team All Region as an outfielder. In my junior year, I played 3rd base, batted leadoff, and hit 4 home runs. We won the conference championship, and I made 1st team All Conference and 1st team All Region as a utility (had to play some center field for a couple of games because a teammate was injured).

In college, I want to play for a team that will compete at its highest level while I work on getting a good education. I am a competitive person and I want to win. I'll do whatever my coach asks to make my team better. I work hard outside of practice as well to make sure I make myself the best I can be. I work hard in school as well and with all the time I spend on softball I make sure I have time to do homework and study. I'm looking forward to the next level of softball and can't wait for my chance to compete as a college athlete.