Freshman Q&A: Carrigan Fain
1/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Alabama Softball welcomes five newcomers to the team this season, so we'll be chatting with all of them this week. Our second newcomer is catcher Carrigan Fain from Mt. Olive, Ala.
When did you start playing softball?
"I grew up playing softball. As soon as I was three years old I was playing tee-ball. I was too aggressive for tee-ball so they moved me up to eight-and-under when I was about five years old. When I was eight, I realized I was decently good at the sport and I told my parents I wanted to play more so they put me on a travel ball team. When I started playing travel ball, that's when it really started to click for me."
Was there a family history with softball or baseball that pushed you to that sport in particular?
"My mom played softball at Samford University in Birmingham. She was the one who kind of helped push me along the way. I played volleyball all throughout high school too. I also played basketball, ran track, did gymnastics and swimming, anything you could imagine. Softball was the one that stuck though."
Was playing in college always a goal for you?
"I grew up in Alabama so I was always a huge fan of Alabama Softball. It was my dream school ever since I was little. Once I realized I really loved the sport, I knew that Alabama was the place I wanted to go."
What was the turning point where playing collegiately became a real possibility?
"When I was 15 I joined a very good travel ball team, Lady Lightning out of North Carolina. Our coach pushed us to play against some big competition and I realized that I could hang with a lot of girls who were already committed to other schools. That's when I really decided to pursue playing in college."
What were your top three college choices and what set Alabama apart?
"My top three were Alabama, Mississippi State and Lipscomb. Alabama was my dream school. I was a fan growing up so I knew that's where I wanted to go. The fan base, the coaches and everything about it was just so awesome. I knew that's where I wanted to be."
As a lifelong Alabama fan, what was it like finally getting the offer to play at your dream school?
"It was amazing. I was warming up for a volleyball game my junior year of high school and right before we started, I got an email from Coach Murphy saying `call me'. I ran outside, called him and he and Coach Aly were on the phone and they gave me an offer. It was amazing. It was a dream-come-true. They even put the volleyball game on hold for me so I could finish my conversation with them."
What were your first impressions of the team?
"The team is amazing. All the girls accept you like a sister and the coaches are like your mom and dad. It's just amazing. Playing on the field that I grew up watching other girls play on was a dream-come-true. I had to take a deep breath and say, `wow, I'm really here'."
How difficult was the adjustment to college life off the field?
"The adjustment wasn't too bad. I was in AP classes in high school so I was used to the workload. The schedule is a little bit different in college. I had to get used to walking around campus and finding classes and only having 10 minutes between classes. The schedule was a little different but the workload was manageable."
How do you think your fall season went?
"I think it went well. I thought I played decently and hit pretty well. I was definitely just trying to get out there and get the nerves out before the actual season started. I wanted to get used to the tempo of college softball because it's totally different than high school and travel ball. I just wanted to play, not be nervous and just play like I knew I could."
What are some of your goals heading into this season, both individually and as a team?
"My individual goals are that I want to play but if I don't, I'll still be excited for the team. Everyone has a role so I'll take a role in the dugout if I have to and do it to 100 percent of my abilities. As a team, we want to make it back to the Women's College World Series. The main goal is to get there and win."
How has senior catcher Chaunsey Bell helped you adjust to the college game at such a unique position?
"She's definitely guided me throughout practice and has helped me throughout games in the fall. If I was ever unsure about something, she would come and talk to me and guide me through whatever I needed. She really just helps me get through all the new things that we're working on in practice."
What advice would you give a young athlete who aspires to play at the college level?
"I would tell her to be the hardest worker out there. You can achieve so much when you set your mind to it. That's what I did, so I would tell them to do the same thing. Work every day and don't get down on yourself when something may not go your way. Dreams do come true."
Previous Freshman Q&A Stories
Rachel Bobo
For the latest news and updates from Alabama Softball, follow the team on Twitter (@AlabamaSB), Instagram (BamaSB) and Facebook (Alabama Softball).
