Freshman Q&A: Alexis Osorio
1/14/2015 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 third newcomer is pitcher Alexis Osorio from Riverside, Calif.
What softball your first love or did you play other sports?
"I started with tee-ball and enjoyed it. I also played soccer and wasn't that into it because there was too much running. I tried gymnastics and enjoyed it but, for my height, I wasn't really cut out for it. I went back and played baseball and really enjoyed it even though I was the only girl on the team. One of my previous baseball coaches told me I should go and try out for softball so I did that when I was about eight years old. That's when it all started."
How did you get into pitching?
"Growing up, I always wanted to be a pitcher. I would tell my dad that I always wanted to hold the ball and be the `ball-hog'. He always used to laugh because I was very clumsy when I was younger and always off-balance. I kept begging and he finally put me in pitching lessons and I fell in love with pitching."
When did softball turn from a hobby into something that you could potentially pursue at the collegiate level?
"It was my eighth-grade year when I started getting looked at by colleges and that's when the whole recruiting process started for me. I was playing with my travel ball team, the Corona Angels, and my head coach was a really big factor in all of our recruiting processes. He found a scholarship for all of us. When I was getting looked at, it really opened up my eyes and it became something I really wanted to continue. Once I started going on visits, I really enjoyed it and saw everything that the different colleges could provide for you. That really motivated me to continue and when I started getting real offers it was really awesome. When I got one from Alabama it was even more awesome because I really enjoyed Alabama."
What were your top three choices and what set Alabama apart?
"My top three were probably Alabama, Oregon and Arizona State. The thing that stood apart about Alabama was the southern hospitality and how everyone was so nice. Back home on the west coast, you don't get that very often. I thought it would be a good experience to go away from the west coast and come over here."
Were you hesitant at all to play so far away from home?
"Growing up, I always told my parents that I didn't want to go far away for college. I always thought that the furthest I would go was one state away. When I came over here to visit I was a little hesitant at first but my parents told me to go for the experience and if it didn't work out then that was OK. Right when I got here though I fell in love and it felt like home. After that, there was no hesitation in making my choice to come to Alabama."
What were some of your first impressions of being a student-athlete at Alabama?
"It's a really enjoyable atmosphere. I was a little nervous at first about getting used to classes and not knowing what to expect. Practice is really competitive and I love that. Everyone is supportive and we all come together as one. Going to football games is a really cool experience that I wish everyone could enjoy. I think getting used to everything wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I enjoy going to everything and participating in activities all around campus."
What was the biggest adjustment off the field coming from high school to college?
"Time management was a big thing. Getting all your study hall hours in during the week and getting used to the professors and their teaching styles was pretty tough but it was manageable. It's a little nerve-wracking at first because we have a lot going on. We have weights at 6 a.m. then class and practice and study hall later that night. It's pretty manageable though and it's a good experience."
How do you think your fall season went?
"I feel like I met my expectations. I was a little nervous heading into the first fall game but after I got used to the atmosphere of being on the field, it was alright. I feel like I had a good fall."
What are some of your goals heading into this season, both individually and as a team?
"The team goal is to make it back to the national championship and win it all. We also want to win the SEC. A personal goal for me would be to continue to work hard and to get onto the field as a freshman."
What advice would you give a young athlete who aspires to play at the college level?
"The biggest piece of advice would be to continue to work hard in whatever sport it is that you love and to dream big. There will always be people that will turn you away but never let that affect your willingness to keep going."
Previous Freshman Q&A Stories
Rachel Bobo
Carrigan Fain
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