Alabama Softball Newcomer Q&A: Savannah Woodard
1/31/2020 3:20:00 PM | Softball
Heading into the 2020 season, we will be posting Q&A's with each of the six newcomers on this year's Alabama softball team. The fourth Q&A is with freshman infielder Savannah Woodard, an in-state product from Hayden, Ala., who was named the 2019 5A Player of the Year
How did you get your start in softball?
"Me and my cousin were really close, so I originally played baseball with him. When my mom met my stepdad, he was the one that really got me into travel softball. He played baseball in high school and he also coached the baseball team."
Did you play any other sports besides softball?
"I also played basketball. At first, I thought that basketball would be my sport but as time went on, I realized it was definitely softball that I loved the most. I really enjoyed it more as I got older and made a lot of really close friends through the sport."
When did softball become a serious pursuit for you instead of just a hobby?
"When I was in seventh grade I went to my first camp and they showed some interest. That was when I realized I could go somewhere with it. I didn't really think about playing in college that much because I didn't know if I could. I had always wanted to, but I didn't know if I would ever be able to."
As an Alabama native, was UA at the top of your list of potential colleges?
"I knew [UA All-American] Haylie [McCleney] and she led me this way a little bit. She gave me hitting lessons when she was in high school. I wanted to stay in the SEC and close to home. I always grew up an Alabama fan and it was always my dream school. Having this opportunity is what I was looking for."
When did Alabama come into the picture?
"I was in eighth grade. They saw me in tournaments and connected with my travel ball coach. I came to a camp in the fall of my freshmen year. I visited in January and committed the day of my visit. Everybody was welcoming, and they were willing to answer any question. They would tell me how it was. I actually came to a basketball game on my visit and we had a meeting before the basketball game, so I committed here on campus."
Was there any added pressure after committing, being an in-state product committed to Alabama?
"There was added pressure of course, but I knew I had worked for it. There was a reason I was here, and I always kept that in mind."
What has the transition to college life been like so far?
"It was pretty difficult at first because in high school I didn't have this much to worry about, and it wasn't that hard. When I got here, I realized I was going to have to start studying earlier and figuring out how to manage my time between school work and softball. On the field, the switch was good. Everybody on the team always made sure I knew what was going on. I was never confused or anything, so I adjusted pretty well."
What was it like stepping on the field for your first fall game?
"I was nervous, but it was exciting. I was excited to finally be there."
You saw some extended infield time due to the injury to senior Claire Jenkins. How has she helped you so far this year?
"It was like she was still out there on the field with me. She would pull me out to the side if she saw something and tell me about it and make sure I knew what was going on."
What are some of your goals for this season?
"I want to win the SEC championship and the national championship of course."
What advice would you give to a young player who wants to play softball in college?
"Never stop working. Always work hard. Never give up on your dreams because they can definitely come true."
