#Team26 Newcomer Q&A: Megan Bloodworth
2/3/2022 1:53:00 PM | Softball
Freshman – Infield – Cordele, Ga. – Crisp County High School
Megan Bloodworth Bio Page
How did you get your start in softball?
"My babysitter played softball, so I looked up to her and my older cousin also played so I was always at the ball field watching them. I played tee ball at about four years old and then softball at five. I also played soccer up until my sophomore year of high school, but I got hurt and then I just stopped after that."
When did softball become a serious pursuit?
"When I was eight my parents drove me over two hours away to try out for a travel team, just to see how I compared to the others. Once I got to middle school, I definitely felt like I could do this. It was always a goal to play in college. When I was in sixth grade, my cousin was being recruited by schools in the area so that made me believe that if she could do it, then it could happen to me."
When you were first looking at colleges, what criteria was high on your priority list?
"I definitely wanted to stay closer to home. A family atmosphere on the team was the main thing I was looking for though."
When did Alabama come into the picture?
"The summer going into eighth grade, I came to a team camp here. I kept in touch after that and came on my first visit in eighth grade and I felt like this is where I wanted to go. The campus is huge and it's so pretty. Coming from a small town, it felt huge. It might be as big as my whole town. I had already verbally committed but later on my official visit when I got to interact with all the players, I knew that I had made the right choice."
After committing did you feel a sense of relief or was it added pressure?
"I knew early on that Alabama was where I wanted to go, so I didn't have to think a lot about the recruiting process throughout high school so that was nice. There was some pressure though, especially going to an out-of-state rival."
How has the transition to college been off the field?
"It's actually been easier than I expected. We have so many resources available to help us manage our time and all the freshmen help each other out. We're in a lot of classes together so it's a great support system. Even the older girls like Ashley [Prange] and Ally [Shipman] that are also adjusting to the new experience at Alabama can help the freshmen with the mental side of things and balancing everything out since they've already been in college."
What about the adjustment on the field?
"Having Bailey [Dowling] and [Kaylee] Tow as returning infielders has been a huge help. I can ask them anything and they're willing to help. They cheer us on too so all of that really helps."
What were your emotions the first time you got to play in the Alabama uniform during the fall scrimmages?
"They gave us our uniforms Friday night. I'm roommates with Dallis [Goodnight] and immediately when we got home, we put our uniforms on. We were just standing there looking at ourselves in the mirror thinking this is so unreal. When we hit the field, it felt like a dream. It settled down eventually though. It was more when I was out of the game in the dugout, I was taking it all in. When I was on the field or in the batter's box the nerves went away."
What are your individual and team goals for this season?
"For the team, we definitely want to win the natty. Personally, I just want to be able to make myself better and push my teammates to get better and take everything they teach me to help make the team better."
What is your advice to young girls who wants to play college softball?
"Believe in yourself and your teammates. Even if you do bad one game, that doesn't define you as a player. Make friends too, because even after you're done playing softball those can be your best friends for life."
