Q&A with Softball Senior Alexa Nadwodny

You can't play the game of softball (or baseball for that matter) without your catcher. One of the undisputed leaders of most any team, the catcher is responsible for calling most, if not all of the defensive game and strategy.

catcher fits the mold of leader. The vocal and personable Alexa Nadwodny is a senior this year and will be continuing her softball career at the collegiate level. The girls are 15-1 so far this season, and Nadwodny is one of seven seniors on the squad.

Of the 16 games played, Nadwodny has 11 hits, six RBIs, one run, one double, one triple, has been walked once and has struck out once.

Hoping for a PAC-10 Championship and District Tournament appearance, Nadwodny and the Rams have two games remaining in the regular season.

Nadwodny took some time from practice this week to chat with LRSC Patch Editor Kevin Haslam about her career, her future and this season in this week's Q&A.

LRSC Patch: So, let's start out with how you began your softball career. When did you realize you were good at the sport and when did you fall in love with it?

Alexa Nadwodny: Well, my dad got me into it in tee-ball. I didn't really like it at first. I danced for a while and played basketball and field hockey. I'd say it was probably seventh grade that I fell in love with it. I started catching when my dad coached the [recreation] league and threw me behind the plate. That's when I fell in love with the game. Coach [Tim] Hughes actually had a lot of influence also. Come high school, that's when I got dedicated and made it my full-time career.

Patch: You say Coach Hughes had a lot of influence on your decision to stay with the game. What do you mean by that, in other words, what was the motivation?

Nadwodny: He always has priorities. Softball is an important factor. He makes sure it's an important factor, but he puts it in perspective of the outcome of life and everything. The way he coaches really makes me want to play if that makes sense. Just the way he runs the team. He makes sure we're one and it's not an individual and I like that. It motivates me to be a team leader.

Patch: What makes you a good leader? What types of skills do you use? Are you more of a lead-by-example type of girl, vocal, or a hybrid of that?

Nadwodny: Being a catcher, you have to be vocal. So, when I'm on the field, I do try to lead vocally, yes. But, when I also do try to lead by example. It's nice that our team can pick each other up - if one's not doing a good job or having a bad day. Getting everybody's head on straight and getting everyone to believe that everyone can do their part, that's a big part of being a leader.

Patch: You said you played other sports before. Are you still playing them at the high school level or did you decide to go softball year-round?

Nadwodny: Once I started high school, I stopped the other sports and played softball year-round.

Patch: You guys have had some success over the past few years. This year - phenomenal. Only one loss. Can you talk about this season and your impressions moving forward?

Nadwodny: I think we had a slow start. Honestly, we have a lot of young girls. Coming out now, I really think we're starting to click and become family. The one loss was a tough loss and I think we really did learn from it. It hurt us all, especially a lot of the seniors. We bounced back and now it's great. We're kind of at our climax right now and I hope our success continues. I think it will.

Patch: This is a big week for you guys. Yesterday, you got the big win over Owen J. Roberts [8-6], and now Methacton and Boyertown are two big games. Methacton is the rematch of your one loss and Boyertown could determine your fate as far as the post season goes. Can you talk about your thoughts on this week?

Nadwodny: Yeah. We've been preparing for this week, knowing the Final Four is coming up. Getting past Owen J. is a big one. Methacton, the rematch, we have just as much confidence as we do as any other team. We know we have to step it up because Methacton was our one loss. Especially since it's senior night tomorrow night. We're going to come back with some fire and hopefully take two wins to end the season strong.

Patch: I know it's tough to describe one day in advance, but any emotions going through your mind or your heart as far as it being your senior night and this being your last year here and that this could be the year for you guys?

Nadwodny: It is going to be our last game on our field. It's an exciting game. Don't get me wrong, I'm nervous, but it's more of an anxious nervous. I'm ready to play and ready to lead the seniors. So, it is exciting.

Patch: Do you have plans for college at this point?

Nadwodny: I do. I'll be playing softball at Frostburg State University. It's a state school in Maryland. I'll be playing softball down there.

Patch: Are you going to be catching?

Nadwodny: Yes.

Patch: I know sometimes you go to college and they change you up. So, that's good you get to keep your position. So, talking about Spring-Ford and your senior year... Any specific memories you have being here, on or off the field?

Nadwodny: I would say when we went down to Spring Training in Disney World for softball, I think that's ultimately when we bonded as a team. So, I think that's probably the most memorable moment for me. These girls are my group of friends. We all hang out together now, and I think that's when we started to bond.

Patch: You said there are a lot of young girls on this team. Is there anything you are trying to impart upon them to make this program a success once you're gone?

Nadwodny: One thing us seniors are drilling into these girls' heads... The coaching staff Mr. Hughes and Mr. [Shawn] Corropolese... The girls need to learn that there are expectations. I think they're going to do great in the future if they continue. There's a lot of them. I think they're starting to bond too. There's a lot of seniors graduating, so next year, hopefully they can bounce back and be just as good as we are this year.

Patch: What are you studying in college?

Nadwodny: Communications. I want to be a sports broadcaster.

Patch: Cool! That's what I studied. What drew you to that? Obviously you play sports, but why?

Nadwodny: I feel that I have the social skills to talk - public speaking, I've always been pretty good at. Being on the field - I love. Any type of sport, I love watching. I'm pretty good at talking on the spot, so I feel that it would be a good career for me and I would enjoy it.

Patch: What would be your dream job?

Nadwodny: ESPN, or college softball. If I was to interview the girls or even just announce or broadcast the game, that would honestly be my dream.

Patch: Anything you'd like to say - a shout out to anyone in particular wrapping up your career?

Nadwodny: I'd definitely say my parents. My dad most importantly. He got me started in softball and has been to every single one of my games since I was young. The coaching staff here is my major influence for softball.

Patch: Last one... If you could go back and talk to yourself freshman year and give yourself some tips - make it easier to become who you are today, what would you tell yourself?

Nadwodny: I would say to relax. Not be as tense. Play the game that you love. I grew up and knew how to play. I think I was just too tense, too nervous. Play with fire but not an anxious fire.