At the Series: Jessica Merchant
6/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball, Features
By Erin Saling and Ryan Sosin, U-M Athletic Media Relations
In her third trip and final trip to Oklahoma City as a Wolverine, senior co-captain Jessica Merchant is looking to go out with a bang. Merchant has already helped Michigan take a key step to the national title, scoring a run in Michigan's 3-0 opening round win. The run, her 65th of the season, set a new single-season record for a Wolverine.
Breaking records is nothing new for the two-time All-America shortstop. During the 2005 season Merchant has shattered Michigan's career (46) and single-season (21) home run records and moved up to fourth all-time in RBIs and doubles. With a team-leading .395 average, Merchant is focused on leading the Wolverines charge in Oklahoma.
As the Wolverines prepared for Women's College World Series action against Texas, Merchant sat down to talk about the WCWS, her double play combo with second baseman Tiffany Haas and plans beyond Oklahoma City.
» On being at the World Series
"I think we'll definitely use those past seasons as learning experience, but we won't dwell on them. This is a different team and a different group of kids. We're just looking to learn from the past and continue making some noise this year at the World Series."
» On having a certain routine at the plate
"I try to do the same routine every time. I touch the corner of the plate with my bat, point my bat at the pitcher a little, do a half swing and get ready to go. I try and keep the routine the same from game to game regardless if I'm doing well or struggling. I try and keep everything constant."
» On being superstitious
"I try not to focus on being superstitious because it's just one more thing in your game to worry about. I just show up to play."
» On what she thinks the opponent's defense feels when she comes up to bat
"I don't think about that. I know I am not going to see the best pitches, but I also know that with our lineup a pitcher can't afford to pitch around any one of us. If she were to pitch around me, Samantha Findlay is up next. If the pitcher tries to pitch around Samantha, Nicole Motycka is up next and it just goes on and on. I wouldn't want to be on any defense going up against our lineup. One through nine, our lineup is amazing."
» On whether or not teams from warm-weather states underestimated Michigan as the 2005 season commenced
"I think we're always a little underrated but I don't know if it's because of where we are geographically. The Pac-10 teams are always highly ranked but I have no problem being the underdog. Even being the No. 1-ranked team in the nation right now, we're still going to be the underdog vs. certain teams. Rankings don't really mean anything until June 9, and hopefully on June 9 we'll be ranked No. 1 in the nation."
» On the second base-shortstop duo of Tiffany Haas and Merchant possibly being the best infield combination in the country
"I think Tiffany and I are confident in our defense and our pitchers are doing a great job of keeping us in every ballgame. We know we can get the job done and I wouldn't want another second baseman to play with. Tiffany and I have played together for three years and we have great chemistry together on the field. We know what we can accomplish together."
» On the production of the freshmen this season
"The freshmen are great. Sam (Samantha Findlay) and Allie (Alessandra Giampaolo) get a lot of the attention but Angie (Danis) and Michelle Weatherdon bring intangibles to this team that often get overlooked. These freshmen are the kind of players you want on your team. On and off the field, they're just great kids. I couldn't ask for a better freshman class this season."
» On the team chemistry from years past compared to this year
"The team chemistry changes dramatically from year to year. We lost seven seniors at the end of last season so it's a whole new team this year. I can't really explain it but we're different than the teams in the past. I don't know if we have more fun together or if we're more laid-back but I just know the team really clicks this season."
» On what type of leader she is
"I try to lead by example. I only say things that need to be said and I don't abuse that right as a co-captain. I think a great thing about this team is that everyone respects each other no matter if you play every game or not. There's respect no matter who you are or what you've accomplished. I think this kind of attitude and respect has really benefited us and been a large part of our success this season."
» On having three aunts who played a sport at the collegiate level
"If I had to make a list of the 10 most influential people in my life, all three of them would be on that list. From my aunts coming to my games as a kid to me going to their college games, I can't even begin to explain the things they've taught me. They've helped me mentally and physically, and I wouldn't be who I am today without these three people in my life."
» On the type of music she listens to before games
"I'm a country girl so I love listening to country music. It's just mellow and really relaxes me before I play. I don't like listening to music that gets me too fired up before games because I get too anxious and can't seem to focus mentally. If it was my choice, we'd play country music before every game."
» On her favorite situation in the game
"Offensively, I love when I am up to bat with runners in scoring position. Other players get on base, they set the table and there's nothing better than hitting in an RBI. Defensively, nothing beats diving in the hole and throwing someone out at first base."
» On her plans after finishing undergrad at Michigan
"I was picked up by a professional softball league so I will continue to play after my collegiate career. To have the opportunity to continue playing softball whether I choose to do so or not is a great opportunity. I can't imagine my life without softball whether it be playing or coaching and I hope to coach someday."
» On her favorite Michigan softball memory
"There are so many great memories. And, that's the great thing about this experience is that, win or lose these games, five years from now I am going to look back and remember the friendships and the things I've learned as opposed to whether or not we defeated whoever. But, if I had to pick one, it would be getting to the World Series because it was such an emotional experience."
» On her favorite Michigan sports memory
"Definitely our women's field hockey's national championship. It was a great experience because to be there and witness that, it just made you want one of your own championships just that much more."
» On her favorite college sports other than softball
"I love college basketball and if I wasn't playing softball in college, I would want to play basketball."
» On her favorite professional sports
"I love baseball and everything to do with it. I watch teams from all around the MLB and I watch Baseball Tonight."
» On her favorite MLB and Detroit Tigers player
"My favorite player in the league is Derek Jeter. I love him. My favorite Tiger would have to be Ivan Rodriguez."
» On her favorite hangout in Ann Arbor
"I am going to have to say anywhere with my teammates. We have fun wherever we go."
» On her favorite thing about Ann Arbor or the University of Michigan
"The people."
» On what's going through her mind when it's the bottom of the seventh inning, runners in scoring position, two outs, full count and her team's down by one run
"Bring it on. Situations like these are what I play for."
» On changing her golf swing from her softball swing
"So many people feel that's a hard adjustment to make, but for me it's definitely not hard to do. My dad plays a lot of golf and he's pretty good. I just need to get some clubs of my own. I've been joking that my golf career begins next month."
» On how she started playing softball
"Sports are very important in my family. I played tee ball when I was five and have just grown up involved in sports no matter if it was softball, baseball, volleyball basketball or football. We just love sports."
