Freshman Spotlight: Swearingen, Swift and Wald
2/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
On Saturday, Feb. 7, Michigan's talented freshman class will get its first taste of collegiate softball when the No. 8-ranked Wolverines open up the 2015 campaign against the No. 1-ranked Florida Gators and South Florida Bulls. In this MGoBlue.com exclusive, get to know the motivations and memories of the U-M freshmen before they suit up in Maize and Blue.
 | Taylor Swearingen Anaheim, Calif. Infield/Outfield |
Who is your softball hero?
"I would probably say that my mom (Sandy) is my softball hero. She went to college and played softball at Florida State. She's always given me advice on-and-off the field. She's always just been a really big role model for me."
What made you focus on softball growing up as opposed to something else?
"I chose to stick with softball because my dad (Scott) played baseball as well in junior college. I played other sports -- I played soccer and tennis growing up. Softball was the one that really stuck with me and it was the one that I was the best at. There was just something that I loved about it."
What is your favorite softball memory?
"One of my favorite softball memories is during my freshman year of high school. We ended up losing the game, because my now-teammate Lauren Sweet (then on the opposing Corona High School team) hit a walk-off grand slam. I was a freshman and I hit a homerun and I scored our only run. That's just a really big memory for me."
Do you have a hidden talent?
"I'm not very coordinated off the field, but I do love to sing even though I'm not the best. You can ask my teammates and they will crack up. I'm probably the worst singer. They say, 'Taylor, how is your voice that bad?!' but I still sing all the time."
How was it adjusting to your first college semester?
"It was hard. Everyone told me it would be hard, but you don't really know until you get there. It was just really hard to balance everything and knowing how much you should put into school, softball, sleep. Make sure you're eating. Making sure you do everything on your own and keeping organized. This semester has been easier, just having my feet on the ground and knowing what to expect and taking fewer credits so I can focus more on the season with the travel."
 | Morgan Swift Caledonia, Mich. Catcher |
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
"This is just a fun fact. My family keeps bees, which is kind of interesting. It's kind of a fun hobby, we check them over the summer. We wear suits so we're completely protected. But I don't have a fear of bees, I've been stung before."
What is one of your favorite memories outside of softball?
"School's very important to me. It's emphasized a lot in my family and I was salutatorian at my high school. I had to give a speech at our awards night. It was fun."
Who helped you the most over your softball career?
"Tammy Marloe -- she was my pitching instructor (Swift was an all-state pitcher in high school) and my travel ball coach. She has been working with me since I was probably eight or nine. She's always there, always pushing me to do better. She's a great person to have."
How would you describe the Michigan team?
"It's amazing. It's very family-like and I wouldn't have expected it to be as welcoming. I came in late as a walk-on, about two or three weeks after everybody else. It was just overwhelmingly welcoming. They invited me to things, taking me under their wing, pulling me aside and instructing me and telling me how they do it. They were very helpful, especially the upperclassmen."
Anyone take you under their wing?
"Hailey (Wagner) would probably be the big one. My locker's right next to hers. I know I can always ask her a quick question. I catch for her a lot. She was probably the most helpful the first week that I came in."
 | Nikki Wald Farmington Hills, Mich. Outfield |
Who is your softball hero?
"I would have to say Jessica Mendoza. She's so inspiring and a great player and she loves the game. You can really see how she loves the game, especially when she goes to younger kids and teaches them the love that she has. I attended a camp of hers about five years back. I got to meet her and it was awesome."
How did you decide you wanted to play college ball?
"One of my coaches -- I don't want to say put me down -- but questioned my ability to play in college and in my mind that was the perfect chance to prove him wrong. I've always wanted to and especially hearing coach kind of doubt me, it made me push myself that much more."
What's one surprising fact about you?
"My best friend (Jena Irene Asciutto) was actually on American Idol and she was the runner-up (in Season 13). I was with her during the entire experience and we bonded. That was actually right when I was about to commit to college softball. To have her right there was amazing."
What do you do away from softball?
"I really enjoy volleyball. I played that in high school as well, so whenever I get the chance to get on the court. I also like dancing and listening to music, I definitely do that in my spare time. Whenever I get the chance to break a move out, I definitely will."
Who's helped you improve your game over the years?
"My dad (Richard) for sure. He and I always bonded over softball. For many years he was the one driving me to travel ball. We'd always have great talks and he was the one always pushing me to be my best and to keep going. He was always there for me."
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