March 26
March 26, 2008
Howard Edward Green
March 28, 2008
By the end of this, her senior season, Kathryn Harrell might be considered the best player in Nicholls State softball history.
The League City, Texas, native has led the team in battle average for three seasons, including a single-season record .453 last year. She is third on the all-time hits list with 210.
As a sophomore in 2006, Harrell was named Southland Conference Hitter of the Year, and an All-SLC selection at short stop with a conference best .382 batting average, .659 slugging percentage, .428 on base percentage, 112 total bases, four triples, and twelve stolen bases.
In 2007 she was named to the All-SLC First Team and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association First Team despite enduring injuries all year. She led the team in slugging percentage (.742) and on-base percentage (.503)
This year she is leading the team in six offensive categories including batting average (.444). She is second in five others.
SportsNet caught up with Kat, as she prefers, after a practice to discuss her achievements.
SportsNet: When did you first start playing softball?
Kat Harrell: When was I younger, my brother [Cody] played baseball; so I wanted to be like him.
SN: Did your parents play?
KH: I believe my dad played [high school] baseball. I don’t think my mom played.
SN: Were you in any other sports in high school? Were you good at it?
KH: I played basketball. I was all right. I got All-Houston County and named Defensive Player of the Year.
SN: How did you decide to attend Nicholls?
KH: On my recruiting trip, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the team. They seem pretty cool.
SN: How long did it take you to adjust to the area?
KH: Probably my first year was a little bit of shock. I missed being away home; I’m a very family-oriented person. But, you know, good teammates get you through.
SN: How would you compare Cajun food to Tex-Mex?
KH: It’s definitely different, but it’s good.
SN: You have led the team in hitting every year. How do you continually improve your game?
KH: Coach Frank [Butler, hitting coach] is always there to work with me. Just putting in the extra effort in the spring and summer has really helped me through.
SN: At the plate, are you looking for a certain pitch or a location in the strike zone?
KH: Just something I can really hit. It depends in the situation — if there’s runners on [base].
SN: How many homeruns have you hit for Nicholls?
KH: Twenty, maybe 22. Something like that. (21 actually)
SN: Were you also a power hitter in high school?
KH: No! Before I came to Nicholls, I was a bunter and a slapper.
SN: How did the coaches turn you into a power hitter?
KH: I don’t know. Coach Frank just really likes people to hit instead of slap.
SN: You don’t strikeout often. How do you maintain plate discipline?
KH: I just try to make contact and put the ball in play.
SN: What’s your major and what do you plan on doing after graduation?
KH: I’m a sports science major, and I really would like to be an athletic director. I like the college atmosphere.
SN: Have you thought about trying to play professional softball in the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch)?
KH: Well, Deon [Myers, former NSU softball standout] played overseas, and I talked to her about it. But I don’t know if that will work out.
SN: Are there any softball/baseball players you try to model after?
KH: Not really. I just try to stay at the top.
SN: Have you always played shortstop?
KH: I played the outfield my freshman year. When the other shortstop left, they [coaches] decided moved me.
SN: You have been named conference hitter of the week twice this season. Do you have a plaque, certificate or something?
KH: I think they do give you a certificate, but I’m not sure.
SN: You don’t have one from the previous time?
KH: They send them a couple of weeks or months afterward.
SN: Have your parents watched you play while at NSU?
KH: Yeah. They usually make it down to every weekend game.
SN: Do they critique your performance or just give cheer you on?
KH: They are my biggest fans. So they just encourage me, even if I have a bad game to keep trying. But, they’re parents, so they always want me to do my best.
