Player of the Week: Viafora Finds Swing

Junior softball player and co-captain Natasha Viafora was graciously patient with me when I showed up to interview her on Monday without having first done my research.

"Why might you think you were chosen for this week's Weathervane?" I asked, in the hopes that she would have some idea. She modestly speculated, "I had been struggling with my bat up until this past weekend."

In fact, she had been at the end of the batting line-up, but then was moved up to second batter, then fourth (the fourth, fifth, and sixth batters being a team's strongest). On Saturday Viafora hit a three-run home-run, as well as an RBI in EMU's first two games in the Ferrum Tournament. Not only that, but she pitched well too, allowing no hits in the second game until the seventh inning.

Though her streak did end and Ferrum eventually batted in three runners, seeming to inch up on EMU's score before the game ended, Viafora said, "I don't let things bother me. If someone gets a hit off me, I don't dwell on it. I just let whatever happens… happen." What happened was EMU won both contests and went on to win their two Sunday games as well, thanks to successful pitching and hitting by Viafora and teammates Jamie Fraysher and Miranda White, among others. With four wins for the weekend and now an 8-6 record overall, the team is excited and looking forward to a good season—a slightly different mood than they returned with from Sarasota.

"We have a really different schedule," said softball coach J.D. McCurdy, explaining that they competed with very "high-quality" softball teams over spring break, three of which were ranked in the top 25 in the nation. This meant that EMU lost many of their games at the beginning of the season, but were ultimately preparing for what really mattered in the process—ODACs. "The ODAC is very strong in softball," McCurdy said, "and it's always a battle to get into playoffs." That is why they challenge themselves with stiff competition in Florida, knowing they can build on those experiences in order to win games in their own conference.

Regarding playoffs, McCurdy said, "We have big expectations. If we work really hard, good things will happen." With no seniors and a roster full of talented juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, the softball team is off to a good start at building a solid program.