A conversation with Alicia Hollowell

Alicia is one of the most exciting young players in softball--and one of its dominant pitchers. She led the Arizona Wildcats to a National Championship and threw a record 64 strikeouts in the College World Series. We met up with her to get her take on the National team and the friendly collegiate rivlaries She is also from a small town in California which is impossible to pronounce...Suisun County.

Let’s start with a toughie. Where the heck is your hometown of Suisun city?

It is in Northern California-about 45 minutes away from Sacramento. Right in the middle of Oakland, Berkley, and Fairfield.

How did you get started in softball?

When I was in the 4th grade they sent home flyers for a rec league at school. I told my parents I wanted to do it and they signed me up. The rest is history.

This is your second year on the national team squad. Is it kinda like being a sophomore all over again?

Yes and no. All the girls are awesome and they treat everyone as equals. The real trick is getting used to a much higher level of play.

Did playing for the junior women’s national team prepare you in any way for the national team?

Yeah definitely. The other national teams play very similar to how the U.S. National team plays. It’s a quicker, faster game and playing for the junior national is a good warmup for it.

Have you come down off the buzz of winning the College World Series yet?

Not really. (Laughs) I’m still pretty excited. We LOVE to talk about it.

The Pac-10 is pretty well-represented on the National Team. Any friendly rivalries on the team?

Not really. Once we’re all done with school we’re focused on one goal. We’re all one unit. Though we’ll still  randomly throw out a ‘Boo UCLA’ every once in awhile.

What’s the mindset of the team as they prepare for the World Cup?

We’re excited. We’re ready to play and dominate. It’s what we’ve been working toward for a whole year. Finally we get to step on the field. We’re ready.

Last question. I’ve always wanted to know…what’s it like to strike out 61 in a high school game?

It was the longest game ever. Honestly you can’t keep track of what we’re doing with a game that runs 30 innings. It was fun—a nice piece of history. But very very long.

Comments

[leslie]

you are such a good pitcher your ausome can you give me some tips ive been pitching since i was 6 years old!!

[Jordan Rambo]

Omg i had personal lessons with her it was awesome!!

[Lori Headrick]

My daughter is a 12-year old softball pitcher and wants to play for the Wildcats someday too! Did you play A ball? If so at what age do you recommend it for a pitcher like my daughter?

[Jordyn Nardini]

So when did you get started in softball.Did you play in a little league.