ROAD TO MUNCIE
Codey Emerson
Senior catcher Olivia Huffman had quite the journey before finally finding a home with the Ball State softball team. After being named first team all-state her senior year at East Ridge High School in Woodbury Minnesota, Huffman traveled west to attend the University of South Dakota University. But three years ago, Huffman made the move to Muncie and found a place where she belonged.
“It’s really been wild that I ended up at Ball State,” Huffman said. “I originally out of high school got recruited to play out the University of South Dakota. There it kind of wasn’t the right fit.”
Huffman knew that she wanted to transfer but wasn’t quite sure where. She put her faith in God and trusted she would be guided to where she needed to be. Huffman wound up at Ball State because of some unforeseen circumstances.
“Ball State actually had a junior college catcher lined up and she decided she didn’t want to come. That’s where I fit in, and it was a huge blessing for that opportunity to be opened up. So I ended up coming to Ball State and it was the most perfect fit I ever could have imagined.”
Head coach Megan Bartlett said that Huffman has had an impact on the team both on and off the field.
“The most special thing about Olivia is that girl has a heart of gold,” Bartlett said. “She understands the game at a very high level, and has an incredible work ethic. She has been a great leader and mentor for us. Olivia is able to build strong relationships with everyone she meets.”
That leadership is shown on the field as well, as Huffman has to catch many different pitchers on the Cardinal roster. Each pitcher has their own style and unique way of delivering a pitch. It is up to Huffman to know that and communicate well with her teammates.
“That is easily the most important thing to develop and have that chemistry with your pitching staff,” Huffman said. The relationships that I have been able to build with our pitchers over the years has definitely translated to the field. The way we’ve been able to communicate with each other has allowed us push one another on and off the field. It’s made all the difference in the world.”
Huffman not only excels at throwing runners out behind the plate, but is also very good at stealing bases herself as she ranks second all-time in Ball State history for stolen base percentage. Huffman said that it doesn’t matter how she gets on base.
“I just want to be able to start some momentum for my team. Our goal is to create as much instability for their defense, and if I’m able to play a part in that, awesome. The more attention that they give me on base, that can allow us to have more success at the plate.”
Huffman said she loves being a mentor for the younger players on this team and Bartlett said that the young players “will run through a wall for her”. Whether its driving them around campus, or just asking how their day has been.
“Being a college athlete is hard,” Bartlett said. “It will test you not only physically but mentally. From the minute our freshman stepped on campus, she has given them her time. To be able to watch it come full circle and watch her share her wisdom and positivity with what will be the future of the program is very special.”
Senior catcher Olivia Huffman had quite the journey before finally finding a home with the Ball State softball team. After being named first team all-state her senior year at East Ridge High School in Woodbury Minnesota, Huffman traveled west to attend the University of South Dakota University. But three years ago, Huffman made the move to Muncie and found a place where she belonged.
“It’s really been wild that I ended up at Ball State,” Huffman said. “I originally out of high school got recruited to play out the University of South Dakota. There it kind of wasn’t the right fit.”
Huffman knew that she wanted to transfer but wasn’t quite sure where. She put her faith in God and trusted she would be guided to where she needed to be. Huffman wound up at Ball State because of some unforeseen circumstances.
“Ball State actually had a junior college catcher lined up and she decided she didn’t want to come. That’s where I fit in, and it was a huge blessing for that opportunity to be opened up. So I ended up coming to Ball State and it was the most perfect fit I ever could have imagined.”
Head coach Megan Bartlett said that Huffman has had an impact on the team both on and off the field.
“The most special thing about Olivia is that girl has a heart of gold,” Bartlett said. “She understands the game at a very high level, and has an incredible work ethic. She has been a great leader and mentor for us. Olivia is able to build strong relationships with everyone she meets.”
That leadership is shown on the field as well, as Huffman has to catch many different pitchers on the Cardinal roster. Each pitcher has their own style and unique way of delivering a pitch. It is up to Huffman to know that and communicate well with her teammates.
“That is easily the most important thing to develop and have that chemistry with your pitching staff,” Huffman said. The relationships that I have been able to build with our pitchers over the years has definitely translated to the field. The way we’ve been able to communicate with each other has allowed us push one another on and off the field. It’s made all the difference in the world.”
Huffman not only excels at throwing runners out behind the plate, but is also very good at stealing bases herself as she ranks second all-time in Ball State history for stolen base percentage. Huffman said that it doesn’t matter how she gets on base.
“I just want to be able to start some momentum for my team. Our goal is to create as much instability for their defense, and if I’m able to play a part in that, awesome. The more attention that they give me on base, that can allow us to have more success at the plate.”
Huffman said she loves being a mentor for the younger players on this team and Bartlett said that the young players “will run through a wall for her”. Whether its driving them around campus, or just asking how their day has been.
“Being a college athlete is hard,” Bartlett said. “It will test you not only physically but mentally. From the minute our freshman stepped on campus, she has given them her time. To be able to watch it come full circle and watch her share her wisdom and positivity with what will be the future of the program is very special.”
