MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman infielder Abby Krzywiecki recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss how her fall is going, the adjustment to college and one interesting thing Jaguar fans don't know about her, among other topics.

Krzywiecki comes to South Alabama after lettering four seasons at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Mich. While with the Marlins, Krzywiecki helped lead the club to four district championships, three Catholic League championships, two regional championships and a state championship during her senior season (43-2).  She finished her prep career with a .528 average, 48 home runs, 234 RBI and just 18 strikeouts, while walking 55 times.  Her 48 career home runs were just one shy of tying the MHSAA record and as a senior, she hit 20 home runs and recorded 90 RBI.  Her 20 home runs during the 2016 season set a new Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) single-season mark.  She was named Total Softball Michigan High School Softball Player of the Year.

What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the team and why?
"I think that I have a really good mentality and good leadership skills, so I think that I will help our team have a positive mentality when things aren't going right.  I do have good physical skills as well, but my leadership is what stands out to me.  I feel I'm good dealing with the mental side of the game."

How has this fall gone for you adjusting to a new level of competition?
"It's all that I expected it to be.  It's definitely been a challenge, but it's been one that I've accepted and embraced.  This is what I've wanted to do ever since I began playing softball, so to actually have it be my reality now and not something that I'm just looking forward to is awesome.  Getting to know my teammates is definitely  better than I imagined it to be and it's been an incredible experience so far."

What's one of the biggest things you will take away from the fall as you prepare for the spring?
"I thought that I knew a lot about softball coming in, but I've learned so much more about the game this fall, especially on the mental side of the game.  I feel that I've learned more about hard work and conditioning and all though it is really hard at times, you have your teammates there to push you through it."

What is one area of your game that you are looking at improving in this season and why?
"I think I want to get quicker and stronger.  The conditioning aspect of the game is something that I've always wanted to excel at.   I think that I'm doing a really good job of that now.  I've been getting up early in the morning and working as hard as I can to become as physically strong as I am mentally."

How has the adjustment to college life gone for you both in the classroom and on the field?
"My high school was a college prep school, so I actually think that high school was harder than college in terms of academics.  It helped prepare me for the vigorous courses I am taking here and I'm grateful for Mercy High School, which was an all girls Catholic school.  My high school softball team also set me up for college.  We won the state title my senior year and I was captain.  I learned how to manage people and developed good people skills.  I felt very prepared coming in."

Is there a teammate of yours who you look up to?   If so, who and why?
"I look up to Kaliegh Todd.  She's a good player, but she's also a genuinely kind-hearted person who cares about all of her teammates.  I also look up to Amanda Minahan because she's energetic and just has so much fun playing the game.  I've always wanted to be that type of person who exudes positivity and just has fun on the field.  I think everyone on our team is someone to look up to in their own special way, but Amanda just brings out the energy and silliness of the game and Kaliegh is such a hard worker.  There's something to take away from everybody."

Being from Michigan, talk about how you ended up choosing to sign with South Alabama?
"I was recruited here early on and I went and played at an Adidas Futures tournament in Utah.  My first visit was here and South was always the college I compared everything to.  When I would go on other visits, I would say it's nice here, but not as good as South.  

"I knew I was coming here to be a better person and they were setting me up for life and not just softball because there's life after softball.  I've always just felt very at home with the team and its very pretty here.  The culture and weather are very different here.  It is also a top 25 program so why wouldn't you want to come be a part of something so special.

"I wanted to feel comfortable with wherever I chose and this place is like a home away from home.  When I go back to Michigan, I actually miss being here so that's pretty cool."

You come in after having an outstanding career and senior season at the plate.  How do you plan on carrying over that at this new level of play?
"I think it will be a bit of a transition for me to make just because the pitching is obviously so much better and the game is so much more elite than it was in high school.  I hope to put up good numbers, but it's not about me or the awards I'm going to get.  It's about how far my team can go and if I can help carry my team.  If that's me hitting 20 home runs then so be it.  If it's me just hitting for average then so be it.  I'm going to do whatever I can to help my team accomplish our goals."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after your playing career is over?
"Right now, I'm majoring in business and I probably want to end up concentrating in marketing.  I just want to do something along the creative lines.  I'm also good with my words, so I might do something that uses creative writing or something like that.  My dream job would be to work in New York in a big company where you create ideas and write things.  I'm kind of open-ended right now."

What is one interesting thing that Jaguar fans may not know about you?
"My teammates know this, but when I was about 10 years old, I was an episode of MTV Teen Cribs at one of my friend's house.  When I was in fifth grade, I was able to take a week off of school for filming and it was the most surreal experience.  I thought I was a celebrity for the whole week."

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"I absolutely love the 'Caf' because of their soft serve.  I also go there with my friend Morgan all the time.  They have really good omelets.  I also love the softball locker room/lounge.  Even if you don't have practice that day you can find everyone in there having fun, playing music and watching TV together.  It's where my friends are."  

Do you have any pregame superstitions?
"No, I just make sure I have my necklaces on.  One is for my best friend and the other is for a former coach of mine who passed away.  Otherwise, it's just play ball!"

What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"I'm kind of a hippy I guess you would say, so I like contemporary music.  My favorite band is Munford & Sons.  I've never been able to see them in concert.  I also like EDMs [Electric Dance Music] like the Chain Smokers."

What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing softball?
"I have so many, but it was probably when we won state.  My high school team had never won state before in softball.  After we won state, I was named Miss Softball in Michigan, so it was like a doubly great day.  All my family and friends from school were there.  Getting two awards like that just validated all of the hard work we had put in.  I was able to get the most prestigious award in our state in softball to end my career.  I was able to be named the top player in Michigan and at the same time show that my team was No. 1 in the state.  I was just awesome to have everyone there."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I have a pool so I like to swim.  I listen to music and I like to hike a lot. I also like to travel, so I've been to over half the states in the US and I've also been to London.  I like to travel and experience new things.  I also like to go to new restaurants and try new foods.  I'm very adventurous and kind of an adrenaline junkie.  When I'm at home though, I just like to be with my friends because they're my biggest supporters.  My family is also very important to me."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—