MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman outfielder Amanda Flynn recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to her path to South Alabama, how she balances softball and school, and what her favorite memory from playing softball has been, among other topics.

Flynn lettered four seasons at Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs, Fla.  During her time with the Panthers, Flynn was part of three-straight Florida state championships (2017 – 5A, 2016 – 5A, 2015 – 4A) and four district championships.  The championship during her sophomore season was the first state title of any kind in school history.  Flynn earned Miami Herald - Sun Sentinel first-team all-county as a senior and junior.  She posted a .505 batting average with 52 hits in a 117 plate appearances as a senior and of those 52 hits, 22 went for extra bases – 11 doubles, 10 triples and one home run.  Flynn also drove in 26 and scored 31 times to go along with a .834 slugging percentage, while she was 26-for-28 in her steal attempts

Talk about your path to South Alabama?
"The assistant coach on my travel ball team's daughter [Alex Breeden] had played here at South.  I was still uncommitted at the end of high school and on my last day of school, I got a call from my head coach saying that coach [Becky] Clark wanted to talk to me and I got an offer from her."

There are two players from your club team here on the Jaguar roster.  How has having that familiarity helped with the adjustment process?
"We've been able to click together and knowing those people were here just made me feel more welcome."

Why did you choose to come to South Alabama?
"I thought it was the best choice for me.  There wasn't any other school during my recruiting that I enjoyed as much as I did here."

Being from South Florida, did your family evacuate or did they stay down there during Hurricane Irma? How are they doing now?
"They were without power for a day or so and the back room of the house had some leaking in the ceiling, but other than that the house was ok.  There were trees knocked down though ever where around our neighborhood.  They didn't evacuate and stayed down there even though none of us wanted them to do that."

What has the fall semester been like for you?
"In the beginning, I had a lot of time to do my class work, but as we've gotten into 20-hour weeks, I've been a little rushed, but I'll manage."

How are you balancing softball and school?
"I usually do study halls on Sunday since they are open then.  I'll try to get as much done on Sundays and then on our off day, which is usually Tuesday.  I end up staying up there at study hall for 10 hours usually instead of the six that we are required to do."

What area of your game are you wanting to work on this fall?
"I'm both a slapper and a regular-style hitter, but I usually slap.  I want to become more of a triples-threat and work on my swing."

What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the team?
"My speed on the bases."

Is there a teammate of yours who you look up to or one that has helped you through the adjustment process?
"To be honest, everyone has reached out and made me feel comfortable and that I was ok, which was nice."

What type of player can fans expect to see out of the field?
"They will see someone who has confidence and someone that likes the pressure."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm majoring in health sciences, but I want to go into nursing.  Trying to do nursing during softball is really difficult, so I think I'm just going to focus on health science while I'm playing and then get into nursing after I'm done playing."

What is one interesting thing that Jaguar fans may not know about you?
"I can move my eyebrows separately."

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"I like study hall because I'm always there.  I also like the cafeteria."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It means a lot to me because I get to represent a school that I love."

If you had to pick your walk-out music right now, what would it be?
"I usually walk out to the clean version of 'Bricks' by Migos.  It just gets me going."

What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing softball?
"Winning a state championship for the third time in high school was pretty impressive.  In the semis, I hit a triple that scored two runs."

What's your favorite form of social media?
"SnapChat."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I watch a lot of NetFlix, whenever I can to be honest."

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).

Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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