MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama freshman right-handed pitcher Kalen McGill recently sat down with UASJaguars.com to discuss her decision to join the Jaguar program and the unorthodox way the team has come together early on this season.
 
McGill lettered seven years for P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School. She was named the 2013 Gainesville Sun's Small School Softball Player of the Year after posting 16 shutouts for the Blue Wave with six no-hitters to go along with area-low 0.83 ERA, giving up only 62 hits in 142 innings pitched with 181 strikeouts and only 15 walks. McGill posted a 24-3 record in the circle as a junior and was a five-time first-team Gainesville Sun all-area pitcher in her career. She also holds the P.K. Yonge home run record.
 
"Kalen is a very athletic, hard throwing right handed pitcher," said USA head coach Becky Clark. "Velocity-wise, she is consistently in the mid to upper 60's and works the ball mainly down in the zone but is working on being able to go up as well. Physically, she has great tools and tremendous arm speed and whip. She has played an extremely competitive club schedule as well and knows how to compete at a high level. I anticipate Kalen being a major contributor to our pitching staff as she develops over the next few years."
 
How did you come to learn about the program? And what made you decide to come to South Alabama?
Coach Clark first saw me when we played at Jaguar Field for nationals my 10^th grade year. I really liked talking to Coach Clark. She was different from the other coaches that were recruiting me. She was more realistic about college. She wasn't just saying 'we'll give you this,' or 'we'll give you that.' She told me what I would have to do to work my way up. That's what I really liked about her.
 
Did you come on any visits to the campus?
I came to three visits. I liked it a lot. I loved the campus, I loved the atmosphere and I loved the girls. That's what really made my mind up about coming here, the people.
 
How do you feel you've adjusted to college life both on and off the field?
I've been making some big adjustments. The biggest struggle is managing your time. And I'd never been used to the types of workouts that we do.
 
What kind are those?
Well, I'd never flipped a tire before I got here.
 
Please, elaborate.
(Laughs). I'd never picked up a telephone pole, either, or even thought about pulling chains.
 
Beyond a standard form workout with weights, what kinds of things can be gained from workouts including off-the-wall activities such as flipping tires and pulling chains?
I've learned it takes more than one person to flip a tire, so teamwork. It teaches you to trust each other. That's what really has helped us jell together, especially for seniors and freshmen, us not previously knowing each other. It really helped us become a team.
 
You're a criminology major. What would you like to do with that after college?
I plan on going to law school and becoming a lawyer

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