MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball sophomore pitcher Abby Tincher sat down with USAJaguars.com on the way to Statesboro, Ga., on Friday to discuss the experience of her first year at USA and how the game has granted her the opportunity for higher education.
 
Tincher transferred to South Alabama after her freshman year at Liberty, where she picked up three wins in her first year with 54 strikeouts, including eight in the Flames' 1-0 win over Virginia Tech. The Eagle Rock, Va., native has three strikeouts in as many appearances for the Jags in 2016.
 
What has stood out to you in your first year at South Alabama?
I really appreciate the way that [head] Coach [Becky] Clark treats us and they way the coaches respect us and our time. It's very different being so far away from home for me, but I love my teammates, and I love the environment here.
 
How about the in-game experience in playing for this team?
We feel like we have the ability to beat anybody we step on the field against; it's really cool to be around girls that are that good at what they do and love what they do as much as they do. I've definitely grown a lot as a pitcher this year. It's been unique to be coached and mentored, with things on the field and in real life, by Coach Clark and [assistant] Coach [Hannah] Campbell.
 
With Devin Brown being the only returning pitcher at the start of this season, how has the pitching staff come together in 2016?
Well, sometimes famously, pitching staffs are known to not get along very well, but the four of us are just the opposite. We are all really good friends. It's really good working as a part of that – being above the competition individually and more geared towards how we can help the team.
 
Your older sister, Angela, 10 years your senior, was the 2008 NCAA Player of the Year and a three-time All-American pitcher at Virginia Tech. You've probably been attending softball games since you can remember, right?
Growing up under her, literally, since the day I was born, we were at softball every weekend. She missed a game the day I was born, and that was one of the only games she missed all season that year. We traveled to almost every game she played at Tech and the Super Regional and World Series, which was a cool experience for me.
 
Did you ever experience any burn out in your career before college?
I actually took a year off during my sophomore year of high school. I had been around it my whole life and didn't expect that I'd play anymore. I love music and art, and my parents encouraged me to pursue other things.
 
What got you back into the game?
I started going on visits to different colleges and thought, 'How am I going to pay for this?' I always had a deal with my parents that if I worked hard and made a team and earned a little scholarship they would help me out. It turned out really well.
 
What is your major and what profession are you pursuing?
I'm a history major, and I'd like to teach in high school. I enjoy working with teenagers. Where I'm from, I'm in the midst of so much history.
 
Talk about your love for music.
Music has always been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. I've been singing since I could talk. My parents had a bluegrass worship band before I was born. I started playing piano when I was eight and took lessons until I graduated high school. My dad taught me how to play guitar. I was a percussionist in high school, and I was on the drum line for two years. It was just a hobby; I picked something up and saw how fast I could learn it. It's something that I genuinely love.
 
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