MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball sophomore pitcher Jamie Finnical sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss growing up in the game, what she's wanting to do after earning her degree and what it means to her to be a Jaguar, among other topics.
Finnical transferred to South Alabama after lettering as a freshman at Elon University where she posted a 2.76 ERA in 33 innings of work. Prior to that, the Reistertown, Md., prepped at Franklin High School.
Talk growing up in the game of softball and about your path to South Alabama?
"I began playing when I was around four and my mom coached me for two years in rec ball. She asked me if I wanted to continue to play and I told her that I wanted to, so I started playing travel ball around seven and fell in love with it; it was home and everything I could have dreamed of. Maryland is a big lacrosse state and softball is different, which I liked. I liked being one of the kids who played softball. I was also doubted by a lot of coaches who didn't think I would ever become anything in the sport, and that just pushed me more and more. I switched travel teams and softball just became my life.
"I played college ball last season and at the end of the year I told myself that I wanted to win and be somewhere I could do that and love it. I had to make the choice to leave and I remember Coach [Becky] Clark calling me one night and we talked for about two-and-a-half hours. At the end of that conversation, I knew that was the coach I wanted to play for. I flew down here and the rest is history."
With the graduation of Devin Brown, there is a lot of open competition for one of the starter roles in the circle. What kind of an impact do you hope to make on the team this season?
"I want to take this team to the College World Series; that's always been a goal of mine. I also want us to win conference. That is something we haven't done in a long time. I've been talking with Lex [Alexis Reid] and that's our goal, that's what we come in and work towards every day. We want to get to the World Series and win it."
What do you feel is a strength of yours in the circle?
"My work ethic. I don't like to stop working. I want to be first kid out there on the field and the last to leave every day."
What was the fall season like for you? What did you want to work on and where do you feel you improved as a player?
"I wanted to work on my ability to move the ball within the zone. A lot of players are able to move the ball out of the zone, but I think it's a challenge to move it within the zone. That's been a goal of mine this fall; I want to be able to do that consistently. I've also been working with the coaches some new pitches and we'll see how that works out this spring."
Where do you feel you can still work on as you head into spring practice?
"I'm trying to work on my ability to work through things. I feel that sometimes the game can consume you and I want to be able to mentally work through those situations in the circle and just trust everything we've done in our preparation for that game."
What do you like most about being a pitcher?
"I like all the angst and pressure of having all eyes on you and the success of the team being on you. How games are won and lost a lot of times depends on how the pitcher is doing."
Is there a teammate of yours who you have developed a close relationship with?
"I've gotten close with Lex. We talk a lot and help each other through things. That helps us both. I know she has my back and that's great for me personally. I love that."
How do you feel you and Alexis complement each other in the circle?
"We have some of the same stuff, but we move the ball very differently, which is a little weird to say. The way she throws and the way I throw are very different."
What type of player can fans expect to see out of the field?
"Someone who is going to have a presence and someone they can trust. They are going to know that she's in there and she's got it."
What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm majoring in sports management and I my goal is to go to law school after I'm done here at South."
What area of law are you wanting to go into and what drew you to that area?
"I want to go into sports law. I've always wanted to work in sports. It's taken me about a year to figure out which aspect of sport. I know that it's a growing field and that there is a lot of money involved in it. With a lot of money there does come a lot of problems. I don't want to work for something where if my team is doing good, I'm doing good or vice versa. I want to work in an area where I can help people. I want to help people within sports, more specifically on the contract side of things with a sports law firm."
What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It's a sense of pride. You are out there trying to win, but it's not about the name on the back of the shirt, but it's more about the name on the front. You have to give everything you've got every day. Coach Clark has always told us to compete, compete, compete. That's our team's motto. Being here at South Alabama, that's what you're expected to do every single day, no matter what time it is, no matter how you feel. Competing every day is what being a Jaguar is all about."
Do you have any pregame superstitions?
"I don't like being rushed before the game. I need time to get ready and I need to start chewing gum during warm ups. I've chewed the same gum (Peppermint Extra) for the last six or seven years. I have three or four pieces every game I pitch."
What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"I would say hip-hop. I like to listen to Chris Brown and Lil' Wayne.
If you could have just one more meal, what would it be?
"Crab cakes from back home."
What's the best advice you've ever been given, seen or heard?
"I follow a guy named Inky Johnson on Twitter and he always says to impose your will. He post a lot of videos and says that no matter what the person next to you is saying, you have to go out and give it everything. You have to work harder than the people you can't even see, because there is someone out there who is going to work harder than you, and you can't let that happen."
What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing softball?
"Throwing a perfect game my junior year of high school."
What's your favorite form of social media?
"Probably Twitter."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like to spend time with my dog. I own a little puppy. He's the best. I also like going hikes and just hanging out with my family and doing whatever."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSout_JAGS. 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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