MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman infielder/pitcher Samantha Yarbrough sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss why she chose South Alabama, playing close to home and why she chose to wear No. 13, among other topics.
Yarbrough signed with the Jaguars after concluding her prep career at Fairhope High School in Fairhope, Ala. During her two seasons with the Pirates, she hit a combined 25 homers and drove in 99 runs at the plate, while winning 41 games on the circle. Yarbrough also helped lead FHS to two straight Class 7A state tournament appearances, culminating her prep career with a state title as a senior. She was named the AL.com Coastal Alabama Softball Player of the Year as a senior and as a junior. In addition to the honor, she also earned numerous other postseason accolades as she was an Alabama Sports Writers Association Super 10 All-State Softball team selection, an ASWA 7A first-team all-state selection, named the 7A Player of the Year by the organization, as well as being named to the AL.com Super All-State Softball Team. Yarbrough was named to the AL.com 2018 High School Prep 100 List, and was ranked 18th on the list and finished third in the 2018 Miss Softball voting.
As a senior, Yarbrough batted .431 with 10 homers, 43 RBI and 54 runs score, while she was 14-of-14 on stolen base attempts. She was limited due to injury much of her senior season in the circle, but still managed to go 13-2 with a 1.12 ERA and 124 strikeouts.
Talk about your path to South Alabama?
"I started playing softball around the age of eight when I was living in Troy, Ala. I started with rec ball and them my dad said I was good enough to play travel ball. He started up a team and coached me until I was about 14 or 15. I then joined a team called Southern Spirit out of Daphne [Ala.] and spent the summers here working with them. Their pitching coach [former South Alabama assistant] Coby [Mackin] got me to where I am. There is no way I would be the pitcher I am today without her. I got offered by South Alabama my sophomore year and I was ecstatic."
What ultimately led you to decide to play at South Alabama?
"The campus. It felt like home. I liked being close to the beach. My parents had lived in Daphne when I was 1 or 2 and they had planned on relocating back down here in Baldwin County once I went to college. When that happened they were able to move and watch me play. The people are so friendly down here and the coaches are amazing. They work through it with you and I really clicked with them."
What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing softball?
"I would say my senior season for sure. Fairhope won the 7A state championship. We lost our first game and had to win six straight to win the championship against Spain Park."
You moved to the Gulf Coast a few years ago. What does it mean to you to be able to play collegiately close to home?
"My parents are my number one supporters. I do fine if they aren't at the games, but if they are there, it's just an automatic energy boast for me. I know how much they have put into me playing softball throughout my entire life. My little sister has been dragged to all the tournaments and I'm just really happy they get to continue to be there."
During your prep career, you have excelled both in the circle, in the field and at the plate. What is it that you think helps your versatility?
"I'm a competitor. I compete in everything I do. I don't like to do something wrong. I pick up on things easily just because I don't want to be wrong. My competitiveness is especially true in pitching. I just flip a switch and I tell myself I'm going to mow them down."
You've now gone through your first fall here at South. What was the fall season like for you?
"It was a lot more different than I thought it would be. It works you mentally and physically. We played community colleges during the fall and I was so nervous, but it did a lot for me so I could settle in, prepare myself and know what to expect once spring comes. I know the level of competition will be higher, but it gave me a better idea of what to expect."
What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the lineup?
"Probably that I'm a competitor and my mentality. When I go up to the plate, I expect to get a hit. I go with the attitude that she isn't going to beat me, I'm going to beat her."
What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm undecided right now, but I'm leaning towards elementary education. I was going to go the medical route, but I want to work with kids."
What is one interesting thing that Jaguar fans may not know about you?
"I was a competitive gymnast when I was little. I went from gymnastics to cheerleading to softball."
Are those the only sports you played growing up?
"I also played volleyball a little bit in high school. I messed up my ankle though my sophomore year. My parents made me chose between volleyball and softball. I was already committed to South for softball, so the decision was easy."
Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"Starbucks."
What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"I'm proud of the name I wear across my chest. I want to represent this school well and help the program in the best way I can. The softball team already represents the school well with the way they act, the way they carry themselves and the way they are in the class room. I just hope to continue that."
Do you have any pregame or pre-at-bat superstitions or rituals?
"Sometimes I sing/hum when I'm up at bat."
What would your walk out song be?
"I don't know right now. My dad wants me to go old school."
What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"I like all different kinds. Occasionally, I will listen to hip hop, but mainly pop and country. I'm a big fan of country."
What's your favorite meal?
"I try to stay away from it, but I love pizza. It's my favorite. I also am into the health thing."
Is there a certain combination you like on your pizza?
"I like cheese or meat lovers, but I don't want pepperoni."
What's your favorite form of social media?
"Probably Twitter."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I don't really watch TV. I listen to music a lot. Whenever I get free time I try to take naps or shop. I also like to go to the movies and work out. I also like to just chill. I don't do a lot of exciting things."
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
"My mom. She has supported me through everything. When there is something going on or I don't agree with something, she doesn't just automatically take my side. She has always been there for me and she's like my best friend. She's the best woman I know and I hope to be like her one day."
You don't see a lot of players choosing to wear No. 13. What's the significance of wearing that number?
"That's my mom's lucky number so when I was little I wanted to be like my mom and I chose that to be my lucky number. I was also born on February 13th."
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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