MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman infielder Kennedy Cronan sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what it means to play close to home, the fall season and what it means to her to be a Jaguar, among other topics.

Conan arrived at South after lettering her senior season at Daphne High School in Daphne, Ala. She also played four seasons at Gulf Shores High School in Gulf Shores, Ala. She was a second-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, as well as a first-team all-region selection by the organization as a senior, and received multiple in-state postseason honors following the 2018 season as she was both a first-team AL.com's Coastal Alabama all-Region selection and an Alabama Sports Writers Association Super 10 All-State Softball team selection. Cronan was also an ASWA 6A first-team All-State selection and named the Hitter of the Year by the organization this past spring and was named to the 2018 AL.com High School Prep 100 List, coming in at 77th on the list. She finished sixth in the 2018 Miss Softball voting after hitting .474 with 16 doubles, 25 homers and 62 RBIs for the Trojans. She had 90 hits on the season and posted 26 multi-hit games.

Why did you choose to come to South Alabama?
 "South was close to home and I fell in love with the campus and coaching staff. It just felt like family."

How and at what age did you get involved with the game of softball?
"I probably started playing softball around 11 or 12. I had played baseball before that."

Being a player from the Gulf Coast, what does it mean to you to be able to play collegiately in this area?
"It means a lot to me. Everyone I know is going to be able to come to our home games because it's close to home."

What kind of an impact do you hope to make on the team this season?
"I'm hoping to step up and be a leader. I want to hold my ground in the infield and in the lineup."

This fall you went through your first collegiate experience with the game. What was the fall season like for you?
"I didn't do as well as I would've liked to have done, but I feel like it provided me a good transition from the high school level to the collegiate level."

Now having gone through that fall season, what do you want to work on heading into the spring?
"I have to be more mentally focused. In high school you could think about different things, but at this level you have to be totally focused. I also have to catch up to the speed of the game at this level, because it's way faster."

What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the team and why?
"I would probably say my softball IQ."

Is there a teammate of yours who you look up to?   If so, who and why?
"I would say Savanna Mayo. She's helped me out a lot by just helping me to realize that if I mess up, just go on to the next play."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm undecided on my major right now, but one area I'm thinking about going into is sports marketing."

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"The Café."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It means a lot to me. I'm able to pursue my dreams of playing here at South and I'm lucky to have that opportunity."

Do you have any pregame or pre-at-bat rituals or superstitions?
"Not really. I just try to clear my mind and focus on the task in front of me."

If you could pick out your walk out song right now, what would it be?
"It would probably be something by Migos."

What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"Either Pop or R&B."

What's your favorite meal?
"Spaghetti." 

What's the best advice you've ever been given and who gave it to you?
"Just to play every game like it's your last, go all out and leave nothing on the field."

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

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like to watch movies and hang out with my friends."

What other sports did you play growing up?
"I played basketball."

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
"I would probably say my mom. She's always pushed me and she's a hard worker. That makes me be a hard worker."

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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