Junior infielder Olivia Wardlow spent nearly all of her first two seasons in Ames sitting within the dugout, watching her teammates play. A self-proclaimed position participant, Wardlow has seen her position broaden in her junior season, setting profession highs throughout the board.
After making simply three begins and having 21 at-bats throughout her first two seasons, Wardlow has burst onto the scene in her third yr, turning into a constant risk within the Cyclone lineup.
Head Coach Jamie Pinkerton has slotted Wardlow solely within the 9 spot this season, as she has turned over the lineup in 23-of-27 video games on the yr. Whether or not it is at second base or DP, she has been part of the Cyclone batting order in all however the first 4 video games of the yr.
Getting Began in Ames
An Iowa native, Wardlow says she grew up in an Iowa State household and knew the second she obtained to campus that Iowa State was the place for her.
Coming into Iowa State, Wardlow “went backwards and forwards between hitting and slapping.” She talked about that she’d slap and hit in journey ball however would hit usually in highschool play. Initially at ISU, Wardlow mentioned, “I’d apply each however primarily be pinch hit as a slapper.” Regardless of the coaches wanted her to do, she’d do.
Quick ahead three seasons, and Wardlow’s bat and willingness to slap full-time has performed a pivotal position within the Cyclone assault, as she at present has the fourth-best batting common on the staff and has been the second-hardest Cyclone to strike out for opposing pitchers. Her left-handed, slapping method has fed proper into the highest of the order and a pair of lefty bats in each Milaysia Ochoa and Angelina Allen.
Wardlow says she actually does not have a choice for the place she hits however admits that being within the nine-hole is pleasant and that it is cool to feed into Ochoa and Allen. “It is actually cool how Milaysia and Mo (Angelina) will undergo the lineup after which possibly the second or third inning – at any time when my at-bat comes – going as much as them and asking them for assist in my method as a result of they set me up for achievement in my at-bats.”
Switching to the sphere, Olivia had “at all times” been an infielder, primarily second base, and that was what she was recruited as. “Final yr, I obtained moved to the outfield, after which this yr, I obtained moved again to the infield.”
Wardlow was doing no matter was requested of her, enjoying her position and serving to the staff wherever she might. Olivia spent the autumn within the outfield, studying on daily basis from staff captains Allen and Ochoa earlier than being moved again to her pure second base. “Although I did not keep within the outfield, it was rewarding to be taught from these two on daily basis.”
How She Stays Prepared each Mentally and Bodily
Like most Division I athletes, Wardlow is a competitor, so how did she deal with having to attend her flip? Effectively, she attributes most of it to her teammates.
“I really feel like I spent quite a lot of my time studying from these in entrance of me – particularly Kasey (Simpson).” Wardlow mentions that she realized so much watching Kasey play throughout the previous two seasons. Simpson, a five-year starter on the infield, was a job mannequin for Wardlow and somebody she strived to push on daily basis in apply.
“She was pushing me whereas I used to be additionally pushing her in practices.” The 2 labored nicely to strengthen each other and be taught from one another. Now, Wardlow finds herself in Kasey’s footwear, being the beginning upperclassman.
“Whether or not it is McKenna (Andrews), Isabelle (Nosan) or Sophie (Maras), we’re all actually good about dealing with the rotation at second,” Olivia says. She provides, “We by no means know who’s moving into, or we do not know who’s going to play that sport at second.” Wardlow says that they’ve all been good at serving to one another compete but additionally motivating one another to be higher each in sport and in apply.
When requested if she will get discouraged when others begin the sport at second, Wardlow mentions that she does not let that trouble her. “Loads of the psychological facet simply comes right down to by no means giving up and nonetheless working exhausting and benefiting from what you are studying from these in entrance of you.” Olivia additionally says, “As a job participant, it is my job to at all times be prepared for the second when my quantity is named.”
Success and What Comes With
Having dreamed of being a Division I athlete as a baby, Warlow states that incomes a beginning spot this season has been tremendous rewarding. “Working exhausting and having the ability to begin is a big success for anybody, so having the ability to begin is a extremely cool accomplishment for me.”
Wardlow can be remiss if she did not point out her teammates. “Loads of my success this season comes from my teammates. Having teammates to depend on and having teammates that can exit and push you to work tougher is a big deal.”
That is all simply a part of the Iowa State normal although, Wardlow says. “All through the years, I really feel just like the seniors of the previous have set requirements which have been handed down.” These requirements, which embody at all times being prepared and being a great teammate, can by no means be misplaced. “Annually, the seniors do an amazing job of letting the underclassmen/newcomers learn about these requirements.”
Olivia is aware of that the Cyclones will get younger subsequent season, because the staff is ready to lose ten seniors. Wardlow, together with a pair of fellow juniors, would be the seniors that the following staff appears to be like as much as. She’s excited for the chance to proceed to guide subsequent season and keep the Cyclone softball normal.