Infielder Kasey Cooper is known around the country for her impressive freshman year with the Tigers. In her first season, Cooper was named SEC Freshman of the Week twice, National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete and NFCA National Co-Freshman of the Year, not to mention her participation in the SEC All-Freshman Team, All-SEC Second-Team, NFCA First-Team All-Southeast Region and Second-Team All-American.
She finished her season with 77 RBIs and 18 home runs, setting the single-season record for Auburn freshmen.
"It was a learning experience," Cooper said. "Whenever there was any pressure or any doubt or anything on my mind, I could always go to the coaches or any of my teammates and they would help talk me through."
After their first year on a college-level sports team, nearly a third of athletes in the NCAA quit, because they are unable to efficiently manage their time, they suffer an injury or have personal issues outside athletics.
"Coming through fall your freshman year, you had to grow up quick," Cooper said. "We had workouts six days a week and practice and school. It was just a little overwhelming to begin with."
Head coach Clint Myers said he doesn't believe in the sophomore slump for his athletes.
"I think the sophomore slump is a fallacy," Myers said. "Kasey Cooper is a better hitter now than she was last year. The sophomore slump is only something if you buy into it ... none of us here do."
Junior infielder Emily Carosone said a large part of avoiding the slump is time management.
"You just gotta be mature about it, you gotta know what you gotta do, you gotta get it done, can't procrastinate," Carosone said.
Carosone also said Myers emphasizes a school-first mentality.
"Anytime I had a free time, I was doing homework and trying to get ahead because we had practice everyday," Myers said. "Whether you're going to your English class ... or coming out here to the softball field, the mentality's gotta stay the same, 'I wanna be the best I can be.' I expect them to have the same greatness in the classroom as they do out here."
As far as Cooper is concerned, this season will only help her to improve. "Defensively, I want to have a better first step," Cooper said. "Offensively, stay more consistent, stick with quality at bats and just get the job done."
Myers said he believes Cooper will come out strong this season and has no worries about her falling into a slump.
"We anticipate Kasey having another great year because of who she is and what she represents," Myers said. "It's not about numbers, it's about us winning and Kasey is going to be a big contributor to all of us."
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