Player Profile: Emily Kachel (2/1)
Player Profile: Emily Kachel (2/1)
Our profile on this Super Bowl Sunday is of a 2017 Hot 100 pitcher who plays for the No. 6 rated 16U team in our FAB 50 Club Rankings released this week…
Name: EMILY KACHEL
Grad Year: 2017
Pos: Pitcher
High School: Harrison (Kennesaw, Ga.)
GPA: 3.97 (4.0 Scale)
Club: Georgia Impact – Gibson
High School Stats: 2014 – 156 strikeouts and 0.79 ERA with an Elite 8 finish at State.
Club Stats: 192 Strikeouts, 2.03 ERA and 7h place finish at PGF
Honors: 2014 – Region 4 AAAAAA Pitcher of the Year, All Cobb County 1st Team and 2nd Team All-State
College: Alabama-Birmingham
***
FullCountSoftball.com: Let’s talk recruiting… tell us how you were first seen by the coaches, then how long until they offered?
Emily Kachel: My mom is a Gator and was watching UAB play Florida in the Super Regionals and loved how they talked about Coach (Maria) Townsend and UAB. She told me about the school and I contacted them. I went to one of their camps and loved the campus and coaching staff. They followed me in Colorado and PGF. I went on an unofficial visit in September and Coach Townsend made me an offer. I told myself I was going to wait until after the high school season (which is in the fall in Georgia) to make a decision. I always knew I wanted to go to UAB and in November I told the coaches “I want to be a Blazer!”
FCS.com: What led into the decision and why did you commit then?
EK: When I went on my unofficial visit in September I knew it was where I wanted to be. Everything was what I wanted. The coaches were high energy and positive. I am not very sure of what major I want to study and UAB had it all. I was getting ready for a tournament in November and that morning my dad asked me where I wanted to go to school and I yelled out “UAB.”
FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
EK: I was on my way home from a tournament and I called Coach Townsend and told her “I would love to be a Blazer!” She was very excited and said that I made her day. Next I called Coach (Erica) Sisson, who was on her way back from the same tournament with Coach (Amanda) Ellis and told her the same thing and you could hear both her and Coach Ellis excited for my decision.
FCS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?
EK: I was so excited to finally tell them I was ready to become a Blazer. Through the entire phone call I had a huge smile on my face.
FCS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
EK: One that everyone always noticed about me on the mound is my composure. I have always been good at not letting the opponent or umpires know how I feel. My coaches have said that I am a great listener and have a strong work ethic.
FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
EK: My top memory is my teams 7th place finish at PGF this past summer. We worked hard all season and pulled it together for a great finish. Another top memory I have is with my high school team this past fall when we played for the Region Championship at home. We swept the series and won the Region for the first time in four years.
Quick Hitters
What do you want to major in?
Business or Engineering.
Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when: _________________
… I am on the mound surrounded by my team.
What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
Bullying.
Favorite food:
Cincinnati Chili.
Least favorite school subject:
Literature.
What’s your dream vacation?
Australia.
What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I start out really shy but when I really start to know you, you can’t shut me up.
How would your friends describe you in one word?
Positive.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
My best friend.
Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
Before every game my team and I always huddle together and pray.
Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
Stacy Tamborra my pitching coach who has always believed and pushed me.
Team you love to hate:
Our high School rival Kennesaw Mountain.
What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
I love to listen to Kesha!
If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Flying.
What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Could be anything from county to pop.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Hannah Rodgers because I would love to hear about her experience in the WCWS both winning and losing.
What did you want to be when you were little?
Teacher.
Favorite athlete:
Tim Tebow.
Nickname(s):
“Kach” or “Kachy.”
Something on your “must do” list:
A State Championship at my high school.
Best thing about being from your Georgia:
There are so many great softball players and the competition is awesome.
Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
Once my teammate started to jog from second to third thinking it was ball four and no one noticed her. We were all trying to tell her to move faster without letting the other team know.