Today’s spotlight takes to Southern California where we learn more about a Big Ten-bound pitcher who committed earlier this month…

Name: CAMBRIA KEEFER
Grad Year: 2016
Pos: pitcher
High School: Glendora (Calif.)
Club: OC Batbusters – Smith 16U                                         
Stats: Went 10-6 with three shutouts and 10 complete games as a sophomore.
Honors: Tournament MVP of the San Dimas Softball Tournament where she went 4-0 with 35 strikeouts in 24 innings.         
College: Rutgers

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FullCountSoftball.com: A pretty cool Christmas gift, committing to a school like Rutgers, yes?  What are your thoughts on finalizing your decision?
Cambria Keefer: Yes I am beyond excited to have gotten this opportunity. It almost feels surreal right now.

FCS.com: What about your pitching repertoire got Rutgers interested in you?
CK: They liked my mound presence and my off-speed and movement pitches.

FCS.com: You’re a junior and any more players as young as the 8th grade (2019’s) are committing… were you getting concerned that it was getting further along in the process?
CK: There were times where I was stressing about it, but my mom always gave me confidence to keep working hard to achieve my goals.

FCS.com: Any concerns about being so far away from home?  And the winter weather?
CK: I am sure I will be homesick for my family and friends, but will adjust. On my visit, I loved the bitter cold and gloomy skies! It actually is one of the main reasons I want to go to the East Coast.

FCS.com:  Let’s talk recruiting… tell us how you were first seen by the Rutgers coaches, then how long until they offered?
CK: I was first seen by Rutgers at the Diamond9 Sun Classic in Florida at the very end of October and just went on my unofficial visit on December 8. The process seemed pretty quick with them.

FCS.com: What factors led into the decision and why did you commit then?
CK: I have been wanting to go to the East Coast for a while and having the opportunity to play in the Big 10 conference was an opportunity I could not pass up. I also felt that the coaches and school in general were a good fit for me.

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
CK: I told (Head) Coach (Jay) Nelson over the phone.

FCS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, what was going through your mind?
CK: I was very neutral about it surprisingly, because it did not feel like it was actually happening. Now I am very excited though!

FCS.com: What is your workout regime like, both to improve athleticism and to sharpen your skills?
CK: I go to EM Speed and Power Training to improve my athleticism and will go to my local gym when I don’t have the time to go to Anaheim for EM. As for my pitching, I go to lessons once a week and pitch with my dad throughout the week, usually focusing on two to three pitches each time. I also try to go to yoga whenever I have time.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
CK: My team winning 10 games straight in Champions Cup and pitching 20 innings on the final day taking 2nd place.

 

Quick Hitters

 

Fill in the blank… I love softball because:_________________
… I like the challenge and the competition.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
Animal cruelty!

Favorite food:
Any breakfast item.

Least favorite school subject:
Science, specifically anatomy and chemistry.

What’s your dream vacation?
Going to Lake Havasu with my family and just hanging out.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I am terrified of grasshoppers!

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Zealous.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
My dog, Madeline.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
My pitching coach, Kristi Devries. She is an amazing role model to me since she too pitched in the Big 10 for Ohio State. She has helped shape me into the player I am today.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Netflix, I can watch for hours.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Definitely the power to read peoples minds.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Arctic Monkeys and Sublime.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Seth Rogan and James Franco… they’re hilarious

What did you want to be when you were little?
An English teacher.

Favorite athlete:
Derek Jeter.

Nickname(s):
“Cambam.”

Something on your “must do” list:
Hold a koala.

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
When my catcher was giving me signs and accidentally showed her middle finger, we couldn’t stop laughing and I had to step off the mound.

What’s the No. 1 request on your Santa gift list?
Rutgers gear.