We kick off the first week in December by going to a state that we normally don’t pass through, but we make exceptions when you have talent like our sophomore being profiled today!

Name: TARYN COLLINS
Grad Year: 2017
Pos: pitcher/first base
High School: St. Paul’s School (Concord, New Hampshire)
GPA: 3.85
Club: Worcester Hawks- Raymond                            
Honors: 1^st Team All ISL                  
College: Rutgers University

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FullCountSoftball.com: What’s it like being a softball player from New Hampshire, do you feel like you have to work extra hard to get noticed or appreciated compared to other states around the country?
TC: Yes, through out the recruiting process, it’s seemed like I have had to prove that “even though” I’m from New Hampshire, I am good enough to play at the highest level. The common stigma used to umbrella athletes from New Hampshire is that she/he can’t compete year round due to the poor weather, therefore they must not be as good. Since I was young, though, I have learned to be resourceful and I have realized that maybe the time in between seasons is good; it allows me to breakdown any issues I am having.

FCS.com: New England has a lot of sports to choose from for athletes including lacrosse and soccer among others… do you play other sports or has it always been softball for you?
TC: Softball has always been my passion although I also play volleyball. It’s a very different sport and it allows me to further expand my understanding of competitiveness and community on and off the court.

FCS.com: Talk about yourself as a pitcher… what do you throw and what about your play in the circle got you noticed by Rutgers?
TC: I throw six pitches: fastball, change-up, drop, curve, rise, screw. My favorite pitch is my drop curve. I’ve been pitching for around six years now and when I started, it was something that I had to do and soon after it transformed into something that I want to do everyday after class. Although I have never gotten the opportunity to ask them, I think the thing that got me noticed by Rutgers was my presence in the circle. I tend to be very positive and I like to talk and smile.

FCS:  Did you check out other softball programs or was it Rutgers all the way for you?
TC:  I checked out other programs, but after attending their (Rutgers) camp last November, I knew that there was something special.

FCS.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the Scarlet Knight coaches, then how long until they offered?
TC: I first met the coaches at camp and then I next encountered them at Georgia Legacy in July, when they invited me to visit. They offered me during my visit in late July.

FCS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
TC: I decided to commit that day, but I didn’t officially commit until August. I committed to Rutgers because I loved the campus and I felt super comfortable around all of the coaches, especially Coach Nelson.

FCS.com: Did location and distance factor in for you?  Did you want to stay close to home or would you have gone to another area of the country to play?
TC: Yes, I feel like Rutgers was far enough away from home (Southern New Hampshire), but made it so my parents could come to my games.

FCS.com: Describe the scene when you told them you were committing… where were you and how did it come down?
TC: Because I was a freshman, my father committed for me.

FCS.com:  Did you do anything fun to celebrate committing to Rutgers?  How many items from the university (shirts, bows, etc.) do you own now?
TC: I own three sweatshirts and a couple hats. To celebrate, we had a party with all of my friends and family. Everyone showed up in red!

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
TC: Probably throwing my first no hitter when I was playing 14U, as a twelve year old.
Quick Hitters
What do you want to major in?
Political Sciences; I want to be a lawyer, and eventually become a senator.

Fill in the blank… Nobody is better than me on the field when it comes to:
… composure.

If you were President of the U.S. for a day, what would be the top items you’d address or try to fix?
Gender equality and health care.

Favorite color(s):
Teal, red.

What’s one thing or person guaranteed to make you laugh?
My dad because he always says things that are ridiculously funny.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world right now, who would you choose and why?
I would choose Maya Angelou, because she was a brilliant author as well as human being. She had unbelievable high standards for herself and she had very high morals—both of which I try to bring on the field with me.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I have the same foot size as my 18 year old brother.

Quiet or vocal in the dugout and on the field?
Vocal.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
A cell phone that has full power so I can call someone to save me!

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
Before I step on the mound after every three pitches, I fill in the hole, and brush off the mound by dragging my right foot back and forth across the mound.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
Condoleezza Rice.

Team you love to root against:
Any hockey team because they get really angry and it’s pretty entertaining.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Spinning my bat, because it drives my coach crazy!

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Flying.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Piano Man by Billy Joel.

What did you want to be when you were little?
A lawyer.

Favorite athlete(s):
Derek Jeter and Cat Osterman.

Nickname(s):
T.

Something on your “must do” list:
Win the Big 10 Conference Championship.

Best thing about being from New Hampshire:
Snow!

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
When I was 13, I was playing in an elimination game and I was on second base. My coach gave me the sign to steal and I went for it. I slid into third and suddenly realized that I hadn’t made it all the way. I was about ten feet away from the bag, and, with my teammates encouragement, I leaned forward and began to crawl. The third baseman had the ball, but didn’t tag me out because either out of pure shock that I was crawling or because she was too busy laughing!

Thanksgiving was last week… what are you most thankful for?
For my family and everything they do for me, sending me to prep school, taking care of me, and being selfless by taking me all over the country to fulfill my dreams.

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