10 Questions with Big East Softball Rookie of the Year — Rutgers Freshman Pitcher Alyssa Landrith

Added by Shannon Hovan on May 15, 2012.

Alyssa Landrith won the Big East Rookie of the Year award after leading the Rutgers softball team in the circle.

Alyssa Landrith is a California girl who came to Rutgers and joined the University’s softball program. Landrith quickly became the top pitcher for the Scarlet Knights. She left such a great impression and performance on the field that she was recently named the Big East Rookie of the Year. Alyssa spoke to us here at Double G Sports to reflect on her season and the recent honor.

1 — If someone told you when you walked on campus for the first time this past fall that you would earn Big East Rookie of the Year Honors, what would you say to them?

“I wouldn’t believe them to be honest. I had no idea that I was gonna get it [the award].”

2 — 23 complete games, 9 shutouts (20th in the nation), 18 wins (2nd most single season wins in Rutgers history), 2 perfect games, Big East Rookie of the Year, and 3rd Team All-Big East.  Truthfully, did you ever envision this kind of success so early on in your college career?

“I think its what every pitcher wants to do. Everyone wants to make an impact and rise to the occasion coming into a new program. But, I definitely surprised myself.”

3 — Can you reflect a bit on the perfect game you threw against Iona? Was there a moment during the game when you thought “I’m going do this. I’m going to finish this.”?

“Well, actually Iona doesn’t have a scoreboard.  So, I couldn’t keep track of hits or anything. My catcher knew, and my teammates knew, but they didn’t tell me until afterward because they didn’t want to throw off my focus.  I’m actually happy they didn’t tell me.”

4 — How did you end up in New Jersey at Rutgers coming all the way from Vacaville, California?

“I played in a travel tourney in New Jersey while I was in high school.  It was really close to Rutgers, actually.  We had to drive through campus to get to the game.  Coach Nelson came out to the tournament to do some scouting.  I got a call, went on visit, and it was the perfect fit.”

5 — Growing up, in the game of softball, what player influenced you the most?

“As a pitcher – Jennie Finch.  But, I did look up to my hitting coach’s daughter, Nadia Cameron, who played for Tennessee.  I wanted to play big college ball like her.”

6 — What has been the biggest transition for you from high school to the college game?

“You can get away with mistakes in high school.  At this level you can’t get away with much.  Batters are very aggressive.”

7 — Shifting to the Big East tourney, what can you take from the 5-0 loss against Notre Dame and build on for next year?

“Things happened that didn’t go in my favor.  But, there’s nothing I can to do about it now.  I just have to push myself to get better.”

8 — Is there a different feeling in Conference Tournament play than there is in regular season play?

“I really couldn’t allow myself to get caught up in the moment.  It was a home game for Notre Dame, but I couldn’t think about it like that.  I had to just do what I’ve been doing for years: attack each batter.”

9 –What has Coach Nelson taught you thus far in your career, non-softball related that stands out to you?

“Well, I’m always worried about my statistics: my ERA, runs allowed etc.  So, he’s really taught me to just keep working hard, and if I keep giving 100 percent, day in and day out, the ERA and the other stuff will take care of itself.  I can use that in every aspect of my life.  If you work hard, good things will happen.”

10 –How do you keep the success going and improve on this season? Is there a specific area of your game you feels needs the most improvement?

“I rely mostly on movement and placement when I pitch.  I don’t throw, you know, 90 mph.  So, the next step/goal for me would be to add velocity to those pitches without losing the movement and placement.”