RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
What an amazing softball career Megan Fariamo has had already and she’s not even pitched her first official inning in college yet!
The UCLA freshman pitcher has been ranked as the #1 player in the Class of 2018 by Extra Inning Softball, won Gatorade National Player of the Year and Extra Inning Softball 1st Team All-American honors and on January 2, 2019 was announced as a member of the USA Softball Jr. National Team.
Always gracious and well spoken, we asked the San Diego native about the USA Softball tryout experience in Clearwater, Florida leading up to New Year’s Day, what it was like to make the team as well as what it’s been like adjusting to college and what it’s like now to be a role model to younger players who will be following in her footsteps.
Here’s what she had to say…
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We’re about three weeks after the USA Softball Jr. National Team Tryout, what’s your primary memory when you look back on the experience?
The first memory that comes to mind when I think back to tryouts is the feeling of happiness and excitement on the first day of trials, when I was back in a dugout with one of my former teammates and best friends, Madi Huskey. We played on the Corona Angels together since 12’s but hadn’t seen each other since last summer after PGF.
It was special for me to spend that time with her during such an important softball milestone. It has been a dream and aspiration of mine to wear USA across my jersey, so to go through that process and share it with a close friend, was incredible.
As you were going through the tryout, how did you think you were doing… were you feeling good about your efforts to make the team?
I thought I did well, and of course there are some pitches I wish I would’ve thrown better, but at the end of the day I left it all on the field, so I was content with my performance. There are things I’ll work on and things I learned, so the time was well spent and will make me a better pitcher.
The format of the games was a little different, we were split into two teams (A and B) and over the course of three days each pitcher would face both teams, throwing to each batter once. Innings consisted of four batters and, no matter what happened during that inning, there would only be four at bats. The next inning would pick up where the last one left off (runners would go back to the base if they got on, innings would start with the number of outs you left with the last inning).
On that Saturday (December 29, 2018) I pitched about five innings or to 20 batters. I don’t remember how many strike outs I had but I know three people got on base: a bunt by my UCLA teammate Kelli Godin, an error, and a blooper over the second baseman. No runs allowed, no walks or hit batters. Monday (December 31, 2018) I pitched the same amount and gave up a hard hit up the middle to Ciara Briggs, but no runs allowed, no walks or hit batters.
How cool was it that Kelli Godin, another Bruin in your signing class, made the team?
Isn’t that fantastic! I’m stoked for Kelli and so proud of her for working her butt off to achieve her goal. Kelli brings serious speed of course, but one of the things I appreciate about her on the field is her grit. She has an incredible work ethic and is a committed teammate. I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with her and we both are honored to be able to represent UCLA with the JWNT.
What do you think of the USA team’s pitching staff that includes you, Montana Fouts, Kelley Lynch, Lexi Kilfoyl, Kathryn Sandercock, Callie Turner and Rylie Trlicek?
I’m super excited about our pitching staff. The caliber of talent is phenomenal, which is going to spark a competitive environment and insure that we are all at our best for competition. I had the opportunity to get to get to know some of these girls in Florida and am looking forward to spending more time with them this summer.
What does it mean to be able to wear “USA” on your jersey?
I am deeply grateful to have been given the opportunity to earn a spot on the team. Representing my country through the sport I love has been an aspiration of mine for as long as I can remember. Going to Florida, being evaluated by the USA Softball committee, competing against such talented players and wearing the USA gear all felt like milestones towards my goal of representing USA on the diamond.
It’s easy to say that this has been a highlight of my of my softball career, not just because of the things I mentioned, but also because of the new friendships I made by meeting and getting to know players from different parts of the country that I’ve played against or have heard of but haven’t really spoken to before and getting to play alongside friends and teammates I’ve played with in the past. I am always blown away by the incredible people and friendships softball brings into my life.
Speaking of UCLA, where are you now in getting ready for the 2019 season?
Right now, I’m focused on strength and endurance to prepare myself for long tournaments. I’ve been working in the bullpen, building my pitches, learning as much as I can about the game at this level through my coaches and teammates, and making sure I am doing all I can to be ready for juggling classes while being on the road. I’m looking forward to my first season as a Bruin!