Senior Vance a bright spot for softball team
When Haven Vance first picked up a bat, it was obvious she was going to be special. Recalling her earliest days as a softball player, Vance remembers the first time she played T-ball.
“I hated T-ball, I had the coach pitch to me instead, I couldn’t stand it,” Vance said. “I’ve played it that way ever since I can remember.”
Taking initiative like that has turned Vance into a team leader for the Utah State softball team.
Vance, a senior shortstop for the Aggies, is leading the team this season in batting average at .373, slugging percentage at .510, and hits with 19. Vance’s batting average is her most notable statistic, considering the improvement from last year’s .269 average. Vance attributes her improvement this season to her newfound confidence.
“I’m just comfortable out there in the dirt and in the box,” Vance said.
Hard work in the off-season is also a big reason for Vance’s improvement at the plate.
“I really worked on conditioning this off season,” Vance said. “That’s always important, and just overall fundamentals and skills.”
While Vance’s individual marks have been noteworthy this season, the players as a whole have not had quite the season they would have liked so far. The Aggies are 3-18, but have yet to play a conference game and are working hard to turn things around in time for Big West play.
“We’re working on getting on base, first of all, and scoring those people right now,” Vance said. “Our defense is solid, and I think our pitching is doing great right now.”
Despite the many losses this season, Vance is very positive and said she thinks that as the season rounds out, the early losses will end up helping the young team.
“You just have to look at it as a way to progress, that’s really all a loss means,” Vance said. “I think it’s important to look at it that way.”
Although this year’s learning moments have come from early losses by the team, Vance has experience on the winning side of the diamond as well.
Winning games was very common at Spanish Fork High School, where Vance graduated in 2000. Throughout her high school career, Vance received many accolades for her play on the field.
She was a four-year letter winner at shortstop for the Dons, not to mention offensive player of the year, and National Guard Athlete of the Year her senior year. Winning a Golden Glove and being named team MVP her senior year helped fill Vance’s trophy case as well. Despite the individual publicity Vance received, she says nothing compares with winning the state championship her senior year.
Following her distinguished high school career, Vance decided to further her softball career into the collegiate ranks through Salt Lake Community College. There she was named team MVP her sophomore season. Vance also earned first team all-region honors at SLCC, and was a Junior College All-American nominee.
Coming up to Utah State was ultimately an easy choice for Vance. At first she wanted to get out of Utah at all costs, but then came to the conclusion that Logan was the best fit for her.
“The campus is awesome, it’s beautiful up here, and the people are great,” Vance said. “It’s been a great experience, I’m really happy with the choice I made.”
Ultimately, it is all working out for this easy-going power hitter. Right now she’s doing what she loves – playing softball.
“Sights, smells, sounds, the whole thing,” Vance said. “The crack of the bat, that kind of stuff is what I love.”
Vance will graduate this spring in liberal arts, which will end many years of focusing on softball and school work.
“I’m not sure what the future holds,” Vance said. “The possibilities are endless.”
That’s not just a figure of speech. Vance said she is interested in possibly becoming a firefighter someday.
As for the Utah State softball team, Vance is also optimistic about what’s in store for the program.
“I’m really looking forward to watching this team explode,” she said. “It’s ready to happen; I can see it. I just get so excited, because I know it’s going to happen. If not this year, then soon, and I’m excited for the turnaround of this program, really excited.”
Whether it’s taking the initiative to go against everything that T-ball stands for, or winning a string of key conference games, Vance is willing to do what it takes.
-bcb@cc.usu.edu