(This is one in a series of summer player profile articles. If you would like to participate, fill out this PLAYER PROFILE form for a chance to be selected.)
NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT/D9) — It was a very uncomfortable feeling for Quinn White.
She was mired in a slump.
Rough stretches at the plate had been virtually non-existent for White during her early career for the Redbank Valley softball team. But here it was, mid-April, and the sophomore’s batting average was languishing at .238.
“I was struggling with hitting a lot,” White said. “It was really hard on me because last year I had good season and coming out slow this season — I can’t really explain how I felt. I definitely struggled with that.”
But White didn’t dwell on the failures. Instead, she sought ways to correct the things that were dogging her in the box.
She took extra swings in practice and got extra help with her hitting coach. That work enabled her to steer out of that skid, closing the season red-hot at the plate for the Bulldogs and putting up her usual impressive numbers.
White rebounded to hit .400 with six home runs and 21 RBIs this spring and earn a second-team nod to the all-state team. She’s also a standout with the glove at shortstop, with superior range and a strong arm.
As a freshman, she put up eye-popping numbers, batting .554 with four homers, nine doubles, eight triples and 27 RBIs in 20 games.
In her career, she is a .485 hitter with 10 homers and 48 RBIs in 134 at-bats.
“Eventually I worked my way out of it,” White said. “Thanks to my teammates like Sammi (Bowser), Mack (Mackenzie Foringer) and Keyauna (Schimp) — they were always the ones that picked me up after bad games.”
White continues to terrorize pitchers this summer as a member of the prestigious Pittsburgh Power travel softball team.
She is batting .417 this summer through three tournaments.
White is also a gifted fielder, gobbling up ground balls and chasing up pop-up at shortstop with ease. She also has a cannon for an arm, able to throw out the fleetest of runners on grounders hit into the hole.
White said her early season slump probably helped her in the long run.
“I think it made me a stronger player, mentally and physically,” White said. “I got a lot of extra reps and the more reps I got, that confidence went into the game. I feel like through every game I was getting better at something. Even if it was a bad hitting game, I felt like I was getting better.”
THE WHITE FILE
NAME: Quinn White
SCHOOL: Redbank Valley
YEAR: Junior
SPORTS PLAYED: Softball
Q: You used to play basketball but left after your freshman year to focus on softball. Are you thinking about going back at some point?
A: I do miss basketball every day. But I think softball is my main focus. I have thought about going back my senior year, just because I feel like it’d be a good time to go back and play with my teammate who I played with all the way up through, Addy (Bond). I’ve thought about it, but I’m not coming back this year.
Q: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
A: I think they would describe me as committed because I show up to literally everything that’s scheduled. Hard-working because I always do my best in practices. And I feel like I’m a very good person to talk to on the team. I’m a good listener. If someone needs something, I’m willing to help.
Q: As you’ve gotten older, do you feel like you’re taking on more of a leadership role?
A: Since we lost our senior, Sammi — she was a really big leader on the team who took charge a lot — I definitely will. She told me it’s my shoes to fill now. I need to pick up my leadership skills. I need to start getting a voice. I’m gonna try to work on that more this year.
Q: So you’re more of a lead-by-example type?
A: Yes. I don’t talk too much. But I need to talk more.
Q: What have you learned about teamwork from you experience playing sports?
A: It’s the most important thing. If you don’t get along with your teammates, then it’s just not gonna go very well. You have to be a family to win games. If you’re not a family, you might as well forget it. You don’t have to like each other off the field, but we were always taught that we have to like each other when we’re at softball.
Q: What would you consider the greatest challenge of being a high school athlete today?
A: I would probably say the mental part. As a teenager, you already struggle with some things going on, whether it’s school or other stuff. And then when you add on playing a sport and having a bad game or something, it’s really easy to get down on yourself. Depending on how good your support system is, it can be easier to overcome those challenges.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you have received for a family member, coach, teammate, whoever, while playing sports?
A: I would say my grandpa has given me the best advice. Since I was a little girl playing sports, he’s always told me that no matter how hard or how hard the challenge is, always play with heart and give it your all because you never know when the last time is gonna be.
Q: Outside of softball, what are your other interests?
A: I am with my friends a lot. I also have a job. And I referee elementary basketball games.
Q: Do you like being a ref? It probably helps you stay involved in the game and it must be fun watching those kids play?
A: My brother (Connor) and sister (Kennedy) both play. I usually ref my brother’s age. He’s 10.
Q: So you ref your brother’s games? Is that weird for him or you sometimes?
A: I like to call fouls on him a lot. (Laughing) It makes him mad. I just want him to improve because I want him to become the player that I was at his age.
Q: Ever have to T him up? Because that would make for a rough dinner that night.
A: (Laughing) Nope. Not yet.
Q: What are your goals in sports?
A: I want to go to college and play. I’ve been emailing colleges and starting the recruiting process for myself. It’s a lot of work, but I hope something happens.
Q: Have you received any interest?
A: Grove City College emailed me back after I emailed them and asked me how I felt about their program because they gave me some insights on what was happening there. I emailed 15 schools in all.
Q: Wow. You’re pretty serious. What was special about the 15 you emailed?
A: They were the 15 that had the major I wanted for my career, which is exercise science. They also weren’t any farther away than Ohio because I don’t want to be far away from my family.
Q: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I don’t know. I’m a pretty predictable person. I’m a person of habit. I do the same things over and over. I don’t like to change anything.
Q: Usually those kind of people, especially baseball and softball players, are superstitious. Are you superstitious?
A: Oh, yeah (chuckling). I believe in superstitions. Before the game, I would hold the same person’s hand in the prayer circle. I wear the same socks, underwear and bra for every game. I did wash them. I’m not that disgusting.
Q: Complete this sentence: In my fridge, you’ll always find (blank).
A: Chocolate milk.
Q: One more fun one. What three famous people would you like to have dinner with and why?
A: My number one would be Elly De La Cruz because he’s a really good shortstop in the MLB. I like to watch his highlights because some of the plays he makes are just really amazing. Next would be Rihanna, because me and my high school team really bonded over her songs this season. And I think I’d be fun. And then probably Paige Bueckers because she tore her knee twice now and has come back to be one of the greatest players in modern history. I just really strive to be as dedicated and determined as she is.
