By Tara Sowle
UWRF Sports Information

One of UWRF’s seasoned veterans, right fielder Emily Rodgers, has played for the Falcons for four years. She has been playing fast pitch since she was 12 years old and hopes to make her last season with the Falcons her best yet.

Last year she finished in second on the team with a .321 batting average. She scored 19 runs and had 17 RBIs. She was second in hits with 42 and stole 10 bases.

The Richfield, Minn., native is having another solid year in 2005. After 26 games, she is hitting .224 with nine runs scored and three RBIs. Hitting in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, she has two doubles and has walked three times. She has four bases and been caught stealing just once. She has played error free ball in the field handling 38 chances without an error.

Rodgers is a definite team player. In 2004 she was named the team’s Most Dedicated Player and she continues to make the team her first priority. "My team goals are to, of course, win the conference, but otherwise to play our best and hardest in each and every game. We at least need to finish in the top three and have fun."

A unique trait that Rodgers has found in her team is that, "One of our team's strengths is the fact that we get along so well and enjoy playing softball with each other. The neat thing about our team is that everyone contributes - we do not really only have one or two superstars – we just have a combination of really good players."

As a senior, Rodgers hopes to set a good example for the younger players by, "working hard and being a positive leader, while making softball fun too." She takes her position in right field seriously. "Outfield is the best! In my opinion it is the best position and I do not care who thinks it is an easy position and anyone can play outfield. It takes a lot of athletic ability and skill to be great in the outfield. Being able to dive for fly balls and throw people out at first is the best part of right field and I love doing it."

"Emily is an aggressive fielder who has a knack for throwing runners out at first base when a sharp grounder is hit to right," said Falcon Coach Faye Perkins. "Offensively, she can lay down a sneaky bunt when the defense is least expecting it, or she can swing away for the base hit."

Rodgers is also a member of the UWRF soccer team that won the WIAC title in 2003. During her first couple years at UWRF, she was a three-sport athlete playing soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring. In what a spare time she can find, she coaches softball in Richfield, and a U12 River Fall soccer team in the summer.

From Rodgers’ extensive role on varsity teams, she thinks the Falcons have what it takes to go all the way. "I think this team has the chemistry you need to win a championship. We've had some struggles, but we keep bouncing back and working hard so I know it will pay off in the end."

Rodgers’ biggest asset to the team is her love for the game and the fun she has while playing. Former Minnesota Twin Kirby Puckett was one of her idols. He inspired her not just because of his talent, but for his love of the game.

Perkins commented on how she has as much fun as possible. "Emily is a fun loving person who likes getting "crazy" before the games. She's a great person to have on the team."

Rodgers decided to play softball at UWRF because of all the opportunities it gave her. "Along with being able to play sports, the size and location of UWRF appealed to me too. Being so close to the Twin Cities is great and being able to get to know your professors and classmates is fun too."

Emily Rodgers