By Tara Sowle
UWRF Sports Information

Freshman outfielder Rachel Mathias has given the 2006 Falcons an added power in the lineup after a successful career with her high school team in Ripon, Wis.  

"Rachel has been a nice addition to the softball team," said Falcon Coach Faye Perkins. "At Ripon she was a standout centerfielder receiving all-conference honors her junior and senior years and being named first team all-district and all-state honorable mention her senior year." She was also her team's captain and won the team's Defensive Specialist award twice. She was a member of the National Honor Society for three years and was on the High Honor Roll.

Mathias has played in 17 games and started 10 times. She is hitting .308 and leads the team with two home runs. She hit her first homer, a three-run shot to center field, in a win over North Central on April 4. That was the first home run by a Falcon since the 2004 season. She also had two doubles in that game. He second homer was a solo shot in the second game at Oshkosh on April 8. She has knocked in eight runs and scored 11 times. She has two doubles and a .615 slugging percentage.

She was hitting in the No. 9 spot in the lineup early in the season, but has moved to the No. 6 spot lately. Mathias has been in left field for most of the season, but did start one game in center. Her best game was a 3-5 effort against North Central. She scored three times in that game and had five RBIs.

"I started playing softball really early, probably in second or third grade in the t-ball leagues," said Mathias. Her parents and older sister were big contributors to her early interest in softball. "I would have to say my whole family got me interested. My older sister played and both my mom and dad either coached or played on a team. I think my biggest roll model was my sister. When I was younger I always wanted to be just like her. I think I looked up to a lot of the older girls on my teams also, I wanted to be just as good if not better than them, so I pushed myself to improve."

Mathias was also a member of her school's volleyball and basketball teams. Her other hobbies include being outdoors as much as possible. "I try to get out as much as possible to hunt, fish, swim, camp, just play, or whatever. I also like to ride horses."

"The nice thing about Rachel is that she's an outfield specialist and not an infielder learning how to be an outfielder," said Perkins. Her experience in the outfield began her sophomore year in high school. In middle school and in summer leagues she played third base before moving to the outfield.  

"I like this position because there is so much ground to cover. You really get to use your speed. I also like to throw long distances. I don't like that we don't get many balls. The infield is involved in almost every play. We, as the outfielders, are involved also but we just mostly back the infielders up."

Mathias decided to come to UW-River Falls because she liked the teaching program that was offered and knew she wanted to play softball. "I'm getting an education, but I am also making good friends on the team. Being part of the team atmosphere is something I really enjoy. I like to be around people with the same interests and goals." Her goals in the outfield go along well with the team's goals. "She knows what she's doing in the outfield, is always in the right place, and has added depth to our outfield," said Perkins.

The transition from high school ball to college has been a fairly smooth one for Mathias. "In high school we worked hard in practice like we do in college but the work outside of practice in college is much more intense.

"When you get here people don't know who you are or what you did in the past. You are an equal with all the rest of the new players. It is time to give it your all and make these new people and coaches see what you have to offer."

Mathias is not just involved with softball, but is also a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is planning on majoring in elementary education and getting a minor in psychology. Her plan for after college is to teach kindergarten or first grade. "I want to stay involved with softball after college. I will either coach a team or join a community team, or both, who knows."