Freshman Focus: Leslie Miller

May 1, 2013

NORMAN, Okla. -- Freshman pitcher Leslie Miller is one of seven Sooner freshmen this season and all have the distinction of being natives of Oklahoma. A native of Blanchard, Miller helped lead her team to Class 4A state titles in both 2009 and 2011. She was named the Sooner Conference Player of the Year three times and played travel ball for five years with the Oklahoma Force.

This season, Miller has tallied four hits in 17 at-bats, including a home run at Wichita State on March 27. In the circle, she has appeared in four games and got her first career win on Friday over Iowa State.

Q: How would you describe your experience so far?
LM: It's been really great so far. It's been really cool to see everyone come together as a team. We like to have a lot of fun, but at the same time it's really fun when we're all on the same page. We've been talking about how we have 21 girls on the team, and that's a lot, so we've been talking about not just having 21 players but being 21 strong and finding the power in numbers, so it's been really cool to be a part of that.”

Q: How have your experiences matched up to your expectations?
LM: It's been better than I ever could have expected. All of these girls, we're sisters, so it's been better than I expected.”

Q: What's the biggest difference you've noticed between high school and college softball?
LM: It's just more competitive. Everybody has the drive to compete and it's so competitive, and that's what I love about it. In high school you have a few select players who are competitive, but here it's everybody and everybody has the desire and the drive to win.”

Q: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
LM: “I was not mentally strong enough coming in, and I wasn't prepared for that, so I've just been trying to build up my confidence and mental toughness through the game because you've got to have it to compete.”

Q: How have your adjustments been to becoming a college student?
LM: “Learning how to study has been one of the biggest challenges that I've faced. You get caught up in softball and all these other different things. You're in a new place and out of the house, so just time management and being able to keep studies first.”

Q: Were you an OU softball fan growing up?
LM: “Oh yeah. We came to all the games. I came to the camps. I still have my red Patty Gasso camp shirt from a long time ago. I've grown up around it. It's been really cool.”

Q: How did you feel when you got offered to come here?
LM: “It was kind of surreal because I just wasn't expecting it, and I was so happy when Coach [Patty] Gasso stated talking to me and she said she wanted me to come play for them. It was just like a dream come true.”

Q: How was your first plate appearance and what was going through your mind?
LM: “Just really too probably too much. I was really nervous up at the plate the first time that I came in to bat. I know now that I shouldn't be. I just need to learn how to relax. I was just trying to get it done for my team.”

Q: How was the first time you pitched? Did it help that you had already hit before?
LM: “For sure. The key for me in pitching is just to get in a rhythm. I have to relax and get focused in, so being able to have a couple at-bats kind of helped me learn the speed of the game and how to keep calm.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of the season?
LM: “The first game. The very first game we came out in Phoenix, and we had three back-to-back-to-back home runs in the first inning. That was just crazy, and I was like, 'Man! We're here. We're part of this.' It was awesome.

Quick Hits with Leslie
Name: Leslie Miller
Hometown: Blanchard, Okla.
High School: Blanchard High School
Height: 5'10''
Major: Biology
Parents: Kris and Joe Miller
Siblings: Lauren Miller

Pregame ritual: I always make sure I listen to my favorite songs! It helps me get focused
Favorite hangout: The movies, or Classic's
Best place on Campus: The Everest, duh!
Favorite Vacation spot: Colorado
Favorite Movie: The Avengers
Favorite TV Show: House M.D.
Favorite Music: Anything by Taylor Swift!
Best thing you ever ate: My Mimi's banana cake with cream cheese icing
Favorite Sports team: Other than any team from OU, the Oklahoma City Thunder!
Favorite Pro Athlete: Nick Collison
Favorite Class: Expo

Favorite Actor: Channing Tatum
Road Trip necessity: My phone!
Hidden Talent: I can say the ABC's backwards

Players Mentioned

Leslie Miller

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