Freshman Focus: Paris Townsend

May 29, 2013

NORMAN, Okla. -- Freshman outfielder Paris Townsend is one of seven Sooner freshmen this season and all have the distinction of being natives of Oklahoma. A native of Tulsa, Townsend was a four-time all-conference player at Holland Hall Prep. She played travel ball with the Oklahoma Diamond Girls Gold team, including the 2011 squad that went 49-5.

This season, Townsend has played in 20 games with five starts as the designated player. She made her Sooners debut on March 1 against Houston, while her first start came two days later against the Cougars on March 3. Her first career hit came on March 16 against Arizona. Her twin sister, Jules, is also a freshman on the team.

Q: How would you describe your experience so far?
PT: "It's been good so far, but it's also been a learning process. I've learned a lot. I thought I knew a lot before I came here, but I've learned I did not."

Q: What have you learned?
PT: "Just the simple parts of the game, the baserunning and different hitting styles have been the biggest for me."

Q: What's the biggest difference you've noticed between high school and college softball?
PT: "It's faster and, here, everyone is the top player. At most high schools you have that one star player, but everyone is that good in college.”

Q: Were you an OU softball fan growing up?
PT: "Yes, I've been going to the camps since I was around eight years old. I never really thought I'd go here growing up because I feel like if you're around the school all the time you may want to go someone different, but once I got to high school I saw the family environment. Being from Tulsa, my family would be able to come and I knew the girls previously so I always heard good things about the coaching staff, so I didn't want to go anywhere else.”

Q: How did you feel when you got offered to come here?
PT: "I thought, 'Absolutely.' I knew I wanted to come here."

Q: Who have been some of the players that have helped mentor you?
PT: "When I came in here I was a catcher so Jessica Shults, then during the season it was more Destinee Martinez and Brianna Turang in the outfield. I've looked up to them because I've never played outfield so I've learned a lot from them and Coach [Tripp] MacKay."

Q: What have you seen as your role on the team this year?
PT: "Cheering. I think the new thing this year from Coach [Patty] Gasso having a freshman leading the cheers each inning has been really good. It's helped us a lot and keeps us in the game. Freshmen also have to do charts so we're learning the game from a different standpoint and that's been really helpful."

Q: What was it like when you got your first hit?
PT: "It was good. Coming back from my broken hand and finally get a chance to play, it was a relief."

Q: As we head into the World Series, how does it feel to be going there?
PT: "I'm excited. Being from Oklahoma and always going, I think it's going to be fun to actually be in it. I've always just watched and watched, so I know the atmosphere, but I think it's going to be completely different being on a team that everyone is watching."

Quick Hits with Paris
Name: Paris Nicole Townsend
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
High School: Holland Hall
Height: 5'11'
Major: Health and Exercise Science
Parents: Heidi Virdell and Bill Townsend
Siblings: Jules Townsend

Pregame ritual: Listening to music
Favorite hangout place of campus: The Bud
Best place on Campus: Chipotle
Favorite Vacation spot: Miami
Favorite Movie: Pitch Perfect
Favorite TV Show: Law and Order
Favorite Music: Hip-Hop
Best thing you ever ate: Steak from Mahoganeys
Favorite Sports team: Miami Heat
Favorite Pro Athlete: LeBron James
Favorite Class you've taken: Photography

Most famous person I've met: Pat Summit
Road Trip necessity: Phone and Ipod
Hidden Talent: Twin telepathy

Players Mentioned

Destinee Martinez

Jessica Shults

Paris Townsend

Brianna Turang

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics