Seniors Alex Fulmer, Kelsey Oh and Alyssa Kumiyama Media Day

– [Interviewer] All right, we’re here with Senior Alex Fulmer, and Alex I can’t believe I’m saying that again that this is your senior year. Give us a little bit of an update here had surgery in the fall and you know, give us an update on how you’re feeling and how you’re progressing toward the season.

ALEX FULMER: Yeah, I had a surgery back in November and it’s really going great, I’m taking it one day at a time and I feel the progress dramatically, it’s crazy how much better my shoulder’s feeling now.

– [Interviewer] That’s awesome to hear and obviously you are still a part of practice and the team here even though you are not physically engaging in practice, you’re out at practice and you’re helping the team every day. So how have you seen your role adjust this year with a little different role at practice?

ALEX FULMER: Yeah, my role has definitely changed, here in the batting cages, I’m DJ, I get everybody pumped up and ready to play, and then out on the field if we’re scrimmaging, umpiring, helping the pitchers and pushing them to be their best. Keeping that tight zone like SEC has and pushing them especially the freshmen who came back from a bigger of a zone, they’re having to get used to new SEC zone, which I think I’m doing pretty good at.

– [Interviewer] I’m glad you mentioned your zone and umpiring for these scrimmages, because I’ve heard lots of good things about your zone for these scrimmages. How is that changed the way you’re viewing the game now that you’re back there, instead of being in the box you’re the one back there calling balls and strikes, just how much fun is it? And how much are you learning from it?

ALEX FULMER: Yeah, when I was a hitter, I mean I just see ball hit ball, but now as the umpire I can really see the movement and spin and see the progress that these pitchers are making. It’s a lot of fun playing around with not only the pitchers, but the hitters, but yeah it’s a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.

– [Interviewer] And bonus question here Senior year, I mean, is that just crazy to hear, Senior Alex Fulmer? Because it feels like it’s flown by for us.

ALEX FULMER: Yeah, I mean, definitely with last year being cut short and then you just… Feels like I’ve only been here three years. but yeah it’s been a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to see what’s going on this year and for my future.

– [Interviewer] Well, thank you again, Senior Alex Fulmer, and we’re excited to celebrate you this year throughout your senior year and we can’t wait to see you again this weekend.
—-

– [Interviewer] All right, we’re here with Senior Kelsey Oh. And I know everybody that’s watching this are hearing the same thing. But I cannot believe I’m saying that it feels like we just got you here, Kelsey. But give us a little bit of an update here. The last time the fans saw you, obviously, it was not great news. It was, you were just missing the remainder of the season when last year was canceled. So give us a little bit of update on how you’re feeling and how you’ve been progressing.

KELSEY OH: Yeah, so I’m feeling great. I’ve been progressing awesome. I was able to get surgery and rehab with the staff at the University of South Carolina, which has been awesome. And I’m just super excited to get back on the field and play with the team.

– [Interviewer] So talking about being on the field with the team. We’re coming up on close to a year since you faced outside competition. From a pitcher standpoint, how do you continue to grow when you’re facing the same bats day in and day out?

KELSEY OH: Oh, I think it’s awesome. Facing the same bats day in and day out really challenges you. You have to continually be adjusting your pitches ’cause you’re facing these people maybe 10 times in three weeks. So it really helps pitchers.

– [Interviewer] One of the things I really like about this lineup is there’s a lot of variety to it. There’s lefties, there’s righties, there’s power, there’s speed. So from a pitching standpoint, how difficult is it to go up against this lineup? Because each batter is bringing a different look than the previous one?

KELSEY OH: Yeah, our batting lineup is so dynamic, and I think it’s really a challenge. So I’m super happy we get to face that challenge during practice. But I’m excited to pitch against some other people and for someone else to have that challenge.

– [Interviewer] Let’s switch it over to the bullpen now. What do you like out of your group? It’s a big group there in the bullpen. What do you like out of your group out of there?

KELSEY OH: Yeah, I think there’s a lot of depth. I mean, having a big pitching staff is huge. I’m super excited for our newcomers: Leah Powell and Skylar Trahan. I think they’re amazing additions. And we’re going to be really awesome this season.

– [Interviewer] And you’ve touched on a few of our newcomers there, but we’ve got a class of 10 freshmen. So whether it’d be at the plate or in the bullpen, what are some things that have stood out to you about this class?

KELSEY OH: I think their grit. They want to compete. And they’re really excited to face other people and even compete with players on our team; specifically, in the field. I think Carly Robbins is going to be pivotal for us in a position. And then batting, Maddie Gallagher has been producing as well.

– [Interviewer] So I’m going to give you a bonus question here. And obviously, we have still lots of time to create new memories. But so far, can you give us your favorite on-field memory as you head into your senior year.

KELSEY OH: Ah, favorite on-field memory. I would have to say it was more of me in the dugout, but when we won against Tennessee for the first time. The pitcher from Tennessee threw a wild pitch and we were able to steal home. And that was just awesome. I think it was our first series win that year too or series sweep. So that was really awesome.

– [Interviewer] I’m going to go a bonus question two here really quick since this will come out on Monday. Do you have a Super Bowl prediction for us?

KELSEY OH: Ah, I am not into pro football, so I hope each team has fun.

– [Interviewer] That’s all that matters, but thank you Senior Kelsey Oh. I still can’t believe I’m saying that, but we’re excited to see you out there again this weekend, and good luck.
—-