Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

Mason High sophomore pitcher Christin Miller describes her relationship with catcher D.J. Engelman as natural.

And that's bad news for opposing hitters.

The pair has worked together the past three years ever since Engelman — also a sophomore — moved to Mason from Florida prior to her eighth-grade year.

"We're very close," Miller said. "She's my catcher for pitching lessons and everything.

"It's a big advantage," she added. "We work so much together that she knows when something's not working and where the pitches are going to move. She's smart and she's always thinking about it."

Engelman will take her game overseas in January, representing the USA in the World Indoor Cup in the Netherlands and Paris. She was one of 60 players nationwide selected to participate in the tournament.

"She loves the game," Mason coach Brian Castner said. "She loves being around her team. She's one of those 100-percent kids; the happy-go-lucky, gritty kind.

"It's just a great opportunity to travel, see a different style of ball and an opportunity to see new people and expand her softball world."

Engelman took some time earlier this week to chat with The Pulse-Journal.

On playing in the World Indoor Cup: "I'm excited. I've never been overseas before, and I'm really pumped because I get to see the level of play over there. From what I've heard, there's no age limit, so a lot of people can be in their 30s. I'm nervous about that."

On representing the USA: "I'm really excited because not many people get to do it. I'm one of the people that get to play for the USA."

On her catching style: "Sometimes I get really into the game, and then I get really nervous. At other times, I'm laid back and it sets a good tone for the game."

On starting as a freshman on last year's Final Four team: "Last year, I was so nervous for everything because I was a little freshman. But everybody was so nice and the team was so awesome. It was great."

On what you didn't know about coach Castner: "He likes to cry a lot. He gets really emotional."

On the pitcher she hates to face: "I really don't have one. I like facing everybody. I feel pretty comfortable against anybody."

On her body after a game: "Tired. Exhausted. I don't get sore. Only at the beginning of the season I get sore, and then towards the middle and end I don't get sore at all."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.

Vote for this story!