St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Softball Senior Spotlight: Aleshia Link
3/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 21, 2014
QUEENS, N.Y. - Red Storm Sports had the opportunity to sit down and talk with senior Aleshia Link of the St. John's softball team before the Red Storm heads into conference play this weekend.
Since joining the softball team as a freshman in 2011, Link has posted a 8-10 record with a 5.45 ERA, recording 91 strikeouts in her 131.0 innings of work. During that time, the right-hander pitched in six complete games and earned one save.
Catching Up With Aleshia Link
Q: What has been your favorite part about being a member of the St. John's softball team for the past four years?
A: The best part for me has been all the great friends I have made throughout the years. My teammates have been there through it all. I would do anything for them. I wouldn't be where I am today without all of them.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment on the softball diamond during your time at St. John's?
A: This is a tough one, but I would have to say that one of the most memorable moments was this year at the FAU "Kick-Off" Classic. We were playing FAU and it was the seventh inning and Erin Burner was at the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. She battled to hit a three-run walk-off home run out of the park! The game was extremely exciting and emotional, so much so that some of us let out tears of joy. Those are the moments that make me realize how much I love the game.
Q: Over the past three seasons, what has been your favorite field to play on and why?
A: I loved playing on the field at USF. The new stadium is beautiful and the weather is always great for softball.
Q: What game are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I am looking forward to our games vs. Seton Hall on Senior Day. I'm excited to see all of our parents there and celebrate all of the times we have spent together for the past four years.
Q: What is your personal goal for the season?
A: My personal goal for the season is to enjoy myself and have fun. I want to look back on this season with great memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Q: Off the field, what has been your most memorable moment at St. John's?
A: My most memorable time at St. John's was my freshman year. It was a really big adjustment for me to come from a completely rural area and move into the city. I certainly didn't know what to expect. I ended up dorming in a suite with seven other girls who became like family to me. It was one of the best experiences in my life getting to move into a place with a group of girls that I've never met and developing relationships with all of them.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to an incoming freshman looking to play softball at St. John's?
A: My best advice would be to give this opportunity everything you've got because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it goes by way too fast. Appreciate all of the benefits that come along with being a college athlete because you'll miss it when it's all over.
Q: What are your plans come graduation in May?
A: As an education major I will not be graduating in May because I still have to complete my student teaching, so my plans are to come back to St. John's for a semester in the Fall in order to finish my degree.
Q: If you didn't play college softball, what do you think you would be doing instead?
A: Ever since I was in eighth grade, my mind was set on playing college softball so I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't play.
Q: What is one piece of advice you want to share with your team before heading into your final season with the Red Storm?
A: One piece of advice I will share is that the most effective way to make the best of your time here is to live in the moment. John Lennon once said, "Life is what is happening while we are busy making other plans." You will all soon realize that now is the only time we have. It's the only thing we have any control over. If you want to make a difference, believe in yourself and go after what you desire.
Link and the rest of the Red Storm will open up BIG EAST action this weekend with a three-game set on the road against DePaul starting on March 22 at 1 p.m.
Throughout the season, Red Storm Sports will catch up with each of the other three seniors as they journey through their final season at St. John's. To read the first edition of St. John's softball senior spotlight with Kelsey Moyer, click here.
Admission to all home games for the 2014 Red Storm softball season is free to fans of all ages. For more information on Red Storm Field, including how to donate to the new Red Storm Field project, click here.
For all the latest news on the St. John's softball team, log on to RedStormSports.com and follow the team (@StJohnsSoftball) on Twitter. You can join the conversation with #SJUSB. If you would like to be added to the St. John's softball mailing list, send an email to stjcommunications@stjohns.edu with the subject line "Softball Mailing List".
