For third-year third baseman Emily Power of the University of Rhode Island softball team, the 2024 season has been one of growth.
Power batted in the low .200s and high .100s through the first two years of her career in Kingston, Rhode Island. However, in 2024, she has a batting average of . 284 , one of many offensive categories currently experiencing career highs. Power’s home runs (4), runs batted in (18), slugging percentage (.414) and on-base percentage (.328) are all the highest marks of her career.
“My first two years here, I was definitely not in the right mindset as a hitter and I cared a lot about it, a little too much,” Power said. “It kind of messed me up, but this year I have really focused on having fun and knowing as a hitter what the count is and what pitches that I can drive and what are my strong suits in the box.”
Power’s new approach was showcased back on April 2 in a mid-week game against Bryant University. Power blasted a solo home-run in the fourth inning and a grand slam in the sixth, accounting for all the runs in the 5-0 victory for the Rams.
Power has not made these adjustments herself, though. She credits those around her for the improvements at the plate this offseason.
“[Head] Coach Whitney [Goldstein] and [Assistant] Coach Tori [Constantin] especially have done a great job working with me, finding ways and words that work for me when it comes to hitting,” Power said. “I’ve put a lot of effort into watching film, hitting extra and my teammates too have helped me just holding me accountable with what they see when I’m in the box and making that change [from] pitch to pitch.”
This coaching staff is not the one that first convinced Power to come to Kingston, though. Former Head Coach Bridget Hurlman and her staff initially recruited Power prior to a coaching change in 2021 that saw Goldstein take charge. Despite the change in personnel, she still felt comfortable stepping into a new environment with a new supporting cast.
“Rhode Island was the one school that I was looking at that wasn’t in-state,” Power said. “So when I came here, I went here for a camp and of course I was recruited from the old coaches… The coaches told me that they saw me as someone that could help them win a championship and I really liked that coming from the coaches. My freshman year with the new coaches, I loved the same goals and beliefs that they had.”
Even with all of her offensive success this season, Power also excels in the field defensively. Through three seasons, Power has only recorded 11 total errors while manning the “hot corner” at third base.
“I’ve always had a good glove,” Power said. “I used to play shortstop so that was my main position, but third base has been a whole different place for me. The ball comes way quicker, you have to be on your feet more and just in general cat-like because it comes so quick … it’s really hard to play and Coach [Goldstein] played third base so it’s been awesome to hear what she has to say about it.”
As the season goes on, the Rams are competing for a spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship tournament, and Power will try to help with both her bat and her glove in any way she can.
The Rams are back in action this weekend when they travel to Ohio to take on the University of Dayton. First pitch is set for noon on Saturday, and can be streamed on ESPN+.