A Chat with Ohio State Softball Player Candace Kollen – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/30/1998 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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%^$March 30, 1998%^$
%^$If college is about growth and maturity, than last December, senior second baseman Candace Kollen made perhaps the most mature decision of her life – she announced her engagement to Matt Axline. The two plan to be married in January of next year. Candace is scheduled to graduate on time this Spring and will continue her education in law school. So while her softball career might be coming to a close, she is moving on to bigger and better things. The Ohio State Athletic Communications Office sat down and talked to Candace about her future with life and softball. %^$
%^$OSUAC: How has the engagement changed your life?
%^$CK: It has made things complicated, but in a good way. There are definitely more things to do and plan but I have enjoyed it every step of the way. %^$
%^$OSUAC: What are your immediate post-college plans?
%^$CK: I’m going to go to law school. Where, I am not sure yet. But ask me in a couple of days and I will give you an answer. In January, Matt and I will be married in California. %^$
%^$OSUAC: What are some of the things you need to do to have a successful last season of softball?
%^$CK: On a personal level, I would like to achieve some of the goals I have set that I have not achieved. Every year I’ve wanted to make less than 10 errors. Hitting wise, I want to have 75 hits, and I’ve never done that. Team wise, I would like to make the Big Ten tournament. And if we don’t make it, I will walk away disappointed. We are good enough and we should make it there. %^$
%^$OSUAC: What are some of the strengths of this year’s squad?
%^$CK: This year we have a lot more depth than what we’ve had in the past. And that allows us to do a lot more things. Offensively, we are a better hitting team. I think defensively we are stronger. And our pitching has been there for the most part of this season. %^$
%^$OSUAC: How has your game changed since your freshman year?
%^$CK: The biggest change is going from what your used to college ball. Initially that’s a big adjustment but after that it doesn’t affect you anymore because your used to it. At this level, you play a lot more games and it takes more out of you on an emotional level because you live and die with your team unlike in summer ball where you get over it a lot quicker. To be honest, other than that, I really don’t know how much my game has changed. Hopefully I’ll look back and think I’ve evolved into a better hitter and a better fielder and stuff like that. But I don’t feel like there is some aspect to my game that I did not have before. %^$
%^$OSUAC: After so many year’s of playing softball, does it still mean a lot to win awards like making the all-tournament team at last weekend’s Capital Classic?
%^$CK: It’s still an honor and most importantly, it brings recognition to the team. I think everyone has their time to get hot and hopefully in the end everyone will be hot.
