Auburn’s Kasey Cooper Looks Back at First Year with Team USA
2016 was a big year for Auburn senior Kasey Cooper. Not only did she help the Tigers to their first Women’s College World Series championship series appearance but also was selected to play for Team USA over the summer.
The Dothan, Alabama, native won a silver medal at the World Cup of Softball. She hit .214 with six runs batted in and six runs scored. She won a gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation World Championship. There she hit .286 with two HR, five RBI and four runs scored. Team USA brought home another silver at the Japan Cup.
Fastpitch News talked with Cooper in Auburn to look back at her first year wearing red, white and blue.
FPN: You were the first player from Auburn selected to play on Team USA, what did that mean to you?
KC: Tryouts were in California and the day I got back I went to sleep at my apartment and joined the team (Auburn) for hell week so I was a few days late. I came in for a lunch break and found out I made it, I announced it and tried to be really nonchalant about it. We went back outside and I was so sore I could barely move but I was beaming and Coach (Clint) Myers said he was proud of me. Hearing that from him and having the support of my teammates was the greatest feat and being the first one from Auburn just sets the foundation.
FPN: What was the summer like playing for Team USA?
KC: The summer was something I will never forget because I’m sitting here with three bats in my bag, I’ve got custom gear on from Nike and we get a ton of apparel just being on Team USA. We were at World’s in Canada and so many did whatever they could just to get there. Seeing how much they sacrificed just to play the game of softball really reminded us of why we play the game. Showing how New Zealand bought cleats for Team Uganda just shows how much love for the game we have and for everyone. Even though we were from different parts of the world, we talked about everything. France had the bombing and terrorist attack while we were there and some of the girls from that area started breaking down. I personally wrote a note to Team France and their coach and three players came over to thank me after my game. Having those types of memories, moments really reminded me of why I play the game of softball and why I love to be an American.
FPN: Was there a big transition going from college ball to international ball?
KC: There was definitely a big step up just because you’re playing against women. Japan has (Yukiko) Ueno who is 31 and have players who have played on that team for a long time. When you play against a team that’s had so much and have played together for so long, you can tell. The chemistry is there and Japan’s balls move like no other. It was crazy, it was awesome and fun to just go up there and compete. Playing against Australia, Brazil and all these pitchers who have perfected their skills was so much fun. It was great being a rookie and being able to ask the veterans how do you approach this type of pitcher and how do you go up in the box? It was a great learning experience for me.
FPN: You have been invited back to tryout for next year’s team, how do you prepare for that?
KC: I prepare by coming out working hard and giving it everything I have. Just trusting my abilities. I’m going out there to show what I have, I’m not trying to beat anyone, I’m trying to be the best I can be. My focus is to not care about how the person is doing in front of me or behind me. If they make a great play, I’m not going to pressure myself into making a great play. It’s just going out there saying this is what I have to offer and hope for the best. If that’s enough then I’m going to be excited and if not then I’m still going to support the program.
