7 Innings with Mary Haff
When you think of some of the Freshman players that have made huge impacts this season, Mary Haff will be a name that will come up rather quickly in the conversation, as Haff has made an immediate impact with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Winter Haven, Florida native is is amongst the Top 10 nationally in ERA (8th with 0.74), Wins (6th with 15), and Strikeout to walk ratio (3rd with 11.67). Haff also ranks 13th in Strikeouts (140), 18th K/7 (9.40), Shutouts (17th with 5). Haff will be in the mix for SEC and National Freshman of Year.
But how did Haff end up at Arkansas? We will find out as we get to know one of best young pitchers in the country as we go “7 Innings” with Mary Haff.
Eric Lopez (ELO): What influenced you to play softball?
Mary Haff: “I started by following a friend that was playing, and I seemed to have a lot of success. My early successes raised my self-esteem and gave me the courage to set the goal to play college softball. I was lucky enough to be able to be able to take pitching lessons from one of the best, Kaci Clark Zerbe, who believed in me along with my family who further influenced me to continue to play.”
ELO: What was it like to help lead Lake Region (FLA) to two state runner-ups and four district titles during your high school career?
Haff: “It was very gratifying to win districts because all the teams were local and somewhat of a rivalry. The four regional wins were also exciting because the teams were very competitive and some of the best high school teams in the nation. The two runner-up finishes were bittersweet because we didn’t bring home the state title, but it was a great experience to make it to the finals.”
ELO: What made you decide to attend Arkansas?
Haff: “I saw an opportunity to make an immediate impact on the program and play in the SEC Conference. The University of Arkansas has excellent softball facilities and really supports all of their athletes.”
ELO: You mentioned Kaci Clark Zerbe earlier, who you had pitching lessons within Florida. What influence has Kaci had on your pitching career?
Haff: “Kaci taught me just about everything I know about pitching. I traveled two hours every week for over seven years to take lessons from her and would do it all again. She has a talent in helping pitchers learn not only a variety of different pitches but also the mental requirements it takes to be successful. She always has and still encourages me to reach for the highest goals without limitation and is one of the most positive softball influences in my life.”
Kaci Clark Zerbe pitched on the UCLA National Championship team in 1995 and has been a pitching instructor in the Tampa area coaching many pitchers that have gone on to have success. A few big names are Houston’s Angel Shamblin who was an All-American in 2008, UCF’s Allison Kime (2006-2008), Mackenzie Audas (2012-2015) as well as Florida’s All-American pitchers Stephanie Brombacher (2008-2011), Hannah Rogers (2011-2014) and current Oklahoma Sooner pitcher Parker Conrad.
We grabbed a quote from Mackenzie Audas on her former coach, Kaci Clark-Zerbe.
“Kaci is the best coach in the country,” said Audas, who was an All-American in 2015 finishing second nationally in ERA (0.95) behind her former UCF teammate and fellow All-American Shelby Turnier (0.87). “The way that she teaches and explains her philosophy just stays with you. She is the type of coach that wants her players to think for themselves and to really understand the game,” said Audas.
ELO: Describe what it was like to throw Arkansas’s seventh no-hitter in program history when you tossed a no-hitter against Northern Colorado on March 2, 2018, after coming so close earlier in the season.
Haff: “I try very hard to try to limit the number of hits and walks during a game, but you need a great team like ours supporting you also. My successes with the no hitter and several one hitters this year has been a team effort and brought the entire team closer knowing that we all work together to accomplish these successes.”
ELO: What has it been like playing for Head Coach Courtney Diefel so far and what have you learned from her?
Haff: “I was Coach Diefel’s first verbal recruit after she accepted the head softball coaching position at the University of Arkansas. She said I would have an opportunity to pitch right out of the gate if I kept working hard and doing what I have been doing and she has not disappointed me. She has given me opportunities that few freshman pitchers especially in the SEC have had. She has taught me that I still have more within me and that there is no limit to what this team can accomplish. She has a great command of the game and coaches with a steady and positive attitude. I couldn’t ask for a better head coach.”
ELO: What do you hope to accomplish during your time at Arkansas and once you finish playing softball?
Haff: “I would like to be one of the players that lifts this team to one of the premier programs in the nation and a place where future great softball players will want to come and play. Arkansas has all the facilities and tools for this to happen and I believe it can. I hope to win a softball national championship while at Arkansas and to attend medical school once I finish playing. Like I said earlier, I dream big.”
One person that has no doubts about Haff future at Arkansas is her pitching coach Zerbe.
“Mary is the kind of player that coaches love to build a program with.” said Zerbe. “Her work ethic is matched by very few players that I have ever coached. She is a pacesetter and builds others up around her which has a dramatic impact on the direction of any program.”
Haff is hoping to help the Razorbacks return to the NCAA Tournament this season after Arkansas made the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 2013. If this season so far is any indication, the future of the Razorbacks program is in good hands in the circle.
