UNCW Softball goes to ‘the pen’ for additional support
Seahawks have been sharing weekly letters as pen pals with a second grade class. Saturday, the two groups met for the first time.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) – The bullpen is where Seahawk support pitchers stay, but on Saturday, the Seahawks got all the support they needed from a different pen.
Friday, the Seahawks were no-hit by the Campell Camels. Saturday, the Seahawks erupted for six runs. Right before the game, the players met their pen pals face-to-face for the first time. The second graders also brought flowers for the players. UNCW softball players have been trading weekly letters with the grade schoolers all this season. Every player of the team has their own pen pal.
“We always talk about playing for something bigger than ourselves … on that day it was playing for the pen pals,” said the second-year head coach. “Softball is just an avenue for us to be able to have an impact on the community in a variety of different ways. Something I think is cool for our student athletes to impact the lives of young people.”
“They are not even softball players, the bulk of them. Most haven’t even dabbled in sports will end up being. Some might play in college some might not. I think that’s the really cool part. Our players are role models in the community.”
The players share that same sentiment.
“We always like to give back to the community,” said Freshman pitcher Peyton Eckert. “I think being a collegiate athlete is so much more than on the field… you are mentors off the field as well.”
This was very rewarding I feel I’m able to be a mentor to those kids like someone was to me once.”
Questions ranged from: What’s your favorite color? Do you have any pets? Do you know the muffin man? Have you ever hit a grand slam?
“Kids are funny,” said coach Wade. “Second graders – their minds go everywhere. The letters they write are all over the place. It is a grind to be a student athlete. Putting in the work and time and work they do in the classroom and on the field… I think having some humor in their life that they would get off the week with off the wall questions they can answer and be a normal person.”
“I really felt like I got to know her,” Eckert added of her Pen Pal Vera. “She told me she’s number 4 on her (softball) team. It was so fun meeting all of them.”
UNCW Softball is heavily involved in service and the community, but Coach Wade brought this idea to campus and this is the first year the team has pen pals. She says the girls have enjoyed it even more than they thought they would.
Originally, the plan was do have Pen Pal Day Sunday, but forecasted weather forced the two groups to audible to Saturday. Not all of the students got to attend because of the change and Coach Wade mentioned she is going to make sure those students have a chance to meet their Seahawk pen pal.
Coach Wade adds she is in talks with the same teacher, who is a UNCW softball alum that graduated last year, to continue the partnership for years to come.
