Today’s spotlight takes us to Arkansas where a lefty sophomore talks about her recruiting journey and gives great advice on the process to younger players…

Name: EMMA SKINKLE
Grad Year: 2017
Pos: LHP/1B
High School: Perryville (Ark.)
GPA: 3.73
Club: Arkansas Angels 18u (ArkAngels)
Club Stats: 20 home runs, batting average of .390, first pitch strikes: 68%
Honors: 2014 Selected USSSA Division “A” Best Player
College: University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM)


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FullCountSoftball.com: Talk about the recruiting process… how did you first get noticed by Louisiana-Monroe?
Emma Skinkle: My National Scouting Report scout, Robby Wilson, spoke with the coaches about me several 
times and when they came to the Ronald McDonald Tournament, we began to communicate 
often. After attending a couple of camps there, my final camp was when I pitched lights out and went yard. They offered while there and there was 
nothing for me to think about, I knew I wanted to play for Coach (Corey) Lyon and Coach (Candyce) Carter.

FCS.com: How did you get the offer?
ES: After they saw me at Ronald McDonald, I began communicating with the coaches weekly. They offered me a few months into the fall after I went to a couple of camps on their campus.

FCS.com: What led to the decision to commit to the Warhawks and why 
did you commit when you did?
ES: I had numerous options along the way but since the beginning I felt 
like I “connected” with Coach Lyon and Coach Carter more than the other programs. The others are top notch, no doubt. But Coach Corey and Coach Candyce treated me like family and the campus just felt like home. 
Having other girls from Arkansas committed there as well, I felt like it 
was definitely my “home away from home.”

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
ES: I actually was offered on my unofficial visit. I stayed to watch the Warhawks team practice and I committed at the end of their practice.

FCS.com: What was it ULM said they liked about you enough to offer?

ES: Coach Corey recruits the overall player. He looks at everything and he said what I bring to the table athletically, academically and personality is what they liked. So, really, the continued improvement in the fall with my pitching as well as my hitting is what I believe got my offer in addition to the connection I had developed with each of the 
coaches.

FCS.com: What would you say is the best advice you’d give about the recruiting process to other girls out there?

ES: Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t. Start early! Don’t leave it in a travel or high school coach’s hands to get you recruited. Find an independent advocate that works for you independently. Work harder than you’ve ever worked before. Be prepared to make sacrifices. Pay attention to your grades from Day 1. Own your identity as a player and market that. Don’t try to be a player you’re not just because you think that is what is “most recruitable.”

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to major in?
Pharmacy.

Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when: _____________________
… I’m playing softball.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?

Not enough people just caring about other people.

Favorite food:
Fried Chicken.

Least favorite school subject:
English.

What’s your dream vacation?
New York.

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Energetic.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
Water.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
Putting my uniform on exactly the same every time.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
My 
travel coach and also my church pastor.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Chocolate.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
To fly.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Maroon 5.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Dr. Seuss… Theodor Seuss Geisel, an American writer and cartoonist.

What did you want to be when you were little?
A singer.

Favorite athlete(s):
Jenny Finch, Cat Osterman, Jackie Trania, Derek Jeter.

Nickname(s):
Em, Red, Cheeto, Skinkle.

Something on your “must do” list:
Visit New York.