Over the next six weeks one of Towson's senior softball student-athletes will be featured. This week we caught up with infielder Brook Miko, who wears number 14 because she wore No. 2 in high school and No. 7 in travel ball. However, when she got to Towson, both numbers were taken so she multiplied the two numbers together.
TOWSON, Md. -- The Towson University softball team hosts Elon in its fourth Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) series of the season. Towson and Elon will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon. The series concludes with a single game on Saturday at 1 p.m.
A psychology major, Miko is hitting .403 and leads the CAA with 51 RBIs this season for the 29-11 Tigers. Miko has driven more people home than Greyhound during her splendid career. She is Towson's all-time leader in RBIs (164) and doubles (52).
Why did you choose Towson?
"I chose Towson because it gave me a chance to leave the West Coast and experience something different for a few years. The campus is gorgeous and coming here gave me a chance to play softball at the highest level which has been a childhood dream of mine. I also have a lot of family here in Maryland and on the East Coast so when my parents couldn't make it, I always have someone in the stands cheering me on."
What do you enjoy about your major?
"I really enjoy how many different things you can do with psychology and every part of psychology is different and exciting to learn about. It is also giving me a chance to keep sports apart of my life and I pursue a career as a Sports Psychologist."
What does it mean to you to be Towson's all-time RBI and doubles leader in program history?
"I wasn't striving to become Towson's all-time RBI leader, but to me, that just means that when I go up to bat, I've been able to score the girls on base to help my team win. That's what I want to do when I'm up to bat, produce runs for my team to win. It's an amazing feeling being able to do that for my team, and it is something I want to continue doing the rest of the season."
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat?
"Facebook. It has the best animal videos."
What do you like most about playing softball?
"The lifelong relationships that you make with your teammates and coaches. These are the people that will be in your life for a really long time, and being part of a sisterhood with the amazing girls that were on this team and are on this team is something that can never be replaced."
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Costello?
"Her ability to push me to be my best at all times and accept nothing less than my best. She has helped me overcome adversity in my life and has shaped me into the player and person I am today. Also, her thunder and lightning."
What's the most challenging aspect of being a student-athlete?
"I think the most challenging aspect of being a student-athlete is missing so much class during the season. It challenges your time management and communication skills because you have to stay on top of your school work and build a good relationship with your professors to coordinate with them when you make up exams and assignments."
Who's the first person you are calling or texting after games?
"My dad. No matter how I do in my games, he always sends me some love and positive words and is someone I really look forward to talking to after my games."
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
"By the time I got into middle school, I realized how much I really loved the game and that I wanted to play at the next level. I watched a lot of college softball and it was so much fun to watch and I wanted to be a part of that."
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
"Cardi B. or Lil Skies"
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
"Playing hackey sack! This is definitely the one pregame ritual that I have. Shoutout to my hackey girls Jess (Swistock), Riley (Thies), Cass (Meyer), Meg (Dejter), Julia (Smith-Harrington), Mel (Abrahamian), and Coach Michele (Hawkins)! It's a way for us to stay warm when it's cold but to also have a little fun and get some good laughs in before the game!"
What will you miss about your teammates and being part of the Towson softball program?
"I'll definitely miss the crazy bus rides a pregame dance parties in the locker room."
Plans after Towson?
"I plan on going to play international ball for a while. I also want to further my education and go to grad school and get my Masters and PhD in Sports Psychology which I am very excited about."
Words to live by?
"Everyday may not be good but there is something good in everyday."
A LOOK AT ELON: The Phoenix (20-19 overall) won two out of three games last weekend against UNCW. Elon dropped a 1-0 decision to Duke on Wednesday. Elon's top hitter is senior Kara Shutt, who has a .436 batting average along with 58 hits and 15 doubles. Hannah Olson hits at a .384 clip for the Phoenix. Erica Serafini (22 RBIs) and Ally Repko (21) have combined for 43 RBIs. Kiandra Mitchum leads Elon with a 2.59 earned run average and 74 strikeouts. Abby Barker has a 3.46 ERA. Elon is 5-6 on the road.
UP NEXT: Towson plays its only non-conference road game of the season when it visits Georgetown Tuesday, April 17 at 6 p.m.
