Welcome to Saturday Spotlight, where we dive into the lives of Ohio State student-athletes and learn more about their journeys to Columbus, their love of the Buckeye traditions and who they are as competitors and students.
There are few hitters better than Ohio State's Lilli Piper. As a sophomore last year, she slugged 18 home runs to go with a .421 batting average en route to a first-team All Big Ten honor and a third-team All-American appearance.
This season, she has kept pace. Piper is hitting .413 thus far with five home runs in just 12 games while leading the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record as the team's starting shortstop.
We sat down with her to learn about her transfer from Akron, hidden talents, and much more.
When did you realize you had a chance to play softball at the collegiate level?
Lilli Piper: I always knew when I was younger but chose to play basketball instead. I always knew I could play softball if I wanted to but stuck with basketball in the beginning. Basketball was my first love. It was my passion and I loved it. I wasn't happy where I was so I decided to make the switch to softball.
What drew you to transfer to Ohio State outside of softball?
LP: I always knew that if I had an opportunity to play softball I could come to Ohio State. Coach Kelly [Kovach Schoenly] recruited me at Miami (OH) so when she came here it made my decision easier. There's a lot of resources, especially for athletes. It's really hard to struggle with all the resources we have. On top of that, the campus is amazing. The Oval, right by the library is a great spot. Not many campuses have an area like that.
What is your proudest softball moment?
LP: When we beat Missouri in Florida over spring break last year. it was a really hard-battled game and when it came down to it, our team made some plays and it was a really exciting moment.
What do you like to do when you are not playing softball?
LP: I like to play basketball as much as I can when I have the opportunity. Mostly listen to music and cool down a little bit. I can dance so I dance a bit in my free time.
What are you studying? What has been your favorite class so far at Ohio State?
LP: I'm studying sports industry. One of my favorite class has been my sports marketing class because I got to see the other aspect of sports other than playing at this level. We talked a lot about current situations and current events that were happening around the sports world.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
LP: The ability to fly. The first place I would go would be Jamaica. It's warm.
What is your favorite meal you have had while in Columbus?
LP: Raising Cane's. By far.
What is your favorite Ohio State tradition?
LP: For us every single year we go and run the stadium stairs in the 'Shoe. Just to be the only ones in there really early in the morning with the lights still on is a really cool experience for me and for us in general.
What are your goals for this season?
LP: I want to win the Big Ten Championship and make the Sweet 16. We talked about making it to regionals and now we want to actually make it a little farther. For me personally, I want to make it to the Olympics. I've started the search for that idea. I participated into the open tryout and made it to the invitational tryout for the national team, and I think it's a very long journey for that, but I'm prepared.
Lilli and the Ohio State softball team are off this weekend, before heading to Louisville for the Louisville Slugger Invitational next weekend, where they will play four games.
You can follow Lilli on Twitter @PiperSwiper.
