Aug. 30, 2011

BERKELEY - CalBears.com invites you to turn back the clocks a couple months and relive the freshman season of Taylor Vincent, who is now a couple of days into her sophomore year. This past spring, Vincent was the back-up catcher - and the go-to bullpen catcher - for the California softball team, which finished fifth in the country. She batted 1.000 and saw time in three games. CalBears.com caught up with Vincent during her busy summer to get the best stories from her freshman year, including the how she spent a week in a wheelchair.

CalBears.com: Now that you've got one year of collegiate softball under your belt - what was the best part of the softball season?

Taylor Vincent: The best part of the softball season was no doubt playing in the College World Series in OKC.

CalBears.com: What is one of your most hilarious or embarrassing stories from your freshman year?

TV:

After three months of being in a boot, I had surgery to remove the extra bone in my foot. After surgery, my parents took me home for the weekend to take care of me. On Sunday, two days after the surgery, I returned to Berkeley on crutches and went to dinner with some of my friends. On the way back I fell going down the stairs and sprained my good ankle. I was in a wheelchair for the next week.

CalBears.com: What was the best part about your fall or spring semester?

TV:

My favorite part of the fall semester was meeting all the new people in the dorms and making new friends.

CalBears.com: After two semesters of college academics, what are you planning on doing differently or the same next semester in terms of school?

TV:

Now that I have a year under my belt, I will be focused on my time management a lot more so that the school work doesn't pile up.

TV:

I know some words in Dutch. Britt Vonkis an awesome teacher.

CalBears.com: What was the favorite class you took last year?

TV:

Physics 7A. It was challenging but very fun at the same time

CalBears.com: What was the best part about Cal softball this year?

TV:

Living in the bullpen...that bucket has my name on it.

CalBears.com: What class are you most looking forward to taking this fall semester?

TV:

Italian Studies 5rB

CalBears.com: Was playing at the NCAA Division I level what you expected or more?

TV:

The time you put into the athletics and academics was much more than I expected at first. You don't realize how much of a time commitment it really is.

CalBears.com: What was it like to balance top-notch academics and playing on nationally ranked softball team?

TV:

It was an extremely hard thing to do at first, but it got easier with time.

CalBears.com: What was the first trip to the postseason like for you?

TV:

It was very exciting, but by the end of it, I was dying for a home-cooked meal.

CalBears.com: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

TV:

Taking good quality notes is key. It's not enough just to sit and listen.

Read Taylor's first-ever Q&A with CalBears.com by clicking here.

Catch up on all the Q&As and features on the Golden Bears by clicking here.