As a catcher, Emily Creason knows the importance of interacting with her pitching staff. Creason, a junior catcher for Greenwood’s softball team, cites the bonds she has developed with her pitchers as the best thing about playing that position.
“My favorite part of being a catcher is the relationships I have built with my pitchers,” Creason said. “They are some of my best friends. Another great part of catching is how much you are involved in the game. You get to be a part of every pitch.”
But especially this season, Creason has made a big impact at the plate as she has had behind it. She has more than doubled her batting average from her sophomore season, and has really increased her home run and RBI totals as well.
“My hitting has greatly improved from my freshman and sophomore seasons,” Creason said. “My batting average this year is over .300 more than last year, and I have over double the amount of RBI’s so far this season with half the amount of games. I also had two home runs last year and I have 10 so far this season.”
A reason Creason offered for her dramatic offensive input her junior season was Greenwood coach Donald Hart’s decision to insert Creason into the leadoff spot.
“I have been able to help the team the most with my hitting,” Creason said. “Coach Hart put me in the leadoff spot and I am grateful for the role to help get the team started offensively.”
Creason is in her third season as the Lady Bulldogs’ starting varsity catcher. As a freshman, she was named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year; then last season, she was first-team All-Conference while batting at least .300. But again, Creason has really hit her stride at the plate this season. In a game against Harrison, she hit three home runs, which Creason remarked was her best game for obvious reasons.
However, it was another contest Creason noted may have been her most impactful.
“That game (against Harrison) wasn’t quite as challenging as Maumelle where I went 2-for-3, with a home run,” she said “Maumelle was more of a challenge because we saw more competitive pitching, and my team only collected three hits as a whole. I would like to continue helping my team offensively like I have been. I would also like to keep my defense as clean as I can, by keeping my error count and stolen base percentage low.”
While Creason has enjoyed interacting with her pitchers, that close camaraderie has extended to the rest of the Lady Bulldog team members.
“My teammates have been some of my biggest supporters and best friends, on and off the field,” Creason said. “They will always have my back no matter the outcome of the game.”
Creason developed her love of softball from her mother, a former player herself. Creason also plays travel ball in the summer and the fall, in order to maintain her sharpness year-round. But there are other areas besides softball Creason stays active in, as she is involved with several school organizations such as HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), the Beta Club, National Honor Society and Athletes Helping Athletes.
Creason, who currently owns a 4.2 grade-point average, is taking six college classes.
“I plan to graduate next year as a distinguished graduate (maintaining a 4.0 GPA and at least nine honors classes in four subject areas), and have all A’s my whole school career,” she said. “I plan to go to college and pursue a degree in nursing with hopes to play college softball. Beyond a nursing degree, I plan to continue my education and get my doctoral degree in Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).”
While Creason already has her future mapped out, she is very happy being in the present, playing her favorite sport and the bonds she has cultivated with her teammates.
“I love playing softball because it blocks out everything else that might be going on,” Creason said. “When I step on the field with my girls, nothing else matters.”