“The thing I like most about softball is that it is a team sport that allows individuals to come together to play for a common goal,” outfielder McKenna Russ said. “The adrenaline rush that I get running onto that field is a feeling that I will always remember.”
One thing is clear — anyone can tell Russ is a strong lover of softball just by the way she explains the sport.
Russ began playing softball when she was around the age of seven in the town she grew up in, North Canton, Ohio. She started out learning the slow-pitch game and as she grew older, she moved up.
When she reached the age of 10, Russ started playing travel softball and gained more experience with high competition and playing other teams outside of her hometown. In high school, Russ was even a four-year varsity letter winner.
“I chose to come to Eastern because I loved the coaching staff and the chemistry that I witnessed with the team,” Russ said. “I greatly appreciated what the coaches stood for and how they chose to run the program over others.”
Russ also found the coaching staff emphasized academics first, and they created a home away from home for her.
While Russ has been at Eastern, she has improved her softball skills immensely.
“It has enhanced my game to a completely different level, as playing at the collegiate level would,” Russ said. “I truly believe that playing at Eastern has allowed me to play to my fullest potential.”
During her junior year at Eastern, Russ recorded the second-best single-season batting average in EMU program history, after she tallied 49 hits for a .415 clip. That year, she was a First Team All-MAC and Academic All-MAC selection.
This year, she is the captain of the softball team and has led her team to a 19-24 record overall. Russ enjoys leading the team to play to their fullest potential and she is thankful that she has such passionate players who are completely dedicated to make the team better.
“This year, all five of us seniors have stepped into the leadership role. We all have the same goal in mind, a MAC Championship, and that is where I want to lead this team,” Russ said. “This year is our year, and as seniors, we want to go out with a bang and leave a legacy behind for people to follow.”
Russ has certainly been able to click with the group of girls she plays with, and she appreciated how close they are to each other. They are best friends on and off the field and always have each other’s backs.
“It is so important to have a bond with your teammates so that you have something and someone to play for,” Russ said.
When Russ is not busy playing softball, she enjoys reading and watching movies. Recently, she has been into the “Hunger Games” series and has found a new love for Netflix, where she watches everything from movies to TV series.
Since she is also a student athlete, she tries to use her free time wisely and enjoys any that is given to her.
“I try my best to not allow myself to worry about the future or what is going to be headed my way,” Russ said. “I want to live in the moment and appreciate what is given to me. It is the little things in life that make it special and I don’t want to waste it thinking about something else. I live for today.”
