North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting to Know: Freshman Pitcher Chelsea Stanfield
1/7/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 7, 2013
NC State’s 2013 softball season begins on Feb. 8 at the Florida International Panther Invitational in Miami, with a new excitement as the fast-pitch program enters its 10th season under first-year head coach Shawn Rychcik.
The squad returns three seniors – Caitlin Dent, Katie Mansilla and Bethaney Wells – as well as 2012 ACC Rookie of the Year Renada Davis, who set a school record last season with a batting average and on-base percentage.
Over the next five weeks, get to know the 14 players on this year’s roster, beginning with the three newcomers, freshmen Chelsea Stanfield, Hanna Sommer and Lana Van Dyken.
Stanfield is a lefthander who will join sophomore Emily Weiman as the Wolfpack’s two starting pitchers this season. During her prep career, Stanfield compiled a 17-3 record with an 0.85 earned run average and 134 strikeouts. As a righthanded hitter, she batted .472 with 11 doubles, one home run and 30 RBIs as a senior and .544 with six doubles and 23 RBIs as a junior.
A native of Franklin, N.C., Stanfield is proud of her mountain roots and loves outdoor activities. Here’s more about one of the Wolfpack’s three newest players.
Chelsea Stanfield
Franklin, N.C. (Franklin HS)
Position: Pitcher
Throws left, bats right
Major: undecided
PERSONAL
Favorite movie: The Water Boy
Favorite magazine: Field & Stream
Favorite song/band: Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, by Jason Aldean
Favorite class/subject: Math
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Vanilla
Other talents: Archery, Snowboarding
Ideal fast food meal:
Meat: Chicken Strips from Zaxbys
Side Item: Onion Rings from Sonic
Drink: Sweet tea from McDonalds
Dessert: Milkshake from Cookout
Career ambition: Broadcasting, Coaching
What did you do between the end of fall practice and the start of the spring semester to improve your game? I continued to work on my pitching by throwing three times a week and doing spins in my dorm room.
What is your favorite training/practice activity? I really enjoy doing my charting pitching workout. You throw each pitch 6 times into a net and chart where the ball hits. You do this two times and it shows you how accurate you are.
What is your least favorite training/practice activity? Definitely dirty dozens!
When did you first start playing softball, and did you play other sports before it? i started playing softball when I was 7! I also did baseball, ballet, soccer and gymnastics.
All sports you played in high school: Softball and volleyball
POP CULTURE
iPhone or Droid? iPhone
Song/artist most played on your MP3 player: Any Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan songs is always on replay.
Song/artist on your iPod that you are embarrassed to admit that you listen to: “Best of Both Worlds,” by Hanna Montana
The TV channel or show you most watch: “Big Bang Theory”
ESPN/MTV/Food Network: ESPN
Favorite accessory in your wardrobe: Cowboy boots
Fashion style: Country. If I'm at school I like to be comfortable and wear sweatpants. If I'm at home everyone is more country so I wear my boots, camo hats things like that.
Celebrity doppelganger: I'm not really sure. Maybe Jennie Finch?
Something that you cannot live without: My inhaler and deer jerky.
Besides NC State, what place do you like most in North Carolina: The MOUNTAINS!!!
YOU & YOUR TEAMMATES
Best cook on the team: Katie Mansilla
Favorite “home-cooked” meal: Deer meat, rice and gravy
Best dresser on the team: Caitlyn Dent
Best jokester on the team: ME!!!
Best singer on the team: Leah Jones
Most likely to play professionally: Lana Van Dyken
Most likely to be voted into NC State Athletics Hall of Fame some day: Ranada Davis
Favorite (non-athletics) activity with your teammates: Hanging out at Emily’s, Katie’s and Kirsty’s.
FAMILY MATTERS
Siblings: J.D. Stanfield
What pets did you have growing up: dogs, cat, fish, iguana, rabbits, birds.
Favorite vacation location: Lake Chatooga
What’s the thing you miss most about home (besides family): My friends, home cooked meals, the mountains.
ALL SPORTS, ALL THE TIME
Sports idol as a child: Jennie Finch
Most famous athlete you have ever met: Jennie Finch, Lisa Fernandez
Favorite teams (any sport): Atlanta Braves
Person in sports that you would most like to meet/why: Cat Osterman, because she is a very successful left handed pitcher.
Proudest moment: Signing with NC State
If you picked your “team’s song” for this year, what would it be: “Hall of Fame” by Script, because I believe this is our year.
Something that not many people know about you: I go deer hunting with my dad.
Most memorable moment from last season: Being named the two-time player of the year in high school.
