week is Tuesday because I
am at the Psychiatric Cen-
ter all day, but it has been
such a great experience so
far. I have been going for
about six weeks and I am
learning a lot of things. It is
also helping me learn what
I may want to do in my fu-
ture. My major is Psycholo-
gy/Pre-Med so having this
opportunity to shadow psy-
chologists at a Psychiatric
Center is such a good way
to learn what I may want to
do in the future and what
things I may not want to
do,” explained Bowen. “It is
definitely different from be-
ing an athlete in high school
because we practice in the
morning so the first cou-
ple weeks of preseason can
be challenging. But I think
it actually helps me to get
the work I need to do done
in between classes because
when I am done for the day
I am almost ready for bed.
Being an athlete definite-
ly keeps me busy and has
taught me time manage-
ment especially when we
start to get into the heart of
our season and traveling a
lot more. You have to be on
top of things and it can be
stressful at times but I am
learning valuable skills for
my future.”
The future is bright for
this young lady from Bata-
via. She stepped right in last
year and took command of
playing an important posi-
tion like shortstop. Bowen
didn’t allow her freshman
nerves get in the way.
If she made a bad play
then she would just shake it
off and move on to the next
one. It’s what made her the
type of player she is today.
Bowen knew all eyes would
be on her, especially taking
over for a senior.
“Any position on the soft-
ball diamond is important,
and I told myself that I just
had to keep a positive mind-
set no matter what. Softball
is a mental game and if I let
it get to me I knew things
would not go well,” stated
Bowen. “For example, if I
made an error I would tell
myself it’s okay, I’ll get the
next one and let it go. Over-
all, I had a lot of fun on the
field and it really helped my
confidence grow through-
out the season.”
This season will be a
different one for Bowen.
While she played mostly at
short as a freshman, Bowen
this year will be used more
in a utility role. The coaches
want to make sure her bat
will be in the lineup.
With that, there will be
days she could play short,
second or even the outfield.
It will be a different mind-
set but one that she will en-
joy, and take to heart.
“It definitely is a different
mindset from last year be-
cause I would always men-
tally prepare myself for each
game the same so now I
have to mentally prepare for
anything and be able to roll
with it. I think it’ll keep me
on my toes and help me stay
mentally strong throughout
each game,” stated Bowen.
“ I just have to be ready to
APRIL 2019 | SportsUnion
play no matter the circum-
stances and give my best
effort in the position I am
playing. I also have to tell
myself to stay positive no
matter what. Any mistake
made is just something for
me to learn and grow from
to become a better player. I
have been learning a lot in
preseason and I know I will
learn even more as the sea-
son progresses.”
The mental aspect of the
game is such an import-
ant one, and one that Bow-
en doesn’t take for grant
it. Maybe it’s because of
her major, who knows. but
Bowen is ready to prove to
people that last year wasn’t
a fluke.
A lot of athletes go through
a sophomore slump - Bow-
en is hoping she isn’t one
27
of them. She has prepared
herself to build of the suc-
cess of last season. With last
season in the rear view mir-
rors, Bowen know is ready
for what 2019 has to bring.
“Mental toughness. I have
just been telling myself that
I play softball to have fun
and I’m just going to have
fun each game and com-
pete. There will be mistakes
and tough games but I will
just have to keep that posi-
tive mindset and keep my
head up,” stated Bowen.
“Positivity is key and as I
learned from last year. If I
struck out or made an error
I just had to learn from it,
move on, and stay positive.
My goals for this season are
to just have fun, stay posi-
tive, and make the most of
the season.”