'Finish our legacy' - Softball's Kasey Cooper seeks Series return, Olympic gold

96246359624635

Jan. 10, 2017

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - Two young Auburn outfielders were struggling on the last full day of a grueling opening week of practice when suddenly a visitor from the infield arrived to offer encouragement.

Kasey Cooper had something to say.

"It's the senior leadership that she possesses," coach Clint Myers said. "If she goes out and says something to you ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" she's not a big group talker - but she'll go up and say, 'Understand, this is what we've got to do. The sun is going to come up. This is only one day. This is only one practice. We've got a whole lot more.'"

A three-time All-American, Cooper hopes to lead the Tigers back to Oklahoma City for a third straight appearance in the Women's College World Series.

"I just love the potential that we see because we have all of these young girls who are trying to come out and earn a starting position and they push everyone," she said. "I love the competition that I see on this team and the potential."

Cooper missed the first day of what the Auburn softball team calls "hell week" with an excused absence. She was in Clearwater, Fla. earning a spot on the USA Women's National Team for the second straight year.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be able to go out there and not only try out and make the team for USA, but also play the game with a bunch of girls who love the game and are so talented," Cooper said. "It was a great time and really pushed me, and pushed my game."

Team USA will play this summer in the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City and will return to Japan, a highlight of Cooper's first season on the national team.

"It was so fun," she said. "It was my first time being in Japan, my first time playing overseas ever. It was such an amazing experience and I'll always remember and cherish those moments."

Cooper aspires to go back to Japan with Team USA in three years, when softball returns to the program in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I sure hope so," she said. "It's always been a dream of mine to play in the Olympics, watching them when I was little. Right now, I'm living the dream. Every year there are going to be more people trying out and every year someone wants to take a spot. So the goal is to get better every day."

The reigning SEC Player of the Year, Cooper's .410 career batting average is an Auburn record." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/w-softbl/auto_a_storywide/12354183.jpeg"> The reigning SEC Player of the Year, Cooper's .410 career batting average is an Auburn record.

Cooper's senior season will begin the way her junior season ended: against Oklahoma. The Tigers play the defending national champs in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on February 9th.

"It's crazy. We seniors came in and set a foundation and we want to finish our legacy that we started," Cooper said. "But we've had a great run and we want to finish our run and cap it off with a great season."

With 57 career homeruns and a .410 batting average, Cooper figures to be pitched very carefully this season.

"She's not going to get a lot of pitches to hit," Myers said. "She could easily walk a hundred times. The one thing that Kasey enjoys is swinging the bat. As long as Kasey can be patient and not get herself out, she could hit .800 if she takes her walks. Because if they make a mistake, she's going to make 'em pay."

Myers and his staff have even talked about batting Cooper in the leadoff spot, to take advantage of her on-base percentage. If it comes to that, Myers knows his third baseman will accept the assignment.

"You don't have to worry about Kasey," Myers said. "She's going to do the things she needs to do to win. Because she hates to lose."

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer