Thanks to donations from friends, family, coaches and her teammates, Eryn Stockman, junior pitcher, is well on her way to the sports experience of a lifetime.
Stockman was invited to participate in the USA Athletes International Softball Team this summer. The team, comprised of other top college athletes from around the country, will travel overseas to compete in the 36101 Prague Softball Week Tournament in the Czech Republic in late June.
A GoFundMe page helping Stockman afford international flights, uniforms, meals and hotel costs has already reached more than half of its goal. If the sum of $6,000 is reached in time for the competition, she will get a chance that few other Division II athletes will ever have.
“Outside of Olympic competition, you really don’t see too many international competitions like this,” Stockman said. “It’s a great opportunity to go play the game I love and experience a new culture while I’m at it. I’m going to be the only girl from Kansas, so I’ll be making a lot of new friends on the team and meeting new people, too.”
The trip offers Stockman the opportunity to hone her pitching skills against some of the top amateur national teams in Europe. Stockman led the Hornets in wins (13), earned-run average (3.30), and strikeouts (96) this season, in addition to being one of the young team’s veteran leaders.
According to her peers and coaches, it is Stockman’s qualities as a teammate that will make her most valuable to Team USA.
“You look at Eryn and you see someone who’s a natural leader,” said April Huddleston, softball coach. “She’s not afraid to get on girls but she’s also kind and constructive. Her criticism is never taken as negative and I think a lot of our younger players look up to her as an example of how they should prepare and be ready for each practice and game.”
Holly Hinkel, sophomore pitcher, made the jump from community college to Division II this season. The move, admits Hinkel, would have been nearly impossible if not for Stockman’s support and teaching.
“You look at the differences between playing at Des Moines (Area Community College) and Emporia State and it’s almost night and day,” Hinkel said. “It’s such a huge transition, but Eryn has been there for me since day one and has helped me keep my head up when I struggle. She’s really become like a sister to me this season and she’s a person I think everyone on the team looks up to.”
If the many encouraging messages on her GoFundMe page are any indication, Stockman is admired and supported by more than just her teammates and coaches.
“It’s really humbling and awesome to see the support I’ve been getting from everyone as I’m trying to do this and I can’t say how thankful I am,” Stockman said. “Being able to represent my country on the field is an experience that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”
