Central Connecticut State University junior outfielder Ashlyn Desaulniers has made a major splash on the Blue Devils softball field since arriving on campus from Southington High School.
After leading the Blue Knights to three titles in her four years at the school, Desaulniers took her talents to CCSU where she became an immediate factor for the program.
As a freshman, Desaulniers—who played her travel ball with the CT Charmers—was named to the Northeast Conference All-Rookie team was named second team All-NEC, as well.
Last season, she made the Northeast Conference All-Tournament team when she had three home runs and 11 RBIs over the tournament.
After Tuesday’s 5-4 win over Fairfield, Desaulniers went Extra Innings with the CT Softball Blog.
FIRST INNING: How did you become a softball player?
ASHLEY DESAULNIERS: At four years old, I started playing T-Ball with my dad and he made me play softball instead of baseball.
SECOND INNING: What do you like about softball so much that you’ve stayed it over your whole athletic career and now are playing it in college?
AD: I think the competitiveness and the atmosphere that I’ve always been surrounded with. The girls have just always become my best friends, and I always wanted to be around them whenever I’m at softball. So, definitely the atmosphere.
THIRD INNING: What has been the highlight of your softball career as of right now?
AD: I think my final at bat in high school, I hit a home run in the state championship game and that I think is my highlight for sure.
FOURTH INNING: Obviously, Southington is one of the premier programs in the state. What did playing in that program mean for you?
AD: I felt very honored to be on the team and to be a starter my junior and senior year and just to be a part of a dynasty like that is just crazy, and to be on the team that won the 20th state title for the record in the nation. So, it was really cool.
FIFTH INNING: If you could go back to and find yourself as a 10U travel player, what would you say to yourself?
AD: I would say try to keep a positive mindset. Everything always works out in the end.
SIXTH INNING: Let’s get off the softball field for a little bit. During pregame, what’s your go-to hype music?
AD: Taylor Swift’s “Better Than Revenge” is my go-to song. And then, also, Morgan Wallen’s “Cowgirls.”
SEVENTH INNING: What is something nobody knows about you?
AD: Oh no. (Pauses) I think some people would be shocked that I was a three-sport athlete in high school, so I played (Power-puff) football as a quarterback and then I also played basketball and softball.
EIGHTH INNING: What did you like about football and being a quarterback?
AD: I think the same idea of the competitiveness. I got to be more, I guess, hands-on in the game, take control on my own, take control of everything. Compared to softball, it’s a little bit different. It’s more of a mental game and I think it was a nice break that I just got to get everything out physically and emotionally on the field there compared to here.
NINTH INNING: You could go to dinner tonight with three other people, and it could be anybody in the world, living or dead, who would you pick?
AD: I’d definitely say Taylor Swift. Also, I’d say my mom. And, let’s see, definitely Morgan Wallin. For sure.
TENTH INNING: What was the last book you read that wasn’t for school?
AD: Oh, my goodness. Actually, “It Ends With Us” (by Coleen Hoover). That was the last book I read.
ELEVENTH INNING: Hollywood’s going to make a movie about your life. What’s the title? Who stars as you?
AD: These are so hard. I’m trying to find somebody that looks like me. Scarlett Johanssen. And I would say the title would be, I don’t know. (Pauses) “Life As It Goes.”
TWELFTH INNING: Last question. What one word best describes you?
AD: Creative.
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