Michigan State University Athletics
Q & A With Janette Hurtado
3/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 16, 2005
Janette Hurtado (Rowland Heights, Calif.) has been an integral part of the MSU softball team for the past three seasons. She ranks sixth on the all-time walks list for Michigan State (57) and 26th on the all-time hits list (110). She was elected to the All-Big Ten Tournament team in 2003 for collecting eight hits over the course of the tournament.
In 19 games this season, Hurtado has started every game at second base and has committed only three errors in 61 total chances.
Q: What are some of your thoughts about the fact that this is your senior season?
A: As a team, I want us to have a good year. I want us to feel we are doing things right, and that people are scared to play us. They need to know when they step on the field with Michigan State we're going to battle every game.
Q: What were some of the toughest adjustments to make coming to East Lansing from California?
A: Mainly the weather - it is still kind of hard to get through, but it has been better than it was my freshman year. Another tough adjustment was the game in general. Coming from travel ball in high school to here where I jumped in; there's so much more talent on the field at a Division I school, especially in the Big Ten. Finally, just having to move away from my family; having to do things on my own and be more independent.
Q: How did you choose to play second base?
A: When I first played softball, I started at third, then they moved me to second and tried me out at short. I just loved second. That's my most comfortable spot out on the field, and my size helps me at second. I have to stay low to the ground, so second is just like my most natural spot on the field.
Q: What is one characteristic the game of softball has that keeps you playing?
A: It doesn't matter what size you are, you can still play the game. You can expect someone to be slow and they're not. They still do things you wouldn't think they could do. In softball you don't necessarily have to be the strongest one or the quickest one, and that's what I love.
Q: After the team's strong finish last season, are your expectations for your team higher this year?
A: The expectations should be higher every year. Even though we made it to the post-season the last two years, I think we're striving to go past that goal. We're not going to be satisfied until we reach Oklahoma City. Every year we're trying to do better than the last season.
Q: How did you choose the number three?
A: Number three runs in my family; we all have had it. I started wearing number three when I was four years old playing tee ball.
Q: As one of two seniors on a young team, do you feel there is an expectation for you to lead by example?
A: Being a senior, since we do have such a young group of girls, there is an expectation, but you don't have to be a senior on this team to be a leader. I think because we have that senior role on the team, more is expected from us. We have to set the tone and raise the bar even higher for these girls so they can learn to follow in our footsteps.
Q: How has your softball career with USA Athletics, your prep softball travel team, helped you adjust to playing Division I softball?
A: The reason we were so successful was because we learned to work well together, trust each other, and help each other. It's the heart and the desire that gets people where they want to be. I think it has helped me understand that no matter what kind of team you have, you still have a chance as long as you all work together.
