Erin Porter is in her third season as an assistant softball coach for Hillsdale College. She shares her unique background and coaching strategy developed from both playing and coaching at the collegiate level. She discusses if “it’s the people” that keeps her in small-town Hillsdale, Mich.
When did you first start getting into softball?
I started into softball during travel ball my 8th grade year and pursued it in college. I played for Denison University [a Division III school in Ohio] from 2005-07. I caught for three years, but my senior year I was pursing my BA in psychology and all my classes and research were in the afternoon, conflicting with games and practices. I graduated from Denison with a BA in psychology.
Was all of your eligibility for college athletics used at Denison?
No, I had one year left and I was able to catch at Ashland for a year while pursuing my master’s degree. I enjoyed playing at the Division II level; it was a lot better competition than Division III.
After your playing time expired, were you still involved with softball?
I was a graduate assistant for Ashland, which allowed me to be involved with softball while I went to school.
After you graduated, what made you come to Hillsdale?
I wanted to stay in the GLIAC, so I applied and got the position as assistant coach. I would have been willing to take a job away because I love softball, but I was glad that I could stay in the GLIAC and close to home.
Why did you want to stay in the GLIAC?
When I played at Ashland, I liked the talent level and the caliber of play. It was a lot better than Division III ball and I really like Division II.
Coach Abraham and you are in your second year coaching together. How would you describe your relationship as coaches?
We have a good solid dynamic between us. Our style and approach to softball is a good combination. Joe brings the game strategy to the table and I bring the mental aspect of the game; though we both coach each area. We also have great communication which allows for us to be on the same page when coaching. Recruits like the versatility we have as coaches. He appeals to players as a more experienced male coach and I am able to relate with girls on a different level because I am closer in age and a female.
During the recruiting process how have your connections with teams before Hillsdale helped you reach talented players?
Between both of us being from Ohio, we get a lot of recruits interested in Joe’s connections in Columbus and my connections in the Cleveland area.
What is the main thing you look for when recruiting?
Coach Abraham and I like production. It matters to some extent what your speed and power are, but a recruit needs to produce. When it comes down to it, production wins games. We have a good recruiting class coming in next year.
In the fall the team didn’t have any losses. What is the difference now that spring ball has started?
We’re playing higher caliber softball with conference. Our league is very talented. The two seasons are two completely different worlds. An example would be comparing spring training for Major League Baseball with their regular season.
What needs to change in order for you guys to win more games?
Discipline at the plate with pitch selection. Also, we’ve started to do it already, but cleaning up the defense and not letting errors compile after hits is huge to avoiding the big innings.
What have you been doing to help with plate discipline on the team?
We’ve had them hitting off the machine while varying speeds and locations, trying to simulate a game. They had to decide which pitches are quality to swing at. We are constantly doing work with tee drills by setting up different pitches around the zone.
Now that you are stuck in rural Hillsdale, is coaching worth the social tradeoff?
Yes and no. Yes because I love my job, I love what I do. I’ve always wanted to stay in softball. At the same time, no because I’m young and I do want to go hang out sometimes.
What do you do in Hillsdale during your free time?
There’s nothing to do. I’m being completely honest. Occasionally I’ll leave town, but there’s just not a whole lot.
What do you hope is the future for your coaching career?
I would like to see myself here for the next couple years, but I definitely would like to move into a head coaching position in the future. I like coaching with Coach Abraham. I think it would be hard to coach under someone else. He has a very unique coaching style that I agree with and want to keep learning from while I can.
-Compiled by Matt Melchior
