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Poland’s Gabriel is a global impact
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POLAND
For two years, Erin Gabriel wore the “C” on her softball jersey. Soon, in her heart, she’ll represent the “P” while donning the “T.”
The Poland captain is taking her highly regarded talents to Knoxville, TN where she will be a member of the Volunteers softball team for at least the next four years.
“I’m really excited to begin the next chapter of my life,” Gabriel said. “Everybody with Poland — the fans, the coaches, my teammates — really molded me for this.”
Gabriel has already been a champion in Ohio and in the far reaches of the world. Over the winter in Cape Town, South Africa as a member of the Junior Women’s National Team. She represented the United States well, bringing back a gold medal.
Couple that with an appearance on national television and Gabriel lived out the lifelong dreams of most amateur athletes in just a few months.
After striking out 34 batters in a 16-inning game as part of a spring break trip to Delray Beach, Fla., Gabriel caught the attention of media outlets such as CNN and Yahoo. Fox and Friends, a morning magazine show on FOX News flew Gabriel and her family from Florida to New York for an interview and live pitching segment.
“I had no idea all that would happen,” Gabriel said. “To me, it was just another softball game. Just to see our team battle and fight for those 16 innings was a really breakthrough moment for our season.”
She leaves Poland with a 69-7 record as a starter and a .55 ERA with 1086 strikeouts in 535 innings. She’s no slouch at the plate, either. Gabriel had a .507 career batting average with the Bulldogs.
“She’s a great person on and off the field,” Poland third baseman Jenna Modic said. “Just to have someone like her that’s always behind you 100 percent, no matter what, has been something really special.”
No matter where softball takes her, Gabriel will never forget her upbringing.
“It’s allowed me to pursue my dreams, not only in softball,” she said. “The things sports has taught me has guided me through my life and I know I’m a better person because of the grind.”
Gabriel is undecided on a major for UT, but is interested in public relations or physical therapy. After her time with the Lady Vols is up, she’d like to play for the higher National Team, but a greater calling looms.
“Making women’s and men’s sports equal is my ultimate goal,” she says.
Gabriel also was an accomplished soccer player. This is her third-straight Athlete of the Year honor awarded by The Vindicator.