TAMPA, FLA. May 9. 2023 – USF softball coach Ken Eriksen has always sworn by an unshakable mantra.
“If my players feel good, they’re going to play good,’’ Eriksen said.
Bulls senior pitcher/utility player Vivian Ponn takes it to another level. When she looks good — and that’s her trademark, on and off the field — she plays good.
“How you feel is sometimes reflected by how you look — and I love that feeling of confidence and swagger,’’ Ponn said. “Any athlete wants that winning feeling.’’
Ponn, a marketing major, will soon begin her career as an image consultant/sales professional for Tom James, the world’s largest custom clothing manufacturer. She’ll be creating the look for busy executives.
“I come to you, assess what you need, select the clothes, make you look great and set you up for success,’’ Ponn said.
Before leaving USF, though, Ponn wants to enjoy a successful postseason run. The No. 3-seeded Bulls (31-23, 10-7) host the American Athletic Conference Tournament, opening Thursday against the No. 6 East Carolina Pirates (27-27, 3-15). The AAC tournament champion earns an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
“I am not ready to stop playing,’’ said Ponn, from Fort Myers High School.
For the Bulls to reach their potential this weekend, Eriksen said he expects Ponn to be a key factor. Ponn is batting .300, tying for the team lead in home runs with eight, along with 25 RBIs and a .997 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage). She’s also 3-1 on the mound with a 2.07 ERA and two saves.
“Here’s a player who absolutely bleeds green-and-gold and will do whatever it takes to win,’’ Eriksen said. “She’s just as happy — maybe happier — when one of her teammates gets it done. It doesn’t have to be her. But she absolutely hates to lose more than she loves to win. That’s the type of competitor you need this time of year.
“When it comes to softball, her world is black and white. She’s our de facto leader simply because she leads with clarity. When she talks, there’s no drama. It’s to the point. She’s a senior. She knows what she’s talking about. She leads by actions, not just words. So everybody respects what she’s all about. She wants to go out strong.’’
So far, Ponn has done just that. She was recently named AAC Player of the Week with a shutout sweep against Memphis that typified her important role — 5-for-7 with two home runs and 11 total bases as the designated player, plus three mound appearances with no walks and one save.
At the plate, she has lots of pop and occasional power. On the mound, she’s a rally killer with her sinkers inducing lots of ground balls.
“My dad always used to tell me to flip the switch,’’ said Ponn, who has a fraternal twin sister, Victoria, a nursing student at Hillsborough Community College. “Whether I was on the mound as a pitcher, having some at-bats or doing both, I’ve got to flip that switch from one to the other. I can’t take the success or the failure from one side to the other. So I’m constantly flipping the switch.
“This is such a mental game. The mental side will make you or break you. Thankfully, I feel very comfortable this year and I’m in a good headspace. That makes such a difference. The longer you play ball, the more you understand how important that really is.’’
Ponn has an excellent confidante with her fiancee, former USF baseball pitcher Jack Jasiak, who was a 12th-round draft pick of the Cleveland Guardians last summer and now plays for the Class A Lynchburg (Va.) Hillcats.
“There’s lots of different strategy between softball pitching and baseball pitching, but I think we both agree the key to everything is staying ahead in the count,’’ Ponn said. “Make them chase your stuff. We can talk about pitching things to each other and we each understand. But the games are a bit different.’’
Once, Ponn pitched off the softball mound to Jasiak. He swung and missed. There wasn’t a second pitch.
“From the distance of the softball mound, baseball players don’t have much of a chance,’’ Ponn said with a laugh. “We just stopped it there. There’s so sense in getting any hurt.
“I know what he’s going through. He knows what I’m going through. It’s good support.’’
As Ponn prepares for the AAC Tournament, she knows her softball days are numbered. She will continue to give pitching lessons and maybe play in an adult league. But mostly, when she crosses over into the business world, there’s no looking back.
So this week revolves around two emotions — passion and urgency.
“I’ve been playing softball forever, probably since age 5,’’ Ponn said. “It’s important to play hard and play well. I have a lot of passion for this game and I think passion matters.
“It has been a long career, but a really fun one. It would mean everything to win this (AAC) tournament. I’d be able to close this chapter of my life on a really happy note. We know what it’s going to take and we’re ready to do what’s necessary.’’
Playing good.
Looking good.
About USF Softball
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
