Rocket Spotlight on...Lauren Erickson

Lauren Erickson is an outfielder on the Toledo softball team in her final season with the Rockets. She has a 3.979 grade point average and will receive a bachelor's degree in civil engineering this June, becoming the fourth engineer in her family. She is a two-time Academic All-MAC and NFC Scholar-Athlete, and a CSC Academic All-District honoree.

On pursuing an engineering degree
Both of my parents and my brother, Jeremy, were mechanical engineering majors at Purdue. My brother just graduated and is now a mechanical engineer. I started as an environmental engineering major and then within the first couple of days, I realized that was not what I wanted to do. I had a friend from high school whose mom is a civil engineer, and she talked me into it. I'm grateful that I kept with civil engineering. I've always been interested in building things, so I thought that being able to design and build something in the real world would be cool.

On preparing for life after graduation in June
I've worked with Jacobs Engineering every summer since my freshman year, and there I did a lot of design for water and wastewater plants. I just accepted a job after graduation and will be a bridge designer, doing bridge design inspections in Cincinnati.

On finding her niche with softball as a youngster
I was very much a tomboy when I was little, I wanted to play with the boys. My brother played baseball, so I wanted to play with him and started from preschool up until fourth grade. I went on to play softball, volleyball, and basketball in middle school. I think because I played travel softball in high school that was why I wanted to play in college.

On the support from her family over the years
My dad started taking pictures in middle school when I played seventh-grade volleyball, and he became obsessed. My parents have come to almost every home and away game since I've been at Toledo, except for one away game because of COVID regulations.

On Head Coach Jessica Bracamonte
We're so lucky to have Coach Bracamonte. She's so good, she knows the game of softball and it's evident in the way she teaches us. It's incredible the amount of coaching I've received now compared to before. She's changed the program a complete 180 and we're very thankful for that.

On the relationships with her teammates
Having a close relationship with your teammates off the field makes life on the field so much better and playing the game more fun. Being good friends with the person next to me on the field or the person batting before me makes it fun, and we're connected in different ways. It's nice to have a group of girls on my team who are like built-in friends whom I can do everything with.

On her advice for upcoming Rockets
I would say it's super important to build those bonds with your teammates and other people on your team. It is important to have fun while doing it, not play softball just to play softball, but enjoy doing it and be friends with the people on your team. It will make your time so much more fun.

On her time as a Rocket and goals for this season
I love Toledo. I'm really glad that I chose Toledo, chose my program, and chose to play softball. I wouldn't want it any other way. I think we have a chance to win the Mid-American Conference this year. We're looking pretty good, so I think win as many games as we can and go have fun. I'm excited for those trips to Arizona and California this year to play fun teams and win a few games.

Players Mentioned

Lauren Erickson

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