Show Me Spotlight: Softball superhero is role Highland’s Harshberger continues to reprise

EWING, Mo. — Emma Harshberger and her Highland softball teammates found themselves in the crosshairs before the meat of their schedule began.

The initial Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association state rankings were released Sept. 11 with Highland topping the Class 2 poll. The Cougars have won five consecutive games since then, improving to 13-2 with Clarence Cannon Conference play on the horizon.

Living up to the No. 1 ranking is important, but playing quality softball matters more..

“(The ranking) is a little bit of a representation of what we’ve done so far this season,” said Harshberger, a senior third baseman and pitcher. “That’s a nice reward to see. But I also think we’re trying really hard to keep a level head going into every game and not letting it get too big.”

The reminders coming from Highland coach Paul Scifres are helping keep the Cougars in check.

“Coach Scifres always says we could beat just about anybody, but we could also get beat by just about everybody,” Harshberger said. “Just thinking about that, every game is a new clean slate, so coming out with a new mindset every game is important. You can’t expect to go in and steamroll everybody.”

Maybe not, but the Cougars play with the attitude they’re going to win.

Harshberger embodies that. A second-team all-state infielder last season, Harshberger recently broke Avery Johnson’s career hits record of 132 knocks and enters Thursday’s game against Clark County hitting .492 with 20 runs scored, 22 RBIs, six doubles, three triples and five home runs.

Highland’s offense, which is averaging 8.7 runs per game, is strong enough to carry the Cougars deep into the postseason, which begins Oct. 12 with the Class 2 District 5 tournament.

“Our hitting has to continue to be successful,” Harshberger said. “We also have to keep coming out with a certain amount of intensity at the beginning of games. Coming out and pouncing and being aggressive is important.”

Harshberger discussed this season, along with her love of softball and Marvel movies, with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for this week’s installment of the Show Me Spotlight:

Q: Highland is No. 1 for a reason. What has made this team successful?

A: I think our offense has played a key role in our success. Everybody, top to bottom in the lineup, has been hitting so well. If you can put up a lot of runs, there’s not much else the other team can do.

Q: Has there been a moment when this team realized it was capable of big things?

A: The eye-opener for us was the Francis Howell Central Tournament. Of course, we started the week before that playing well, but coming out in that tournament and playing good softball and playing against good teams and getting big wins was a great thing for us.

Q: What has made you as successful of a hitter as you’ve been throughout your career?

A: A lot of practice of basic fundamentals, as well as the fact I’ve had some really great hitting coaches and some knowledgeable people in my life to get me to where I am today.

Q: Who has been an influence?

A: My hitting instructor is Megan Bahl. I play for the Iowa Premier Fastpitch organization, and she is a coach there. I have been working with her for a couple of years now, and she’s helped me out quite a bit.

Q: In what ways?

A: I feel whenever I see her I get something from it. She broke my swing down, and she didn’t try to cookie cutter it into something else. She helped me be successful just being me.

Q: What did it mean that she allowed you to be you?

A: It made me feel like I didn’t have to try to be anyone else. I had the potential to be successful just being myself. It gives you a little bit of a confidence boost.

Q: So are you a player or a hitter?

A: I’d say a player.

Q: For people to see that and understand you’re more than a hitter, what does that mean to you?

A: I love this game and I love all parts of it. To be successful and for people to see that as well, it’s reassuring that my hard work isn’t going to waste.

Q: What do you love about softball?

A: I love just about everything. I love winning after just grinding and working so hard and the feeling of satisfaction after you just worked out of a jam. I really love the feeling and the excitement that’s around it — the loudness, the teams, the crowds. It’s just so exciting?

Q: How much of your heart and soul do you pour into softball?

A: I’ve been playing ever since I was little, and I spend a lot of time practicing. I couldn’t see myself without softball.

Q: You recently broke Highland’s all-time hits record. How big of a deal is that for you?

A: It’s exciting because I do love my school and leaving a legacy is a good feeling. More importantly, I’m glad my team is having success.

Q: Do you want to play softball in college?

A: I received an offer and accepted one at Cornell University.

Q: So why Cornell?

A: I love the environment there and the coaches, as well as the education I will be receiving that will set me up for success after college. It just seemed like a really good opportunity.

Q: It’s a little far from home. Did that matter in the decision?

A: I was a little bit nervous going into it, but I did really feel comfortable and at home visiting campus and being there. That was reassuring.

Q: A scholarship to Cornell and the Ivy League means high school has been a success academically, too. Do you have a favorite class or a favorite teacher or a favorite thing to study?

A: Right now, my favorite thing is physics, which is an online course I’m doing. I’ve always loved math and science. Our math teacher, Mr. (Mike) Kirkham, is one of my favorite teachers.

Q: What is it about math and science that intrigues you?

A: I just like how logical things are. There aren’t any special conditions. It just is the way it is. There’s a set of rules to follow.

Q: With that in mind, what do you plan to study at Cornell?

A: I want to study mechanical engineering.

Q: Any idea what you want to do in that field?

A: I’m not 100 percent sure, but I do really like the research and development side. So I’d like to work for a company where I could test products in all certain ways to make sure they are ready for the market.

Q: How did you get interested in mechanical engineering?

A: It’s a funny story. I’ve always loved Marvel movies. So I was watching “Iron Man” and Tony Stark is so cool, and I found out that he has a mechanical engineering degree. Then I did some research on it, as well as I did a unit back in elementary school with NASA where we made rovers out of cardboard boxes. I like the idea I can be creative and still use my knowledge.

Q: So should we call you Iron Woman?

A: I don’t think I’m there yet.

Q: Do you have a favorite Marvel movie?

A: Definitely “Captain America.”

Q: Why?

A: He’s so noble. I feel like he’s just a leader. He may not be the best superhero, but I just like he’s the OG.

Q: So are you a movie person in general?

A: Not really. I didn’t get into the Marvel movies until a couple of years ago. Typically, I don’t have time to spend time watching movies, but when I do, I do like to rewatch my favorites.

Q: When you do get free time, what do you like to do?

A: I like to read and hang out with my friends, of course. The basic stuff.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

A: To think about glorifying God in everything I do. So when I’m on the field, off the field, just being His representative here.

Q: Where did that advice come from?

A: My parents.

Q: What does it mean to have their support?

A: It’s nice to know that I have people in my corner who will be there for me through thick and thin. It’s nice to know when I come off the field that my performance on the field doesn’t impact how they feel about me or how they look at me.