Name: Kayla Scaperrotta

Position: Outfielder

Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida

Started playing softball: Age 5

Scaperrotta started playing baseball at 5 years old and started playing softball with the Coral Spring Panthers travel softball team at 10 years old.

“I started playing baseball until I was 10 years old,” Scaperrotta said. “It got a little rough, so I switched over to softball.”

Softball inspiration: Parents

“My mom used to play softball when she was younger, and my dad played baseball when he was younger,” Scaperrotta said.

Interesting fact: Played soccer but was unsuccessful

“I played soccer [when I was younger], and I wasn’t a fan of it,” Scaperrotta said. “I wasn’t good, that’s why. I would just basically sprint to one side of the field and sprint back, but I wouldn’t get the ball.”

Game strengths: Hitting

Scaperrotta said she spends her practice time working on pitches she struggles with by doing specific hitting drills.

“I miss two hours of practice per week,” Scaperrotta said. “So, when I come in on my own, I strictly work on hitting. If it’s a pitch location, I’ll work on that specific location [by having] someone come in with me to throw front toss and mix in different types of pitches.”

Game weaknesses: Throwing

Scaperrotta aggravated a torn labrum and rotator cuff injury on her throwing shoulder which limited her playing time during her senior year of high school before the Huskies’ games in the Florida Atlantic Tournament Feb. 9 to 11. She said she’s already talked to her doctor and will have surgery over the summer. However, she said she’s going to push through the pain and continue to play.

“As of right now, just deal with the pain,” Scaperrotta said. “Taking Advil, therapy and pushing through it.”

Pre-game rituals: Listen to music

“Just put on my beats and listen to my pregame music,” Scaperrotta said. “It’s got to be a variety. I’ve got some country in there, some rap and some rock.”

Favorite baseball memory: Gamewinning home run

“[I hit] the game winning home run for my travel team to qualify us to go to California four years ago,” Scaperrotta said.

Scaperrotta has played in 25 of the Huskies’ 26 games and ranks No. 2 on the team in batting average this season with a .348 average in 66 at-bats after she posted a .222 batting average in 18 at-bats during her freshman season.

She tallied a career-high four hits and notched her first home-run of her career in the Huskies’ March 11 loss to Western Carolina University. Scaperrotta ranks No. 4 in on base percentage with a .389 average.

“[Scaperrotta] is doing an awesome job this year, injury and all,” said Head Coach Christina Sutcliffe. “Last year, she had to battle through her shoulder comeback, and this year she’s having trouble with that as well. She’s been a nice surprise and a spark plug in the middle of the lineup. It’s nice for her to bust through.”