ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SOFTBALLAMERICA.COM
As Softball America grows its coverage at all levels, we continue our recruiting spotlight series with Ariel Krueger. A plethora of talent will follow the Michigan native to Durham, North Carolina, as she succeeds anywhere on the field from the plate to the outfield. Though she is primarily a middle infielder, her cannon of an arm will bode well for her and the Blue Devils.
Name: Ariel KruegerPrimary Position(s): MIF/UTL
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Van Buren Township, MI
Travel Ball Organization: Carolina Elite 16U – Fusetti
What about Duke did you love the most?
What I love about Duke University is that they have the best of both worlds. Duke is one of the top-ranked academic and athletic schools in the country.
What is your favorite travel ball memory?
My favorite travel ball memory is when I hit the winning home run in an international tiebreaker against the top-ranked Birmingham Thunderbolts team in 13U. This was my first summer season playing at the highest level with a team from Michigan that wasn’t very nationally known. The reason this is still my favorite memory is because I remember the overwhelming excitement coming from my teammates when I stepped on home plate after the hit. Knowing that I showed up when it mattered and didn’t let the pressure of the situation take me out of the moment makes me really proud of my younger self.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from a coach?
One of the most important things a coach has told me, that I live by, is that people remember who you are as a person before they remember your successes and failures. Something that I try to carry with me all the time is the idea that people will remember me for how I treated them and what type of person I am over how I played and what type of player I am. That’s why no matter what kind of curve balls life throws at me, I try my best to love and respect others.
How did you get interested in softball?
My parents signed me up for my city’s little league when I was 8 years old and when I went to the very first practice, I didn’t know anyone. After that practice, I bawled my eyes out to my mom because I was scared of being around something totally new to me. After my parents encouraged me to continue playing, I fell in love with the game and the idea of being a part of a team, and never went back.
What are your strengths as a player? What are you trying to improve on the most?
My strength as a player is that though I learn from the past, I am able to live and play in the present. Being able to focus and enjoy the present instead of dwelling on the past or future has allowed me to thrive in the game of softball and life. I feel as though I also have a very high softball IQ. I am not only working to improve my physical ability on the field but also my mental ability. Since this is such a mental game, I have been focusing on training and building my mindset for when I’m physically not on my game.
What player(s) do you look up to the most?
I look up to Sierra Romero, hence my jersey number being #32. She was always an aggressive player who was able to play smoothly almost all of the time. She is also a great leader who shows it on and off the field. I strive to become a player with the same “swag” that she has.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of softball?
One of my favorite hobbies outside of softball is reading my Bible and listening to worship music. Faith had been a key part of my life in getting through the rough patches and even the best times of my life. I owe everything to God, who has helped me grow and progress in softball.
What excites you the most about playing college softball?
I am most excited to grow and learn throughout the process. I know there will be many ups and downs, but I can’t wait to look back on my career and admire how I pushed through the struggles and worked for success. I am also very excited to play against girls I have grown up playing with and against.
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