Four years ago, the University of Wisconsin softball team introduced its fans to a new freshman catcher who has since gone on to become synonymous with Badger softball due to her stellar play and leadership abilities.
Starting every game of the 2002 season, rookie Boo Gillette became a regular as soon as she stepped on the diamond. Gillette has since been a captain for three years running and led the team in RBIs both her sophomore and junior year.
Déjàvu, anyone?
This season, Badger fans have seen a glimpse of the future of the catcher position for UW in the person of freshman Joey Daniels, a highly touted recruit from Oakley, Calif. Daniels excelled at Freedom High School in Oakley, becoming a two-time first-team all-conference selection and being named first-team all-State as a senior, quite a feat in the most populous of America’s 50 states.
The similarities between Gillette’s and Daniels’ careers (at least through the first 20 games) are striking. Both started every game of her freshman season, splitting time at catcher and third base, a transition that hasn’t been the smoothest for Daniels. While far more comfortable behind the plate, Daniels has handled the hot corner admirably, though no one is projecting her as a four-year third baseman.
“We have to work on a few things. She hasn’t played there in a while,” head coach Karen Gallagher said. “She has a good head for the game, so she is going to figure things out quickly. She wants to be behind the plate. That’s her job and her role, but it isn’t easy when you have to step in behind [Gillette] your first year. It’s hard for a freshman to step right in and continue to play the game at the level they played at. She has a lot to learn, but she’s open and puts herself out there everyday and I like her attitude. She has a real good head on her shoulders and is a great presence for the game.”
With Gillette in her senior season, though, it won’t be long before Daniels becomes the Badgers’ full-time starter behind the plate.
“She is definitely an up-and-comer for our program,” Gallagher said. “She is obviously probably going to step into Boo’s role next year as our starting catcher. Joey’s really gonna be solid throughout her four-year career here and we are looking forward to the time when she’s in control behind the plate.”
For now, however, Daniels is in a mostly developmental stage and is trying to take notes from one of the Big Ten’s top catchers while she still has the chance.
“She helps me out here and there and gives me pointers,” Daniels said of Gillette. “She’s really easy to play with, and it is great to get the chance to be with her.”
Gallagher said Daniels could even teach Gillette a thing or two.
“I think that is where the teacher also learns from the student,” Gallagher said. “They have different ways of approaching things, so they learn from each other. They work together well. They both have their strengths and their weaknesses and they seem to be learning from each other well.”
Gallagher’s high praise is not without merit, as Daniels has already shown some of the offensive spark that Gillette has given the Badgers over the years. Daniels has already driven in five runs, despite not yet collecting her first extra-base hit. Instead, the newcomer has picked up her RBI by coming through in the clutch.
Nowhere was this more evident than in Florida over spring break, when Daniels drove in the tying run with UW down to its final out in the sixth inning. Wisconsin went on to win the game in extra innings, with Daniels getting the final put-out to seal the win, capping off a performance that Badger fans hope could be a sign of good things to come.
“She’s going through a figuring-out stage but is right on the edge of busting out and helping our team day-in, day-out,” Gallagher said. “Her boundaries are endless right now. She can drive in 45 runs and hit a substantial number of home runs and be that three or four hitter in the lineup. But she needs to get a year of Big Ten ball under her belt, so we are just letting her figure things out.”
