Confidence, hard work, and discipline are not new characteristics for Adrian junior catcher Morgan Brandt. Brandt came to Adrian from the Cleveland, Ohio area having graduated third in her Eastlake North High School class following a prep career that saw her earn a letter in softball, basketball, and soccer.
Brandt, in her third year as a Bulldog, is hitting her stride as she is combining successes both off and on the field. Brandt is an exercise science major with goals of earning a graduate degree following her 2016 graduation from Adrian. She has maintained a 3.95 cumulative grade point average while also taking on the roles of vice president of campus affairs for her Alpha Phi sorority and vice president of Circle K. Brandt uses these leadership roles to participate in community service as part of her sorority, which has the goal of logging 500 hours per year. She was instrumental in helping Alpha Phi raise $5,500 for the American Heart Association for the 2014-15 academic year. Brandt is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma and Mortar Board honor societies and the Kinesiology Club.
On the field, Brandt is coming into her own as she currently ranks fourth on the team with a .425 batting average. Brandt also ranks fourth among all MIAA players in hits (16), second in runs scored (12), and fifth in runs batted in (10). She has grown into a leader on the team, and strives to lead by example with her consistent positive attitude and tireless work ethic. Brandt believes that an overall team confidence combined with a relaxed clubhouse and constant positive reinforcement has allowed for her team to achieve success early in their 2015 campaign.
"I believe in softball there are things you can control, and things you cannot control. I can always control my attitude and effort, and I can control my defensive production. I feel that defense has always been a strength of mine, and all of the hard work and preparation is paying off at the plate," Brandt said.
This busy schedule might have some overwhelmed, but Brandt uses this as a point of focus. She always puts her academics first, but never has to compromise any aspect of her busy schedule due to her ability to prioritize while consistently acting with a proactive approach to her academics.
Brandt credits her upbringing to her unwavering positive mindset and confident attitude. "My dad was my biggest supporter growing up. He taught me to have a strong mentality at the plate and instilled my approach to the game," Brandt said. This has allowed her to see production both on and off the field.
"Morgan is an incredibly hard worker with a desire to work until the job is done right. She has a lot of fight in her, and she is a good teammate. She balances school, athletics and being involved in organizations very well. She finds time to be a positive influence in everything. Morgan has really come into her own at the plate and we are excited about the rest of the season ahead," Adrian head coach Anna Ball said.
Brandt has been a lynchpin in the Bulldog lineup that has started the season with a 9-3 overall record. She has been a key contributor to an offense that has posted 124 hits, 32 doubles, two triples, and nine home runs while batting .350 as a team through 12 games. Brandt has also called games from behind the plate for an Adrian pitching staff that has combined for nine wins between five pitchers and has recorded a 2.45 earned run average while allowing opposing batters to hit for a .235 average.
