Three’s Company

Usually with roommates, all you have to worry about is who is taking the trash out. But for USF softball teammates Bree Spence, Laura Wolf and Carly Griffin, it is more than that.

The freshmen have lived in the same room since the fall semester, and together they have made quite an impact on the softball team and one another. Being roommates as well as teammates, the freshmen have learned to rely on each other.

“We definitely have to depend on each other for almost everything,” Spence said. “It’s almost like having sisters.”

From finding classes to making new friends, everyone can identify with the stress of the first day of college, but for Spence and Griffin, the transition was easier.

“I’ve known Carly since I was about 14; we played travel ball together,” Spence said. “Also, her dad coached me for a long time, so I knew her already.”

For Wolf, a San Antonio, Texas native, adjusting to school was just a little more difficult. But being a roommate and catcher to Spence, the two established an almost instant rapport.

“You definitely have to have a good vibe,” said Spence about the pitcher-catcher relationship. “(Wolf) is a hard worker, and she definitely knows what she’s doing.”

The girls spend most of their free time outside of softball with each other, and one might think they would get on each other’s nerves.

“We have problems with (taking the trash out),” Spence said. ” (But) even sisters fight sometimes.”

But they are always quick to help each other out.

“The whole team is pretty much like a family,” Wolf said.

Added Griffin, “You just know if someone’s having a bad day. We always talk to each other about it.”

There have not been a lot of bad days for the Bulls, who are poised to make a run right before the Conference USA tournament. The Bulls are 35-21 for the season and 9-1 in the last 10. A lot of their late season success can be attributed to the play of the three freshmen.

Spence has emerged as the ace of the pitching staff, and she is 17-11 this year with appearances in 40 of the Bulls’ 56 games. Griffin stepped up in the fall to grab the starting job in left field, and she is second on the team in home runs (6). Wolf has started 24 games as catcher and she is pleased that she had a chance to play as a freshman.

“It’s been surprising, but I’m very happy,” Wolf said.

The Bulls are happy about having them as well. The three make up one of most productive freshmen classes USF has ever had, and with the softball team having only one starting senior, the future looks bright.

Who knows what will happen in the future, but one thing’s for sure: The three may not always be roommates or even teammates, but they will always be friends.