Alyssa Wolfe made a name for herself this year with some stellar offensive contributions.
The junior outfielder at Ohio finished third on the team in runs scored, sixth in batting average and first in stolen bases. She was even named MAC East Player of the Week in February.
But when her team needed it the most, it was a defensive play for which Wolfe has become a viral sensation.
In the seventh and final inning of Ohio's MAC Tournament game against Miami (Ohio), Wolfe and the Bobcats held a 3-2 lead over the Redhawks. With a runner on base, Miami batter Brandi Hernandez represented the winning run.
Hernandez blasted a solid shot to deep center field. Wolfe raced toward the ball, caught it and tumbled over the center field fence. Because Wolfe's feet were in the outfield when she caught the ball, Hernandez was ruled out and Ohio won the game.
"The whole time (the ball) was in the air I honestly didn't think it was going over," Wolfe told reporters afterwards. "I just thought it was a routine play. It wasn’t until I was over the fence when I realized how big of a play it actually was."
The play may have seemed routine to Wolfe because she's been in that situation before, albeit in practice. Ohio coach Jodi Hermanek said the play is one that Wolfe has prepared for.
"Believe it or not, she trains for that all the time," Hermanek said. "She expects herself to make that catch."
