Patience, confidence paying off for A&M Softball outfielder Keeli Milligan
When left fielder Keeli Milligan’s name is put at the top of the lineup card, opposing teams can expect two things: she’ll be on base and will be have second base stolen in short order.
Milligan, who is leading the team in batting average at .383 with 31 hits and five RBI has changed her approach at the plate to be more patient and work opposing pitchers. As a result, her patience has paid off. She’s drawn 18 walks so far this season, the most on the team.
“In the past, all I’ve wanted to do is get on, get on, get on especially with that lead off spot because something I hate is not getting on my first at-bat. That absolutely drives me crazy,” Milligan said. “I want to get on for the team and set the table. But now, I’m trying to go deeper in counts and give my team an opportunity to see the pitcher and for me to kind of understand what she’s seeing so I can go back in the dugout and have a little information for them.”
After Milligan finds her way on, she steals bases with ease. She's 22-for-24 on steal attempts so far this season. During her freshman season in 2016, Milligan swiped 54 bases, breaking Sharonda McDonald’s single-season school record of 49 stolen bases. As a result, head coach Jo Evans has given Milligan a green light to steal at any moment, and she’s capitalized.
“It was huge because, well, that was something that even in high school I was thinking about that stolen base record, which might not be that great,” Milligan said of the accomplishment. “I think it’s cool because it might not be something that’s big like home runs or strikeouts or something, but by me being able to put myself in scoring position like that I help our team.”
Head coach Jo Evans said Milligan is an asset to the team in how hard she works and is not afraid to be vocal if need be. It gives Evans confidence to have a leadoff hitter who will find any way to get on base. Take, for instance, last year’s super regional against Tennessee. In a pivotal play, Milligan took a pitch to the face and was pumped to get on base. The Aggies ended up winning the game and ultimately advancing to the College World Series.
“That’s Keeli in a nutshell right there,” Evans said of that play. “The kid has attitude, confidence. She won’t back down to anybody. She is willing to be in the fight. If I was in one of those back alley fights, I want Keeli Milligan right there with me. That kid is tough, she’s tough-minded and is not afraid of anything.”
When Milligan isn’t stealing bases, she’s joking around with her teammates and helping keep the atmosphere light. Fellow outfielder Erica Russell said it’s hard not to laugh when playing next Milligan in the outfield.
“Her personality is awesome,” Russell said. “She’s always outgoing. She’s always making me laugh. I play in center, and she plays in left field. Somehow she turns to me and says something, and I just die laughing. She always gets us going, gets a rally going… She’s a very good teammate.”
The biggest adjustment Milligan thinks she's made is learning to fight through adversity and put it behind her. As she’s gotten a few seasons under her belt at A&M, she has raised her own expectations and is actively trying to be the best teammate she can be.
“I definitely expect more of myself,” Milligan said. “I know what I’m capable of. Freshmen year it just was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I got on base against Florida.’ You know what I mean? Now it’s like, ‘Wow, I didn’t get on base three times against Florida. That’s irritating.' But also I’m trying to learn to be a better teammate.”
Milligan said she wants to leave her mark on the program by being a tough player and a part of a team that is resilient and wins games.
“I just want to leave Texas A&M with a little bit of grittiness,” Milligan said. “I feel like I bring a little bit of that to the team. Before my class came along, A&M wasn’t a very quick team so I like to think that leaving here other teams think of us as a team that’s aggressive on the base paths and a team that doesn’t quit.”
