Eagle Extra: Lauren Lesser, Softball

By: Rose Lucidi  
Sports Information Intern
lucidrx10@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – With a former baseball player and alumni of Juniata College as a father, Lauren Lesser (Mt. Laurel, N.J. / Holy Cross) grew up with a glove in one hand and a wiffle ball bat in the other. Playing in only seven games last season due to injuries, Lesser helped support the team emotionally to its best record since 2010.

Lesser originally had no interest in attending Juniata. That was until she visited schools in the Philadelphia area, and stopped in Huntingdon to take a look. After her dad gave her a tour of the school, she fell in love.

On top on playing softball for club teams year round, Lesser also participated in field hockey during high school. Due to many injuries, she was hesitant to pursue softball in college. Once Juniata recruited her, and after hearing all her father's old baseball stories, she made the decision that she could not live without playing.

"[My dad] had so much fun with baseball at Junaita," said Lesser. "He loved the coach and everything about the experience. So when I had the chance to play here, I couldn't pass it up."  

Lesser found her love of the sport when she was a little girl. She is the oldest of her family, and her father would always take her out in the backyard to play catch. Not being the typical athlete when she was younger, she did not let a little dirt stop her from wearing a princess gown and curling her hair.

"My whole family laughs about how they have pictures of me in my princess gown and curled hair, with mud on my face and a wiffle ball bat in my hand," said Lesser. "But yeah, my dad was the one that taught me to not 'throw like a girl'," laughed Lesser.

Loving to stay busy, she is involved with service work on and off campus and is a Resident Assistant (RA) one of the residence halls. Her service work includes Big Brothers Big Sisters and the service-learning trip to DC. Big Brothers Big Sisters in an organization that helps children realize their potential and build their futures.

The service-learning trip to DC was a great experience for Lesser. During this trip students learned about and served the homeless and worked with poor of the city. They volunteered at agencies such as N Street Village and Capitol Area Food Bank. Not only does she keep busy with service work and being an RA but, when she finds time within her busy schedule she loves to read mystery novels. She calls herself a "book worm."

With the heavy course load, service work, being a RA and participating in softball, she finds great comfort in her team. Being able to always have someone to talk to and go to lunch with is something small that means lot to Lesser. 

"Not only can I talk to the girls about my problems, Coach K is always available to talk," stated Lesser. " Its just nice to be a part of something on campus that has such great ties."

Rapid Fire:

Favorite band/artist?

Dave Matthews.

Favorite shoes?

My boots.

Favorite item in your dorm room?

My memory foam on my bed.

One thing you couldn't go a day without?

Pony tail holder

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Jessica Mendoza. She plays for USA softball.  She is one of my favorite players and just has a great personality and she is a team player.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

England. It is a big literature culture and it is where I want to study abroad. 

If you could be any animal (car, vegetable, etc.), what would you be and why?

Dog, because its man's best friend.

If you could be an Olympic athlete (in anything other than your sport) what would it be?

Gymnastics, because it is my favorite to watch.

Favorite class at JC?

Sport Literature.

Favorite place in Huntingdon?

Standing Stone

Favorite Juniata Tradition?

Mountain day

Favorite athletic experience at JC?

Traveling with the team.

If you could trade places with one JC athlete, who would it be and why

Anyone on the field hockey team, because I really miss playing.

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