Get to Know You: Mayu Molina and Hope Brandner
November 27, 2017 | Softball
Molina and Brandner begin first season of play for OSU
For the weeks leading up to the regular season, fans will get a chance to learn about every member of the 2017-18 Oregon State softball team.
This week, we meet up with Mayu Molina and Hope Brandner in their first year of competition for Oregon State. Molina is a native of Granger, Wash., and is a utility player. Brandner is a native of Vacaville, Calif., and is an infielder.
Why did you choose Oregon State?
Mayu Molina: I wanted to be close to my family in Oregon and close enough to visit my friends and family in Washington. Also, most of my family has either graduate from OSU or is currently attending.
Hope Brandner: I decided to come to Oregon State because it is a beautiful school, I love the weather and I get to play for an amazing coach.
What do you enjoy about your major?
MM: I am currently undeclared but my favorite class I am taking is psychology.
HB (HDFS): I enjoy everything about my major, especially being able to learn about children.
What do you like most about playing softball?
MM: I love the challenges you face. It's a sport where you have to always have to be strong minded. My favorite thing to do is run the bases.
HB: I love every aspect of softball but my favorite part is being up to bat when the game is on the line.
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg?
MM: I love her passion for not only the sport, but for all of us to succeed at life and to become good people.
HB: My favorite part about playing for Coach Berg is how passionate she is for the game and how she will help you in any way she can to get better.
What does your uniform number mean to you?
MM (6): It's a number I've had since I started playing. It reminds me of everything softball has given to me.
HB (9): Seven is my original number, but since it was already taken, I went back to my first every travel ball number.
What are the team goals for this season?
MM: To finish top three in the Pac-12 and to advance past regionals.
HB: Oklahoma baby!
What is your personal goal for the season?
MM: Doing whatever it takes to get my team where they want to and need to be.
HB: To keep a positive attitude no matter what my outcomes are.
What athlete did you idolize growing up and why?
MM: Jackie Robinson because he was confident in what he did and that's what I struggle with.
HB: Growing up I always idolized my cousin Cheyenne Cordes. I saw how hard she worked every day and how her hard work paid off on the field.
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
MM: When I was in elementary school, I would just watch the girls play in the Women's College World Series.
HB: I realized I wanted to play college softball right when I started playing at age seven. My cousin is the one who made me realize I wanted to take softball seriously and play at the college level.
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
MM: Pie by Future and They Can't See by Michael Tyler.
HB: Anything 2000's R&B.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
MM: Not anymore, but I sued to have a certain pair of socks I always had to wear.
HB: I have too many to count, but a few I have are: If I play well in one game then I have to have my makeup and hair done the same way the next game, and I always have to play catch with the same person.
What current show could you see yourself being a part of?
MM: Survivor.
HB: Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
What is the best thing about living in Corvallis?
MM: Having my family the closest I've ever had them.
HB: The weather.
What is your biggest phobia?
MM: Being alone at night.
HB: Public speaking.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
MM: I watch Baby Daddy on Netflix, go hiking with my Grandma, or eat popcorn.
HB: Hanging out with my friends and family. Going to the movies or to the lake are my favorite things to do with them.
What is your favorite place on campus to hang out?
MM: My dorm, Tebeau.
HB: The softball field.
Nickname:
MM: None.
HB: None.
Favorite movie:
MM: Freedom Writers and Lean On Me
HB: Remember the Titans or The Sandlot
Go-to food spot in Corvallis:
MM: Rivas
HB: Rivas
Favorite vacation destination:
MM: Tijuana, Mexico, or San Diego, Calif.
HB: Lake Tahoe
Words to live by:
MM: If you want something you'll find a way to make it happen.
HB: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
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This week, we meet up with Mayu Molina and Hope Brandner in their first year of competition for Oregon State. Molina is a native of Granger, Wash., and is a utility player. Brandner is a native of Vacaville, Calif., and is an infielder.
Why did you choose Oregon State?
Mayu Molina: I wanted to be close to my family in Oregon and close enough to visit my friends and family in Washington. Also, most of my family has either graduate from OSU or is currently attending.
Hope Brandner: I decided to come to Oregon State because it is a beautiful school, I love the weather and I get to play for an amazing coach.
What do you enjoy about your major?
MM: I am currently undeclared but my favorite class I am taking is psychology.
HB (HDFS): I enjoy everything about my major, especially being able to learn about children.
What do you like most about playing softball?
MM: I love the challenges you face. It's a sport where you have to always have to be strong minded. My favorite thing to do is run the bases.
HB: I love every aspect of softball but my favorite part is being up to bat when the game is on the line.
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg?
MM: I love her passion for not only the sport, but for all of us to succeed at life and to become good people.
HB: My favorite part about playing for Coach Berg is how passionate she is for the game and how she will help you in any way she can to get better.
What does your uniform number mean to you?
MM (6): It's a number I've had since I started playing. It reminds me of everything softball has given to me.
HB (9): Seven is my original number, but since it was already taken, I went back to my first every travel ball number.
What are the team goals for this season?
MM: To finish top three in the Pac-12 and to advance past regionals.
HB: Oklahoma baby!
What is your personal goal for the season?
MM: Doing whatever it takes to get my team where they want to and need to be.
HB: To keep a positive attitude no matter what my outcomes are.
What athlete did you idolize growing up and why?
MM: Jackie Robinson because he was confident in what he did and that's what I struggle with.
HB: Growing up I always idolized my cousin Cheyenne Cordes. I saw how hard she worked every day and how her hard work paid off on the field.
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
MM: When I was in elementary school, I would just watch the girls play in the Women's College World Series.
HB: I realized I wanted to play college softball right when I started playing at age seven. My cousin is the one who made me realize I wanted to take softball seriously and play at the college level.
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
MM: Pie by Future and They Can't See by Michael Tyler.
HB: Anything 2000's R&B.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
MM: Not anymore, but I sued to have a certain pair of socks I always had to wear.
HB: I have too many to count, but a few I have are: If I play well in one game then I have to have my makeup and hair done the same way the next game, and I always have to play catch with the same person.
What current show could you see yourself being a part of?
MM: Survivor.
HB: Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
What is the best thing about living in Corvallis?
MM: Having my family the closest I've ever had them.
HB: The weather.
What is your biggest phobia?
MM: Being alone at night.
HB: Public speaking.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
MM: I watch Baby Daddy on Netflix, go hiking with my Grandma, or eat popcorn.
HB: Hanging out with my friends and family. Going to the movies or to the lake are my favorite things to do with them.
What is your favorite place on campus to hang out?
MM: My dorm, Tebeau.
HB: The softball field.
Nickname:
MM: None.
HB: None.
Favorite movie:
MM: Freedom Writers and Lean On Me
HB: Remember the Titans or The Sandlot
Go-to food spot in Corvallis:
MM: Rivas
HB: Rivas
Favorite vacation destination:
MM: Tijuana, Mexico, or San Diego, Calif.
HB: Lake Tahoe
Words to live by:
MM: If you want something you'll find a way to make it happen.
HB: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
Â
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