WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Boilermaker Student-Athlete. That's how junior pitcher Gina Snyder describes herself in three words. The song that she has to listen to before a game: Hail Purdue (aka the Purdue fight song). Her favorite thing about playing at Bittinger Stadium: everything.
Snyder is all in for the Boilermakers in 2017 and will have her first chance to shine outside of the shadow of All-Big Ten hurler Lilly Fecho. The Tucson, Arizona, native has shown flashes of her abilities the last two years, throwing her first no-hitter in 2016 and racking up 69 strikeouts in 72 innings, while holding foes to a .227 average, ranking sixth among Big Ten players. And in Big Ten play, she was among the Top 10 in opponent batting average (7th, .246) and strikeouts (10th, 41).
"Gina has the ability to really move the ball," head coach Boo De Oliveira said. "She has tight spin, can change planes, and also changes speeds effectively. G will be on the mound in a lot of games this season. She has a great tempo and is not rattled easily. Gina can compete with any opposing offense in the country."
After two years, Snyder boasts a 7.15 strikeout per seven inning ratio and a 2.64 strikeout/walk ratio, both of which would rank among the Purdue career top five. She has posted five or more strikeouts in 10 games, including 10 or more three times, issuing 140 Ks in 137 innings.
When she is not busy working on her game, she might indulge in a Nutter Butter or two as they are her favorite sweet treat, or nosh on bow tie pasta, which ranks as Snyder's favorite food. You might also find her watching Game of Thrones or taking in some Beyoncé and Amy Schumer in her time away from the field.
Learn more about Snyder below.
Fun Facts
Sweet or salty: sweet
Chocolate or vanilla: chocolate
Dogs or cats: cats
Cooking or eating:eating
Vacation: To the quiet country or to the big city: The desert
Coolest place I've ever been/or most unique locale: Mexico
Place I dream of visiting someday: Italy
Best feeling in the field (defensively): Pop flies
Best Feeling at the plate (pitching):Strikeouts.
Favorite thing about my position: Control
Three words that describe me: Boilermaker student athlete
One word to describe my game:Ball
Team I am most excited to play in 2017: IU
My most memorable sports moment: Softball being back in the Olympics
Celebrity crush: Beyoncé
Celebrity who would play me in a story of my life: Amy Schumer
Person I would like to have dinner with:David Lee
Best non-athletic talent:Singing.
My stupid human trick is: Backflip
Song I have to listen to before a game: Purdue fight song
Favorite thing about playing at Boilermaker Softball Stadium: Everything!
My favorite place to play in the Big Ten besides home: IU.
Person who has impacted my life/made me who I am:my family
Favorite things
Favorite sweet treat: Nutter butters
Favorite ice cream flavor: Peanut Butter
Favorite holiday: My birthday
Favorite sport besides softball: Football.
Favorite sports team: Purdue
Favorite Athlete: Domonique Young
Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones
Favorite Movies: Train Wreck
Favorite Type of Pizza: pepperoni
Favorite Actress: Amy Schumer
Favorite Food: Bow tie pasta
Favorite place on campus: My house
Favorite city: Tucson
Favorite outdoor activity: Softball
Favorite animal/furry friend: Kiki.
Favorite Purdue professor:Athena