Sam Marder is Ohio State U.’s all-time home run, RBI and walks leader, but she might be OSU softball’s all-time goof ball as well.

Her jabbing jokes, ribbon dancing routines and affable personality do not help her hit home runs, but it is apparent she doesn’t need help with that.

“I think the great part about this team is that we have so much fun with each other,” Marder said. “They all came to my ribbon dancing routine and we are always playing jokes on each other. We are a fun and relaxed team.”

Off the field, Marder encourages some friendly pranks.

“Megan (Miller) and I were roommates one weekend on the road and that was not fair,” she said. “We filled a bucket of ice and played a joke on freshman (Megan) Coletta. When she opened the door she got showered with all this ice. Then we ran away.”

Though this two-time captain and two-time All-American loves to entertain her teammates, she acknowledges that what you see is not always what you get.

“I definitely have two personalities and I like to compare myself to Beyonce calling herself Sasha Fierce,” Marder said. “While off the field I am really light-hearted and joking around.  On the field I am very focused, intense and driven. That is the only way I can play.”

Coach Linda Kalafatis acknowledges Marder’s split personality.

“She is smart, passionate, creative, weird and goofy,” Kalafatis said. “But, there is an intensity and passion on the field that you don’t necessarily know of off the field.”
When co-captain Courtney Pruner was asked to talk about Marder’s personality, she muttered, “Oh God.”

Pruner spoke about Marder’s humble personality, but sometimes she can take it too far.

“Anytime we get the chance to make fun of her we can,” she said.

When it comes to softball, Marder likes to mesh different parts of her personality to guide the team to success, part of her job as captain.

“I try to lead by example,” Marder said. “It is important to make sure our team is loose and relaxed, while at the same time, mentally prepared to play.”

Marder is not one to stray away from who she is. People don’t have to be at a softball practice to catch a glimpse of the lovable goof ball.

When the team plays on the Big Ten Network, she claims she is chosen to read the introductions because she is the most attractive on the team.

In addition, Marder represented the softball team by performing rhythmic gymnastics, otherwise known as ribbon dancing, for Buckeyes Got Talent.

“The nerve to get up there and be that silly is remarkable,” Kalafatis said.

The song she chose was Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”

While the regional tournament approaches, the team will begin its ascent to its ultimate goal, Oklahoma City.