SAN ANTONIO – As legacies go, Kalee Rochinski was born with softball in her DNA. But, as UTSA’s starting catcher, she’s charting her own impressive path while helping the Roadrunners elevate their program to new heights.
Rochinski, a sophomore from Montgomery, Texas, is a second-generation Roadrunner whose mother, Michelle Campbell, played for UTSA in 1996.
Campbell, now Michelle Rochinski, spent 24 years as a high school softball coach, including at Lake Creek High School, where Kalee played. Michelle won more than 500 games, had a career winning percentage of better than 75 percent and won a pair of state championships.
This Sunday, in the final game of UTSA’s series with UAB, Michelle will be one of the former players that the Roadrunners will welcome home on their Alumni Day at Roadrunner Field.
Michelle and Kalee enjoy sharing their experiences as college softball players.
“It’s pretty cool,” Rochinski said. “I really enjoy San Antonio and I kind of grew up down the road at my grandparents’ lake house in Seguin. We were always over this way. Being here and having her old teammates come watch me play because they’re still in this area. It’s a good feeling to have those supporters right there by my side.”
Rochinski arrived at UTSA after a standout high school career where she won two NFCA All-America honors. She also competed in powerlifting and track & field as a prep. Rochinski hoped to make an immediate impact on the field, but didn’t see much playing time as a freshman. Along the way, senior catcher Taylor Jensen helped her develop into the player she is today.
“She really just taught me to be confident in myself,” Rochinski said. “Last year, I struggled with not really getting the playing time that I was wanting. But, at the same time, she was telling me to take advantage of the chances that I get, make the most out of it, and don’t put the unneeded pressure on myself. I’ve gone into this year having fun and playing loose. It doesn’t matter what my outcome is, it’s all process-based.”
The results have followed Rochinski’s focus on the process. She ranks in the top-10 nationally in catching runners stealing, foiling 13 steal attempts this season by the Roadrunners’ opponents. Rochinski has also found ways to get on base, ranking 17th nationally in being hit by pitches and leading her team in walks.
Rochinski’s increased confidence pours over into her teammates.
“When you can throw a ball that’s a few inches off the plate and you still get the call, you know your catcher is doing her job right,” said pitcher Katia Reyes. “When you can trust that your team behind you and your catcher, most importantly, has got you, it’s limitless after that. It’s a bond that can’t be broken.”
UTSA’s second-year head coach Vann Stuedeman has witnessed Rochinski’s development, something she attributes to her pupil’s character as much as anything.
“She went from limited playing time last year to really absorbing the maturity and coaching and relationship with Taylor Jensen in front of her,” Stuedeman said. “Taylor did a great job with that, as did Roch in using it as a learning opportunity. Taylor did a really good job at molding and getting Roch ready for this year and the big role that she has. Going from limited time to now, it says a lot about Roch as a person and it says a lot about her willingness to learn and grow.”