Sara Mosley became an instant sensation for the University of Georgia.
The 2019 Gilmer High graduate started all 28 of the Lady Dawgs’ softball games and proved to be one of their most potent offensive weapons.
Georgia’s season was eventually cut short because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and Mosley discussed her freshman campaign during an interview last Friday.
While she entered UGA’s program highly touted, it was still a daunting endeavor. Her concerns were eased shortly after arriving on campus last fall.
“It was very nerve-racking going in as a freshman because you don’t know how people are going to accept you,” she said. “But they were very welcoming with arms wide open. They treat you like a little sister, and you come in and it’s just one big family. That’s who you’re with every day, and if you’re not close with them it’s not going to be enjoyable. They’re going to be lifelong friends, and it’s probably some of the best relationships I’ve had in my life.
“Even the coaches ... Coach Lu (Harris-Champer) acts like all of our moms, and Coach Tony (Baldwin) acts like our dad and keeps up with us.”
Mosley was originally slated to play shortstop and had some big shoes to fill. Alyssa DiCarlo played the position prior to Mosley’s arrival and graduated as UGA’s all-time home run leader.
“When I got there I decided I was just going to be myself because if I let things get to my head I wouldn’t be able to perform as well as I could,” Mosley said.
“There was a lot of pressure, but I just tried to be myself and ended up playing third. I just wanted to play the game I love and not let outside factors affect what I do.”
Little is guaranteed in the upper echelon of college athletics. Starting spots are won and lost by slim margins between elite players.
“You never know who’s going to start and who’s not,” Mosley said. “In the fall, me and the other freshman who started during the season just tried to do our best, be ourselves and perform as well as we could. We played two preseason games that were 10 innings each and went in around the fourth inning and played the rest of the game.
“When we got to the regular season, we both started and were so excited for each other because we knew we earned that spot.”
Once the regular season rolled around, Mosley’s days began at 6 a.m. and were normally around 15 hours as she split time between softball and academics.
“Time management is one of the hardest things,” she said. “Once you wake up your day is already busy. You wake up and go to weights, then you go to class, then practice, and then tutoring and study hall. On top of that you have homework.”
UGA started the season Feb. 7 against Howard University on a cold and cloudy day. Mosley was still uncertain of her playing status leading up to the first pitch.
“Going into that first game I was so nervous because I didn’t know if I was going to start or anything,” she said. “I went into the DP (designated player position) and told myself I’m going to prove to her (Harris-Champer) that I deserve to be out there. I was in the DP spot, and I performed and started the next game (against Kent State).
“I was just going to show her I was able to play that spot, and I earned it. I was so happy and just knew how proud my dad would have been of me.”
Mosley’s late-father Bob Mosley passed away in 2017. He played an instrumental role in her softball development and surely would have been pleased.
“There were so many different emotions,” Mosley said of the first game. “I was happy, I was sad, I was nervous and excited. I was more nervous than anything, but I just went out there and played my game and do what I do.”
Mosley collected hits in both of her at-bats, scored twice and drove in a run as UGA won, 11-1.
Versus Kent State later that day, Mosley did what she had so many times for Gilmer and blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence. She had three more RBIs and UGA rolled to a 10-1 win.
“The first game after I had my second hit, I said ‘this is where I’m supposed to be and this is where I belong,’ and I haven’t turned back since,” Mosley recalled. “I’ve just been living and playing softball at my dream school, and it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
The Southeastern Conference had eight teams ranked in the top 25 when the season was halted March 11. Mosley discussed what it was like playing against and alongside some of the best players in the country.
“The type of travel ball I played really prepared me for the level I’m playing at now,” she said. “The (college) environment is a lot different. There are so many fans and stuff, people are always yelling and you just have to really focus in on what you’re doing. In the SEC, the game is so fast-paced and you have to be dialed into the game and trust your teammates.”
UGA posted a 23-5 record, and Mosley continued to prove her worth as the season progressed. By the end, she ranked in the top four of most statistical offensive categories.
Mosley led UGA with nine doubles and was tied for the most RBIs with 31. She posted the third most home runs (five) and third highest batting average (.397). Mosley’s on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.193 was fourth on the team, as was her 23 runs scored and 29 hits.
When asked about some of her memorable moments, Mosley responded, “Definitely hitting the first home run of the season. Then my first home run against South Carolina in our first SEC series ... hitting a home run against them was absolutely a dream. It was such an awesome moment.”
Mosley noted the most difficult aspect of her freshman year was spending time apart from her mom, Denise, and brothers, Rob and Mel.
“The most challenging thing was being away from my family,” she said. “We’re such a close family, I’m so close to my mom and she is the No. 1 person who has been there for me. Moving away from my mom and home was really hard.
“That’s why this time right now is awesome because I normally wouldn’t be home around my family and friends.”
While Mosley has enjoyed her newfound time back in Ellijay, the abrupt end to the season was difficult to handle at first.
“I cried,” she said. “It was definitely hard for the seniors. It was super sad; we all cried. But everything happens for a reason, and it’s all part of God’s plan for now. We’re just doing what we can and hopefully we’ll be back in the fall.”
If all goes as scheduled, preseason practices will being in the fall and the season kicks off next February. During the offseason, Mosley has a work out plan to follow and wants to focus on her swing and improving her defensive footwork.
Mosley summed up her first year at UGA by saying, “I’m so thankful to be able to start and am just very blessed. I couldn’t do it without all the support behind me, and it’s just truly awesome being able to play at a Division I school.
“Just being able to start and play at UGA is an absolute dream. I’ve wanted this ever since I was six or seven. A lot of people don’t get to fulfill their dream. To know I was some little girl, and how people look up to me now is how I was when I was little.”