No. 22 Damali Young
Sophomore Outfielder, Softball
Westhampton, N.J.
Major: Construction Management
 
Morgan State women's softball player Damali Young will enter the upcoming season looking to build on what was a successful rookie year in 2016.
 
Last year the Westhampton, N.J. native started in all 41 games and led the team in stolen bases with a total of 30 out of 33 attempts. Young's 30 steals would set a new school single-season stolen base record and she would end her freshman year ranked 13th in the nation in stolen bases. Young also led the Lady Bears in at bats (128), runs scored (35), hits (42) and triples (3), while finishing tied for first in total bases with 57. She finished second in batting average (.328) and doubles (6).
 
Young would help the Lady Bears to a 13-28 overall record and a fourth-place finish in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division with an 8-8 record. It was the first time the Lady Bears advanced to the MEAC Softball Tournament in five years.
 
The Lady Bears kick off the 2017 season on the road competing in the Dot Richardson Tournament (Feb. 10-11) in Clermont, Fla. Morgan State's home opener will be a doubleheader series against Mount St. Mary's on March 15 at Lois T. Murray Field. The first MEAC contest will be at home against Hampton on March 18-19.   

Student Life:
What is the best time of the year on campus? Homecoming Week
Why did you choose MSU? I chose MSU because I had always dreamed of playing Division I softball and I was interested in living in an urban area like Baltimore.
What is your major and why? My major is construction management. I chose it because I liked both the scientific and business aspects it provides while allowing me to operate in a fast paced environment such as Baltimore or Philadelphia or New York City.
Favorite professor and why? My favorite professor is Dr. Jarrett (English department) because we learn how to properly construct papers and comprehend literature while in a very relaxed setting.
If you had to give an incoming student advice, what would it be? Go to class! It's tempting to skip but you miss vital information and professors appreciate attendance.
Describe your first day as a student at Morgan: I was excited because I had already made friends with my teammates yet nervous because I had no idea what to expect from my professors.
What do you like most about Morgan? My favorite thing about Morgan is the student population. Everyone is outgoing and willing to put themselves out there, especially holidays in the Refac or Homecoming Week. 
 
Pop Culture:
What social media do you prefer the most? Twitter
Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? Why? I'd rather watch a movie. I already have a million passages to read in my management classes and the movies let me enjoy a story while I relax.
What song can you not help but sing-a-long too? Work by Rihanna
Who is your celebrity crush? Demi Lovato
Favorite TV show? How to Get Away with Murder
Favorite Movie? Rush Hour 2
Favorite Celebrity? Beyoncé
Favorite musician/musical group? Nicki Minaj
If you could switch lives with any celebrity, who would it be? Jennifer Lopez because she's 47 and still looks amazing.
Favorite music genre? Hip Hop and R&B
 
Travel:
Most interesting place you've visited? Puerto Rico
Place you would like to visit? California
 
Food:
Favorite home cooked meal? Anything my dad is grilling.
Favorite snack? Pop Tarts
Most underrated food? Macaroni and cheese
I hated it when my mom made me eat: Chili
Favorite breakfast cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch
 
Sports:
When is your favorite time of your sports season? MEAC play.
Who is your favorite athlete? Jordan Matthews of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Who do you model your game after? Nicole Pendley who plays at the University of Oklahoma.
Which team do you most look forward to competing against? Coppin State
Pre-Game Rituals: I pray before every game for the safety of myself, safety my teammates and to win.
If you could play another position, what would it be and why? If I could play another position I would be a pitcher because I think the intricacy of each pitch is fascinating.
What is your favorite athletic memory? My favorite memory is when our team was down to UMES last year 1-0 until the last inning when Audrianna Alvarez and Korynna Lara hit consecutive doubles to score the tying run. Then in the 8^th inning, I hit a solo home run to right field for the walk off win.
Favorite pro sports team? Philadelphia Eagles
What is your top skill? Stealing bases
When did you start playing softball? 2^nd grade.
 
Miscellaneous:
Would you rather be rich or famous and why? I would rather be rich because I like going out and buying nice things but I don't need a lot of people in my circle to be happy.
If you could do one thing over, what would it be? I would redo my team's performance at the MEAC Tournament. We got knocked out with so much still left on the field.
When you are not at practice, what could someone find you doing? You can find me in my room either asleep or studying.
If you could play another sport, what would it be? Volleyball
What do you look forward to doing during the summer? Going to the shore as well as the rest of New Jersey.
If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower? Ability to read minds so I would know more about what my professors had planned.
Do you have an interesting nickname? Everyone calls me Dom. I only hear my full name when I'm in trouble with coach.
What is one thing people don't know about you? I have a massive sweet tooth!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? People talk about those better than them to bring them down. Just ignore it, they're below you.
If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be? I would want to witness my team win MEACs this year!
If I could change one thing about myself, it would be…I would change how small I am, maybe then I could lift more.
What are your goals in life? To be surrounded by a beautiful family and a successful career.
Person you admire the most? My parents
Coolest thing you did this summer? Sat 10 rows back at a Demi Lovato concert.
Most prized possession? Probably my black chucks. I wear them at least five times a week.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be? Demi Lovato, Barack Obama, and Scott Caan (Danny from Hawaii Five-0)
Dream event? Winning the Women's College World Series
Cats or Dogs? Dogs 100%
Early bird or night owl? Night owl. I can always seem to stay up but I can never get up.
Funniest person on the team: Briana Jones!!! Her snapchat stories are unreal.