How Raising Pigs Helped Emily Bogoski Become A D1 Recruit

Raising pigs isn't something that will be mentioned at travel ball tryouts or discussed at prospect camps. But for Emily Bogoski, her experience in 4-H laid a foundation that has helped her excel in softball.

“It taught me about the hard work and dedication necessary to do something that I love because I loved doing that when I was younger,” Bogoski said. “It also taught me communication skills, because we had to go out and try to sell our pigs. We had to make all these flyers and see if companies wanted to buy them. In a way, it taught me how to run a business and get me out in the open.”

Bogoski grew up on 10 acres of land in Grand Rapids, Michigan, raising pigs and a few sheep. Her family relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee a few years ago when her dad retired from the Army after 21 years and wanted to pursue seminary school.

Bogoski, a 2028 recruit, recently joined Athletics Gold-Tamborra 18U for travel ball. In high school ball, she was a First-Team Division II-A All-State selection at Christian Academy of Knoxville as a sophomore.

Three days after the 2028 recruiting contact period opened on September 1, Bogoski committed to Clemson University.

“I just love the atmosphere at Clemson. My mom and I went to a game and it was so much fun. I've never been in an environment like that before,” Bogoski said. “I really like how it felt like family, even the crowd. But the most important thing that I realized about Clemson is that I loved the coaches. That was a big thing for me.”

Bogoski started playing softball at age 6, pitching in her bare feet and working on the fundamentals with her dad, Scott. Although she still pitches, Bogoski eventually realized she enjoyed shortstop more.

“I love the range you can get at shortstop. I love competitiveness,” Bogoski said. “I think the shortstop kind of runs the show a little bit in the infield, and that's why I like taking charge. I like to keep moving, and I like the communication out there. I'm really loud.”

Bogoski is the youngest of four girls. Her oldest sister, Hanna, went to Lincoln Memorial University and was a catcher for the Railsplitters. As the youngest child, Bogoski was exposed to softball at an early age.

“My dad always made me play on older travel ball teams to play against the best. This is where I got my grit and love for the game,” Bogoski said. “I wanted to be better than all the older girls and show that a younger person is better than them. This is where I got my strength.”

Bogoski's dad taught her everything she knows about her swing. She studies different players at the plate and implements the aspects she believes will work for her.

“I'm good at seeing the pitches. I don't overthink it too much. It's just see the ball, hit the ball. It's that simple,” Bogoski said. “I usually lead off and my teammates will ask me about the pitch and the spin when I get back to the dugout, and I just saw the ball and I hit it. If I overthink something too much, then I won't do good. My mind says just play free and stay loose.”

Although Bogoski no longer raises pigs or lives on a large piece of land, she still reconnects with her farming roots. Her boyfriend's family has 400 acres and 50 cows.

“I go bale hay with him and cut hay with him,” she said. “We really enjoy doing that kind of work together. It's a good workout too.”