For Shana Andres, sociology senior and shortstop, softball has been important throughout her life.
Andres currently plays shortstop for the IUS softball team. However, she has been playing the sport since she was a young girl.
“I started playing when I was 5 because I loved playing outside, and my parents thought it would be a good sport for me,” Andres said.
Andres said she enjoys many aspects about softball including getting the girls pumped up for a game by cheering “We Will Rock You,” and diving to catch fly balls.
“I like that there is no clock on the games, so no one is rushed,” Andres said. “I also enjoy seeing a freshman succeed in a pressure situation and being a leader while watching our team build as one unit.”
Although it is still early in the season, Andres said she believes the team has gotten off to a good start.
“We have a young team, and I believe we will all come together to have a successful year,” Andres said. “We have a lot of heart on our team, and most everyone has the right positive attitude to get the job done.”
Todd Buckingham, head softball coach, said Andres is an important player on the team, not only statistically, but also as a team captain. He said without Andres, the season would not be the same.
“Shana is the heart and soul of our team,” Buckingham said. “As a team captain, she leads not only by example, but also by commanding the other players’ attention and respect.”
While on the team, Buckingham has been able to see Andres grow as an athlete, and he said he will be sad to see her leave.
“In the time she has been here at IU Southeast, I have seen such tremendous character development and personal growth in her,” Buckingham said. “She will be irreplaceable.”
Andres said she has many defining moments throughout her softball career including winning the regional championship during her sophomore year.
She also came back to have a successful season after suffering an injury.
“I hit a homerun and a grand slam back to back last year after coming back from a torn ACL,” Andres said.
Although the softball team has started well, Andres said she believes the team still has a few things they need to work on.
“We need to work on not waiting until the fifth inning to start playing our best,” Andres said. “We need to come with the mentality that no one can beat us except ourselves and have a more aggressive mentality at the plate.”
Tara Denzik, special education senior, plays first base on the softball team and said she believes Andres will do an amazing job this season.
“We can always count on her to get a hit if we need one, or pick us up if we made a bad play,” Denzik said. “She keeps the dugout going and is a leader.”
Aside from playing softball, Andres has many other hobbies including rock climbing, swimming and bike riding.
“I like rock climbing because it’s very challenging physically and mentally, and it’s rewarding once you make it to the top,” Andres said. “My aunt has an awesome rope swing at her lake so that’s why I enjoy swimming, and bike riding is not only a good way to work out, but it’s also fun to ride down hills.”
Although Andres has been very involved with softball, she doesn’t intend to continue it as a career for her future.
“There isn’t as much opportunity to play softball after college which is sad, but I plan on doing some serious traveling to try and experience other cultures,” Andres said.
Andres is interested in joining the Peace Corps as well as receiving her master’s degree in social work to become a counselor.
Andres decided to major in sociology because it was her favorite class in high school. After taking a sociology class in college, Andres said she knew that was what she wanted to get her degree in.
“I like to be in tune with social problems and society, even though it can be overwhelming since the world clearly has so many problems,” Andres said. “To me, it’s more important to know the current situation in Darfur rather than know Peyton Manning’s football stats.”
Although Andres does not view softball as a future occupation, she said she has high hopes for how her team will do this season.
“I’m excited for this season because I believe our team has the talent and the heart to succeed and accomplish all the goals we have set,” Andres said.
Andres currently leads the Grenadiers in batting average and RBIs.
CLAIRE MUNN
Staff Writer
clamunn@umail.iu.edu
