May 19, 2009

Maryland Media Relations is proud to present the latest in a series of Q&As highlighting the Terps' senior softball players. The third and final installment of `Senior Spotlight' delves into the life of infielder Breanna Shaw. A team co-captain, Shaw served as a leader for the Terps throughout the 2009 season. The Ellenwood, Ga., native developed into Maryland's most consistent batter and excelled defensively playing primarily second base. Shaw ranked among the conference leaders with a .326 batting average and nine doubles and led the team with 12 extra-base hits while compiling 18 RBIs. She recently sat down with Maryland Media Relations to discuss her batting adjustments, her desire to visit Africa and her advice for her teammates.

Media Relations: What is your favorite part of being a softball player?
Breanna Shaw: "I'd say my favorite part would be the atmosphere. It's just fun to be able to go out there and do something that I love to do. I like the competitiveness that it brings out of me. It's kind of a laidback atmosphere compared to other sports, and yet it's still very competitive. It fits well with my personality."

MR: What was it like being named to the 2009 All-Atlantic Coast Conference and Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Region teams?
Shaw: "It was kind of a shock to me because I didn't expect anything, but I feel very honored to be nominated for those. It's kind of a surreal feeling, and it made me want to be able to play here longer."

MR: You raised your batting average by 79 points during the 2009 season. What enabled you to be able to do that?
Shaw: "This year I had a plan going up to the plate every time. I don't hit outside pitches very well, so this year I laid off outside pitches for the most part and picked the pitch that I wanted. That was my plan going up to the plate, and I was also more relaxed this season."

MR: Is it true you once considered pursuing an acting career?
Shaw: "I had an opportunity when I was younger, and I wish I had taken it. One of my managers at my old job actually does stunt work for Tyler Perry. He got my friend and I to attend a casting call, and I was supposed to be in a movie, but I was in high school at the time and didn't want to give up my job to do it. But I still have that desire, and I was thinking about taking acting classes after I graduate just for fun."

MR: Do you still have a desire to visit Africa someday?
Shaw: "Yes, I'd like to go in the next 10 years. I want to experience the culture there. Being over there would just be an amazing experience. Seeing the poverty over there could be hard, but it also would make me more thankful for everything I have. My dad wants to go, too, so we're going to plan a trip together once I have a job."

MR: Do you have any plans in mind for the future?
Shaw: "I'll be getting my degree in December. As for what I'm going to do after that, I've been thinking about that a lot lately. I don't want to have a job where I do the same thing every day. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do yet, but I wouldn't mind getting into coaching softball if that opportunity opens up."

MR: So would you like to stay involved in softball in some capacity?
Shaw: "If I don't coach at a school, I would go back to my travel ball program back home and coach the little girls there. I usually help them out during the summer when I go home, and I definitely want to stay involved in softball somehow. "

MR: You have accumulated at least nine doubles in each of your four collegiate softball seasons. Why do you seem to have a propensity to hit doubles?
Shaw: "I don't know. I've never really been a power hitter, so instead I've been a gap hitter. I try to hit gaps, so I guess that results in hitting doubles."

MR: Which pitcher on your team was the toughest to face in practice?
Shaw: "I'd say Kerry Hickey because her ball moves so much. As a hitter, with her you can mentally defeat yourself. You know she can throw a rise ball so you're thinking about that, and then she throws you a changeup instead. She just keeps you off-balance."

MR: What advice would you offer to your teammates who are returning next season?
Shaw: "I guess my advice would be not to take anything for granted. Work hard and play every game like it's the World Series or it's an elimination game. If you can play every game like an elimination game, then you can be really successful."