Shaw Enjoys Summer Success
Aug 25 | Softball
For many college students, the summer before they enter their senior year is often viewed as the final summer to relax and enjoy the laid-back life. Once college ends, it's time to enter the real world and those summer-long vacations become less likely.
For Amanda Shaw, her summer was spent, not lounging on the beach but instead she decided to continue to work on her craft, playing with and against the world's stiffest softball competition. Shaw competed in five tournaments as a member of the So Cal Hurricanes, including a match-up with the Chinese Taipei team.
'I love playing on my team in the summer league,' said Shaw. 'It's such a relaxed environment and all the girls show up to have fun and improve their skills.'
Shaw's teammates on the So Cal Hurricanes consisted of some of the nation's best players in college softball. Included in the pool were Mellissa Roth of Louisville, Dani Miller of Notre Dame, Long Beach State third baseman Jennifer Griffin, Megan Langenfeld and Amanda Kamekona of UCLA and Cal Fullerton's Krystal Heinle and Torrie Anderson.
'It really can't get any better than playing with girls who are naturally talented and share a common love for the game of softball,' Shaw added. 'And who doesn't love playing in California.'
The So Cal Hurricanes went undefeated at the ASA Women's Open Nationals, as Shaw and her team took home the championship.
During the summer, Shaw batted .421 (24-for-57) with six walks, two doubles and two triples as the starting center fielder. Since becoming a Scarlet Knight in 2006, she has steadily raised her level of play, increasing her batting average (.253 as a freshman, .256 in 2007 and .271 in 2007) in each of her three seasons. Shaw also bested her on-base percentage with a .342 clip and posted a career-high 12 stolen bases in 2008.
Dedication, commitment and a love for the game of softball has paid big dividends for Shaw which can be seen in her success during the summer. Thankfully for Rutgers fans, she also applies that same level of dedication when she suits up with her fellow Scarlet Knights.
