Get to Know Your Raiders: Shawn Patterson

As one of the starting pitchers on the Raider baseball team, junior Shawn Patterson is 1-0 so far this season with a three-hit, three-strikeout effort in six shutout innings in SU’s 6-0 win over Davis & Elkins last Sunday.

A marketing major, Patterson has been reliable throughout his career as a starter and relief pitcher, pitching in 30 games – 15 as a starter and 15 in relief. He’s posted a career 7-3 record and has struck out 49 batters in 98.2 innings.

Patterson, a Springfield native, struck out a career-high 27 batters as a freshman in 2011 and in a game last season against Lock Haven, struck out a single-game career-best seven while giving up one earned run on four hits in six innings against Lock Haven.

Get to know Shawn Patterson…

What is your favorite pre-game ritual?

My favorite pre-game ritual is never the same. If I did something the game before and it worked, then that's what I'm doing next time.

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

I like going to University Grille on Wednesday nights for wing night.

What is the best class you've taken at Shippensburg?

Principles of Marketing.

If you weren't majoring in marketing, what would your major be?

Criminal justice.

What is your favorite day of the week, and why?

My favorite day of the week is either Friday or Saturday. Waking up on a warm spring day knowing that you're going to play baseball that day is an awesome feeling.

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why?

I like competing against West Chester, Millersville and Kutztown because these are usually some of the better teams in the PSAC.

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of?

One athletic accomplishment I am proud of is my freshman year when I pitched six and two-thirds innings and only allowed one hit against Millersville.

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete?

Managing your classes with all of the practices and games that you play, and finding enough sleep so you can do that.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times?

My dad has always told me since I was young, “Work hard, play hard and have fun.” So I make sure I always do all of those things.

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in baseball, what would you tell them they should focus on?

Work on the fundamentals of baseball as much as you can and have fun. Having fun is the most important part if you want to continue playing.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg?

That no matter what you're doing that day, work hard at accomplishing your goal and have fun while you're doing it.

Get to Know Your Raiders: Kevin Shaw

At the PSAC Indoor Championships this past weekend, junior sprinter Kevin Shaw competed in his first two PSAC finals events. The Ivyland native placed in both events, clocking a 22.55 in the 200 meters to finish sixth and a 50.21 in the 400 meters to finish eighth.

The management major also qualified in both the 200 and 400 at the PSAC Indoor Championships during his freshman season in 2010 and last season qualified in the 200 while also contributing the PSAC Champion Raider DMR squad that won in 10:12.52.

Get to know Kevin Shaw…

What is your favorite pre-meet ritual?

When I was younger I had multiple rituals I would have to do before a race. I had to listen to certain songs and eat certain foods but I don’t necessarily do that anymore, the only thing I do now and have always done in my career is say a prayer before each race to thank God.

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

My house on Earl Street. I live with about 10 other teammates (not including all of the teammates that stop by on a daily basis), so there is always something interesting going on. There’s never a dull moment at the Earl Street Track House.

What is the best class you've taken at Shippensburg?

I would have to say that International Business is my favorite class I’ve taken here.

If you weren't majoring in management, what would your major be?

I would major in something to do with aviation.

What is your favorite day of the week, and why?

My favorite day of the week is Friday. Classes go way faster when it’s Friday and most of the time it’s a day before a meet so our practice is short and easy.

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why?

I love competing against all of the PSAC schools because it is such a great rivalry between all of us. But If I had to narrow it down I would have to say Lock Haven and East Stroudsburg because their sprinters give us the best competition.

If we asked your teammates to say a few words about you, what do you think they would say?

I would hope they would say that I like to joke around and have a good time but when it comes down to getting serious before a competition, I am all business.

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of?

None. I know it sounds corny, but I set goals for myself to hit when I got to college and I haven’t achieved those goals yet, but WHEN I do, they will be my proudest accomplishments.

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete?

I believe the hardest part is trying to give school a 100 percent effort during the season. You are trying to do your best in both but most of the time your mind is focused on the upcoming meet. It can get very stressful juggling both academics and track.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned being a student-athlete?

Time management. Managing your time between school and track becomes crucial. Being on the track team is very different from other sports, because we have two seasons back-to-back so we have practice five days a week starting in October and ending in May. Finding time for schoolwork can sometimes be difficult so managing your time is key.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times?

My dad has always told me to live life with no regrets and to do everything at 100 percent and not halfway. So I always try to apply that with everything I do whether that is school, a job or track.

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in running, what would you tell them they should focus on?

My best advice I could give is just to have fun. Don’t take the sport or yourself too seriously and just enjoy it. Once you stop enjoying it, then it becomes work. 

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg?

As an upperclassman I try to promote a close-knit group of friends between the sprinters and I just hope the younger guys take notice and follow in the footsteps of the older guys and keep this group tight because these are friends you will have forever.

Get to Know Your Raiders: Jenn Deardorff

Senior Jenn Deardorff has been a valuable member of the softball team over the last three seasons as a reliable third baseman at the hot corner.

A native of Dallastown, Deardorff has started 51 games and appeared in 18 others throughout her career, totaling 11 hits. She played shortstop during her first two seasons and her 51 career starts are the most of any member on the club. 

The biology major was an NFCA Scholar-Athlete as a freshman and last season posted a career-best .912 fielding percentage. 

Deardorff and her teammates open up their 2013 season on Saturday and Sunday when they travel to Salisbury, N.C. to compete in the Catawba College Invitational. 

Get to know Jenn Deardorff… 

What is your favorite pre-game ritual?  

My favorite pre-game ritual is doing cheers on the field during warm-up (“Heyyyy Ship! What’s up Ship?”). This intimidates the other team and unifies our innies and outies. 

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

I love how the campus is close-knit and beautiful. Also, our softball field is one of the nicest fields in the PSAC. We travel a lot and Shippensburg is by far my favorite campus.

What is the best class you've taken at Shippensburg? 

The best class I have taken was Histology with Dr. [David] Long. I learned so much, and he is a phenomenal professor. 

If you weren't majoring in biology, what would your major be? 

Accounting. I have always been good with math, and I think accounting would be a satisfying career. 

What is your favorite day of the week, and why? 

My favorite day of the week is Thursday because I can look forward to a weekend of relaxation.  

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why? 

I always like competing against Millersville, because we have an unspoken rivalry. Our competitions against Millersville are always intense and exciting. I also like to compete against Kutztown, because they have a reputation for being good. We always play harder and faster against Kutztown, and it makes for a heart-pounding competition.  

If we asked your teammates to say a few words about you, what do you think they would say? 

I hope my teammates would say that I am a team player and a leader. Mostly, I think they would say that I am upbeat, loud and determined to win. 

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of? 

I am most proud of getting myself to this level of play. When I first started playing, I never imagined I would be where I am today.  

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete? 

The most difficult part of being a student-athlete is managing time. Sometimes it feels like there are not enough hours in a day.  

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned being a student-athlete? 

The most important thing I have learned is to be flexible. Games and practices are moved constantly, and you have to be prepared to change your plans at a moment’s notice.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times? 

Never give up. Failure is not an option.

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in softball, what would you tell them they should focus on? 

Fundamentals. The pace of the game always increases, but the game is the same at every level. If you can perfect the fundamentals then it will be much easier to increase speed.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg? 

The legacy I wish to leave behind for future athletes is that it is possible to be a good student and an outstanding athlete. I would love to leave behind my passion for the game as well. I see some athletes go through the motions everyday and forget why they are playing. Every day I wake up and thank god I was given the opportunity to be part of something amazing. I try to stay positive during every practice. I hope my teammates will continue to carry my energy in their hearts even after I graduate.

 

Get to Know Your Raiders: Caitlin Stuetz

 

One of the best hurdlers in both the PSAC and all of Division II, senior Caitlin Stuetz has been a standout for the women’s track & field team whether running the 60-, 100- or 400-meter hurdles throughout her career.

The Glenside native is a five-time PSAC champion, including back-to-back titles in the 100 hurdles and a 400 hurdles title last season at the PSAC Outdoor Championships. An exercise science major, Stuetz qualified for outdoor nationals last May and finished ninth in the 400 hurdles, falling one spot shy of earning All-America honors.

Stuetz’s two other conference titles are back-to-back 60 hurdles victories at each of the past two PSAC Indoor Championship meets. This weekend, Stuetz will look to make it three in a row as her and her teammates travel to Edinboro on Saturday and Sunday for the 2013 PSAC Indoor Championships.

Get to know Caitlin Stuetz…

What is your favorite pre-meet ritual?

Watching the Versus “You vs. Them” commercial. Also, I watch something to make me laugh like Phineas and Ferb’s classic “S.I.M.P. Squirrels In My Pants” music video or footage of my brother, John, dancing to Shakira’s “Beautiful Liar.”

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

Henderson Gym to see fellow exercise science majors, the upstairs of the CUB…to nap on their couches, the main floor of the library…to nap on their couches, and the track.

What is the best class you've taken at Shippensburg?

Exercise Physiology I & II. It taught me how the body reacts to exercise and how one could enhance their performance through nutrition, along with specific types of training.

If you weren't majoring in exercise science, what would your major be?

Psychology or communication. I feel that people undermine how much these two categories influence anyone in just about any profession.

What is your favorite day of the week, and why?

Friday or Saturday. Classes are over and I can relax and visualize for the meet. This is also when the sprinter girls get together off the track and have a pasta party.

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why?

Slippery Rock, because we have had an ongoing rivalry for years. We tend to compete the best when we go toe-to-toe with them at the PSAC Championship.

If we asked your teammates to say a few words about you, what do you think they would say?

I think they would say that Caitlin (or Stuetz) is a determined individual who will lead and encourage the team with everything she has, keep what is in the team’s best interest at heart and leave you cracking up from a conversation or prank on Coach O.

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of?

I guess I am supposed to say making it to the NCAA 400-meter hurdle final in Colorado last outdoor season. But in reality I think just being one of the girls nominated as MVP at outdoor PSACs this past spring was the proudest I have ever been. PSACs is when we focus everything on the team. The fact that I was able to peak and have massive PRs in all my events for my team meant the most to me.

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete?

I believe the hardest part is realizing you are not an average student. To be successful as a student-athlete, you cannot frequently go out or kill time like most college kids. You are constantly in a time-crunch and you need to learn to adapt to that by staying ahead or at least staying afloat.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned being a student-athlete?

Organization and communication. Chances are you are going to be late or completely miss something if you are not organized and write it down. I have my trusty planner where I document everything. If we even have lunch plans I am writing it down.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times?

My daddy has told me since I was little, “One day at a time, easy does it and mind your own business.”

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in hurdling, what would you tell them they should focus on?

Attend camps at universities that break down everything for you, watch films of pros and yourself and practice in the mirror. Hurdling is one of those things where you have to get worse before you can get better. If they’re interested in 300-meter or 400-meter hurdles, they should learn how to alternate lead and trail legs and then master it.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg?

I hope to leave a legacy behind that reminds Ship athletes to put their team before themselves. At the end of your athletic career here you will remember the memories with your teammates more than your own statistics.

Get to Know Your Raiders: Josh Scott

 

Senior Josh Scott is a rare sight: a physics major who doubles as a pitcher on the Shippensburg University baseball team.

Throughout his career on the diamond, Scott, a York native, has pitched in 38 games and made 14 starts serving as a reliever and spot starter for the Raiders.

He’s recorded 10 victories – including a win over No. 12-ranked Tusculum last season and a PSAC playoff-clinching win over Mansfield in the 2011 regular season finale – and struck out 50 batters during his time at SU.

Scott and his teammates get back on the field this weekend in their 2013 season opener at Barton from Wilson, N.C. Shippensburg will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday against the Bulldogs.

Get to know Josh Scott…

What is your favorite pre-game ritual?

I have a couple good-luck rituals that I do before a game. I take off my wristband and put it into my back pocket, and I never step on the lines of the field. I always jump over them.

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

My favorite part of Shippensburg would have to be Sheetz. I live on Fort St. so it’s just a short walk, and they have everything there.

If you weren't majoring in physics, what would your major be?

I love physics, but if I had to choose another major it would either be astronomy or some discipline of engineering. 

What is your favorite day of the week, and why?

My favorite day of the week is Friday because it marks the end of the school week as well as the beginning of our weekend series.

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why?

I like competing against Millersville, West Chester and Kutztown. Those are the schools that have had the strongest programs in the Eastern Division while I’ve been here so there is always a little more intensity and energy for those games.

If we asked your teammates to say a few words about you, what do you think they would say?

That’s a tough question, but they would probably tell you that I’m a nerd, which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, being a physics major that pretty much comes with the territory.

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of two games in particular that I started. The first is when I pitched against Mansfield my sophomore year and got the win that solidified our spot in the PSAC playoffs. The other was last year when we went to Tusculum, which was nationally ranked [No. 12], and I beat them to end their winning streak.

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete?

Missing class for games. Our spring schedule is pretty hectic so we miss a lot of class, which makes it difficult to keep up at times.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned being a student-athlete?

The most important thing I’ve learned is how to be organized and to have good time-management skills. If you manage your time appropriately it makes catching up on the material you missed so much easier.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times?

My dad always tells me that you have to “pick the low-hanging fruit.” This manifests itself in school, baseball and life in general. It means that you have to take advantage of what is easy and not let those moments slip away. Whether that is a general education class or a team with a poor record, you have to take care of business and not look past those moments.

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in baseball, what would you tell them they should focus on?

They should focus on the love of the game. Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun, so if you aren’t enjoying the game then you will never get any better no matter how many reps you take in the cages or on the field.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg?

I guess the legacy that I’d like to leave is that I was hard-working and loved the game of baseball.