[twitter-follow screen_name=’SpencerDuPuis’]
By Spencer DuPuis
LoCoSports Journalist
Leesburg (April 30, 2015) — Heritage High School junior Courtney Shea has made an early verbal commitment to the University of Mary Washington beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year. There she will look to play catcher or make contributions in the infield.
“I chose Mary Washington because I’ve been talking with the coaches since my freshman year,” the 5-foot-5 Shea said. “I knew I always loved the softball team it just took a little time to fall in love with the school as a whole, but I toured it a couple times, and it just really felt like a good fit for me: not too far from home and a small school.”
The Division III Eagles finished this past season with a record of 21-14 and 8-6 in the Capital Athletic Conference. They are coached by Dee Conway, who is the winningest coach in school history.
“I think I will add a fun sense of spunk and leadership,” Shea said. “I love the game, and I love to play. But I also take it seriously to do my best in all I do.”
In the 2014 Conference 21 quarterfinals, Shea hit an inside-the-park home run to help lead the Pride to a 5-2 win over Sherando. It really should have been a triple, but Shea refused to stop and rounded third.
Right now the Pride sit at 7-7 and 1-3 in Conference 21 play with 5 games remaining. Shea is hitting .342 with four doubles and nine RBI so far this season.
“I see us improving a lot,” Shea said. “We’ve had some tough games playing Woodgrove, [Loudoun] County and Tuscarora, but I think as every week goes by we are just getting better and our chemistry is growing.”
Shea mentioned that she got her softball journey started in second grade and has loved it ever since.
“My grandpa coached me when I first started, and I just fell in love with the game,” Shea said. “In fifth grade I started playing travel and always stuck with it. I’ve always had a great group of girls on my teams, so it’s always fun to do it with people you love.”
Shea will join Stone Bridge graduate Olivia Tatara and Tuscarora junior pitcher Jena Calvitti at UMW. Calvitti and Shea played together for a few seasons on both Loudoun Storm and Fielder’s Choice.
“She’s a pitcher and I’m a catcher,” Shea said. “So we’re getting the pitcher-catcher duo back together.”
Spencer DuPuis is a junior at Heritage High School in Leesburg. Follow LoCoSports on Twitter (@LoCoSports) for up-to-date news and scores from around Loudoun County.
