Brittany Hammer Softball Blog
1/15/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
All season long Seton Hall University senior shortstop Brittany Hammer will provide an inside look at the SHU softball team as she embarks on her final season in a Pirate uniform, updating fans on preparation for the season, tales from the road, and the team's quest to capture a BIG EAST Championship.
Folding Up the Blue and White
May 11, 2013
The Tampa air still clings sweetly to my skin; the palm trees still wave a gallant farewell in the warm southern breeze. The world far below slowly floats by in the dark morning silence, resting easy before tackling the long and beautiful Saturday ahead. About an hour ago, I boarded my final flight as a collegiate student-athlete – a flight homeward bound, taking me (no matter how unwilling) back to South Orange. I know once these wheels touch down in Newark, the coarse reality will set in, and the official “retirement” realization will grip me once again. The thought itself challenges my very ability to so-eloquently string one word to another, so bear with me through these next and final paragraphs. It is now, with tired eyes and reluctant keystrokes, I bring you my last-ever blog entry.
We landed in Tampa late Tuesday night, but not a single soul boasting a Pirate emblem felt the least bit tired. This trip to the BIG EAST Tournament has been a hard-hunted pursuit. And for me, over my four years in blue and white, it was a dream finally turned reality. The excitement was palpable and did not seem to wane even slightly heading into our Wednesday practice.
We arrived at the USF Softball Stadium around 10 a.m. that Wednesday morning, chatty and fidgeting constantly – ready to take the field. Syracuse had the field before us, and Louisville would follow. The heat and humidity swallowed any semblance of a breeze, but we were far too busy to actually notice. Only allotted a brief 40-minute stint on the well-groomed diamond, and then an additional 40-minute slot in the batting cages, we spent the mid-day workout exchanging web gems, home run-worthy hacks, and smiles. We were finally at the BIG EAST Tournament. This is what we had worked for all season long.
I am so very glad to have had the opportunity to reach and play in such a competitive postseason tournament. Notre Dame proved a tough opponent in that opening round, but we will continue to hold our heads high. This team pushed and fought throughout this lengthy season and, against all odds and obstacles, attained a playoff berth – a feat not reached since before my time here at Seton Hall.
In true Seton Hall spirit, we won when we needed to most to secure that top-eight billing, punching our tickets to Florida in that final weekend. I guess that flair for the dramatic does not die so easily. But regardless of the crazy path we paved to Tampa, we proved that Seton Hall did indeed belong there.
When that final out was made against the Fighting Irish, the end weighed down heavily upon us. The journey this team began back in September came to an abrupt and unwelcomed halt. Going through that line, shaking hands with Notre Dame – that’s when the solemn realization crept painfully up my spine. It was over; my four years donning the blue and white, representing Seton Hall University on the softball diamond, had been penned into the scorebooks, and then the scorebooks had closed with finality. No more at-bats or ground balls, no more diving stops or walk-offs in that Pirate uniform – no more games alongside these teammates turned extended family members. No matter how much I tried, tears still seemed to prick hotly at my red and swollen eyes.
Since I was 8-years-old, I have given my heart and soul to this game. To say that I merely love it would be an unfair understatement. I search my mind relentlessly, trying to place all the memories and lessons learned from this sport, but they are countless. I have grown up in that left-handed batters box, sporting those definitive “ones” on my back from the very start. As I packed away that #11 jersey this morning, I felt that lump swell again in my throat. I have buttoned up that uniform for the last time; I have stained it with blood, sweat, and dirt for the last time. To explain these emotions in words would be near-impossible. Playing collegiate softball at the Division I level had always been a dream of mine. I worked so very, very hard to achieve it, and now after living that dream and enjoying each and every moment of it, the stadium lights now begin to fade behind me.
My experience playing shortstop for the Pirates can never be replaced, and I can assure you all that I will never truly walk away from this game. Softball gave me something about which to be determined and passionate. It allowed me to see, firsthand, that when you have great passion and sincerely love what you do, you can find profound success. The soft and sure paces to home plate, time after time, set off a familiar pang of belonging, a reminder of an undying commitment. The lessons and experiences I have taken from this beloved game provide the steady foundation on which I continuously build myself.
I look around at my 17 teammates, scattered chaotically throughout this all-too-quiet airplane cabin, and am so incredibly thankful to have played alongside each of them. This Seton Hall softball program has such a bright future ahead, and it is these hard-working and passionate players that will continue to propel the blue and white fearlessly forward. I am proud to call myself their teammate, and am extremely excited to see what awaits this talented group in years to come.
It has been my pleasure to share my senior season with you, and I hope you have enjoyed reading these weekly entries as much as I have enjoyed writing them. I assure you, that after writing this final edition, my weary still eyes blink back tears. At the same time, however, I do find myself smiling. I enjoyed a wonderful four-year career in that Pirate uniform, playing without fear and without regrets, and living out perhaps my biggest childhood dream. While I would do anything for another chance at that BIG EAST title, I am incredibly thankful for my experience playing softball for Seton Hall University.
Once a Pirate, always a Pirate. GO HALL!
As always,
Your friend, shortstop, and soon-to-be Seton Hall alumnus,
Brittany Hammer #11
Tampa Bound
May 5, 2013
Let me begin this entry with a brief overview: WE’RE GOING TO TAMPA! For the first time in my four years here, the Seton Hall softball team has secured a bid to the BIG EAST Tournament. Even upon request, I honestly could not accurately put into words all the emotions and feelings pulsing through me right now. As we begin our long trek northward, back to home sweet South Orange, an electric atmosphere encompasses the entire bus. That same short phrase continues to echo against the hard and harrying highway: We’re going to Tampa.
We entered the weekend knowing exactly what needed to be done. A sweep would guarantee us a post-season berth, while two wins, along with some timely help from several BIG EAST foes, would also punch our plane ticket to sunny Tampa, Fla. Ever the drama queens, embracing and longing for those adrenaline-fueled moments, we took the latter option. We dropped the first game to the Hoyas, but refusing to dwell on the tall order that lay ahead, we reset our sights and went Hoya-hunting. We felt that backs-to-the-wall urgency gradually creep down our spines, felt that undeniable grit – characteristic to this Seton Hall softball team – steadily swell deep in our guts. Behind 12 strong innings from Jen Metzger, we would allow the Hoyas only two more runs the rest of the weekend, as we raked them for 16 runs over that same span.
While that may sound like we stole away two decisive victories, rest assured, we just could not bear for such an easy regular-season exit. We downed the Hoyas in only five innings Saturday afternoon, burying them with 14 runs. They scored one run in the 1st inning, and then suffered silently through our offensive onslaught.
Sunday’s contest proved to be quite the pitching duel, and would morph into an instant classic. We put up one run in our opening frame and then relied on a solid defensive effort for the next several innings. The one-run margin held until the 5th inning when Georgetown plated one run of their own. The last-minute crowd that we are, Sara Haefeli would break the deadlock with a solo shot to deep – DEEP – left field. The authoritative home run proved all the insurance we needed, as we retired the Hoyas one by one in the bottom of the 7th inning – clinching the program’s first BIG EAST Tournament bid since the 2009 season. In other words, for this senior class, this marks our first postseason appearance.
I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t have butterflies in my stomach or tears in my eyes. This team has worked extremely hard, as we have pushed each other to achieve more and more with every rep, every practice, and every game. Our quiet and innate confidence comes from knowing that while we may be a small school from New Jersey, we will rely on extreme hustle, undeniable grit, and sound fundamentals to greet this year’s field of BIG EAST Tournament competitors.
Determined to conquer a different, perhaps more difficult series, the team will take Monday to hit the books and prepare for the ever-daunting final exam week. We will hit the field again Tuesday before taking a nice – and heartily welcomed – trip southward. Tournament play opens on Thursday, May 9th, as we take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at 12:30 p.m.
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
Harassing the Huskies and Hunting the Hoyas
May 2, 2013
It’s a simple mindset: win each pitch, each inning, each game. A post-season berth still dangles perfectly within our grasp, if only due to a clutch series win over BIG EAST opponent UCONN this past weekend. The final home games slated for this 2013 campaign, we were determined to protect both our home turf and our playoff potential. With our fate undetermined and still malleable in our own hands, we laced up our spikes for what would be a drama-drenched, three-game spar.
Saturday began with Senior Day celebrations, and would go on to unveil perhaps one of the greatest Seton Hall comebacks this season. After only three innings, we found ourselves in quite the predicament: trailing the Huskies by a score of 6-0.
That already tall order would only grow taller as game one waned. We would halve the deficit in our share of the 3rd inning, but UCONN would readily respond, returning the score to the initial six-run difference. It’s times like these when you have to ask yourself: what would a Seton Hall softball game be without this almost-poetic plot line? For starters, it just wouldn’t be our style.
We plundered the visitors for four runs in the bottom of both the 5th and 6th innings, rounding out an epic and victorious effort as we hungrily defeated the Huskies in game one. The masterpiece proved a lovely patchwork of timely hitting; as many as five different Pirates all recorded at least one RBI.
After contriving an exhaustive effort in that opening contest, game two seemed immune to the customary blue and white retort. After falling behind early for the second time that day, we simply could not match the run rally and subsequent support produced in game one. We would close out Senior Day with a bitter-sweet split.
Not the dwelling type, we came out Sunday with an outright mission and a burning passion for that plane ticket to Tampa Bay and the BIG EAST Tournament. Our offense found its steady pulse as we raked the Huskies for six runs in the 1st inning – negating their three-run opening attack. We would finish off our northern BIG EAST foe in less than two hours (a rather short game for us marathon gamers), posting a solid 10 runs to UCONN’s mere five.
With our offense marching steadily to this fast-paced rhythm, our blistering bats weren’t ready to cool off just yet. We traveled to St. Peter’s to face the Peahens only two days later, bringing with us no mercy and an overbearing hit-parade. We pounced readily on the Peahens, wasting no time as we plated an oppressive nine runs in the opening frame. Dominant pitching and this suffocating offensive onslaught would lead to a 16-0 Seton Hall victory Tuesday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours later, we set off to face Stony Brook in another non-conference, midweek dual. The Seawolves would prove an unsolvable puzzle, but we returned to work unflustered and still undaunted. The battle for post-season still rages on throughout this burly BIG EAST conference, and that trip to Tampa still idles tauntingly before our hungry gaze and unrelentingly willpower.
We travel to Georgetown this weekend with two overarching goals. We seek to hunt the Hoyas and to subsequently secure our place in Florida next weekend. LET’S GO HALL.
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
Snow, Wind and the Battle for Postseason
April 25, 2013
| Brittany Hammer, hard at work on her blog. |
This past weekend started in perhaps the most uneventful manner possible – a five-hour bus ride through the gray and rain-soaked regions of bucolic New York. With finals week lingering just beyond the horizon, book pages turned softly and keyboards clicked incessantly amongst the dimly lit bus rows – well, maybe for the first hour or so. The soft melody of the rain cast a spell over the determined and oh-so-studious scholars, leaving the bus to press silently northward through the tree-cloaked hills. That extra rest, however, perhaps prepared us for the power-packed Saturday that awaited us.
I must sound like a broken record when I say this, but it is quite strange how this team always seems to find and face the most bizarre circumstances. That next morning, we donned our classic all-white attire and set out to face the bitter cold that is Syracuse, New York. Upon arriving to the field, still shrouded in multiple sheets of blue, the sky took on a pale, familiar color. That’s when it started to snow.
We battled a fierce mix of blunt snow and jagged ice throughout our pregame warm-ups. Fingers numb and gloves damp with the unwelcome winter remnants, I honestly started to laugh. Looking around at the red and wind-beaten faces of my teammates, I knew we were about to “have a day,” as you say in baseball and softball. Rather than cursing the unseasonal and unkind snow showers, we found ourselves smiling. This is Seton Hall Softball: if anyone can roll with those unexpected punches, it’s us.
Game time greeted us with bouts of bright sunshine and a lingering, sharp breeze. The snow clouds dissipated for the noon-time start, but would most certainly return to taint the afternoon hours as well. Game one proved quick, as we downed the Orange 4-1 in a balanced attack: clean defense and timely offense. Game two, on the other hand, would see us battle the ‘Cuse long into the cold afternoon…
Timely offense would exactly describe the events of those early innings, as we held complete control moving into the 2nd inning with an 11-1 lead. Plagued by nothing but timely Syracuse hitting, our defense suppressed the Orange offense best it could, but the New York natives slowly chipped away at their deficit.
When the 7th inning finally saw the last out made, the game had persisted over three hours. The score stood at a staggering 16-15 – Seton Hall over Syracuse. After tallying 19 hits in the win, we downed a pair of school records (hits in a game, runs scored against a BIG EAST opponent) while also tying another (runs scored in a game).
Sunday proved another one-run game for the Hall. After the Orange struck early on a pair of long-balls, we fought back with three runs to tie the score at 3-3. The Orange would stir up their fourth and final run in the bottom of the 6th inning, and unfortunately, it would go unanswered in our final at-bat.
We made the trek home Sunday evening, and hit The Shep for practice again on Monday. Tuesday proved a bit dreary, but after facing snow showers and icy winds, we were set to host #24 USF in a twin-bill that afternoon.
The Bulls and Pirates battled relentlessly throughout game one, as our hot bats warmed up in the final three innings. Each USF run posted after the 5th inning was matched by our timely and unwavering offense. Unfortunately, we seemed to just run out of innings, as the Bulls snatched game one, outscoring us 6-3. As for game two, unfortunately it was decided that Tuesday’s nightcap would not be played.
Moving forward, we embrace the momentum that continues to build behind us. With the postseason on the line, we grit our teeth and work even harder. That second weekend in May would best be spent in the warm and sunny confines of Tampa, Fla., and the quest for that plane ticket continues this weekend. We host UCONN here at home in a double-dip on Senior Day Saturday.
It’s strange to even type out those words, “Senior Day,” as they have never felt so real. I have spent four years playing on that field and this weekend boasts the final home series of my career. A surreal thought, indeed.
Game time is slated for noon on Saturday. We hope to see you all there as we continue our quest for the BIG EAST Tournament!
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
One Swing at a Time
April 17, 2013
A single game, a single series, does not define a team, much less a champion. Softball embraces the underdog, the “any given day” philosophy. No matter the trials and tumults of this past week, we continue to place one foot steadily in front of the other. Mistakes or mishaps do not hinder us; we stride fearlessly forward with an abundance of knowledge brimming from lessons past.
We hosted yet another BIG EAST series this past weekend at The Shep, the spotty clouds the only blemish to the otherwise perfect April weather. I regret to inform you, that this weekend was not nearly as “wild” as the one before, but regardless, still resulted in three well-played and competitive softball games against the Pittsburgh Panthers. All three games would be decided by only one run – our lone victory coming in game two by a score of 4-3. After falling behind early in both other contests, we fought and clawed our way back as we always do, but unfortunately we could not seem to stretch the rallies far enough.
After a tough twin-bill on Tuesday, we returned to action today – posting a solid and well-rounded practice under the sweet spring sunshine. With two days still standing stoically between us and our next BIG EAST match-up, we hope to not only duplicate, but to also build on today’s strong workout. We bring extreme hustle and undeniable grit to each and every practice – dawn or dusk, hot or cold. We will not rest until we boast sound fundamentals with which to greet and conquer every challenge, and even then this team will not be satisfied. To perfect the details – that’s our goal. It’s the little things that make big things happen.
I look forward to reporting back after this weekend on the road, as we travel north to take on Syracuse. We return home next Tuesday to log another BIG EAST contest against the green and gold Bulls of the University of South Florida. Games are slated to begin at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Hope to see you all there!
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
What a Weekend…
April 8, 2013
After a mid-week clash with DePaul last Wednesday, the team returned from Chicago ready to hit the diamond. With an action-packed weekend just two days away, we took a quick day to catch our breaths before hoisting the bats and flashing the leather back in good ole South Orange. Little did we know that this weekend would produce perhaps the strangest series of events most of us have witnessed on a softball diamond. Remember what I said a couple weeks ago about our strange magnetism to those testy curveballs? Well it’s a good thing this team knows to expect the unexpected…
Saturday, again dressed in our luminous whites, we took on Marist in what proved to be a pair of adrenaline-pumping nail-biters – and that may be the understatement of the year. Only a few innings into what would be a lengthy Saturday afternoon, the field umpire calls timeout – on his own accord – and mysteriously limps off the diamond, requesting the athletic training staff. With what appeared to be an excruciating injury to his Achilles tendon, game one was halted for approximately 30 minutes as coaches and other Seton Hall officials scrambled to secure a second umpire for the remaining innings. When no such luck would present itself, the Pirates and Red Foxes resumed play with only a single umpire presiding over home plate.
Chaos ensued, but not only because of the strange officiating void. When Marist broke the scoreless silence in the 6th inning, we fired back, tying the score at one run apiece. That’s where the dry spell began. For the next three innings – yes, we played 10 innings – there would be no score and sparse base runners for either party. It seemed that once we ran out of space on that large green scoreboard, a sense of urgency set in. Marist put up three runs in the top of that 10th inning, challenging us with a 4-1 deficit heading into our final at-bat.
The comeback kids that we are, always proponents of those last-second twists and those dramatic endings, we simply did what we do best: we gave our fans a nice little adrenaline jolt and a severe anxiety attack. We strung together a quartet of hits in the bottom of the 10th to overpower the Red Foxes in walk-off fashion. From first pitch to last, game one swallowed three hours and ten minutes of that beautiful Saturday afternoon.
BUT WAIT – there’s more! We still had game two to finish with only one lonely home plate umpire, who did an excellent job in both games given the unfortunate circumstances. But as many pitches as the poor guy had to call throughout game one, game two wouldn’t be much shorter. In an almost identical series of events, the blue and white mounted a quick-hitting retort in the bottom of the 7th inning. The only difference: we would come up just one run shy.
After an exciting twin-bill leaving us with a split, we set out early Sunday morning for Siena – hopeful for a sweep against the Saints. With the remnants of Saturday’s adrenaline still lingering in our veins, we stepped off the bus and into an incredibly blustery Albany. Hmm… Actually “incredibly” might not be the right word there, or maybe “blustery” isn’t quite right. We have played in windy conditions before, don’t get me wrong. But this wind didn’t just whip. It smothered, suffocated and then completely engulfed you in swarms of dust and rage. Call me crazy, but 50 miles per hour is a little on the extreme side, even for us drama-queens.
We dug our spikes in and held on tight, battling the wind as well as the Saints. Despite a small coup mounted by Siena in the 5th inning, our hot bats proved too much, as we sunk the Saints by a score of 14-10. Game two would begin shortly after game one concluded, but before the second inning could truly get underway, the beastly wind gusts brutalized the centerfield fence – uprooting the chain link barrier from the ground and leaving it to flutter tauntingly toward the right-center gap. With the fence hanging on by merely a zip-tie or two, the game was postponed until field conditions could be rectified. And just like that, we loaded ourselves onto the bus, wind-burnt faces and all, and headed back to South Orange. Much like the centerfield fence, we were, so to speak, gone with the wind. (Yes, that pun was intended.)
Game two remains halted in the 2nd inning, and we should have an update shortly. Until we know for certain, we look forward to our next BIG EAST match up this coming weekend, as we host Pittsburgh in a three-game series. The first pitch is slated for 12 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Until next time.
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
Home Sweet Home and a Clash in Queens
April 1, 2013
Saturday morning, March 23rd. Dressed in our finest whites, our 2013 home opener and BIG EAST debut had finally arrived. Mike Sheppard Sr. Field greeted us with uncontested sunshine and a brief recess from the bleak and bitter rainy weather. After an extended stint on the road and in the air, we could not have been more ready to dig our spikes into the freshly dragged and manicured South Orange dirt. Finally, we were home.
Though the home stand would be brief, that Saturday morning would send goose-bumps down my arms, as it had for the past three years. There’s no game all season like the home opener. Pirate fans stripe the foul lines and overflow the bleachers. A senior now, I recognize most of them from years past. Yes, the team is my family, but these returning and dedicated fans certainly seem like an extension thereof. The unbroken swarms of blue, gray and stark white encompass the vast confines of The Shep, anxiously awaiting the roll call, national anthem, and first pitch. Home sweet home, indeed.
A perfect weekend for softball for South Orange, a formidable opponent lined up on the divergent foul line – the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. A team known for its oppressive pitching staff and conference-leading offense, we continued to swing solid bats, but unfortunately, failed to string any number of hits together. Our offense was sadly silent, as the Irish proved insurmountable that opening weekend.
With less than a week until our next BIG EAST test, we brushed off the weekend’s trying tumults and dove back into practice before heading to Queens on Thursday to face the Red Storm of St. John’s University. Though we failed to solve the Johnnies’ pitching puzzle in game one, we found our rhythm in game two – finishing the Red Storm in five quick innings by a score of 10-0.
With no games scheduled for Friday, and our series against St. John’s slated to resume on Saturday, we returned to the deserted Seton Hall campus – emptied thanks to Easter Break – for mid-day practice and workout. Little did we know, that upon crossing the iron threshold into Ivy Hill Park, a quite daunting challenge awaited us. One by one as we entered the quiet, sunny stadium, our coaching staff divided us into two teams. With puzzled expressions painted across our faces, confusion consumed the group. A scrimmage, maybe? Not quite.
We were informed casually that 110 Easter eggs were hidden throughout the confines of our park and field. With 10 members per team, and a day’s worth of sprints on the line for the team finding the most eggs, you can only imagine the chaos that ensued following the ever-anticipated: “GO!” With teammates crawling under the bleachers and pine trees, and yes, even using a rather large tree branch as means of self-defense and tactical egg-prodding, the contest was decided by a total of less than 10 eggs. To this day, two or three eggs still remain undiscovered. Colorful souvenirs for whichever lucky fan finds them, I suppose.
Following the colorful and somewhat-extreme Easter egg excursion, the team logged several hours of solid practice. The infield and outfield split to work on their respective dexterities, as pitchers and catchers took to the bullpens – energy and morale all brimming that Friday afternoon.
A hardy battled ensued on Saturday – a true skirmish between the black and white. The all-black bearing Red Storm took an early lead over the all-white clad Pirates. Even with several late inning rallies by the Pirates, the Johnnies held fast to their initial advantage, downing SHU 4-2 in seven innings.
With team practice and workouts slated for this afternoon, we look forward to our mid-week exploit to Chicago: a flight tomorrow followed by a twin-bill against conference-foe DePaul Wednesday afternoon. We return home to The Shep this upcoming weekend, taking on Marist in a non-conference doubleheader scheduled to begin at noon. We hope to see you all there!
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
Snow Storms, Smurf Suits and San Diego
March 18, 2013
Two weeks since my last report, I apologize for my lack of diligence in keeping you all informed. As I now gaze tiredly out the plane window, surveying the Grand Canyon, I try desperately to account for these past 14 or so days. While it may seem like a lengthy time period for some, it seems like just yesterday that we were touring about the nation's capital. I will do my best to provide you all the facts and tales from our travels and toils from this past fortnight. With still five hours of flight time stretched out before me, I hope that after reading the next several paragraphs, all you loyal Pirate fans can forgive me for the brief blogging hiatus.
When I left you, we had just arrived in Charlottesville, buried in 10 inches of heavy snow and still prepared to play a doubleheader against the University of Virginia on Thursday. The team spent that snow-soaked Wednesday undertaking a multitude of different - and quite creative - endeavors. We ventured out into the sleet - on foot, the rugged explorers we are - to find food. Studying, snow-gazing and rehearsing scenes from Pitch Perfect encompassed most of the afternoon, rounding out the snow day nicely. Sadly, however, the snow saw to it that our drive down to the always-lovely Charlottesville would end in a slow and slushy U-turn. And just like that, after arriving Tuesday evening, we were on the road again Thursday morning, headed north to Baltimore.
Friday morning we set out to dust the snow off our spikes and practice at the UMBC complex. Battling what seemed to be hurricane-force winds (that may be a minor exaggeration), we put a solid workout in the books and called it a day, looking forward to the four games slated for the weekend. We spent the afternoon visiting with the residents of the Baltimore Aquarium and then wandering around the inner harbor area - and by "wandering," I mean shopping, of course.
Saturday greeted us with bouts of intense sunshine, some crisp spring weather and two hard-fought battles, both won in Seton Hall's signature comeback fashion. After facing early deficits against both Coppin State and Princeton, the blue and white proved insurmountable, plating runs in the late innings and showcasing our ever-evident flair for the dramatic.
With some fresh sunburn and two well-earned wins in our back pocket, we packed up and hit the road once more, headed back to where the lengthy week had begun - George Washington University. Slated for a double-header against the Colonials, we found D.C. to be welcoming, sunny and 60 degrees - quite the turnaround from our snowy trifles a week prior. Donning the "smurf suits" for the first time in this 2013 campaign, we laced up blue spikes, blue socks, blue pants and blue jerseys and took the field. We edged out GW in game one - a classic back and forth nail-biter with timely hitting and defense. Unfortunately, the nightcap fell just out of reach for The Hall, as those timely hits seemed spent after the day's first effort.
We arrived back to the lovely South Orange around 9 p.m. Sunday evening, rightfully tired but grudgingly prepared to study and to complete those last minute assignments due Monday morning. Monday and Tuesday were honestly a blur for all of us. We were home for a grand total of two whole days, which in turn felt like two whole seconds - if that. Having just enough time to finish papers, write our midterm exams, and then sneak in a practice or two, we found ourselves readily strapped in and on the tarmac Wednesday afternoon - destined for San Diego and the warm west coast weather.
Southern California greeted us with abundant sunshine and a confusing time difference. With three hours added to our Wednesday night as if by magic, we set out to explore the Gaslamp Quarter in the heart of San Diego. With no games scheduled until late Friday morning, we had all of Thursday at our disposal as well. We ventured to Sportsplex USA Santee for a morning workout in the San Diego heat, and then headed to face an even more taxing and competitive endeavor - team laser tag. Now, let me set the stage a bit for you. Whether this team is playing Bingo, Monopoly or simply hosting an inter-squad scrimmage, the intensity escalates - rather quickly - to a level unmatched by most other human beings. When we split into teams for laser tag, the eye-black and wristbands came out in full force, as well as the intense team tactical talks. Team bonding at its finest.
We headed to Old Town that evening, getting a different taste for the local culture. With more authentic Mexican food than we could possibly handle, you could say - at the very least - that we enjoyed the local cuisine. We spent the night wandering about and window shopping, relaxing and recharging before our five-game, power-packed weekend.
We met Texas Tech and Miami University of Ohio to open the tournament on Friday. Both games proved extremely competitive, complete with ups, downs and timely heroics. The blue and white mounted an offensive assault and attempted comeback against Texas Tech - using a Colltey Sheldon grand slam to tie the game at 4-4. Unfortunately, our scoring would be halted there, and the Red Raiders would notch several late-inning RBIs to seal our sour fate. The nightcap against Miami would prove to define the word "clutch," with regard to both offense and defense. We recorded timely hits inning after inning in order to eventually force extras, and that's where our defense proved too much for the RedHawks to overcome.
Faced with two tough opponents Saturday, we left the park empty-handed that evening. Both challengers - the University of Texas-Arlington and San Diego State University - would plate multiple runs in the early innings, slowly prying victory away from us. Sadly, Sunday would be a similar story, as Colorado State University also got on the board early. We punched back almost immediately, plating one run in response, but would still fall just short.
We spent most of Sunday afternoon at Seaport Park, enjoying our last hours on the west coast and pushing the recent bitter outings from our minds. We walked the length of the harbor, shopping, spotting dolphins and enjoying the seafood. We took in the sun and enjoyed our T-shirts and shorts for one final day, knowing that the fierce New Jersey elements still lingered on the distant coast.
And that brings me to now. Here I sit, again on a plane, with the Great Plains and the Midwest stretched out for miles far beneath me. A 3:45 a.m. wake up call roused us all too soon this morning. Forced to put sunny San Diego in the rearview mirror and face snowy New Jersey, we feel the hours slowly peeling away as we lose more and more of this Monday to the different time zones. Ah, the life of a student-athlete. It's the life we all choose and love each and every day. Yes, I may end up "casually napping" on my finance books after long days of traveling - such a minor detail. Since my last entry, we have seen both coasts of this country and played in three different states. Now that's pretty cool, if you ask me.
We return to South Orange this evening, faced once again with midterms, essays and our first full week actually staying within the state borders. We are looking forward to our home-opener against BIG EAST rival Notre Dame this coming weekend. Mark your calendars and dress warm!
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
Greetings from the Nation's Capital
March 5, 2013
No more than five hours after a big SHU win over the University of Maryland, I figured this snowy Tuesday night would be the perfect time to update all you loyal Pirate fans on our spring break adventures.
We opened our week on the road with a decisive win over Dartmouth, pouring in an all-around sound offensive onslaught to down the Big Green in the opening hours of the George Washington University Colonial Classic. With Bucknell slated as our next opponent, that terrible case of the curveballs (which seems to haunt us on almost every excursion) would strike again amidst the intermittent flurries. As the day waned, our start time against the Bison seemed to fade with the setting sun. On a frozen diamond with no lights, starting pitcher Danielle DeStaso would not throw her first pitch until 5 p.m. We played until the ball faded into the darkening skies, putting in three solid innings before the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex was consumed by the March twilight. Up 4-0 going into the top of the 4th inning, we unlaced our spikes, unthawed our hands, and packed it in for the day.
Ready. Set. Cue curveball. Sunday was an adventure all its own. We woke up with every intention of finishing what we had started the night before - the battle with the Bison - at 12:30 p.m. With the latter innings of another suspended game scheduled for completion before us, we expected that game time to fluctuate. What no one seemed to account for, however, was the combination of a really damp softball field and the subfreezing (and what felt like subhuman) temperatures. The diamond had frozen solid overnight. Now, with the temperatures rising to a blistering 45 degrees, the field needed to thaw. All the moisture trapped beneath the rigid dirt surface fought its way upward and outward, scattering puddles and sinkholes throughout the ever-softening infield.
We arrived for pregame at 11 a.m. Sunday morning, and would not resume play against Bucknell until 3 p.m. So... What do the Seton Hall University Pirates do to stay focused and game-ready during a 3-hour intermission? Adopt new pregame rituals, attempt new pump-up strategies, and create ridiculous competitions and games to pass the time - what else?
When we finally took the field at 3 p.m. to play out our final four innings, we brought with us a surge of energy and an unseen arsenal of both intimidation and motivation. Our first tussle with the Bison would end favorably, as we would hold off the blue and orange to secure a 4-2 victory. With promising weather and a playable field at our disposable, the two squads squared off once again - waiting only minutes before taking the field for round two. Unfortunately, the game would still not start soon enough. Darkness swiftly stole the blue Sunday skies and halted the battle in only the 5th inning, leaving us on the much colder side of an already frigid scuffle.
The team took Monday to forget the weekend's lingering and bitter remnants, and to truly explore the nation's capital. Blue and white clad bundles scattered throughout a sunny and brisk Washington D.C., wandering about the various museums, monuments and local scenery. Needless to say, we embraced our roles as tourists for the day - dressing the part in puffy blue parkas with SETON HALL splashed across the back.
Finally, we resumed play today as we took on the ACC in the form of the University of Maryland Terrapins. After a scoreless bout through four innings, the BIG EAST would prevail, as we went on to plate a decisive six runs in the final three innings before our snowy trek to Charlottesville.
With 10-14 inches of snow expected to hit the area, we return to action Thursday when we venture to UVA for a single game at 3 p.m. With Wednesday now acting as a "snow day" of sorts, I can assure you that the events and tales featured in my next entry will not disappoint.
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
From Snowshoes to Spikes and Sunshine
February 24, 2013
After a week spent practicing in the snowy and cold northeast, we welcomed the warm Jacksonville breeze; an unfamiliar 60 degrees greeted us as we stepped off the plane and into the clear Florida night. Clad in short sleeves and shorts, marveling at the oppressive humidity, our elation turned to shock as we learned that our hotel - along with the rest of the block on which it sat - was without power. If there's one team that knows how to hit that unexpected curveball, it's the Seton Hall University softball team. And a weekend full of these curveballs awaited us under the fierce and foreign sun.
Lucky for us, that first curveball seemed to miss just a bit outside, as the power had been restored upon our late-night arrival. Curfew was set for the tired group of travelers, and the team headed to bed within minutes of checking in. Two solid opponents awaited us Friday, and the excitement amongst the 20 smurf-suited teammates was tangible.
We arrived at Jacksonville University (JU) around 11 a.m. Friday morning, prepared for a 2 p.m. start against our mid-Atlantic neighbor, the University of Delaware. Cue the curveball: the first game of the day, a contest between two future foes, had run unusually long. The overall game schedule had fallen behind by at least an hour.
After a back-and-forth battle with the Blue Hens, we seemed to just run out of time, falling bitterly short at the end of seven innings. Our next contest, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. against host Jacksonville, would not begin until 8 p.m. - at the earliest. A light stretch of rain showers moved through the area, but nothing serious enough to hinder the later start time. We fought the Dolphins relentlessly under the lights as the night faded away, again finding ourselves on the sour side of the score.
After returning to the hotel around midnight after a hard-fought day on the diamond, only a few hours separated us from the next day's pregame warm-up. We were set to leave for JU at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, scheduled to face South Alabama under the bright and breezy southern sky. A game that again evaded this Pirate team, we gritted our teeth and prepared for what would be our final game of the weekend - a clash against nearby foe Mount St. Mary's. In an incredible team effort, complete with clutch hitting and timely defense, we swiped our first win of this Florida excursion. With the momentum now swung in our favor, the final curveball of the weekend hit with a smack; the always-volatile Florida weather finally caved, washing out the weekend prematurely with a thunderous bout of rain.
Though the weekend ended positively - that well-earned win sewn firmly in our pockets - we know the great deal of work that still lies ahead. Now sitting in the Jacksonville airport, awaiting a boarding time that still lingers two hours away, I look around and see a sea of sunburn, awkward tan lines and optimism. This is a team that refuses to let the dust settle. We will either find a way, or make one - no matter what obstacles we may face. With a 10-day road swing lingering just five days away, this week gives us a chance to make adjustments, patch up problems and clean those terrible dirt and grass stains from our snow-white uniforms.
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
And so it begins...
February 10, 2013
Sunday afternoon and homeward bound. The sweet and sunny Carolina sky now fades fast in the rearview mirror - the 60-degree weather mocking us on our 10-hour journey back to the cold and snow-covered New Jersey grounds. Thoughts of the weekend still linger in the still and quiet bus; replays run incessantly through the minds of every passenger.
The straight and tree-lined interstate carries us onward through Virginia - the most classic and well-known 90's hits adding an exceptional musical score to the lengthy ride north. As I peck away at my cumbersome keyboard, I find my teammates perusing textbooks, devouring movies or catching up on some much-needed shut-eye. Four games now settle in on our 2013 record.
Our 2013 campaign starts out with a split, with two wins and two losses now permanently etched into the history books. The reddened and damp clay infield caught eagerly beneath our spikes; the fresh-cut grass readily sunk with every step. Finally, we were outside. Grounders bounced vivaciously across the loose dirt, and fly balls cavorted impishly against the bright blue skies. Ah, game day at last.
We exhausted our bats in our season opener, putting up a decisive 12 runs in a victory over St. Bonaventure - our offense-focused off-season workouts making a firm statement. The next three games exhibited almost every possible game scenario in the books - an unfortunate shut-out against George Washington, an energetic and enthralling comeback over Robert Morris, and a heart-breaking loss in extra innings to host Campbell. We certainly covered the entire spectrum in this eventful opening weekend.
Now with the next weekend to be spent home in the Regan Athletic Center, we seek to define our mishaps and correct them before heading down to Jacksonville in two weeks. Good is not good enough for this Pirate team, and with that final extra-inning debacle leaving a bitter taste in our mouths, we most certainly look forward to the upcoming chance for redemption in the Florida sunshine.
Until next week,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
A Delightful Prelude
February 3, 2013
Let me start off this week by apologizing for my lack of entry over the past 14 or so days. I assure you that our team's epic 2013 saga presses onward all the same, but due to lack of earth shattering information and witty commentary, I simply could not find the right words to string together.
Now two weeks since my last entry (and I am sure you all missed me terribly), I do have some tales and quips to share with you. Believe it or not, just 24 hours after what appeared to be an icy mix of snow and sleet, the Seton Hall University Softball team was once again able to step out into the fresh January air. With an all-turf field at our disposal, the damp remnants of the day before seemed almost forgotten - with the exception of the occasional snow ball tossed ever-so-lightly at one another. But even so, believe it or not, we braved the sharp and bitter winter winds - and yes, even some snow flurries - for the entire week.
Outdoor practices to us mean scrimmages, live situations and an outpouring of competitiveness. With constant defensive changes to accommodate the hitting rotations, we compete in teams of four or five for the most points - granted for successes in certain scenarios. The grand prize? No sprints for the day. A more apt and coveted incentive could not exist; perhaps the fiercest battles ensue when those portentous sprints are on the line.
Even when confined to the unforgiving hardwood enclave, hidden deep within the Regan Athletic Center (yes, I am referring to the auxiliary gym), it's clear that this team takes no prisoners. Though the blue-padded walls and ill-placed basketball hoops shortened our throws and forced us to stand just a little closer to one another, the games continued as if we never left the diamond. We honed in on the basics, and then challenged each other with new skills, tough angles and groundballs that required almost cat-like reflexes and reaction times. Though certainly no softer than the frozen New Jersey ground, we hit the hardwood floor without fear of the bruises and scars sure to follow - trading in sprints for web-gems and hot-handed plays.
With only three days of practice left before we set off for Campbell University and Buies Creek, N.C., we seek now to fine tune what we have worked so hard to perfect. My next entry will come to you Sunday afternoon, as we begin our way homeward bound after these first four games in the sweet and sunny Carolina air. For a closer look, Twitter accounts @SHUSoftball and @SHUAthletics will have in-game updates on both Friday and Saturday. I look forward to sharing with you any news and tales, and to giving you the inside "scoop" on this much-anticipated opening weekend.
Until next week,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany
We Have a Dream
January 21, 2013
With the first week of practice officially in the books, the team now more than ever sets its sight on that final goal - the BIG EAST Championship.
Even after drilling and honing skills in the vast and hollow blue fieldhouse, the team completed three separate lifts - each as the sun was rising in this bitter New Jersey cold. And, if you can believe it, we were faced with an even more daunting task as well - the ever-challenging team pictures.
A sea of white and blue, long lashes and flowing hair, twenty-one softball players sat contemplating different smiles and poses. Intimidated yet? You should see the pictures.
For me, a senior facing her final months in that blue and white jersey, this ever-so-earth-shattering event was a bittersweet realization; this was my last roster picture as a Seton Hall University Pirate. Talk about pressure, right? Well, on a more serious note, Thursday was the first time this senior year that I buttoned up that #11 uniform - an aura of finality being sewn up with it. After 13 years across my back, I will fold up "the ones" - which will no doubt be slightly rouged by dust and dirt, like every other season - for the last time. Call me sentimental, but all you athletes out there can relate - your number is just that, your number.
This week began with individual workouts: infielders running shortened drills on the bouncy - and sometimes quite unpredictable - fieldhouse floor, and outfielders weaving balls in and out of the high ceiling lights. The pitchers... Well, I don't really know what they do... They are, after all, pitchers. (Just kidding, guys!)
Saturday marked our first official team practice, complete with a seamless blend of sprints, steady swings and hard work. A first in my four years here, opening day of spring practice was spent under the cold and pale January sun. Mike Sheppard Sr. Field, which stood icily dormant under frost and snow during this mid-Atlantic winter, had thawed. Excitement and enthusiasm overshadowed the brisk 40-degree morning that awaited us just beyond that tall iron archway; lacing up new spikes always proves more satisfying than tying up those all-too-clean sneakers.
Sunday we were able to finally face our pitchers, a friendly sort of competition for which the team always anxiously awaits. After a winter season of separate workouts - both parties gaining power and dexterity - the first day of truly live hitting always proves enjoyable. Enduring a wide variety of rather creative heckling, batters vie for a hit in the narrow tunnels of the batting cages - a fun and fitting end to a Sunday morning practice.
With the weather taking a turn for the worse, we can only cross our fingers and hope we score a day or two of sun and endurable warmth in the coming week. Now that we have been spoiled with a true day on the diamond, you can only imagine the impatience we now harbor - greedy for the dirt, turf and sun.
Until next week,
Your friend and shortstop,
#11
Long Story Short...
January 13, 2013
Ivy Hill Park.
I regret to report that no glorious ivy vines adorn the dugouts or fences, and no rolling hills stagger through the spacious and often sun-soaked yard. Mike Sheppard Sr. Field stands solitary in the Essex County verdure - a beautiful sight on an April Sunday morning. Lofty oak trees and towering stadium lights overlook the newly-titled diamond, and seating for 300 fans hugs the freshly manicured infield. The Seton Hall name runs the length of the outfield fence - the lengthy blue and white banner truly setting the stage on game day.
Almost every day for the past three and a half years, I have moseyed through those tall iron gates in the southeastern shadow of the Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center - crossing the outright border of the Seton Hall University campus. The trek to that aging gate has always remained an unchanging routine. Now, the first day of my last collegiate softball season lingers just 24 hours away, and those trips through that iron archway have officially become numbered.
My name is Brittany Hammer, and I am one of four seniors on this year's roster. I have played shortstop for the Pirates for the past three and half years, and have loved every minute of it. I have donned the blue and white in just over 130 games, which, in retrospect, seem to have passed in mere seconds. Over the next couple months, I hope to detail for you as best what exactly goes into this collegiate softball program, and what it takes to build and boast a successful season.
A hidden treasure in the diverse and multi-talented Seton Hall Athletics realm, I assure you that our Lady Pirates will demonstrate considerable wit and charm, and of course unbreakable fortitude and willpower. I invite you to follow me and my fellow - often entertaining - teammates on this lengthy season, complete with meandering road trips, the usual splash of shenanigans and of course the occasional nail-biter. Now, with a new coaching staff at the helm, we begin the 2013 season with indoor practices and workouts - anxious to hit the diamond in the midst of this cold New Jersey winter. Only 25 days separate us from the only slightly warmer batters' boxes of Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Coach Paige Smith will enter her first season at the Hall and her sixth year at the helm of a collegiate softball program. Under the direction of Smith, and assistant coaches Betsy White and Lindsey Curran, we are set to compete in just under 60 games this 2013 season - only 12 of which will be played within the friendly confines of our own Ivy Hill Park. From San Diego to Jacksonville, and the many, much colder places in between, we hope to leave our mark in blue and white, and to eventually bring home that BIG EAST Championship in May.
I will do my best to update this blog weekly, tickling you all with our travels, triumphs and tumults. Pictures and short video clips will also be posted and included in the weekly entries, especially as the team heads out on the road in mid-February. I look forward to sharing my senior season with you all, and I hope you enjoy getting to know the 2013 Seton Hall University Women's Softball team.
Until next time,
Your friend and shortstop,
Brittany Hammer
