Where Are They Now: Clare Burnum

Who is she? Claer Burnum, a former all-conference third baseman for the Oregon State Beavers and in the National Pro Fastpitch league.

What is she known for? Burnum spent three years at OSU, earning all-Pac-10 honors in each of her three seasons in Corvallis. She led the Beavers to the Regional round three years in a row and graduated as the program's all-time leader and record holder in doubles. She went on to play for the Texas Thunder, Philadelphia Force, and Akron Racers for a combined seven seasons.

Here's something interesting... Prior to her current profession, Clare spent ten years in the coaching business, including stints at the collegiate; high school; and travel ball levels. She calls coaching a “real passion”.

Quotable quotes: 

"The opportunity to keep playing softball was crucial in becoming who I am today. I don’t know who I would be if I went into the real world without softball in my life at 23, right after college. My time at Oregon State was also amazing. I had so much fun in college, and playing in the PAC-10 against the now-legends of the game. Softball actually gave me the skills to be a contributing member of society."

"I still have a hard time with the eligible recruiting age now. I think it’s too early in a career for players to be committed to a college in 8^th grade. I know it’s competitive for coaches to get the best players early, but with the talent being all over the country now and not just coming out of CA, AZ, TX, there is a huge amount of players to recruit."

What's she up to now? Clare currently works as a police officer for the Milwaukie Police, her jurisdiction bordering Portland, Oregon. She says becoming a police officer is a long-standing plan and dream and it’s now her reality. Now Mrs. Clare Davis after her marriage to Matt, a firefighter in the same vicinity as Clare serves, they’re expecting their first child in a matter of weeks.

Keep up: Clare shares her thoughts on various parts of the game on her Twitter feed, @clare2cb.

Morgan Lashley Steps Into Justin's World

Of the three military academies in Division I athletics, West Point and the Army is the only one that sponsors softball. Part of the Patriot League, they've made it to the Regional round just once in their softball history.

In 2012, a freshman pitcher from North Carolina took the circle for the Black Knights and blew spectators away. In two seasons with the program, this player won sixty-two games, the all-time program wins record and a mark that still stands. She recorded a 2.33 ERA during her time there, earning league Pitcher of the Year honors and an all-region selection.

This player was Morgan Lashley.

After her record-setting two years at West Point, Lashley transferred to Northeastern historical powerhouse Hofstra, where she played under the legendary Bill Edwards during his final season in the coaches box. Once she joined the Pride, Lashley's dominant feats continued, to the tune of a 2.39 ERA and seventeen victories with 161 strikeouts in her inaugural season in the Colonial Athletic Association. For her efforts, she was named to the all-region second-team and was picked to the all-conference team.

In her senior campaign, Lashley once again earned all-region honors and was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division I Softball All-Star Second Team.

Justin’s World: How did you get started playing softball?

Morgan Lashley: I was about four and a half when I started playing tee ball and I was the only girl on my team. I would run all over the field and push the boys out of the way to make the plays. My mom said right then was when she knew I needed to get into softball!

Justin’s World: What led you to Army as your place to go to school and play ball, as well as your original career choice?

Morgan Lashley: West Point is a great education and sets you up for success throughout the rest of your life. I wanted to be successful in life and not just through softball for four years, so I thought it would be a great place to attend as well as get the opportunity to serve my country.

Justin’s World: Do you have familial history in the armed forces?

Morgan Lashley: My grandfather was in the Air Force but I had no influences that wanted me to go to West Point.

Justin’s World: Tell me about juggling all that comes with attending a school like Army, where there are even more commitments than your ordinary college, and playing a D1 sport at such a highly-successful level.

Morgan Lashley: It is a great learning experience to attend the Academy. I was taught discipline, punctuality, and just respect for everything, not just elderly people. The academics were extremely tough and softball always came second, no matter what the circumstances. I grew as a leader and a young woman in the short two years at West Point and definitely would not be the person I am today without attending the Academy.

Justin’s World: When choosing a new school, what led you to Hofstra?

Morgan Lashley: My reasoning for leaving West Point was due to my interests in the business world. Upon graduation at West Point, you must serve for 8 years in the Army and I wanted to enter the business world immediately (or so I thought). Hofstra has an amazing business school and is extremely close to New York City, which is great for post-graduation. Their softball program is outstanding and I wanted to continue to grow as a pitcher. Larissa Anderson and Bill Edwards were going to make that happen so I joined the Hofstra Pride not even a month after leaving West Point

Justin’s World: What is your favorite award, record, or honor from your career thus far or, on another hand, the one you’re most proud of?

Morgan Lashley: My favorite honor of my career is definitely winning the [CAA conference title] last year against JMU. The Hofstra team last year was something I have never experienced before. We were tighter than tight; you can imagine 18 girls surrounded by each other all the time could cause for some ruckus, but not this team. We were with each other at all times and only got stronger as the season went on. I don’t know if I will ever be lucky enough to be a part of a team like the 2015 Hofstra team, but those girls will forever have a place in my heart and I wouldn’t trade that season or any of those girls for the world.

Justin’s World: You got to play for the legendary Bill Edwards in his last season at the helm of the Pride. Tell me about playing for him and what being under his tutelage taught you.

Morgan Lashley: Ohhh Coach Edwards… what a guy. He is extremely knowledgeable about softball and just sports in general. A true legend, and it was an honor to get to be coached by him. He taught me things I didn’t even know I did wrong and he taught me more than just on the field. At practice sometimes, I was just mind-blown at how much he knew and how much he saw happening on the field. He knew exactly how to get under my skin and push me to levels I never knew were possible. A selfless person who would do anything for any of his players and I am grateful to get to learn from what I honestly think is the best of the best.

Justin’s World: From the unique perspective of a rival who played them several times over the last two seasons, give me your thoughts on the James Madison Dukes.

Morgan Lashley: James Madison is a great program and continues to get better each and every year. Their players are so into the games and clearly work their butts off during the off- season. When the JMU [vs. Hofstra] series is coming up, you can feel the energy at practice and the fire in everyone’s stomach. It’s a true rivalry and every single player must be playing their best on both sides to come out on top. James Madison is the best part of the season and they make you better every time you play them.

Justin’s World: Was playing pro ball – either domestically or internationally – something that entered the equation as a possibility or something you’d like to pursue if able?

Morgan Lashley: I was offered to play professional ball in Adelaide, Australia from October 2015 to April 2016. It was an honor and after regionals of the 2015 season, I had thought softball was over for me. I was very lucky to get to continue my career and the one thing I truly love. About a month before I was scheduled to leave for Australia, I was with Larissa Anderson doing a pitching workout and I landed very strange; my land leg was straight, but my knee kept moving toward the plate. I collapsed and was helped off the field and put on crutches immediately. My knee was about the size of a cantaloupe and I was just praying for a sprained ligament. I went to the doctor the very next morning and by 2pm I had gotten an MRI and been told that I had completely torn my ACL and was going to need reconstruction surgery three weeks later. It was probably the most devastating thing that has ever happened to me and something that has forever changed my life.

Justin’s World: What are your plans for the future, both involved with the game and outside of it? Is your plan to get back on the field in uniform, or maybe as a coach?

Morgan Lashley: My plans are to continue to rehab and hopefully return to the field and play again. Australia is still on the table for next season, as long as I can return to pitching after surgery. I am currently coaching a high school team on Long Island and loving every second. I used to believe I was supposed to enter the business world but upon graduation, it seems like I cannot get myself away from the sport that has been my life… and I’m not complaining!

Justin’s World: When your time w/ softball is done, whenever that may be, what do you hope is the legacy that you’ve left behind on the game? The thing that people remember about you in twenty or thirty years?

Morgan Lashley: The legacy I want others to remember me by is as a competitor. A girl who was told her entire life that she was too small to make anything of herself at the highest level, but with determination and a lot of hard work, she proved everyone wrong. I want to inspire young girls who are in the position I was, those that may be smaller than other girls on their team or may not be as strong, to never give up on themselves or their dreams. No dream is too big. You have to dig deep down inside and refuse to listen to all the negative comments and believe. A young girl must truly believe she is the best on the field and work twice as hard as anyone she faces in order to succeed. I want to teach girls that it doesn’t matter your size, just the size of your heart.

Justin’s World: If you could pass along a single piece of advice to the next generation of collegiate players, what would you tell them?

Morgan Lashley: Since going through this injury, surgery, and rehab process, my perspective on sports and life in general has completely changed. If I could give one thing to upcoming collegiate players, it wouldn’t be talent, speed, strength, or anything in that realm. It would be to know what it feels like to have their dreams and the game completely stripped from them. Players say day in and day out that they give 100%, but there is more deep down inside to give. Once the game has been taken from you in the blink of an eye, you can feel all the extra energy you had to give and you’d give anything to get back to playing. I don’t want any player to ever take the game for granted because it can be taken in a matter of seconds without your permission. I miss playing more than anything in my life. When you have a bad day, a nice game of catch and throw makes all your problems go away. When you step on the field at practice or a game, everything else going on in life just goes away for those couple hours. Don’t take that for granted.

Justin’s World: And, to close, my favorite question: Imagine that you are stranded on a deserted island for an undetermined period of time, but you can take any three things with you. Anything tangible, outside of boats and phones, goes. What would you take?

Morgan Lashley: Hmmm three things:

          1) Knife

          2) Dog

          3) Big box of matches

For the record, I wanted to say an unlimited supply of mac & cheese, but I thought that wouldn’t really help me survive. *laughs* 

Weekend Roundup

NEWS:

• Ohio State head coach Kelly Kovach-Schoenly earned her 300th career victory Sunday vs. Maryland
• Lamar sophomore pitcher Laura Napoli tied the program's career wins record with her 25th career victory on Saturday.
• North Dakota State co-head coach Jamie Trachsel earned the 200th victory of her career over Iowa State on Saturday.
• The first-ever games were played in Oregon's new ballpark, Jane Sanders Stadium.
• UMSL senior ace pitcher Hannah Perryman broke the Division II career record with her ninth career perfect game on Wednesday in an 11-0 downing of Lindenwood. It was Perryman's second perfect game of the year and her fifth no-hitter.
• South Alabama sophomore Devin Brown came within one walk of two perfect games in one week's time, throwing a no-hitter against Appalachian State on Saturday, which followed a five-inning perfect game last Sunday against Louisiana-Monroe.

KELSEY STEWART HIT TRACKER:

The Florida Gators' second baseman comes into this season 113 hits away from the career NCAA record. We will track her progress weekly.

Original photo: Tim Casey / Florida Communications

UPSET ALERT: Ranked teams that suffered losses this week.

- #2 Michigan - Lost to NR Northwestern 13-12

- #4 Texas A&M - SWEPT by #12 Georgia 6-3, 9-1, 7-3

- #6 LSU - SWEPT by #1 Florida 3-0, 3-0 (9), 6-2

- #8 Alabama - Lost to #15 Missouri 7-3

- #10 Washington - Lost to #7 Oregon 16-4 (6), Lost to #16 UCLA 10-8

- #15 Missouri - Lost to #8 Alabama 9-1 (5) 

- #16 UCLA - Lost to #10 Washington 9-0 (6); Lost to #10 Washington 6-5

- #17 Notre Dame - Lost to NR Syracuse 5-2; Lost to NR Syracuse 6-4

- #18 Arizona - Lost to NR Utah 7-3 (9)

- #23 Fresno State - Lost to NR Cal State Fullerton 5-0

- #24 Oregon State - Lost to NR Utah 9-5; Lost to NR Cal 4-0; Lost to NR Cal 4-3

- #25 Mississippi State - Lost to NR Central Arkansas 1-0; SWEPT by #19 Tennessee 6-2, 

                                       8-5, 9-4

PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK:

• Jade Rhodes, Auburn - After a slow and mediocre start to the season, the senior first baseman has heated up as conference play has begun. She hit .600 in  her squad's weekend sweep of South Carolina, parking a home run over the fence in two of the three games and never recording an official at-bat in the third thanks to a trio of walks. A home run in a midweek tilt vs. Georgia State leaves her with a weeklong stat line of .625/3/6 and four free passes via the walk.
• Erika Piancastelli, McNeese State - The freshman wonder of Lake Charles from a year ago set out this year to prove her impressive numbers of 2015 were no one-year fluke, and she's done a good job of that thus-far. She posted another weekend of plus-side statistics this week, batting .500 and knocking three home runs over the fence, while driving in five and taking a base-on-balls four times.
• Holly Speers, Kent State - The sophomore infielder continued her team-leading offensive prowess and etched her name into the NCAA record books while she was at. The former all-MAC Freshman clubbed a home run in five consecutive at-bats, across four games, setting a new Division I all-time mark. After the weekend, in which she also was walked six times and drove in nine runs in all, her season's stat line now sits at .431/9/20, with a 1.020 slugging percentage. 

MY TAKE:

Outside of a four-game stretch at the end of April/beginning of May that will see Florida on the road against Texas A&M and Florida State, Tim Walton's Gators have a particularly favorable schedule the rest of the season. Their toughest test, a three-game stretch against Alabama next weekend, will feature the home-field advantage of the Swamp, as will a three-game set against Louisiana-Lafayette in mid-April. 

The Gators have clicked on all cylinders most of the season, with the exception of the 7th inning against Auburn on March 14, the only mark in the "L" column for the Gators this year.

As a team, the Gators are hitting .336, with four players hitting above .350 and senior Kirsti Merritt and sophomore Nicole DeWitt within .002 of that mark, at .349 and .348, respectively. Sophomore Kayli Kvistad is slugging .710 and is one of five players with forty-seven or more total bases to her credit. 

Solid on every side of the ball, the Gators boast five starters with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, including veteran catcher Aubree Munro.

Not to be forgotten, the Gators' pitching staff: Absent Lauren Haeger, it was wondered how big of a drop-off there may be in the circle, but any such doubts were put to rest in quick order once the season began. As it stands now, sophomore Aleshia Ocasio leads the nation with her 0.36 ERA, while Delanie Gourley is third in the nation with a 0.78 mark. Freshman Kelly Barnhill "brings up the rear", all the way back in 15th place in the country with a 1.26 number. Departing from the strategy of past seasons, all three have fairly evenly split the innings of work this season. 

Opponents are hitting just .150 against the Gators' staff, while opposing pitchers give up nearly seven runs per game on average. Since the defeat at Auburn, the Gators have shut out their opponent five times in seven games, including LSU and Tennessee, both top-25 teams.

Suffice it to say, the Gators are proving over and over again why they are the best in the game and, as they have their sights set on a third consecutive championship, they may be an unstoppable force en route to Oklahoma City.

Where Are They Now: Katie Guillory

Who is she? Katie Lynn Guillory, a former outfielder and four-year letterwinner for the LSU Tigers.

(Photo via LSUSports.net / All rights reserved)

What is she known for? Throughout her career, Katie was primarily used as a spot-starter and pinch-runner. During her time in Baton Rouge, Katie became known by LSU fans, as well as around the SEC, for her mid-inning antics and dance moves.  More recently, she offered a revival of said moves in a visit to Baton Rouge, which were caught on film and can be seen here.

Here's something interesting... Katie is not the only top-level athlete in her family; her cousin, Erin Blanchard, competed in the event of Women's Individual Trampoline [gymnastics] at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Quotable quote: "Knowing your role on a team plays a vital part in your career, happiness, and experience. You don’t have to be an All-American to leave a legacy and make a difference. You just have to do what you are responsible for doing with all the enthusiasm and passion you have to offer."

What's she up to now? After graduating, Katie took multiple jobs in the field of sports performance and exercise science over time before going back to school to get a degree in the latter field. She currently holds a graduate assistant’s position in the strength and conditioning department at Liberty University, where she works with the softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and cheerleading teams, as well as occasionally the women’s lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey teams.

Keep up: You can find Katie on Twitter @welllgoooood

Chelsea Forkin Steps Into Justin's World

When the Dallas Charge announced the signing of Chelsea Forkin last fall, many American softball fans' first reaction was 'Who?'. But for fans of the sport down under, it was a familiar name and one that is etched into Aussie softball history.

A 1989 product of Perth, Western Australia, Chelsea is not the only athlete in her family. Her brother played college baseball in the state of Alabama as well as for Team Australia in international competition.

Chelsea played baseball right alongside the boys as a youngster, including representing her nation at the 2004 World Cup of Baseball, among other top-level events. She also suited up for soccer and basketball, as well as softball. As in the US, Chelsea has a career outside of softball, as a high school physical education and geography teacher, as well as a softball coach.

She holds five medals from her tenure on Team Australia on the softball side, including one silver from the 2013 Canada Cup and four bronze medals, including one from the 2011 Canada Cup. In addition to playing for the Charge this season, she will also suit up for her country yet again at the 2016 ISF World Championships in Surrey, Canada.

Forkin is hardly the first Aussie to join an NPF roster, and will be one of a quartet of her countrymen to suit up for a league team in 2016.

Justin’s World: What do you think will be the biggest culture shock in coming to the US full-time?

Chelsea Forkin: Driving on the other side of the road!

Justin’s World: Though you have not experienced it *yet*, what are some of the major differences you are expecting between playing ball in the US and playing in Australia?
Forkin: I think the biggest aspect will be the difference in schedules. Back home in Australia, we only play a game once a week, which is for our local club team. We don’t have the opportunity to play as many scheduled games as the NPF offers which is awesome because I’m looking forward to the big game schedule.

Justin’s World: What factors played into your decision to sign with the Charge and play in the NPF?
Forkin: I felt that they were the right fit for me. Having fellow Aussie teammate Vanessa Stokes on the team made the decision a lot easier too!

Justin’s World: Give me your thoughts on the potential return of softball to the Olympics and what that would mean for the sport as a whole.
Forkin: The return of softball to the Olympic program would just be fantastic for our sport on so many different levels. I think the biggest effect it will have is boosting participation and helping so many young softball players to dream again. It will offer so many more opportunities for the younger generation of players coming through the ranks. I can’t wait to hear of the decision!

Justin’s World: In the NPF, you will also face Team Australia teammate Stacey Porter as an opponent. What will that be like for you? You having played with her, is that going to give your team a bit of a leg-up with insight you can give them?
Forkin: Ports is a longtime friend of mine, so when I found out she signed to play in the NPF, I was stoked for her! It’s also a nice feeling knowing that there are a few of us Aussies getting the opportunity to play professionally in the States. Back in Australia, Ports and I play on different state teams so it won’t be anything different; I’ll just treat the experience the same way as I do back home. Stace is a legend and I’ll do my best with insight, but it’s pretty hard to stop one of the best hitters in the world!!

Justin’s World: What is your favorite moment or memory from your career thus-far?
Forkin: There’s been some pretty special moments and memories made along the way so far, but I would have to narrow it down to when I was apart of the 2012 Australian National Team when we won the Bronze medal at the World Champs in The Yukon, Canada. Another special moment was when I was apart of the Aussie Spirit team that beat the USA for the first time since playing for Australia.

Justin’s World: What are you most looking forward to about playing in the NPF this summer?
Forkin: I’m really looking forward to playing with and against some of the best players in the world in front of some big crowds. I’m looking forward to playing alongside likeminded athletes who live and breath the game. It’s going to be a great season in Dallas!

Justin’s World: What new challenges do you think playing in the NPF will present for you?
Forkin: I’m pretty optimistic about challenges; I’m really just trying to envision how much of a positive experience it’s going to be and how playing for The Charge is going to help me grow as a ballplayer and person. 

Justin’s World: Who is the toughest opponent, either an individual or team, that you have faced?
Forkin: I’ve played against some great players and teams over the years. If I was to narrow down toughest opponent, I would have to go with Ueno from the Japanese National Team – she is fierce, plays smart and with her heart. Phenomenal player.

Justin’s World: What are your long-term plans for the future? Is playing in the NPF something that you would like to do long-term? If softball returns to the Olympics, do you plan to go back to playing for Team Australia sooner rather than later?
Forkin: My long-term plans for the future are to continue playing softball at the highest levels available to me. I would love the opportunity to return to play in the NPF. If softball is re-instated back into the Olympic program for 2020, then that will be a big goal of mine. For the time being, I will continue to take every opportunity I can to play top-level softball. I am also a qualified teacher so my career in teaching is also very important to me.

Justin’s World: Let’s end with my favorite question! Say you were stranded on a deserted island for an undetermined period of time, but you could take three things with you. No boats, no phones. What would you take?
Forkin: A Hammock, a smart and funny companion, and lots of water. 

Who is Mary Nutter?

After our profile of Cal State Fullerton legendary coach Judi Garman, many folks asked for a similar article about the most well-known softball tournament namesake, Mary Nutter.

The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic takes place every year, and brings in dozens of the nation's top teams. But just who is the woman whose name the tournament bears?

Mary Kathryn Nutter was born on June 25, 1947 in Cadillac, Michigan. She began her softball career at Michigan State, spending much of her early career in the Great Lakes State. She played for the Lansing Laurels, an ASA Women's Major team.  She played one season as a player/coach, again with a Michigan-based squad, in the WPSL, the early version of what is now known as the NPF.

After seven years as a teacher in, you guessed it, Michigan, Mary served as a graduate assistant at her alma mater while obtaining her Master's degree.

She later began her full-time coaching career at then-NAIA Pittsburg State University in Kansas. At PSU, Mary earned three District 10 championships and was named Coach of the Year a trio of times, as well. She was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NFCA Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mary founded and served as president of National Sports Clinics, a series of coaching clinics, and was also co-owner of a catering company.

Mary Nutter passed away in Fairplay, Colorado on July 25, 2012 at the age of sixty-five.