Freshman year isn’t supposed to be like this; it’s a simple concept, incoming freshmen, are supposed to take time before they reach their potential.

Sandyn Short has proven to be the exception to the rule with the Panthers, as her freshman year has become a resounding success.

Short, along with four other members of this year’s freshmen class, have been getting plenty of playing time.

Playing these five freshmen has been a benefit and not a deterrent to this year’s team. The main reason for that has been the play of Short, who has made quite an impact on the Panthers even though this is only her first year with the team.

“I’ve been after her, as a recruiter, since her sophomore year in high school,” Eastern manager Lloydene Searle said. “I recruited her because I knew she would be able to hit and field, and she’s proving me right.”

What Searle and others didn’t expect was the extent to which she has been successful. Going into her next game, Short will be trying to break the single-season record for home runs at Eastern.

The focus of this freshman has been far from breaking this record, which is probably part of the reason she has been able to continue hitting for power.

“I try not to think about it (the record) as much as I can,” Short said. “People talk about it from time to time, but I try to ignore all that and just go out and play.”

She also doesn’t let the fact that she has found success change her approach at the plate.

“I haven’t changed the way I’ve played all year,” Short said. “I just try to put ball in play, and if I hit it good enough then it will go.

“But still my approach at the plate is just to try and get singles, not focus on power numbers or anything like that.”

The fellow members of her freshmen class have helped her transition into her first season with the softball team at Eastern. Three of them are pitchers, Short has had extensive experience working with these players in particular because they are battery mates.

The fact that three freshmen are pitchers along with the catcher could have proven to be a negative thing if the situation wasn’t handled properly. But Searle never doubted Short’s mentality as a leader behind the plate, and thought that the freshman would come together in a positive fashion.

“I never doubted her in any facet of her game; leadership or her play on the field,” Searle said. “I thought she would get along great with the young pitchers and she has.

“Because she acts like a veteran catcher, there really hasn’t been an issue there. She’s been great with all of our pitchers.”

But beyond the personal accolades, Short looks most forward to the years she will have with the young group of players she is with now.

“It is awesome to know that when I was coming here I would be with players who were going to have success,” Short said. “It was a major factor knowing that a group of players were going to be here for the four years I would be here.”

With this group of freshmen, with the likes of Short leading the team, the next three years should be fun to watch as these players learn the game together.