The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
where are they now? spected and I learned a lot from her and the assistants. It's something I'm passionate about, too, having played it for about 25 years, ever since I was little. It's what I know and love to do. Not many can say they love going to work and what they do, so I feel fortunate to be able to do that. "Everyone who goes through the program will say they really cherish the time they had being a Michigan softball athlete under Coach Hutch and her staff. It's something you totally want to be a part of, and I recommend it highly to anyone who gets the chance." ❑ The Samantha Findlay File Michigan Accomplishments: One of the most decorated softball players in Michigan history … Broke Michigan's single-season record with 77 RBI and tied the single-season record with 21 home runs as a freshman in 2005 … Drove in all four of Michigan's runs in the championship game of the 2005 Women's College World Series against UCLA … Started every game at first base as a sophomore and junior … Moved from first to second base as a senior and led the team with a .382 batting average, tied her own Michigan single-season record with 21 home runs and posted 69 RBI … As a senior, selected a first-team All-American at second base and the Most Outstanding Player on the 2008 Michigan softball team … Played in 251 games, all as a starter, and compiled a career batting average of .348 … Holds Michigan career records with 62 home runs, 219 RBI and a .677 slugging percentage. Professional Accomplishments: Played professional softball as a first baseman for the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch league from 2008-10 … Notched 31 home runs and 73 RBI … Played one season for the USSSA Pride. Michigan Memory: Findlay's three-run home run in the 10th inning of the national title game with UCLA secured Michigan's first national softball championship. Findlay earned MVP honors after knocking in all four runs. "All I can remember from the entire week was that was the stage you wanted to be on as a collegiate athlete," she said. "Whether I was a freshman or not was not a concern. I wanted to win. My competitive nature — I love being in pressure situations. "I had a good weekend, not just then but previous games, and I was feeling good, seeing the ball. I had a couple hits already, and it was just about competing — see a good pitch, take a good swing and it happens. I guess it was right place, right time." Education: Findlay earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 2008 and is close to a master's degree in secondary education from DePaul. Family: Findlay and her fiancé, Louis Barak, are expecting their first child in November.