Samantha Findlay
| Samantha Findlay | |
|---|---|
| Position | First base, second base |
| Born | February 22, 1986 |
Samantha Findlay (born February 22, 1986) is an American softball coach and former softball player. She is currently an assistant coach with the DePaul Blue Demons softball team. She previously played professional softball in the National Pro Fastpitch league (NPF) for the Chicago Bandits (2008-2010) and USSSA Pride (2011).
Findlay also played college softball for the Michigan Wolverines softball team from 2005 to 2008. She was selected as the Most Valuable Player in the 2005 Women's College World Series after hitting a three-run home run in the 10th inning of the championship game against UCLA. She was also selected as a first-team All-American at second base in 2007 and holds University of Michigan records for home runs in a career (62), RBIs in a career (219), career slugging percentage (.677), and RBIs in a season (77).
Early years
Findlay was born in 1986 in Lockport, Illinois, 30 miles southwest of Chicago. She attended Lockport East High School where she was an all-state softball player. She graduated in 2004.[1]
University of Michigan
Findlay enrolled at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2004.[2] As a freshman in 2005, she broke Michigan's single-season record with 77 RBIs and tied the single-season record with 21 home runs. On June 8, 2005, she drove in all four of Michigan's runs in the championship game of the 2005 Women's College World Series against UCLA. Her three-run home run in the 10th inning secured Michigan's first national softball championship. She was selected as the Most Valuable Player in the 2005 Women's College World Series.[3][4][5][6]
At the end of the 2005 season, Findlay played for Team USA in the 2005 Intercontinental Cup in Spain.[3]
As a sophomore and junior, Findlay started every game at first base for Michigan.[3][7]
As a senior in 2008, Findlay moved from first to second base.[8] She led the team with a .382 batting average and tied her own Michigan single-season records with 21 home runs, three grand slams and 69 RBIs. At the end of the 2008 season, she was selected as a first-team All-American at second base.[3][9][10] She was also selected as the Most Outstanding Player on the 2008 Michigan softball team.[3]
Findlay was also selected as first-team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region player in 2005 (first base), 2007 (first base), and 2008 (second base).[3]
In four years playing for the Michigan softball team, Findlay played in 251 games for Michigan, all of them as a starter. She compiled a career batting average of .348. She holds Michigan career records with 62 home runs, 219 RBIs, and a .677 slugging percentage. She also holds Michigan's single-season record with 77 RBIs.[3] She previously held the career record with 157 walks, but that record was bested by Dorian Shaw in 2011. She also previously held Michigan's single-season record with 21 home runs, but that record was broken in 2013 by Sierra Romero.[3]
Professional softball
From 2008 to 2010, Findlay played professional softball as a first baseman for the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch league. In three season with the Bandits, she had 31 home runs and 73 RBIs.[3] She also played one season for the USSSA Pride. In February 2012, she announced her retirement from professional softball.[11][12]
Coaching career
In 2008, Findlay joined the coaching staff of the DePaul Blue Demons softball team as a volunteer coach. In August 2010, she was hired as DePaul's Director of Softball Operations. She was named as an assistant coach at DePaul in September 2011.[13][14]
References
- ↑ "Findlay gives Lockport a lift". Chicago Tribune. April 28, 2003.
- ↑ "Findlay Stars". The Herald News (Joliet, Illinois). October 9, 2004.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2013 University of Michigan Softball Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan. 2013.
- ↑ Shawn Windsor (May 15, 2008). "Fun, Success Follow Findlay: U-M Softball Star Relaxes in Senior Season".
- ↑ Mary Buckheit (July 12, 2005). "A hitter's revenge for Findlay". ESPN.com.
- ↑ "Findlay heeds coach in win". The Detroit News. June 10, 2005.
- ↑ David Vandevusee (April 2, 2006). "Slugger Findlay bounces back". The Michigan Daily.
- ↑ Ruth Lincoln (March 25, 2008). "Findlay flourishes in new spot". The Michigan Daily.
- ↑ Graham Hays (May 15, 2008). "From freshman phenoms to senior standouts, Findlay and Selden share bond". ESPN.com.
- ↑ "Second baseman realizes her potential". The Detroit News. April 25, 2008.
- ↑ "Samantha Findlay Announces Retirement". USSA Pride. February 8, 2012.
- ↑ Patricia Babcock McGraw (June 28, 2008). "Bandits rookie Findlay making big first impression". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL).
- ↑ "Samantha Findlay Biography". DePaul University.
- ↑ "Findlay, Tarulli-Fisher Boost DePaul Softball Staff Findlay Named Assistant Coach; Tarulli-Fisher Director of Softball Operations". DePaul University. September 6, 2011.