SJ-O’s Audrey Short to play softball at Spoon River College
Audrey Short has always known two things: she wanted to be on the softball field, and she wanted to play at the collegiate level at Spoon River College.
“I started playing at a very young age, I remember playing tee ball even before softball. I fell in love with it as soon as I realized that I would get dirty playing this sport,” Short said.
The 2021 graduate recently committed to continuing her career at Spoon River College, a member of the Mid-West Athletic Conference school located southwest of Peoria.
“My older sister played there and had a great time, I knew that it was the school that I was meant to attend and play at. I didn’t have any other schools that I was considering,” Short said.
Like all spring-sport athletes in 2020, Short missed her junior year when athletic contests were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That missed opportunity left a gap, especially considering that prior to that, she could hardly stand not being on the softball field every weekend.
“I love the game and the people that I’ve met throughout my years playing,” she said.
“When I had a weekend off, it made me feel like something was missing from my life. My family has helped me along the way of my softball years, sometimes it was as simple as my mom taking me to my games and others it was my dad and sisters helping me in practice, helping me excel at different skills.”
That practice paid off.
As part of the 2019 IHSA Regional Championship team, outfielder/infielder Shore appeared in 19 games, with a .364 on-base percentage and contributing 9 runs.
Aside from excellence on the field, Short knows that she wants to provide leadership to the Spartan squad when their April 9 start date comes around.
“When stepping onto the field each time I want to bring my very best game, (and) I want to bring the team together so we can have a good season this year,” she said.
“This year I hope to be a leader to the team by encouraging the players to try their very best and have fun. My biggest hope for this upcoming season is that we get to play, have fun, and win games!”
Short hopes she finds herself in the dirt a lot in 2021. She wants to lead St. Joseph-Ogden in stolen bases.
“I love being a part of the Spartan team because of the players and coaches, the coaches push you to be the best you can and the players are always encouraging you. It is a very loving and supportive team and that is my favorite thing about being a Spartan.”
