March 31, 2005
VILLANOVA, Pa. - For someone who claims to have struggled her first two years on the Main Line, Shannon Williams, now a senior, has established herself as one of the best pitchers in Villanova's softball history.
"I struggled mentally my first two years," Williams explained. "Playing on the collegiate level is a hard transition to make, it is different competition and one mistake can lose a game."
As a freshman, Williams didn't lose much. The No. 2 pitcher behind Theresa Hornick, Williams compiled a 14-2 record to go with a 1.11 ERA.
"Like every young pitcher, Shannon had to overcome some obstacles in the beginning with the adjustment to college," head coach Maria DiBernardi noted. "Today she has matured and grown to be, in my opinion, one of the best pitchers on the East coast and certainly one of the best pitchers Villanova has ever had!"
Williams came to Villanova from Macungie, Pa., a town about an hour away. Her career ERA at Emmaus High School was 0.49.
"When I came on my recruiting visit, it just seemed like I'd fit in here," Williams said. "All the girls on the team were really nice to the recruits and it is an honor to be here."
When she got to Villanova, Williams found a support system in ace pitcher Hornick, along with classmate Kristen Haynes. Hornick currently holds the school record for career ERA (1.22), career shutouts (20) and career no-hitters (five). Up until last year, she also had the only perfect game in school history to her credit.
"Theresa helped me out a lot," Williams said. "She was very strong mentally and wouldn't let things affect her."
Williams cites Hornick as one of her teachers, and rightfully so. They are the only two pitchers in Villanova history to throw a perfect game. Williams threw her first perfect game last April 8 against Drexel.
"I felt really on that day," Williams noted. "It was nice, but I don't live off it, I try to live in the present," she modestly added.
Last season, Williams shared the pitching rotation with Haynes, and together they led the team to its fourth consecutive Big East Tournament appearance. Williams threw an astounding 192 strikeouts on the season (she totals 539 for her career), compiled a 1.46 ERA, and held opponents to a measly .192 average off her pitches.
"Only four short years ago, Shannon, like every young athlete, was uncertain how she would do at the Division I level and carry the load that Villanova has to offer. I cannot tell you how satisfying it is to have watched her grow and mature into one of the nicest, happiest, hard working and successful players." DiBernardi said.
Williams, who pitches a lethal rise ball, acknowledges the challenge of playing at the Division I level. "The best part of playing at this level is beating really good teams and also playing as a unit." Williams noted. "When I was a sophomore we beat Notre Dame, which was huge, and I pitched the last inning when it was 7-6 and they had runners on. Beating UMass earlier this year was also awesome because they are usually in the NCAA Tournament."
At the conclusion of last season, Williams ranked in the top five in the Big East in numerous pitching categories. This season, nothing has changed, as she and Haynes rank as two of the top pitchers in the conference.
"With Kristen being a senior also, we've really supported each other," Williams stated. "I look up to her, and she's really helped me a lot. We give each other pitching lessons so we can see a lot of different stuff and we talk to each other a lot. She is a great friend."
Williams has also found support from sophomore Tiffany Ross and freshman Kat Walsh.
"The four of us are in this together," Williams noted. "This is not a competition."
Pitching can become very intense in clutch situations, but Williams has handled such situations with dignity.
"Shannon has been in multiple pressure situations with bases loaded or the game on the line and more times than not she just keeps her cool and gets the job done. I have so much confidence in her when she is on the mound that I rarely feel uneasy in pressure situations." DiBernardi said.
Added Williams, "I've matured a lot mentally. My first two years I would get down on myself and it would snowball but now I shake it off and put it behind me."
Williams and teammate Kari Koller agree that when the team is up, they are all up, and when they struggle, it is because they are all struggling.
"We have amazing team chemistry," Williams pointed out. "When we're up we can beat anyone." She cites this chemistry as being a major factor that could bring the team to its fifth consecutive Big East Tournament appearance.
In 15 starts this season, Williams has compiled a 9-6 record, 1.69 ERA and 113 strikeouts. Thirteen of those strikeouts came in one game, which is just three less than the school record for strikeouts in a game, held by Hornick.
"When you're on, everything is great, but when you're off, it is blatantly obvious," Willams added.
Being "off" is not something she is familiar with, as she has developed into a pitcher who will surely sit in the record books long after she has finished her career.
"Shannon will be missed on so many levels that I cannot describe to you the huge loss I personally will feel," DiBernardi said. "She will be missed not just for her tremendous pitching abilities, but for her leadership, her personality and the laughter and sheer fun and excitement that she brings to the team, which will never be matched. Coaching Shannon has been so much fun and one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a coach. I will miss her more than words can describe."
