Indy Star

 

By Paul Shepherd / Star correspondent

 

When not taking swings at the plate, shagging balls in left field or closing out games as a pitcher for the Westfield High School softball team, senior Rebecca Osborne usually be can found running her horse, Jay, in weekend rodeo events.

"I go straight from one thing to the other," Osborne said. "I show up to practice in boots half the time."

Versatility serves Osborne well on the diamond, and she's played virtually every position in her four years on the varsity. This year she moved to left field after playing mostly second base and pitching in 2008. She's the closer, pitching late in games in relief of freshman starter Lindsay Beam.

Osborne, who changed jersey numbers just about every season, doesn't hold fast to any one position either. Whatever is best for the team suits her.

"I've pretty much played everywhere but catcher," Osborne said. "It keeps everything different for me. Nothing's ever routine. When you move positions like that all the time, you have to kind of be on your toes."

The Shamrocks are keeping opponents on their toes. Westfield, which went just 8-18 last year, had a 4-2 record at midweek. The Shamrocks play Monday at Sheridan.

Osborne credits second-year coach Chris Norwood with helping turn around the program.

"We've always been known as a team that quits," Osborne said. "We get down in the second or third inning, and we're done, but every game we've played this year, we haven't. Even if we lose, we've been there till the last inning.

"I'm really proud of all the girls and how far we've come. Teams we play this year won't recognize us. I guarantee it."

Osborne led the team in hitting at .473 through Tuesday and averaged a run batted in and a run scored per game.

"She's done the things we expect a senior captain to do," Norwood said. "She's a great leader and stabilizer. She's just a great kid and a joy to have on a team."

This season will be Osborne's last in organized softball. Her love for animals trumps her passion for the game, and she'll attend Purdue University this fall with hopes to become a veterinarian.

"I'll miss (softball)," Osborne said. "All of us seniors started (in elementary school), and we've been together ever since."

Meagan Clark, Stephanie Smiley and Katie Young are the other seniors.