Softball Q&A With Amanda Buchholz - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site

Senior shortstop Amanda Buchholz is having the best season of her career at the plate. The Ogallala, Neb., native is tied for third on the team with a .326 average. She leads NU with eight home runs and ranks second with 23 RBIs. Off the field, Buchholz is expected to graduate in May of 2004 with a teaching degree. In the meantime, she already has a job lined up for next fall. The Ogallala, Neb., native, will be the head softball coach at Lincoln North Star High School for the 2003 fall season.

Q. Earlier this season, Nebraska broke the record for the best 20-game start in school history. What does that mean to you to be a part of that?

AB: It makes me feel very special to be part of such an outstanding team.  It also makes me very eager, because hopefully there will be a lot more records this year's team will break.

 

Q. Up to this point, what has been your favorite thing about this year's team?

AB: The thing that I am grateful for about this year's team is that it is made up of a bunch of terrific girls.  I get along with everyone on the team real well, and everyone has such a great heart.  I know I will remember this team for what we accomplish on the field, but most importantly the experiences I have shared this year already are unforgettable.

 

Q. This year, you are having your best season statistically at the plate with seven home runs already and a .325 batting average. Are you approaching things differently at the plate this year?

AB: I feel much more aggressive at the plate this year because I want to produce a lot more than I have in the years past.  I have put a lot more pressure on myself to "get the job done," and hopefully it will pay off.  I really enjoy hitting more this year, because we produce so much offensively as a team that it is something I want to be a part of.

 

Q. What is your favorite thing about the game? 

AB: Honestly, I love to play defense.  I love taking hits away from opponents, picking runners off, catching people when they steal, getting dirty, and most importantly shutting the other team down.

 

Q. Do you think the experience of playing the NCAA Women's College World Series last year will benefit this year's team in May?

AB: I definitely believe it has affected this year