Schenk a constant behind the dish

When JMU softball opens their season Feb. 11 in North Carolina, senior Ashlee Schenk will be waiting to catch the first pitch.

Since the start of JMU’s softball program four years ago, Schenk has proven to be a model of reliability and durability behind the plate, sustaining only minor injuries while playing for JMU.

"Ashlee’s been a rock for us," JMU coach Katie Flynn said. "I’ve really been spoiled as her coach, because she’s started — I think all but one game for us in the last three years. She does a very good job. She’s a very calming influence on our pitchers, that’s just her personality."

In addition to being a calming influence, Schenk serves as a vocal team leader.

"She brings a lot to the team because of her maturity back there," Flynn said. "It’s a position that I look to for leadership, for vocal leadership, she has to be able to tell her infielders, tell her outfielders where to go and what to do.

"We’ve been really fortunate — she’s done a great job all three years."

In doing that job, Schenk has been relatively injury-free in three seasons. She attributes her health to good luck.

"I believe I’ve been lucky not to have any major setbacks," Schenk said. "I mean every once in a while I’ve had nagging injuries, but we have a great training staff to help you get through that."

Perhaps no one feels Schenk’s impact on the team more than a pitcher. Junior left-hander Liz George notices her contributions and presence on the team from the moment she steps onto the field.

"For me, she’s my support system because she’s the catcher and she grounds me out there," George said. "She’s a real team player; she’s always willing to give 110 percent every day."

As teammates for the past three years, Schenk and George work together to keep the opposing team’s offense at bay.

"She calls my pitches for me. She basically calls every game," George said. "She knows my strengths, she knows my weaknesses. When I’m having a bad day out on the mound, she knows it without me even having to tell her."

George said Schenk’s durability behind the plate can be attributed to both her toughness and having caught almost every game for the Dukes.

"It is the position she wants to be in, it’s something she wants to do," George said. "To her, it’s just going out and having fun. She loves the game."

Schenk and the Dukes open their season Feb. 11, shooting for the first conference championship in the JMU softball history.

"We’re really focusing as a team this year," Schenk said. "We’re picked to be second in the CAA, and I think we’re going to have a lot of expectations to fill, but I’m really hoping this team can go all the way."