Richard Bland Names Mary Simms Athlete of the Week
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Richard Bland College freshman softball standout Mary Simms/Chesterfield has been named the Athletics Department's Athlete of the Week for the period April 10-16. The first baseman led the Statesmen (21-12) to three wins in six games last week.
Simms hit .526 (10-19) with one triple, four doubles, three RBIs, seven runs, two walks and one stolen base in the six contests. She was 5-7 with the triple, two doubles, three RBIs and two runs during a doubleheader split against Pitt (N.C.) on April 13, while 2-4 with one double, three runs, the two walks and stolen base during a doubleheader sweep past Bryant & Stratton on April 11.
Simms has started 31 of 33 games this season, hitting .425 (45-106) with four home runs, two triples, 16 doubles, 29 runs, 25 RBIs, five walks and five stolen bases. She adds a .447 on-base percentage, a .726 slugging percentage and a .980 fielding percentage.
Please see below for a brief Q&A on her Athlete of the Week selection. Athletes of the Week are chosen by members of the Richard Bland Athletics Department.
Q: How does it feel to be named Richard Bland Athlete of the Week?
MS: I am honored, and glad to be helping the team work towards getting the win and having fun while doing it.
Q: How did you get started in your sport and how long have you played?
MS: I used to go watch my mom play for our church. I did gymnastics at the time and wanted to try softball. I started playing at the age of five or six in t-ball and continued to make my way up to now playing in college.
Q: What do you like most about your team?
MS: I like our perseverance, which really shows when we are playing tough teams and we need to score. The team sticks together and finds a way to keep fighting in order to get the win.
Q: Who is your funniest teammate/why?
MS: I think that Jasmine Turner is definitely one of the funniest people on the team. She is always joking around and finds a way to put a smile on my face.
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals/superstitions?
MS: Before every game I find some time to talk to my dad and imagine he is giving me a pre-game pep talk like he used to when I played travel and school ball.
Q: What is your favorite place on campus/why?
MS: Statesman Hall. I spend a lot of time there either lifting with the team, talking to my coaches or just hanging out.
Q: What is your favorite class/professor/why?
MS: Psychology with Dr. Barbara M. Morgan, Associate Professor. She is a great teacher and expresses her love for her work in every class, which make me even more interested and excited to learn the subject.