Feb. 8, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Each week heading into the 2007 Samford softball season, a different player has been highlighted in an edition of "Bulldog Talk", a question-and-answer session with one of this year's players. This week's featured player is senior outfielder Shelley Stanley.

The Samford softball team will begin play in its 2007 season Friday at the prestigious Florida State Early Bird Tournament. The Bulldogs are scheduled to square off against Radford at 10 a.m., and No. 25 Florida State at 3 p.m.

Stanley, a native of Decatur, Ala., is the final Samford softball player to be featured this season. She heads into the 2007 campaign as the Bulldogs' all-time home run leader with a career total of 25 round-trippers. Last year, she tallied a single-season record 10 home runs and also paced the team with a .274 batting average.

A four-year starter at Samford, Stanley earned Second-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors last season and enters the 2007 campaign as one of the Bulldogs' team captains.

The following is a transcript from Stanley's edition of "Bulldog Talk".

What is it like being a senior on this year's team?
"Being a senior, I feel more challenged to meet our team goals and to do my very best because it is my last chance to win an OVC championship. I want my senior class to set the standard for Samford softball."

What area of your game has improved the most?
"I am not really sure. I have been trying to develop in all areas of my game, but to I do feel like I am more aggressive on defense this year."

The Samford softball season starts Friday, is the team ready?
"Yes, our team is ready to play! We have been practicing very hard for awhile now and I am excited to see where we are in our first tournament. We will get to see what we have improved on in the off-season and what areas we need to further develop before conference games begin."

What would be a picture-perfect ending to this year?
"Obviously, meeting our team goal of winning the OVC championship and making it to the College World Series would be a perfect ending."

Being a senior, what would it be like to play in front a packed stadium every home game?
"I am grateful for the supportive fans that we have had coming over the last three years, win or lose. I think if our team gets the job done and starts winning games, then people will automatically come out to see what we are about."

You are the last player to do a Bulldog Talk this season, tell people one final time why they should come to games.
"If people have never seen a softball game before, then I think they would be surprised! Softball is a fast-paced game that involves a lot of strategy and skill. It is also an exciting game and people would get to see girls playing for the love of the sport."