Shaughnessy signs
CSE File Photo
Highland’s Maire Shaughnessy signed with a Division I school, Farleigh Dickinson, Wednesday afternoon, earning an athletic scholarship. She’s the defending DAC pitcher and player of the year.
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By Shane Mettlen
Published: November 12, 2008
She’s got two state championships and now a college scholarship. One might think Culpeper resident Maire Shaughnessy has everything she needs to sit back, relax and enjoy her senior year, but don’t think the Highland School pitcher is taking it easy.
“I want a three-peat, especially because it’s my senior year,” she said. “But I also have to focus on basketball too.”
No, there wasn’t very much time to celebrate Wednesday after Shaughnessy signed her letter of intent with Fairleigh Dickinson, making her the second Highland player from Culpeper to sign with an NCAA Division I softball program in three years. Shaughnessy’s evening was booked with basketball practice as one of the senior leaders on Hawks team that has been to back-to-back VIS state championship games.
But it’s on the softball diamond where Shaughnessy really stars. She struck out nine last May against Greenbrier to help Highland to its second state title in as many years and was named first-team all-state last year as a junior. She was also the player of the year and pitcher of the year in the Delaney Athletic Conference last season.
Shaughnessy considered following former Highland teammate Reba Tutt to Pittsburgh, where Tutt was one of the top freshmen in the Big East last year, but after visiting Fairleigh Dickinson she was sold on the Knights.
“I went on an official visit last week and I really liked it,” Shaughnessy said. “All the girls were welcoming and I really liked the coach and that weekend I got my offer. I just felt wanted there.”
Dale Martin took over the Fairleigh Dickinson program last season and led the Knights to a 9-32 record. Shaughnessy said she was looking forward to playing for Martin and helping turn the program around.
“He has more than just softball interests for you,” she said. “They have a high focus on academics, which I liked.”
FDU’s location in Teaneck, N.J., was also a selling point for Shaughnessy, who liked that the campus was just 20 minutes from New York.
“I love New York City,” she said. “And I really wanted to be near a city.”
Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or
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