To simply say sophomore Brittany Schutte is versatile would be an understatement.
The California native played first base, both corner outfield positions, designated hitter and even catcher last season, her first with the Gators.
Despite not having a defined spot in the field, Schutte rewrote the UF freshman record book, recording the highest batting average (.346), home run total (19), RBI total (59) and slugging percentage (.780) in team history.
After being named to the Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team and the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2010, Schutte enters this season as one of the team’s best hitters, even in a lineup with accomplished hitters like Aja Paculba, Kelsey Bruder and Megan Bush.
With the graduation of left fielder Francesca Enea, some had assumed Schutte would roam left field this season, but coach Tim Walton said Monday she will start in right field as senior Kelsey Bruder takes over in left.
Just like last season, Schutte will be counted on to fill in all around the field.
“She’ll play right, first, she’ll catch, she’s our backup third baseman, backup second baseman, backup left fielder,” Walton said. “Having a great athlete like her, she’ll be in the middle of that lineup for sure every day.”
While some players enjoy the consistency of playing the same position regularly, Schutte has no issues with being counted on to play anywhere on any given day.
“I actually take pride in being able to be versatile,” she said. “If I’m needed anywhere, then I know that I can play and fulfill that position that coach Walton needs me at.”
Even after a historic freshman season, Schutte is still looking to improve her game.
“She’s really done a good job working and developing her swing and her mindset,” Walton said. “She wanted to have a better run-productive season, drive in more runs with runners on base.
“She saw that as not really a weakness last year, but something she really needed to do a better job of — hitting in the clutch, hitting with game-changing situations, not just hitting home runs, but driving in runs in those situations, too.”
The Gators’ young star has more confidence heading into the 2011 season with a year under her belt. However, she still has room for growth and will only improve with more experience.
“I’m just more focused on playing the game, not really records or breaking any more records or anything like that,” she said. “I feel a little bit more experienced and know what more to expect now that I’ve had a year, but I still kind of feel new on the field and still have some nerves.”
