A Kansas native, Callie Piper was attracted to Florida and the Lady Owls softball team because of the great school location and exemplary coaching staff at FAU. Since joining the team in 2001, Piper has been an impressive player and a team asset.
Piper’s freshman year established what a tremendous force she is behind the plate as the starting catcher. She has also played infield. During her freshman year, Piper played in 50 games and started in 42. Her batting average was .235 with one home run, 12 RBIs and seven doubles.
After Piper’s remarkable first year, she was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team. “My favorite position is catching,” said Piper, “because you are involved in every play. The pitchers and I have a close relationship. We motivate each other on and off the field and during a game we work together so the best hitters from other teams don’t score runs off us.”
Piper further demonstrated her advanced tactics and strategy on the field by playing in 73 games, in which she started in 71, during her sophomore year. She increased her batting average to .255 while adding three home runs, 22 RBIs, and throwing out 44 percent of attempted base stealers.
On March 4, 2002 the Atlantic Sun Conference named her player of the week. Piper said, “Softball is a lot of fun and I have been playing the game for as long as I can remember. Our coaches have been in the game a long time and they really work on developing each player’s skills. Practicing three hours a day five days a week makes you want to give it your all during game time.”
Now in her junior year, Piper still maintains her noteworthy determination to succeed on and off the field. The Atlantic Sun Conference recognized her again naming her player of the week March 17. When asked how she balances a hectic road schedule and school, she said, “It is tough keeping a balanced schedule, but I have been doing it for so long that it’s just ordinary for me. I like staying busy throughout the year and softball and school definitely consume my time. It’s the love of the competition and friendships you establish on the team that make it worthwhile.”
