Shortstop plays taller than odds

The second shortest player on the IU softball team stands just five-feet three-inches tall, but yet is still a towering six inches taller than senior shortstop Heather Suca. \nA product of Joliet West High School in Shorewood, Ill., a suburb 45 miles southwest of Chicago, Suca earned all conference honors three times, while being selected to the all-state and all-area teams during her senior season. \nStanding four-feet nine-inches tall, Suca leads the team with 154 put-outs at shortstop. \n"Everyday she amazes me with what she can do," sophomore Katie Witham said. "She certainly beats all the odds."\nOther teammates, such as junior Valerie White, are well aware of the odds Suca has beaten.\n"She has overcome a lot of adversity," White said. "She is an amazing athlete and the way she handles herself on and off the field is remarkable."\nAs a Hoosier, the gritty infielder has increased her hit total, RBI total and walk total each of her first three seasons as she earned a team high 12 base on balls in 2001 and a team high 20 last season. Through 32 games this season, Suca has walked a team-leading 13 times. \n"I definitely do not go up there with the mentality of drawing a walk," Suca said. "I just go up to the plate each time trying to get on base and help the team."\nThis year, Suca helped the squad by moving to shortstop from second base where she can better use her quickness and agility.\n"Her position switch allowed myself to put the best team on the field," coach Sara Hayes said. "Just like every other player, she makes a sacrifice to better the team."\nSuca has earned the reputation on the team for her competitiveness, tenacity and leadership. As one of four seniors on the team, Suca has been forced into a leadership role on a team which consists of eight freshmen. \n"She is a wonderful leader for our young team to follow," Hayes said. "Heather has the heart of a lion and good vision for what she is doing as an athlete and a student."\nAfter her academic and athletic career come to an end, Suca plans to attend graduate school to earn a master's degree and then become a high school teacher and softball coach. \n"As a coach I would want my players to always give it their all," Suca said. "If you don't win a game but you try your hardest, that's fine, but always give it your all"