Against No. 2 UCLA this weekend, Wildcat Athlete of the Week Shelly Schultz had walk-off hits in both games to give the top-ranked Wildcats the sweep in Hillenbrand Stadium. On Saturday night, she hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to win the game 7-5, and on Sunday hit a single in the bottom of the seventh that brought in the winning run to beat the Bruins 5-4.
Schultz helped keep the UA's perfect 21-0 home record this season intact, and got the team off to a 2-0 start in Pacific 10 Conference play. She went 2-for-7 with three RBIs on the weekend. Yesterday, she talked to the Wildcat about rain delays, starting a bobsled team and "killing the Sun Devils."
Wildcat: You hit two walk-off hits against UCLA this weekend, which is likely your biggest rival. Is there anything else that can top that?
Schultz: The only thing that would top that is the championship game in the World Series.
Wildcat: Against UCLA?
Schultz: Against UCLA would be the best because, you know, I really don't like them too much, and neither does our team. Against UCLA would be the best-case scenario, but to do it against anybody in the championship game would be awesome.
Wildcat: You had one home run all of last year, and this year you already have seven. So what's been the difference?
Schultz: In the off-season, I worked a lot on my swing, getting mechanics down. Out of that, I just feel more confident and more comfortable with my swing. I try not to think too much, because whenever I start thinking too much, bad stuff happens.
Wildcat: You switch off between first and second (base), and you also pitch. So is there any position you don't play?
Schultz: Not really. They can put me wherever they want to, and I think I'd do well.
Wildcat: If you had the choice of playing the position you wanted to play, is there one that you prefer over the other?
Schultz: Well, I kind of got used to first base. It took a while to get used to it. Anywhere on the field with the UA softball team is perfectly fine with me.
Wildcat: You guys had the rain delay this weekend. What do you think about them and what do you guys do during them?
Schultz: We just kind of stayed in the locker room and chilled. Our team's a pretty funny group, so we like to entertain ourselves. It makes the time go by really fast - I didn't even know it was 85 minutes.
Wildcat: I've heard rumors that visiting teams think the UA fans are really mean and they don't like playing here because of that. What do you think about that?
Schultz: I think our fans our definitely intense. They love the game, and they love UA softball. I think with any sort of team that has any merit to them, you're going to bring hardcore fans like that. I love playing in it - it's absolutely awesome.
Wildcat: Is there any place you don't like playing at because of the fans?
Schultz: No, it doesn't really bother me that much. When we go to UCLA we get the same thing. You can't let it get to you. It actually pumps me up more to beat them even worse because their fans are so loud and rowdy.
Wildcat: UCLA is probably your toughest rival, but does the Arizona State game mean more to you because you are from Phoenix?
Schultz: I'd say I like the UCLA games better because I think they're a little better team than ASU. But being from Phoenix, I've always been like, (stomps her foot) "Kill the Sun Devils!" It will be fun.
Wildcat: You were named Pac-10 Player of the Week, and so I was wondering which one you thought was cooler: Pac-10 Player of the Week, or Wildcat Athlete of the Week?
Schultz: Oh, definitely the Wildcat Athlete of the Week. Of course. No doubt.
Wildcat: They usually do word association here, but I am playing "finish the sentence." Your teammates would describe you as ...
Schultz: Um, I don't know. Hey Mackenzie, what would you describe me as?
Mackenzie Vandergeest (catcher): There's no words to describe Shelly. She's just, Shelly.
Wildcat: If you could be on any television show or in any movie, you would be in ...
Schultz: I'd like to try my hand at "The Price is Right."
Wildcat: One food item that must be at your house at all times is ...
Schultz: Peanut butter. Peanut butter and honey.
Wildcat: If you weren't playing softball, you would spend your day ...
Schultz: Sleeping.
Wildcat: If you could live anywhere in the world, you would live in ...
Candace Abrams (outfielder/catcher): Say something random, Shelly. Come on, it's you!
Schultz: What's that supposed to mean?
Abrams: You're random!
Schultz: OK, I'm random, so if I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in ... Jamaica, and start the bobsled team.