Samantha Cunningham '17 Recruiting Profile

I started playing softball at the age of 5. They wouldn't let me play at first because you had to be six and my birthday is at the end of August. My mom was coaching my older sister's team and they needed a coach for the 6-8 year old group. My mom said she would do it if I could play. I have been playing ever since. I have always taken being a student-athlete seriously. My parents have always instilled that in me.  My grades in school are great and I have a strong study ethic. I'm not afraid of hard work and I want to excel at my studies and softball. The person that has influenced me the most is my grandmother. She lost her leg in 2010 due to knee replacement at the age of 57. She has gone though a lot, but she didn't give up. She has learned to cope with what has happened and to stay active in life. I always keep that in the back of my mind when games don't end up the way I want. I go out each game and give it my best.