Lorena Spaulding lives her life between the intensity of playing softball and the thrill of wanting to become a cop.
Spaulding, a senior criminal justice major and substance abuse minor, started playing baseball at age 9 and then started playing softball a year later. She also played travel ball and played for the Dominican national team.
Growing up, Spaulding went on to attend Hollywood Christian Academy for high school, where she played softball and basketball for four years and ran track for one. She batted .678, scored 24 runs, and stole 20 bases as a senior and was selected as the All-Broward and All-State teams that year.
As a freshman at NSU, Splaulding played a total of 54 games and was selected to the All-SSC Second-Team as an outfielder. Her junior year, she was third on the team in batting average with .331 in addition to leading the team with 31 runs that season. She was also second on the team with 43 hits.
Losing her father to a drunk driver has been Spaulding’s motive to pursue her dream of becoming a police woman.
“After losing my dad in the accident I wanted to be able to help others in different situations like this,” said Spaulding.
After college, Spaulding plans to continue playing with the Dominican team and to get into the police academy.
I got the chance to sit down with Spaulding and ask her some questions.
What’s your favorite thing about softball?
“It’s having fun with team mates, it’s the little things it’s like a sister hood. It’s not about you, it’s about having everyone there for you.”
What’s your favorite part of the game?
“It’s the moment I put on the uniform and get on the field. It’s game time, I’m ready to be crazy.”
What’s your most memorable playing?
“I would say when we won the RBI award series with the Dominican team in 2012.”
What made you decide to play for NSU?
“It’s a great school and great coaches. I like the way they run the program and that it’s all about hard work and dedication. That really encouraged me to come.”
Do you have any special rituals before the game?
“I do. Carly, one of my team mates has to put my bow on and she has to put glitter on my eye black, while Megan put my eye black.”
Who’s your favorite softball player?
“I would have to go with Natasha Watley.”
What aspect of softball do you think makes it different from other sports?
“That’s a hard question, I would say maybe in general just being a woman sport, the thing it lacks as a woman’s sport is having more people attend the games. Males always have the big large crowds. When you go to a women’s game you don’t see a lot of people.”
If you could play any other sport at NSU what would it be?
“I would play basketball for sure.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
“Probably Paris, to relax and have fun; I’ve always been from Miami and haven’t really gotten the chance to see anywhere else.”
If a movie were to be made about your life, who would you want to play your role?
“Michelle Rodriguez.”
When’s a time you felt most proud of yourself?
“It was when I first came to college because I’m the first one in my family to go to college.”
How do you celebrate winning?
“By dancing and going crazy with the girls and coaches, specially coach, she busts a move in the middle of the circle.”
How do you deal with losing?
“It’s more of an eye opener. Coach is very good with keeping up positive even when we lose. It helps up progressively become better.
Do you feel that your coaches influenced you?
“Yes, coach Bonée and coach Martin for sure, in more ways than one. If I ever needed anything or whenever I needed advice about anything in life I would go to them and they would tell me from their experiences and perspectives. They’re more than coaches.”
Do you have any other hobbies?
“I’m a boring person, school work and softball.”
What’s your favorite position to play?
“Center field. I would say short stop but I don’t want to embarrass myself.”
Photo Credit: COURTESY OF E. CANAL
