Assistant coach Lani Shaffer begins her fourth season on theGardner-Webb staff and will handle hitting and coach theoutfield.
She is responsible for the 2007Bulldogs’ .295 batting average, which stands as the best inschool history. Shaffer has helped this squad best the schoolrecord for home runs, extra base hits, total bases, RBIs and walks.The 2007 team also finished second in doubles.
Shaffer was a four-year standoutfor the Bulldogs, and wrapped up her career in 2004. The Valrico,Fla., native saw action at shortstop, second base and center fieldin her career and finished as GWU’s all-time leader in gamesplayed, games started and walks. Shaffer still tops the charts inwalks, is second in runs scored and third in stolen bases. Shestands second in all-time games played, games started and triples.Shaffer is fourth in hits, RBIs and total bases and fifth indoubles.
Shaffer earned a spot in the NCAArecord book for her efforts on the base paths, as she stole 55straight bases spanning her freshman through senior seasons, goodfor the fifth-best all-time streak in Division Ihistory.
Twice named Gardner-Webb’sDefensive MVP in her career, Shaffer shared Offensive MVP honors asa senior and earned a spot on the UT Lady Vol ClassicAll-Tournament Team. During her junior season, Shaffer was named tothe UNCW Seahawk Classic All-Tournament Team and was a two-timeN.C.C.S.I.A. all-state selection as well as an A-Sun All-Academicselection.
In the summer of 2006, Shaffersigned a contract to play for the Michigan Ice, a women’sprofessional fastpitch softball team located in Midland, Mich.Shaffer started every game for the team either at second base or asthe designated hitter.
The Ice played a 28-game scheduleagainst teams such as the Venezualan National Team, CanadianNational Team, Dominican Republic National Team, the Arizona Heat,Texas Thunder, Chicago Bandits and Toyota Shokki. The team playedgames in Tucson, Ariz., Chicago, Ill. and Houston, Texas.
After the 2007 season, Shafferagain signed to play with the Michigan Ice. A versatile player, shewill play both in the infield and outfield beginning May 31 andgoing through August 19. This year, the Ice play a 36-game schedulethat includes the Akron Racers, Rockford Thunder, Washington Glory,New England Riptide, Philadelphia Force and ChicagoBandits.
Shaffer earned her master’sin sports science and pedagogy from Gardner-Webb in December2006.
