Schaus seeks winning finish to stellar career

As she begins her final season as a Tiger, Schaus is looking to work hard and enjoy every moment to its fullest.

“I came into this season knowing that it is potentially my last time pitching at such a competitive level, and I think that has given me a different perspective on things,” Schaus said. “I’ve really enjoyed being with the team at each workout and practice. My main goal this year is to kind of let it all hang out — to leave it all out on the field and have no regrets by the time the season ends.”?

Coming off a difficult junior season in which Schaus saw her team lose a school-record nine straight games, she vows to make this season her best yet.

“I made sure to get as strong as possible and get into great pitching shape,” Schaus said. “My goal is to bring my best game every time I’m out there on the mound.”

During her freshman and sophomore seasons, Schaus’ “best game” was good enough to intimidate any Ivy League foe. She was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2005 and first team All-Ivy in 2006. In her rookie season, as the number two pitcher, she held opponents to a .191 batting average and, along with teammate Erin Snyder ’06, had more than 200 strikeouts.

The following season Schaus was able to improve her already impressive statistics. She averaged just under 10 strikeouts per game — a number high enough to place her at 17th among all Division I pitchers — and became one of only three Princeton pitchers to have two 200-strikeout seasons in their career.

Beyond enormous personal success, Schaus helped lead her team to Ivy League titles in 2005 and 2006. Along with these titles came a chance to compete in the NCAA Championship tournament, an experience that Schaus counts as a highlight of her collegiate career.

“Making it to regionals freshman year was really exciting,” Schaus said. “We were two innings away from making it to the regional championship against eventual champion Arizona. Although it broke my heart giving up the runs in the last two innings, I was still really proud of our accomplishment as a team.”

Last season, the magical ride came to a screeching halt. Both Schaus and the team struggled, finishing the 2007 season with a losing record overall for the first time since 2000.

“For some reason, it was a very challenging year,” Schaus said. “There were times where I felt great and was able to shut down solid teams, and then there were times when I was giving up runs and big hits to teams that I knew I should have been dominating. It was really hard not to win Ivies, and I felt like I let myself and my team down.”

Disappointment over last year’s finish, however, may be what propels this year’s team to new heights. Schaus is not only looking forward to showing off her own top form, but is also excited about the influx of new blood. The coaching staff has been completely reworked, with former assistant coach Trina Salciado replacing Maureen Barron ’97 as head coach, Schaus’ former teammate Cristina Cobb-Adams ’06 taking on the role of assistant coach and former Penn assistant Alexis Alcantara taking over as the pitching coach.

“Alexis came into this year as our new pitching coach, and it has been a great experience,” Schaus said. “She has really focused on getting the bullpen as strong and conditioned as possible.”

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With these new coaches comes an invigorated spirit for the Tigers. Schaus especially is looking to end her career on a positive note and has been encouraged by what she’s seen so far.

“As a team, I can definitely say that this has been one of the best off-seasons in terms of workouts we’ve had,” Schaus said. “The team dynamic is amazing.”

Building off this energizing team dynamic, Schaus is ready for a strong finish to her career as a Tiger. She’s within reach of becoming the University’s career strikeout leader and is dedicated to bringing another Ivy League Championship back to Princeton.

“Personally, my goal is to bring my best game every time I’m on the mound,” Schaus said. “I know what I’m capable of, and with an amazing defense behind me, I need to make sure to make good pitches. I had one of my toughest [and] most challenging seasons on the mound last year, and I’m looking forward to improving on that.”