Radnor shortstop Audrey Rosenblum is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
Rosenblum, a senior, has provided the Raiders with stellar play at shortstop for the past four years. A first team All-Central League pick (for the second consecutive year) and first team All-Main Line selection last spring, Rosenblum has kept up the pace in 2019, batting .364 in the leadoff spot with an OPS of 1.035 (as of May 13). Since 2016, she has played 80 games at shortstop for the Raiders (possibly the most games/innings at SS in Radnor history). A three-sport athlete, she also has played soccer and basketball for the Raiders, and is a member of National Honors Society, Model Congress, SpeakUp!, and RHS Women in Business Club.
Q: How do you view your infield leadership role as a shortstop?
A: As a freshman, I was hesitant to take on the role of shortstop because of the leadership and responsibility that comes with it. However, being able to play that position as an underclassman gave me the extra knowledge and experience necessary to fill the shoes. As I got older and had the opportunity to play with different combinations of players in different positions, I was really able to step into the position with full confidence.
Q: As a leadoff hitter, you have been a very productive batter over the past few years. What do you think has been the most important thing you’ve learned recently regarding hitting?
A: Confidence is everything. Everyone has good games and everyone has bad games. Most recently, I’ve focused on keeping my front side in and staying through the ball. I’ve learned to try my best to stay out of my head and just focus on the next at bat.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive softball. Have you always played shortstop?
A: I’ve been playing the game since I was in preschool, from tee ball with the boys’ teams because they didn’t have a girls’ team available, to having a catch with my Dad in the backyard. Once my sister started playing rec softball, I would go to every game and hope that they would ask me to jump in if somebody didn’t show up! Until my freshman year, I was a pitcher, in addition to playing shortstop.
Q: Who have been your biggest softball mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you about softball?
A: Coach Schaefer [Radnor head coach John Schaefer] has been one of my biggest mentors in softball. He’s taught me to stay true to my game and just go out and play. He always encourages me to forget about expectations and simply do what I do best. Coach C Fran [assistant coach Amanda Lewis] has always been there to keep me relaxed, on and off the field. She’s the first person I go to when I’m frustrated during a practice or game since she always knows the right thing to say. Last but definitely not least, my Dad has taught me all that I know. As my No. 1 fan, he makes it to every game, no matter the sport, or makes sure that he’s getting play by play updates. I wouldn’t be the player, student, or person that I am today without him.
Q: What is your favorite ballpark and why?
A: Citizens Bank Park because I’ll never forget going to the last game of the 2008 World Series with my Dad and seeing Philly erupt when the game was won.
Q: What uniform number do you wear for Radnor? Was there a reason you chose this number – does this number have any significance to you?
A: I’ve always worn 12 for softball. Numbers 7, 12, 24 have always been my lucky numbers for some unknown reason so I wear a different one for each season.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: I usually try to get something from Wawa for lunch. I’m a big coffee person but I try my best not to drink it on game days. Then, as a team, we sometimes play music in the locker room or on the field while warming up. Before every game, I write out the lineup on our white board and find a different quote that has significance to the game.
Q: You’re headed to Vanderbilt University next fall – what do you plan to major in?
A: I’m enrolled in Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development and planning on majoring in Human Organization in Development. I’ve always wanted to go into business but found the human/organization/management side of it to be the most interesting, so this major encompasses all of it. I also may minor in Psychology or Political Science.
Fun facts – Audrey Rosenblum
Favorite book: The Kite Runner.
Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones.
Favorite movie: The Lion King.
Favorite athlete: Jimmy Rollins.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite pre-game meal: “Anything from Wawa.”
Person I most admire, and why: “My mom – she manages to keep all of our lives organized and running smoothly and still somehow makes it to each and every one of my games.”
Family members: parents Jeff and Lon, sister Sarah, brothers Zach and Danny.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
