Mundelein’s Shea Eaman didn’t expect to play college softball.
That was particularly true after Eaman’s father, Rex, died in October 2020.
“Since my dad passed away, my mom has really emphasized having as much fun as I can while playing,” Eaman said. “Softball is something I’ve always done for fun. I didn’t necessarily want to pursue it after high school.
“I take softball seriously — I want to get better and still make memories — but don’t want to get overly invested in outcomes.”
But Eaman’s outlook evolved as her high school career progressed.
“The summer right after my sophomore year, I started thinking I could never imagine being done with softball,” she said. “The thought of not playing softball made me sick. I started seeing my teammates committing. I realized it was something I wanted to do.
“I had amazing travel coaches who helped me with the process. I’m shocked I ended up doing it.”
Eaman committed to Kalamazoo College in November after an impressive varsity debut as a junior last year. Primarily a designated player, she batted .342 with 17 RBIs, none more significant than the go-ahead run in the seventh inning of the Mustangs’ 1-0 victory over Stevenson
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in the Class 4A sectional semifinals.“Shea is a player who put in the time and work to get where she is,” Mundelein coach Heather Ryan said. “She worked her way from the beginning of her junior season to being in the DP position. We had Claire Connelly, an Indiana State recruit, at first base. We weren’t going to sub out Claire. Shea found a way to get herself in the lineup.
“She is so calm, collected and confident. She showed that against Stevenson.”
Eaman, who said she has a 4.3 GPA and will graduate summa cum laude, thinks her experience on Mundelein’s mock trial team has helped her maintain her composure under pressure.
“I was nervous in the seventh against Stevenson, but I had been in that nervous state before from mock trails,” she said. “I was able to calm myself down before getting the RBI single. It helped me level my breathing.”
Eaman has succeeded Connelly at first base in her senior season and has been even more productive. She’s batting .368 with three doubles, 12 RBIs, 14 runs scored and five stolen bases for the Mustangs (12-4, 8-2), who are tied with Lake Zurich in second place behind Warren in the North Suburban Conference.
“Shea worked her way up the levels as a result of her hard work and dedication,” Mundelein senior third baseman Emily Courtney said. “Her resilience is inspiring.”
Mundelein junior outfielder Mia Gargano agreed.
“Shea is someone who never stops working,” Gargano said. “Shea has worked incredibly hard throughout the past years, and it truly shows offensively.
“She also is very good and smart on defense. Her flexibility at first base is quite impressive. I’ve been shocked a few times by watching her do the splits to scoop a ball.”
Most of all, Eaman is enjoying herself.
“I’m having a lot of fun this year,” she said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.