Always pitching to help: Becky Anderson: Senior contributes on and off the field

Senior Becky Anderson does not wear a mask or cape, but she is still a superhero in many respects. Whether pitching on the field for the George Mason University softball team or helping save homeless animals, Anderson exemplifies the key qualities of a student-athlete.

Entering the 2010 season as one of the team’s two seniors, Anderson has played a smaller role on the pitching staff, paving the way for sophomore Miranda Cranford. Averaging 33 appearances in her first three years, Anderson has made six appearances as Mason nears the midway point of the season.

While playing with a group of young pitchers, Anderson is on track for the best season of her collegiate career, sporting a 3-1 record with a 1.36 ERA. Through 36 innings, Anderson has been nearly unhittable, allowing opposing batters to hit just .167 off her. She recently demonstrated her dominance with her perfect game in Mason’s 5-0 win against the Morgan State Bears.

Rhythmically sitting down batters one after another, Anderson had not attained the knowledge of her perfect game until the last inning of her masterpiece.

“During the perfect game, I was just thinking that nobody has gotten hits, nobody has gotten on base,” said Anderson. “I was so focused on that that I didn’t realize it was a perfect game until the fifth inning, until I got the first out.”

Although being one of the team’s key players in its recent past, Anderson infamously led the Colonial Athletic Association for most losses in a season. Anderson entered the season with a 31-53 career record after losing 22 games last season. In 2009, she allowed a conference-worst 104 runs, 65 of which were earned, while finishing eighth in the CAA with a 2.51 ERA. Prior to that year, Anderson achieved a school record of 36 appearances in 201-1/3 innings and posted an impressive 1.95 ERA.

However, Anderson feels that with an improved lineup, comprised of “true ballplayers,” the team has a possible shot at accomplishing its goal of reaching the CAA Tournament.

“We have girls who come out every day that want to work harder than any other team, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes,” said Anderson. “Now, we have a complete team from 1 to 9 to the bench; everybody is just hard-working, and they just want to win.”

Anderson admits that she does not hold a particular tradition, but she does have one big pet peeve.

“I don’t like anyone else touching the ball,” said Anderson. “If the coach gives us a brand new ball all wrapped up, I don’t like when other people unwrap it.”

In addition to excelling on the field, Anderson has been equally skilled as a contributor to the community. Anderson was named one of the top 30 candidates for the 2010 Senior CLASS Award for softball earlier in the year. Being recognized for the award, Anderson has excelled in the four areas: classroom, character, community and competition. She has been involved in a number of events, including Letters 4 Kids, Mason’s Victims Rights 5K Fun Run/Walk and the Hunger and Homelessness Action Week Food Drive.

Anderson, whose interest in helping within the community has been a vital part of her life, shows great passion towards animals. An owner of two rescue dogs, she works at the Friends of Homeless Animals organization in Aldie, Va. to help provide for the shelterless animals.

“I used to want to do something with animals when I was younger, and now it’s just so rewarding working with them,” said Anderson.

In addition to helping animals, Anderson admits that her one unique talent is making balloon animals.

Recognized for being proficient both on the field and in the classroom, Anderson has maintained high marks in her classes.

“It’s definitely important to get the schoolwork in and get the education because we’re student-athletes, not athlete-students,” said Anderson.

Anderson, an accounting major, already has her post-undergraduate career set. She will immediately begin working for a local accounting firm.

Anderson, who does not have a nickname or supernatural identity on the team, is genuinely an individual who is willing to help the team win or help an animal find a home.