Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Spotlight: Vanessa Shippy
April 17, 2015 | Cowgirl Softball
OSU freshman provides an impact both on and off the field
There is always something special about great athletes -- their height, speed and intangibles make them stand out from the rest. Only a few make as big an impact in their community than they do on the field.
Oklahoma State second baseman Vanessa Shippy has the desire to be the best athlete on the field and in her community. Â
"I've wanted to play college softball since I was like 5 years old, so I've known I've wanted to devote myself to it for as long as I can remember," Shippy said.
Since coming to Stillwater, Shippy has made a big impact on the community. On off days, she spends her time as a peer tutor for local children and serves as a youth softball instructor.
"I just felt like it would be good to get involved with the community," Shippy said. "And I also enjoyed using my skills to help up-and-coming softball players work on their technique and become better ballplayers."
At Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Shippy was a four-time All-America and All-State selection. She also made three consecutive trips to the state championship.
As a freshman, Shippy quickly saw success, as her team won the state championship. The next year however, Lake City fell short in the state championship game, providing Shippy with a motivational tool for the future.
"Winning it all almost seemed like an expectation to me, but we came up short my sophomore year, so it made me want it even more," Shippy said.Â
Her junior season, she made sure her team would make another appearance in the state championship. The 5-foot 9-inch star batted .737 with 69 runs, 54 stolen bases and 70 hits all in 28 games leading her team to its second state title in three years.Â
"Winning it again my junior year was almost like a relieving feeling of sorts, just because I knew we could get back to that same level we were at when I first came in," Shippy said.
The Idaho native was in a league of her own as an upperclassman, batting .672 with 10 home runs, 133 hits, 71 RBIs and 129 runs scored over her final two seasons.
But the most impressive statistic Shippy had in high school was a 4.16 GPA while also being part of her student council and student-leadership program.
"I knew that having good grades would help me stand out with coaches who were looking at recruiting me, so it was really like a motivation toward improving my softball career," Shippy said. "Yeah, it was time-consuming and took a lot of work, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
Shippy's video game-like numbers earned her the 2013-14 National Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in the state of Idaho. But after all her high school success, she kept her eyes on the real prize -- playing college softball.
"It was a great honor, and I felt extremely grateful to be named the best player in the state and one of the best in the country," Shippy said. "At the same time, though, I knew I would have to stay humble coming into college.
"I knew I had achieved a lot at the high school level, but I also knew there'd be much more for me to accomplish in college."
Shippy received a few scholarship offers, but Idaho State and Oklahoma State were the favorites. When visiting Stillwater, she knew right away that Oklahoma State was where she wanted to play college softball.
"Coach Wigs was great with my family, and I absolutely loved the atmosphere when I first came to Stillwater," Shippy said, referring to Rick Wieligman, Oklahoma State's ninth-year head coach. Â
As of April 17, Shippy has a .302 batting average, 26 RBIs and 30 runs. Shippy is tied for first in the Big 12 with 12 doubles, and is tied for seventh with 25 walks.
Having an aggressive mindset is a big part of the way Shippy plays, which is why she is tied for fourth in the Big 12 with 16 stolen bases.
"Being aggressive really helps with the little things in the game, like advancing an extra base or covering an overthrow," Shippy said. "I'll also do whatever it takes to get on base, whether it's working a walk or wearing an inside pitch."
The early success and poise Shippy has brought to the team has also made an impression on Wieligman, as well.
"The work ethic she has brought to this team is unbelievable," Wieligman said. "She has no friends because she is always trying to do something extra with softball, which helps her to bring a lot to the table."
Shippy appears to be the leader of the future for the Cowgirls.
"We're right around .500 right now, but I'm going to put all of my effort into doing everything I can to help us succeed in Big 12 play and make a push toward the NCAA tournament," Shippy said.
Oklahoma State second baseman Vanessa Shippy has the desire to be the best athlete on the field and in her community. Â
"I've wanted to play college softball since I was like 5 years old, so I've known I've wanted to devote myself to it for as long as I can remember," Shippy said.
Since coming to Stillwater, Shippy has made a big impact on the community. On off days, she spends her time as a peer tutor for local children and serves as a youth softball instructor.
"I just felt like it would be good to get involved with the community," Shippy said. "And I also enjoyed using my skills to help up-and-coming softball players work on their technique and become better ballplayers."
At Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Shippy was a four-time All-America and All-State selection. She also made three consecutive trips to the state championship.
As a freshman, Shippy quickly saw success, as her team won the state championship. The next year however, Lake City fell short in the state championship game, providing Shippy with a motivational tool for the future.
"Winning it all almost seemed like an expectation to me, but we came up short my sophomore year, so it made me want it even more," Shippy said.Â
Her junior season, she made sure her team would make another appearance in the state championship. The 5-foot 9-inch star batted .737 with 69 runs, 54 stolen bases and 70 hits all in 28 games leading her team to its second state title in three years.Â
"Winning it again my junior year was almost like a relieving feeling of sorts, just because I knew we could get back to that same level we were at when I first came in," Shippy said.
The Idaho native was in a league of her own as an upperclassman, batting .672 with 10 home runs, 133 hits, 71 RBIs and 129 runs scored over her final two seasons.
But the most impressive statistic Shippy had in high school was a 4.16 GPA while also being part of her student council and student-leadership program.
"I knew that having good grades would help me stand out with coaches who were looking at recruiting me, so it was really like a motivation toward improving my softball career," Shippy said. "Yeah, it was time-consuming and took a lot of work, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
Shippy's video game-like numbers earned her the 2013-14 National Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in the state of Idaho. But after all her high school success, she kept her eyes on the real prize -- playing college softball.
"It was a great honor, and I felt extremely grateful to be named the best player in the state and one of the best in the country," Shippy said. "At the same time, though, I knew I would have to stay humble coming into college.
"I knew I had achieved a lot at the high school level, but I also knew there'd be much more for me to accomplish in college."
Shippy received a few scholarship offers, but Idaho State and Oklahoma State were the favorites. When visiting Stillwater, she knew right away that Oklahoma State was where she wanted to play college softball.
"Coach Wigs was great with my family, and I absolutely loved the atmosphere when I first came to Stillwater," Shippy said, referring to Rick Wieligman, Oklahoma State's ninth-year head coach. Â
As of April 17, Shippy has a .302 batting average, 26 RBIs and 30 runs. Shippy is tied for first in the Big 12 with 12 doubles, and is tied for seventh with 25 walks.
Having an aggressive mindset is a big part of the way Shippy plays, which is why she is tied for fourth in the Big 12 with 16 stolen bases.
"Being aggressive really helps with the little things in the game, like advancing an extra base or covering an overthrow," Shippy said. "I'll also do whatever it takes to get on base, whether it's working a walk or wearing an inside pitch."
The early success and poise Shippy has brought to the team has also made an impression on Wieligman, as well.
"The work ethic she has brought to this team is unbelievable," Wieligman said. "She has no friends because she is always trying to do something extra with softball, which helps her to bring a lot to the table."
Shippy appears to be the leader of the future for the Cowgirls.
"We're right around .500 right now, but I'm going to put all of my effort into doing everything I can to help us succeed in Big 12 play and make a push toward the NCAA tournament," Shippy said.
Players Mentioned
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