Fall practice is heating up as Auburn softball prepares to return to the field for the 2021 season. Head coach Mickey Dean will lead a squad of 29 student-athletes onto the field to compete, nine of which will be putting on the Auburn uniform for the first time. As the weeks leading up to first pitch count down, we'll introduce the newest Tigers to join the program. Taking the mound, the 2019-20 Gatorade Alabama Softball Player of the Year, Shelby Lowe.
Q: Growing up in the state of Alabama, did you and your family cheer for either Auburn or Alabama? How did that shape where you wanted to continue your softball career?
Lowe: Growing up, we would always root for Auburn even though the rest of my family are Alabama fans. My dad actually graduated from Auburn, so we grew up watching Auburn football with him. This did not affect my recruiting process. All of my options were open. Auburn just felt like home for me.
Q: What has been the highlight of your softball career so far?
Lowe: The highlight of my softball career so far is winning PGF Nationals in 2018 with the Birmingham Thunderbolts. That team was the best thing that ever happened to me, and they will forever be my family.
Q: How is your hometown different from Auburn?
Lowe: My hometown is very, very small. Everybody knows everybody, and it's a family town. Auburn is also a family place, but you can still meet new people every day.
Q: What is one short-term goal and one long-term goal you have for yourself while playing softball at Auburn?
Lowe: One short-term goal is to pitch a perfect game. One long-term goal is to win the national championship.
Q: Do you have any softball icons that you looked up to growing up?
Lowe: Keilani Ricketts was the first person I looked up to when I was young because I was left-handed like she is. Then I looked up to Paige Parker because people always said I looked like her when I pitch.
Q: What jersey number will you wearz? Does that hold any special meaning to you?
Lowe: I will be wearing #55. This number is very special to me because this was my dad's number. I want to grow up and be half the person that he is – I look up to him everyday. If it was not for his love and support, I would not be the person I am today.
Q: What is your intended major and what do you plan to do with it?
Lowe: My major is elementary education. I plan to teach the first or second grade or maybe even special education.
Q: What is your all-time favorite dessert?
Lowe: My Maw's homemade "Holy Smoke" because it is made with so much love and it tastes like heaven in your mouth (Hence the name of it).
Q: What is one word you'd use to describe Coach Dean?
Lowe: Helpful.
Q: Where is your dream vacation destination?
Lowe: I want to go to Hawaii because I want to swim with dolphins and turtles.
Q: How would your friends and family describe you in three words?
Lowe: Outgoing because I never meet a stranger. Mom because I am always looking after everyone. Loveable because I treat everyone like they're my family.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self, who is just beginning her softball career?
Lowe: Never give up and always work hard. People may not always like you on your journey, but you win some and you lose some. The ones that are truly with you every step of the way will be there when it matters most.
Newcomer Spotlight: Shelby Lowe
