Douglas on Whaley: "Sara has a winner's mentality. She was part of multiple championship teams and knows what it takes to get there."
2018 (Junior): Played in 37 games (32 starts) ... Led team in fielding percentage (.959) ... Second on the team in batting average (.294) and on-base percentage (.333) ... Had three RBIs versus Delaware State (March 17) ... Went 2-2 with two RBIs and a double versus La Salle (April 11) ... named to 2018 MEAC Softball All-Academic Team.
2017 (Sophomore): Named to the 2017 MEAC Softball All-Academic Team ... Competed in 34 contests (30 starts) ... went 2-of-3 with a double in the win versus North Carolina Central (February 11) ... drove in two runs against Saint Francis (Pa.) (February 11) ... went 2-of-3 with three runs scored (career-high), a double, and walk in the game one victory at South Carolina State (March 22) ... went 1-of-2 with two RBIs in the game two win against South Carolina State (March 22) ... went a perfect 3-of-3 with two RBIs and a double at Howard (April 30) ... named to the 2017 MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team.
2016 (Freshman): Took part in 35 games, including 27 starts ... in her collegiate debut against Coppin State (February 12), she went 2-of-4 with two RBIs and a double ... registered two hits and two RBIs at UMBC (February 27) ... went a perfect 2-of-2 with a run scored and RBI at North Carolina Central (March 17) ... scored twice versus UMBC (April 14) ... went 2-of-3 against Howard (April 30).
High School/Club: A three-sport letterman in softball, basketball, and field hockey … In softball, she was named to the All-Henlopen Conference Team three times, including first team twice… In field hockey, she was selected to the All-Henlopen Conference Team three times, including first team twice … Guided the squad to back-to-back DIAA State Softball Championships (2013-14) … For two seasons (2014-15), she led the team in doubles while allowing only four passed balls during the 2013 and 2014 seasons … Member of the Laurel Little League team in Laurel, Delaware … She batted .400 while fielding .950 … Won the 2011 World Series Championship … Academically, made the honor roll (2010-15) and earned academic achievements (2011-15) … Member of the National Honors Society for four years (2011-15) … Graduated top 10-percent of her class … Involved in the Laurel Leo Club as the President … She was on the Board of Directors for the Laurel Community Foundation … Member of Saint Philips Episcopal Church.
Personal: Nickname is Bubblegum … Born July 2, 1996 in Seaford, Delaware … Daughter of Susan and Jeff Whaley … Has two brothers, Zach and Garrett, and a sister, Jordan … Major is Criminal Justice … Pre-game routine/superstition is praying … Plans to become a state police officer … Best advice received/favorite saying is, "A trophy carries dust, but memories last forever" by Mary Lou Retton … Hobbies outside of sports are going to the movies, fishing, and hanging out with friends … Favorite book/author is Mortal Instruments … Favorite movie is Miracle … Personal best sports moment is winning the 2011 World Series with Laurel Little League … Personal best non-athletic accomplishment is receiving the Helen Kirk Scholarship from the Laurel Alumni Association … Most influential person is her father because of his endless support … Personal athletic goals before the season is batting over .500 and a perfect fielding percentage (1.000) … Personal athletic goal before graduating is improving every year … Sara Jo's family means a lot to her and thanks them for their continuous support.
WHALEY'S CAREER STATISTICS
Career Highs
At-bat: 4 (12x, last: at Saint Peter's, April 18, 2018)
Hits: 3 (at Howard, April 30, 2017)
RBIs: 3 (v. Delaware State, March 17, 2018)
Doubles: 1 (6x, last: v. La Salle, April 11, 2018)
Home Runs: 1 (at South Carolina State, March 22, 2018)
Runs Scored: 3 (at South Carolina State, March 22, 2017)
Walks: 2 (v. Coppin State, Feb. 14, 2016)
Stolen Bases: 1 (3x, last: v. Delaware State, March 19, 2016)
