By Monica Weltzien, Sports Information Student Assistant
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Blugolds.com) - Even though her college softball career has ended, Amanda Fischer (Sr.-Wausau, Wis./West) is still breaking records. On Wednesday evening, Fischer was recognized as one of fifteen individuals named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American First Team.
The recording break part comes at the local level as Fischer became just the second Blugold in softball program history to earn a First Team All-American honors and now the only player to have been a three-time All-American. She earned Third team honors in both 2013 and 2014 in addition to this year's award.
This season Fischer broke two school records and tied another, engraving her name on the long list of memorable Blugold softball players that have made their mark on the program. Fischer hit 12 home runs to break the previous single season record set in 2006 by Casey Leisgang that stood at 11. Her 38 career homeruns ties the record again with Leisgang. She also stole 29 bases on the year which puts her career total at 101, breaking the career stolen bases record by 32 stolen bases.
Head Coach Leslie Huntington, Amanda Fischer, Assistant Coach Robin Baker
Fischer made an impact in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) as well. She led the conference with a .440 batting average to accompany a .806 slugging percentage that ranks her second in that category. Fischer also topped the conference in both on base percentage (.525) and runs scored (49) while batting in 44 total runs. She tied for first in homeruns at 12 and also in total hits, coming up with 59.
The third baseman also grabbed another First Team All-WIAC nod this season, the fourth time in her career, while also being named the WIAC Position Player of the Year for the second time.
Over four years, the accolades have stacked up but Fischer remains humble when talking about her career; a career that has taken her to places beyond U.S. borders. In 2013, Fischer was invited to travel to Prague, Czech Republic with an American International Sports Team (AIST) softball squad to compete against national teams such as Russia and Croatia in a ten-day European tour.
"You come in with high expectations and hopes for yourself but I never expected it to be this way, this surreal." said Fischer. "I just love the game. It's an honor to play for this program and for Coach [Huntington] and Robin [Baker]. I love being a Blugold."
Coming from a family of Blugold athletes (mom, Sue, played basketball and dad, Todd, played football), Fischer chose Division III because of the opportunities it has offered her outside of athletics. Fischer has been exceedingly active in campus life off the softball field where she is employed as a resident assistant and works as a supportive home care assistant. Her passion for UW-Eau Claire is evident in her involvement as an Admissions Office Intern and Campus Ambassador, where she gives prospective students tours of the UWEC campus and promotes the university outside of the surrounding area.
"Division III has given me the opportunity to play the game I love, to be competitive and excel at my sport; all while still devoting a large portion of my time to other things," she added. "My other passions are important here and I've been able to share them with others outside of softball."
From early morning practices to late night bus rides and everything in between, Fischer's career has been more than memorable. Growth not only as a player but as a person has come from the mentorship of coaches and the support of teammates and friends. Reflecting on the past four years, she credits softball with giving her the opportunity to learn and become the individual she is today.
"As a player, I've put a lot of pressure on myself but I've come to know that I can't and don't have to do everything," said Fischer. "This is a team sport and there's eight other girls on the field that I know I can count on to pick me up, to step up and come through to get the job done."
And as a person, she says she has learned to understand and accept the differences that everyone has to offer. Understanding the backgrounds of her teammates and their stories has given her a chance to know how to be a better leader and provide the needed elements of success to those around her.
Fischer will graduate in December with a degree in kinesiology and psychology minor. Following graduation, she plans to continue her pursuit of a career in student affairs with the hopes of impacting students and other student-athletes in higher education to help them find their passions.