International & NPF

Former HBU Standout Pitcher Sarah Shotton Thriving in The Netherlands

By: Mary Ellen Leisering, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations – Houston Baptist University

ENSCHEDE, The Netherlands – Former HBU standout pitcher, Sarah Shotton, who hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, came to the United States four years ago to make a name for herself in softball. Check. Now, Shotton is thriving in professional softball in another foreign country: The Netherlands.

Shortly after graduating in a degree in counseling and psychology from HBU in May, 2013, Shotton packed her bags and flew halfway around the world to Enschede, The Netherlands – located an hour and 39 minutes from Amsterdam and located near The Netherlands/Germany border – to play professional softball for the Tex Town Tigers.

“A couple of weeks before school ended [in May], a former teammate asked if I would like to play ball overseas. I was taken aback a bit and confused as I was planning on taking a couple of years off from softball to possibly pursue a master’s degree. But, as we all know, God has His own plan in mind!” said Shotton.

After graduation, Shotton spent four short days with her family back home in Canada, packed her things, and was on a plane to Amsterdam. She felt nervous about the unknown and the language barrier, but believed she could make things work.

The Tigers are a very young team, so they have hit some bumps along the way this season, but Shotton says she loves her team and is extremely excited on this new chapter in her life. “They [my host family and teammates] have taken me as their own and have started to teach me Dutch – definitely a tough job for them!” said Shotton.

During the summer, Shotton’s dad came to visit her and they have seen Rome, Milan, Paris, and Belgium. Shotton and her teammates have also been to Greece and Ireland. Shotton says she is currently looking into playing ball in New Zealand in the winter (during their summer).

“I am so excited for this chapter in my life and felt I have grown so much from my experience,” said Shotton. “The language is different, the food is different, but if not for these things, then why would we travel the world?

“None of these opportunities would not have been possible without my coming here [to HBU] and without the help of my teammate, Bailey, and my recruiter, Anne.”

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