By Suzy Alstrin
From Waleska to Germany to Australia – A Reinhardt alumna has taken her softball pitching skills worldwide. Whitney Shepherd (RU-2023 & 2024) played for the Eagles while earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at Reinhardt. With a deep love for the sport and award-winning talent, she wanted to keep playing after graduation. Shepherd joined the Neunkirchen Nightmares in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany, one of several professional teams to recruit her. Once that season ended in October, she began competing with the Seacombe Tigers in Adelaide, South Australia.
While playing on the Tigers, the organization Softball South Australia asked if she would represent the country in their Under 23 National Championship Tournament to fight for the world title. “I can’t even describe what I felt being given this opportunity,” Shepherd recalled. “During this tournament, I had the chance to pitch in the game against China’s U23 national team along with the best of the best out of the other states of Australia. I would’ve never thought I, as an American, would be playing for Australia competing against China.” She’s also found it rewarding to coach youth teams while abroad.
Shepherd is keeping her options open after the season ends in April, but knows she wants to work in athletics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sport studies, a minor in business, and a master’s degree in sport administration leadership. Having accomplished her degrees in just four years while playing a sport serves as a testament to her hard work and dedication. She thanks her supportive family, including her sister Lindsey Shepherd (RU-2021) with whom she overlapped on Reinhardt’s softball roster. “That would have to be one of my favorite softball memories. Not many people get to say they got the opportunity to play a collegiate sport with their siblings. She was always my role model growing up, so I learned everything I know about pitching from her.”
While on the Eagles, among her honors, Shepherd earned the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Pitcher of the Year award and the AAC Champion of Character award. She graduated with Alpha Chi and Summa Cum Laude academic honors. She recalls someone saying that after college, her softball career would end – that no one at that level would ever play professional ball. Using those words as self-motivation, Shepherd now tells others, “Believe in yourself and never let someone take away your confidence. Trust in yourself and make the change you need to happen. Never think your dream is too big!”
