While most see the gaudy numbers, DJ Sanders sees a chance to get better.
Sanders’ take on her 2017 season — one that saw her lead the nation in runs per game, home runs, home runs per game, RBIs, RBIs per game, total bases, and slugging percentage at the completion of regular-season play — offers a glimpse into why the former New Hope High School product has become one of the country’s best softball players at Louisiana-Lafayette.
“If you ask me, I probably could have done better to make those numbers a little harder to reach this year,” said Sanders, who was named a first-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American and Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. “But because I slacked off at the end and didn’t finish with numbers as good as I could have, I don’t know if it is going to be so difficult.”
Sanders, who turns 21 Friday, has spent the offseason working out at the YMCA in Columbus in hopes of eclipsing the career-best .388 batting average, 29 home runs, and 82 RBIs she recorded as part of ULL’s 47-8 season. On Monday morning, Sanders took a break to relive some of that success when the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors presented her with a resolution.
The resolution dated June 5, which was presented to Sanders by District 3 Supervisor John Holliman, states, “Whereas D.J. Sanders has distinguished herself in the sport of fast pitch softball by leading the nation in home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage and was named a first team All-American in Division I fast pitch softball; Whereas D.J. Sanders began her softball career at New Hope High School; Whereas D.J. Sanders has been a source of great pride to her community. Be it therefore resolved, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors commends the achievements of D.J. Sanders and wishes her much success in her future endeavors.”
ULL softball coach Michael Lotief appreciates the efforts by the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors to recognize Sanders. He said he has been recruiting in the state of Mississippi three times this summer and people have walked up to him to let him know they are so proud of Sanders. He said that speaks to Sanders’ qualities as an all-around softball player and as a young woman.
“Everybody knew it was there,” Lotief said of the skills Sanders unleashed on opponents this past season. “Everybody who has been around DJ knows she has the athleticism and the right mind-set and the right work ethic and the right passion and she has the right motives. Everyone knows she is a competitor and that she wants to win and she does the best every day. It was just a matter of time that it all came together. I could see it from the first time I met her that she has all of the characteristics in somebody to be an elite athlete on the biggest stage.”
Lotief knows Sanders will continue to inspire the next generation of softball players to believe in their dreams and to strive to accomplish their goals. He believes Sanders, who has participated with the United States’ Junior Women’s National Team, has the potential to go even higher, which could mean a place representing her country in the Olympics. Lotief has been around the best players in the world for the last 17-18 years and has no problem saying Sanders is in “elite company” in this country.
“I said it all this past year and I will say it all next year, she is one of best power hitters, one of the best shortstops, one of the best teammates, and one of the best role models in this community,” Lotief said. “She is the perfect player, the perfect person, and she has the perfect characteristics to represent Columbus, Mississippi, the Ragin’ Cajuns, or the United States of America. She has it all to do whatever is put on her plate.”
Sanders isn’t sure what will happen after her senior season at ULL. A Kinesiology major, Sanders said she could pursue a career in sports communications or physical therapy at the same time she continues to play softball, if she has a chance to do that. While she would love a chance to represent her country again, Sanders isn’t going to think that far in advance because she knows she has things to work on. Just for the record, she went “only” 4-for-14 in her final four games of the 2017 season. She also isn’t sure if she has the patience to be a coach.
“I am not going to get my hopes up, but if I do get a chance (to represent the U.S. on the Olympic team), I would love to do that,” Sanders said. “Even if I don’t get a chance to play for the Olympic team, I already am representing Lowndes County at my school, and the chance I was on the Junior National team, I think I was able to represent them pretty well, too.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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