Lutz aiming to walk out on top
4/10/2017 9:48:00 AM | Softball, Features
MIllersville, Pennsylvania -Â Heather Lutz leaves the on-deck circle and strolls to the batter's box as her music hits and Unk's "Walk it out" plays over the speakers. Hitting in the leadoff spot for the Marauders, Lutz tries to get on base any way she can, so it comes as no surprise that the senior outfielder leads the Millersville in walks, hit-by-pitches, and on-base percentage.
"At first it was an adjustment," Lutz said of hitting leadoff. "But I have grown to love it. I have an opportunity to set the tone every time."
Lutz is currently third all-time with 64 walks and so far has posted a career-high on-base percentage of .516. But don't let those numbers fool you, the Horsham native can rake, topping the Marauders career-doubles list with 52, including a team-high 15 so far in this season. In 2016, the then junior was named All-PSAC East after batting .340 with 48 hits and 12 doubles.
"This was a big accomplishment in my softball career," Lutz said. "It was an amazing recognition for all of my hard work. I wouldn't have been able to do it without my teammates behind me and everyone else's effort."
These numbers helped propel Lutz further into the Marauder record books, currently ranking in the top 10 in runs, hits, games played and slugging percentage. Additionally, Lutz is a phenomenal fielder, ranking second all-time at Millersville with a fielding percentage of .989.
"Heather is a competitor," said head coach Jen Probst. "Right away I could tell that she wanted to win. She wanted to help take this team to the next level, and it shows with her play at the plate and in the field."
"I've always focused on my first step and just covering as much ground as I can," Lutz said. "I like to adjust after the first time through the batting order. I think just knowing each batter's potential and where they hit is key."Â
Although Lutz had a very productive first two years, it was the arrival of then first-year coach Jen Probst that propelled her even further.
"From the moment (Probst), came to Millersville, the vibe was completely different," Lutz said. "She instilled a positive atmosphere that the team bought into quickly, and it showed on the field."
The positive attitude and performance from players like Lutz led the Marauders to earn their first ever PSAC Tournament berth, where they would go on to win a pair of games and even upset nationally-ranked West Chester.
"Making the PSAC Tournament was one of the best feelings," Lutz said. "My freshman and sophomore year we had missed playoffs by two games and that was very heart-breaking, but we knew we belonged there. When we upset West Chester, it was one of the best games that I have ever played in."
Playing at a high level runs in the Lutz family. Lutz's dad played baseball at Bloomsburg while her mom and five cousins all played collegiate softball.
"Both of my parents were great players at their sports," Lutz said. "My mom held a bunch of records at Lock Haven until a few years ago. Her freshman year of college she was national runner-up. They taught me everything I know and they made me the player I am."
Living in Horsham, Pa., Lutz's parents have been able to make almost all of her games, for which she is very grateful.
"They have gone on every spring break trip and never miss conference play," said Lutz. "My parents and brother have been my biggest supporters in my life. I want to make them proud and be the best I can because of them."
Lutz also has a younger brother Kenny who is an aspiring athlete that plays basketball, baseball and golf.
"I strive to be his role model every day," Lutz said. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him."
Lutz may soon be a role model to many youngsters, majoring in special education because of her passion for helping children.
"I really fell in love with special education my senior year of high school while I was at the beach," Lutz said. "A young girl with down syndrome came up to me on the, grabbed my hand, and took me into the water. I played with her for three hours and that really changed my life. I realized the impact I could make on children that have disabilities and realized how much I had a passion for it."Â
On the field, it's no surprise that Lutz and her teammates are setting the bar high after last season's success, hoping to repeat and even surpass the 2016 run. As for her walk-out song, it embodies Lutz's approach to the game, and life.
"It is a song from the early 2000s that I have always loved," Lutz said. "Ever since freshman year I said it was going to be my walk-out song because it was going to be the last chance I had to 'walk it out.'"
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"At first it was an adjustment," Lutz said of hitting leadoff. "But I have grown to love it. I have an opportunity to set the tone every time."
Lutz is currently third all-time with 64 walks and so far has posted a career-high on-base percentage of .516. But don't let those numbers fool you, the Horsham native can rake, topping the Marauders career-doubles list with 52, including a team-high 15 so far in this season. In 2016, the then junior was named All-PSAC East after batting .340 with 48 hits and 12 doubles.
"This was a big accomplishment in my softball career," Lutz said. "It was an amazing recognition for all of my hard work. I wouldn't have been able to do it without my teammates behind me and everyone else's effort."
These numbers helped propel Lutz further into the Marauder record books, currently ranking in the top 10 in runs, hits, games played and slugging percentage. Additionally, Lutz is a phenomenal fielder, ranking second all-time at Millersville with a fielding percentage of .989.
"Heather is a competitor," said head coach Jen Probst. "Right away I could tell that she wanted to win. She wanted to help take this team to the next level, and it shows with her play at the plate and in the field."
"I've always focused on my first step and just covering as much ground as I can," Lutz said. "I like to adjust after the first time through the batting order. I think just knowing each batter's potential and where they hit is key."Â
Although Lutz had a very productive first two years, it was the arrival of then first-year coach Jen Probst that propelled her even further.
"From the moment (Probst), came to Millersville, the vibe was completely different," Lutz said. "She instilled a positive atmosphere that the team bought into quickly, and it showed on the field."
The positive attitude and performance from players like Lutz led the Marauders to earn their first ever PSAC Tournament berth, where they would go on to win a pair of games and even upset nationally-ranked West Chester.
"Making the PSAC Tournament was one of the best feelings," Lutz said. "My freshman and sophomore year we had missed playoffs by two games and that was very heart-breaking, but we knew we belonged there. When we upset West Chester, it was one of the best games that I have ever played in."
Playing at a high level runs in the Lutz family. Lutz's dad played baseball at Bloomsburg while her mom and five cousins all played collegiate softball.
"Both of my parents were great players at their sports," Lutz said. "My mom held a bunch of records at Lock Haven until a few years ago. Her freshman year of college she was national runner-up. They taught me everything I know and they made me the player I am."
Living in Horsham, Pa., Lutz's parents have been able to make almost all of her games, for which she is very grateful.
"They have gone on every spring break trip and never miss conference play," said Lutz. "My parents and brother have been my biggest supporters in my life. I want to make them proud and be the best I can because of them."
Lutz also has a younger brother Kenny who is an aspiring athlete that plays basketball, baseball and golf.
"I strive to be his role model every day," Lutz said. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him."
Lutz may soon be a role model to many youngsters, majoring in special education because of her passion for helping children.
"I really fell in love with special education my senior year of high school while I was at the beach," Lutz said. "A young girl with down syndrome came up to me on the, grabbed my hand, and took me into the water. I played with her for three hours and that really changed my life. I realized the impact I could make on children that have disabilities and realized how much I had a passion for it."Â
On the field, it's no surprise that Lutz and her teammates are setting the bar high after last season's success, hoping to repeat and even surpass the 2016 run. As for her walk-out song, it embodies Lutz's approach to the game, and life.
"It is a song from the early 2000s that I have always loved," Lutz said. "Ever since freshman year I said it was going to be my walk-out song because it was going to be the last chance I had to 'walk it out.'"
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