Tied for second place in the Heartland Conference standings, the St. Edward’s University softball team has several underclassmen starters looking to see how they best contribute.

“It’s been kind of filling in shoes of people prior to you, trying to figure out who you are and how you can make a difference for the team,” sophomore infielder Shelby Janda said.

Janda was a pinch hitter as a freshman, and has played most games at third base as a sophomore, while hitting two home runs and eight RBI’s.

The Hilltoppers are currently 10-5, and need to win at least five of their next six road games to claim the regular season title. As for Janda, her season has come to a premature end, as she recently underwent knee surgery.

“My mindset is to come back stronger than I was before. There’s a reason for everything,” Janda said. “Maybe me sitting out will make me realize what I need to improve to help the team.”

Freshman Karolina Rodriguez will take Janda’s place in the lineup.

Although Janda wishes she could play for the rest of the season, she is looking forward to watching her team compete, and is on the road to recovery for next year.

Here’s a look at Janda’s typical Tuesday during softball season, when she and her teammates juggle classes with a doubleheader:

7:15 a.m. Wake Up

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

8 a.m. Basic Christian Questions class

9:30 Measurements & Evaluation of Sports class

11 a.m. Do stretches with the trainers

11:20 a.m. Start warming up for games

1 p.m. Softball Game 1

2:30 p.m. Lunch in the dugout

3 p.m. Softball Game 2

6:30 p.m. Sports Journalism class

9:20 p.m. Drink Brisk Tea with teammates

11:30 p.m. Go to sleep