Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Sports

Freshman shortstop Brittini Merchant swings at a pitch Saturday against Northern Illinois at the CMU Softball Complex. Merchant is the sister of Jessica Merchant, who won a national championship at Michigan in 2005. [Click to enlarge]

Dominating on the softball field is a family-shared talent for Brittini Merchant.

The freshman shortstop is the third of four girls in her family to play softball on a collegiate level. Nicki Merchant, 26, played first base at Ferris State University and graduated in 2004. Jessica Merchant, 24, won a national title in 2005 at the University of Michigan and currently plays for the New England Riptide in the National Pro Fastpitch league.

"I am very proud of my sisters, but I want to make a name for myself," Brittini said. "Everybody knew who my sister was and want people to know who I am, not just Jesse's little sister."

Another Merchant sister may be on the way to the collegiate level. Macy Merchant is the youngest of the four and was named to the 2007 All-State softball team as a sophomore at Wayland Union High School.

Brittini started setting herself apart from her sisters on the softball field as early as high school. She was named 2007 Michigan Miss Softball as a senior.

"It was a real big honor," Brittini said. "I never thought it would happen. When it did, it was awesome."

Along with following her sisters' accomplishments, Brittini is trying to replace another skilled player. She has secured her spot at shortstop at CMU and has started in every game this season, replacing Stephanie Crews, a four-year starter at the position.

"She is a totally different player than Stephanie Crews," said coach Margo Jonker. "Stephanie had a gun for an arm, so she sat back on the balls. Brittini charges the ball and has a quick release. Stephanie was a little slower, and Brittini has excellent foot speed."

Brittini also is a second-generation student athlete as her mom, Deb, played tennis at Ferris State. She also has three aunts who competed at the collegiate level, including Jennifer Ritz, who played basketball and softball for CMU.

"My whole family has been involved in sports," Brittini said. "Softball has been in my family ever since I was real little."

Brittini hit her first home run March 26, in an 8-6 loss to Valparaiso. She also has proved to be patient at the plate with just eight strikeouts, the fewest among CMU players with at least 60 at bats. She also is tied for the most walks on the team, with seven.

But defensively, Brittini has started slow. Her 10 errors are the most on the team. But Jonker said as a freshman, Brittini will be able to make improvements as her young talent progresses.

"She needs to learn to be focused all the time, which is a big difference when you play at this level - being able to have some hard shots hit at you and still make the play. And when you make a mistake, move on," Jonker said.



sports@cm-life.com

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