- "I made Virginia Wesleyan my top choice because of the small atmosphere and the fun people at the school. Also, the fact that it’s really close to the beach made it the No. 1 choice for me."
- Selected VWC over York College of Pennsylvania
Career Highs
Innings Pitched: 7.0 – (4x, most recent, Roanoke – 4/18/15 – G2)
Strikeouts: 8 – (at Guilford – 4/12/15 – G2)
2015 All-Atlantic Region Third Team
2014-15 ODAC All-Academic Team
2015 All-ODAC Second Team
Junior (2015): Moved into a starting role as a junior, starting 18 of 19 games in the circle… Posted the second-best ERA in the conference (1.23) while throwing 97 innings… Threw a no-hitter against Bridgewater College on April 3, one error away from a perfect game… Struck out eight in five shutout innings to get the victory at Guilford College on April 12… Allowed just one earned run from April 3 to April 24.
Sophomore (2014): NCAA Division III statistical leader in saves with five, breaking the VWC record of four set by Brittaney Brown in 2010… Five saves tied the Old Dominion Athletic Conference record set in 2002… Pitched in 33.1 innings and struck out 23 batters… Struck out a season-high four batters in two innings of an 8-3 win over Eastern Mennonite University.
First-Year (2013): Pitched in relief in 35.1 innings, striking out 27 batters… Fanned a season-high four batters in six innings in an 8-6 Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship win over Shenandoah University and in 2.1 innings in a 3-2 NCAA tournament loss to Montclair State University.
Academic Accomplishments: Academic Dean’s Scholarship recipient… Two-time Dean’s List honoree.
Before VWC: Had a final career team record of 60-21… 2012 Beach district pitcher of the year (1st team)… 2012 All region utility player (1st team)… 2012 all tidewater pitcher (1st team)… 2012 First colonial High School softball co-MVP.
Personal: The daughter of Chris and Brenda Shipp… Sister, Nicole, played college softball at Lynchburg College… Sociology minor.
Get to Know Mary
- Enjoys country music and spending vacation time in Cancun, Mexico
- Favorites include the book "Ana's Story," the movie "Sweet Home Alabama," and the TV series "Friends"
- A fan of baseball standout Dustin Pedroia, celebrity Brody Jenner, and major league baseball's Boston Red Sox
- Self-description in 10 words or less: "I am an outgoing and down to earth girl."
- My favorite aspect of being an athlete is: "I think my favorite aspect of being an athlete is the competition, I love being competitive and working to be victorious."
- My personal athletic goals at VWC are: "I want to work hard and become a pitcher for Virginia Wesleyan softball and I would like to improve on the speed of my pitch."
- The part of my game I've improved the most is: "I think I have improved most on the mental aspect of the game, my coaches have always told me softball is 85% mental and I finally got it if you believe in yourself and your ability then you'll be successful."
- If I could spend one day with a famous person from any time period it would be: "Susan B. Anthony, because she was so independent and confident in her beliefs and I think I could learn a lot from her."
- If I could participate in a reality show it would be: "MTV's the challenge because I could travel the world and have the opportunity to do many different adventurous things and compete at the same time."
- If I could possess one superpower it would be: "The ability to read minds because then I would never have to wonder why people do some things they do and I would know exactly what was going through their minds."
- People might be surprised to know: "I hate chocolate and steak."
- It's the year 2025 and: "I see myself married with 2 kids living in the small portion of Virginia Beach known as Pungo working as either a detective or a probation officer."
- The most important advice I've received is: "You can do anything you put your mind to" -- Dad
