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By Eric Thomas, Assistant Sports Editor, June 30, 2008

Last updated: Monday, June 30, 2008 10:57 PM EDT

The pain shot down her right shoulder into her biceps.

And with one play during an off-season softball tournament, Red Land’s Liz Christiansen wasn’t even sure she’d be able to make it through the 2008 season.

No one should ever underestimate the ability of a leader to do things that may seem impossible to others.

So with a swollen shoulder and doctor’s orders to not hit or throw with her right arm, Christiansen did what any dedicated leader would do for her team.

Instead of sulking over the possibility she wouldn’t play, Christiansen learned to throw left handed, about a month before regular season play was to begin.

“My dad and I would throw in the back yard for an hour, hour and a half every day,” Christiansen said. “It was short distances, then long toss.

“I got really frustrated because I was about to turn 18 and I had to teach myself something completely new in a month. I was expecting results right away and when I didn’t get them, I got really frustrated.”

Christiansen also spent time at Carmen Fusco’s Baseball/Softball Academy in the Harrisburg area crafting her new skill.

“I had severe tendinitis,” Christiansen said. “I had an MRI done and I couldn’t lift my arm straight out for a month and I was really worried. I went for physical therapy three or four times a week and there were no improvements.

“I kept playing, I injured it on Saturday, played the rest of that day and then played Sunday. I thought it was a little tweak and then the middle of one game I started crying out on the field. I never felt pain like that in my life.

Christiansen said she still ices the shoulder and stretches before her travel games to keep the shoulder loose.

Ultimately Christiansen, who hit .467 this past season and finished her career with 99 hits, was cleared to hit two days before the season began and she was also cleared to throw, meaning all the worries about tossing with her left hand were for naught.

But the story wouldn’t be complete unless it involved Christiansen doing whatever it took to make sure she was on the field for her team.

Case in point, when underslcassman Kait Schwarz adjusted slowly to playing shortstop for the Patriots, Christiansen was faced with her next challenge.

Normally a corner infielder, Christiansen was approached by a Patriots assistant coaches about the possibility of a position swap.

“Before the Central Dauphin East game one of our assistants said to me ‘if we ask you to play shortstop, would you do it?’ I said ‘yeah, I’d do it, no problem.’ They told me we just needed the routine plays.

“I had confidence as a captain and leader that someone needed to step up and who better than me?” “Who better to show some versatility? I have such a strong personality, it’s natural for me to be a leader. My junior year I wasn’t very vocal, I don’t like to yell or get in people’s faces. That doesn’t get anywhere with girls and I learned that through watching other sports. I learned how to lead by example and be supportive.”

So instead of lining up at either first our third base against East, Christiansen found herself at short.

“Overall, you couldn’t ask for more from a senior,” said Crystal Johnston, Red Land head coach. “She led the team on offense and defense and was willing to play any position we asked her.”

Taking a leadership role is something that Christiansen has done her entire life.

While somewhat quiet, she leads by example. So filling a need at shortstop, check.

Playing either corner, check.

Learning to throw left handed, check.

Always believing Red Land could win a game, check.

“I think just her love for the sport is what separates her,” said Johnston. “She is excited to just get to the field, she is excited to play. Not all girls have that drive. Liz always wanted to win. Her passion for the sport, she’s always had that.”

Passion for softball is what defined Christiansen the player, passion for teaching is what will define Christiansen the educator in life.

Her next stop will be Mount St. Mary’s university in Emmittsburg, Md., where Christiansen will major in elementary education. This past school year she student taught at Newberry Elementary.

“With younger kids I notice you have to be outgoing and be caring and they will love you no matter what. They want to learn and they look up to you so much as a teacher to teach them to be leaders every day in different ways,” Christiansen said.

It’s possible Christiansen could end up as the starting designated hitter for the Mount next season, and it’s likely she will end up at either third or first base, both positions of which are currently open. But a little versatility has opened new doors for her.

So if Mount coach Larry Alvis asks her to fill in at shortstop?

“They might try me at some other places too,” Christiansen said.

“She always wanted to help teammates get better,” said Johnston.

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All-Sentinel Softball

First Team

Kacie Duncan, infielder, East Pennsboro

Justine Stanton, infielder, Trinity

Grace Murtoff, outfielder, Boiling Springs

Kelsey Harbold, infielder, Cedar Cliff

Kandi Glenn, outfielder, Carlisle

Jess Beecher, infielder, Big Spring

Jess Litten, outfielder, Red Land

Kayla Shoap, pitcher, Big Spring

Shannon Crane, catcher, Trinity

Second Team

Savannah Knepper, infielder, Boiling Springs

Kathryn Gilbert, infielder, Cumberland Valley

Brooke Varner, infielder, Shipppensburg

Caroline Lauer, infielder, Trinity

Lindsay Darchicourt, infielder, Boiling Springs

Ashley Schroll, infielder, Red Land

Julia Pantalone, infielder, Cedar Cliff

Jordan Darchicourt, infielder, Boiling Springs

Kami Shoap, catcher, Big Spring

Kristy Wallace, pitcher, Boiling Springs

Amber Holsopple, pitcher, Carlisle

Caroline LaPano, pitcher, Trinity

Missy Grafmyer, outfielder, West Perry