Nasti on the Diamond

It may appear that many of Buffalo's athletics programs are still searching for experienced athletes within their rosters.

Somebody who is no a stranger to accolade and winning is the softball team's senior veteran, Breanne Nasti. Nasti is a former high school All-American and was part of a 48-3 team. This record, which Nasti achieved, as she says, from being "lucky," was also the result of her work ethic. She gives credit to her high school coach, who instilled in her a winning attitude.

"I have the attitude that I don't accept losing," Nasti said. "I don't like it, and I don't become complacent (with losing)."

Deciding to come to UB over the University of Colorado and SUNY Stony Brook, her early decision for UB came in November of her senior year. At first, UB was her first choice based more on location than its academics. She later realized she had made the right decision, feeling that she fit best with the personalities present at UB at that time.

Although making the transition to a university with not quite the same record as she had in high school, Nasti's endeavor for perfectionism continued, driven by her aforementioned awards and honors.

In addition to being a strong athlete, Breanne also excelled in the classroom, which helped to earn a spot on the Academic All-Mid-American Conference First Team.

Nasti has been named MAC East Division Player of the Week seven times, twice of which were during this season. As for the UB softball team stats, her name can be found at the top of the lists for batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored, hits, runs batted in, doubles, triples, home runs, total bases, walks and stolen bases. She has also tied for first under the categories of stolen base percentage, games played and game starts.

Still, Nasti's own accomplishments don't resonate in her own mind. When she takes off her uniform at the end of the season, it will be a moment when her teammates will lose a mentor, competitor and true leader.

When told she had been named east divisional player of the week for the seventh time, Nasti was pleased.

"It's a nice honor, definitely, but I didn't even know it was that many until this year."

With a degree in psychology on the way, Nasti plans to become a graduate assistant, where she can continue to work closely with athletics as a coach. Without knowing all of her available options, she stills wishes to pursue athletics when not in the classroom.

"Whether it's summer ball, or whatever, I don't want to stop playing anytime soon, I want to keep it in my life," said Nasti.