On the softball field, Amanda Daum has had to adapt to a lot this season.

A four year varsity starter for Auburn, Daum watched eight seniors - seven of them starters - graduate after the team's impressive 13-8 season, leaving her the only four year-starter on the team. She moved her position from the outfield to first base since former first team all-leaguer Gabe Palmieri was one of the players to leave the team.

“It's been a tough transition, but I think the whole team has blended together pretty well this year,” Daum said.

A big reason for the Maroons' cohesiveness this season has been the versatile senior, who will attend LeMoyne College in the fall. Daum is the back-up player for just about every position, and at the plate she leads the team in nearly every statistic. With a .407 batting average (after a .391 finish last season), 13 RBIs on 25 hits and a league-leading nine doubles, she has quietly earned a leading role on the team.

“Since I'm the only permanent captain this year, I feel like I'm there for everyone,” Daum said. “But we blend so well together, if one of us needs to be picked up or if the whole team needs it, I feel like we each can do that for each other.”

Though Daum is this season's main leader, Auburn head coach Bob Lee selects a couple of temporary captains each week so that each player gets that same accountability during the season. Daum won't be the player yelling the loudest in the field or on the bench, but that works out fine for everyone.

“She's not a rah-rah type of leader, but most of the players aren't either,” Lee said. “Amanda is the quiet leader who definitely leads by example.”

Her almost seamless transition from the outfield to first base was something that was a concern at first, but has been one of the team's biggest defensive strengths this year.

“She played outfield for her first three seasons, so she was a little hesitant about following in Gabe's footsteps,” Lee said. “But she hasn't missed a beat. She's athletic and a smart ball player - she's done really well, only making two errors all season and that was very early on.”

The senior has been playing baseball since she was in second grade, and the last time she played first base on a regular basis was during her time in Auburn Pony and Little Leagues. She filled in at the position only twice last year.

“I liked the outfield, but I had to step up because so many players left,” Daum said. “I had to learn a few new things, but I like it now. I like challenges and I was up for it. Coach showed me some things over the summer and even now so I could play first base better. I know that I was filling a very, very good player's shoes and it was tough, but I'm finally starting to get used to it.”

With six of the 13 team members being new to varsity this season and four more in just their second season under Lee, 2007 could have been a wash for the young Maroons. After beginning the season 3-7, the Maroons are currently two games under .500 after a three game win streak heading into today's game against West Genesee. With three games left in the regular season, they could even get into the Section III, Class AA playoff tournament later this week. Though she hasn't been the sole reason for the late season turnaround, Daum has played a big part.

“It feels great to be on this three game win streak, but I have a lot of confidence in this team,” Daum said. “We've been winning by a lot (29-3 in the last three game combined) and we want to continue that through this week. I'm very proud of my teammates, we bounce back really well.”