Student Athlete of the Week Charlie Shaw

Batting leadoff isn't for everyone, but Charlie Shaw has embraced his critical new role at the top of Niwot High School baseball's lineup. The junior right fielder takes pride in putting early pressure on opposing pitchers before potentially causing chaos on the basepaths.

"I want to be a pain in the butt for the pitcher just to get (our offense) started with," Shaw said.

Shaw hit leadoff last season before being shelved with an injury, but began this year batting third in the Cougars' order. Over the past few games, however, head coach Ken Rosales has moved Shaw back to the top in hopes of giving Niwot's struggling offense an early spark.

"He's focused better (at leadoff)," Roslaes said of Shaw. "Getting him on with his speed is important."

Although Shaw only owns two stolen bases on the season, he has displayed smart base running skills and is batting over .400 with eight extra-base hits (through April 25), including a home run in Niwot's first game. Shaw believes he is deciphering pitch types well and isn't chasing much below the knees.

"I'm seeing the pitches well," Shaw said. "I'm seeing the offspeed and am able to spit on it if it's lower. I'm just trying to keep that consistent."

Shaw began his junior campaign with five straight two-hit games, helping Niwot to a 4-1 start to the spring. He later produced three RBIs in a win over Riverdale Ridge High School on April 9 before recording a season-high three hits against Thompson Valley High School one week later.

At Frederick High School on Thursday, April 25, the Cougars' leadoff hitter slugged a triple in the fourth inning before coming around to score. Unfortunately for Shaw, his efforts weren't enough as Niwot fell to the Golden Eagles, 6-4.

After beginning the season 6-2, Niwot now sports a 6-10 record through April 28 with only four Class 4A Longs Peak League games remaining. Shaw remains confident that wins will come once the Cougars clean things up defensively.

"I'm learning that baseball is really a game of momentum," Shaw said. "We can have a big inning hitting-wise and if we go out there and make two straight errors, it just kills it. We go up to the plate and it kills the energy. Once we clean up the errors, we're gonna start beating teams by a good bit."

For the third straight year on varsity, Shaw is playing alongside his brother, Haden Shaw, a catcher/pitcher who is also swinging an impressive bat. The twins represent two of Rosales' primary leaders in the dugout and were key members of last year's state playoffs team.