When Amanda Fitzsimmons is in the circle, her brain ticks through the options.

The Auburn Riverside senior can’t rely on the heat that so many fastpitch hurlers do. Instead, she tries to get in the batter’s head. Anticipate what they’re expecting before she selects a grip from her five-pitch arsenal.

“I try to think what I would do if I were in their situation, what I would be looking for,” she said. “I like to put myself in their shoes.”

Of course, her opponents would likely be eager to trade places with Fitzsimmons. After all, she is The News Tribune’s All-Area Fastpitch Player of the Year.

“She has been a player,” gushed Ravens coach Christine Leverenz, “since she was a freshman.”

A three-time league MVP – Fitzsimmons claimed the SPSL 3A honors in 2006 and 2008 before being named Player of the Year in the SPSL North this season – Auburn Riverside’s pocket-size powerhouse will play at the University of Washington after graduation.

But first things first.

Fitzsimmons leads Auburn Riverside (16-3) into the Class 4A West Central District tournament today at Sprinker Recreation Center, looking to earn a return trip to the state tournament.

Only this time, Fitzsimmons won’t have to pitch in pain.

One day before the state tournament last year, she had emergency surgery to lance a cyst on her tailbone. It was incredibly painful – she could barely walk – but she pitched in the Ravens’ first-round game, striking out 12 in a 2-0 loss to North Central.

Leverenz recalls Fitzsimmons’ pleading to let her play.

“It was a tough to watch her play,” she said. “She told me that she felt that she needed to pitch because if she didn’t, her teammates wouldn’t believe that they could win.”

A second surgery was needed in August to remove the cyst and another in October after the incision became infected. The third surgery was “totally unexpected” and kept Fitzsimmons lying on her stomach for weeks.

By the time fastpitch season began in mid-March, she was nearing full recovery. Her doctor cleared her to play, but she quickly realized that she was nowhere near in 100 percent playing shape.

“Physically, it wore me out go a full seven innings,” she said. “I was out of shape to play softball.”

She quickly regained her strength and by the end of April, Fitzsimmons said she felt better than ever. She certainly has the statistics to show for it. Fitzsimmons batted .660, totaled 25 RBIs and scored 20 runs. She is so dangerous at the plate that Leverenz said former Enumclaw coach Loran Zenonian once told her that he would walk Fitzsimmons even if the bases were loaded.

“I can’t blame him,” she said. “I don’t know how many times we’ve had a runner on second or third with first base open, a team pitches to her and we score.”

Fitzsimmons is just as dominating in the circle, compiling an 11-3 record with 184 strikeouts and just seven earned runs allowed.

Her teammates are glad to have her back at full strength.

“Without her, it would be totally different,” catcher Roxann Schwarz said. “People compete harder when she’s around. She makes us all better.”

Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271

doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/preps

Player of the Year: Amanda Fitzsimmons, Auburn Riverside

Coach of the Year: Lynn Wardle, Emerald Ridge

FIRST TEAM

C: Kyndell Andrews, Sr., Emerald Ridge
A natural leader, she is a big part of the Jaguars’ success; batted .420 this season

IF: Marki Creger-Zier, Jr., Steilacoom
Verbally committed to Washington, she might be the most feared leadoff batter in area

IF: Taylor Darneille, Sr., Wilson
Narrows League MVP hit .582 with 9 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs and 36 RBI

IF: Jessica Glenn, Sr., Kentwood
First baseman was a first-team all-SPSL North pick and an offensive powerhouse

IF: Kylie McChesney, Soph., Puyallup
She has great range and produces at the plate, too, batting.435 with 3 home runs

IF: Kerrianne Davison, Sr., Emerald Ridge
Three-year starter hit .491 and is a two-time all-SPSL South first-team selection

OF: Kristin Herren, Jr., Auburn Mountainview
Unanimous all-SPSL 3A selection hit .564 with 3 home runs and never struck out

OF: Taylor Franich, Sr., Enumclaw
Unanimous all-league choice batted .596, stole 27 bases and has a full ride to Buffalo

OF: Robyn Garing, Sr., Chimacum
The Nisqually League 1A MVP hit .462, scored 26 runs and stole 20 bases

OF: Erin Fujita, Sr., Jefferson
Speedy outfielder was an all-SPSL North pick, always came up with a timely, big hit

Utility: Heidi Wells, Soph., Stadium
Produced an eye-popping .682 on-base percentage; averaged 11.5 K’s per game as a pitcher

P: Caitlin Colvin, Sr., Bonney Lake
SPSL 3A MVP threw three no-hitters and never gave up more than one earned run in a game

P: Alexa Derrick, Sr., Emerald Ridge
The SPSL South Pitcher of the Year has led the Jaguars to an undefeated record

P: Bobbi-Jo Schaapveld, Jr., Rogers
Went 17-2 with a 0.23 ERA and struck out 127; voted SPSL South Player of the Year

P: Beth Kassuhn, Jr., Steilacoom
Nisqually League 2A MVP was 12-1 with a 0.46 ERA and slugged 1.033

P: Kayla Evans, Sr., Kentwood
SPSL North Pitcher of the Year guided the Conks to the league title

BEST OF THE REST

Catchers: Erika Mueller, Sr., Steilacoom; Christi Bruin, Jr., Jefferson

Pitchers: Kelsey Robinson, Soph., Puyallup; Austin Rogers, Jr., Enumclaw; Alisha McKnight, Sr., Emerald Ridge; Ramona Lorton, Sr., Centralia;

Infielders: Jamie Koenig, Soph., Auburn Riverside; Carlyn Harlow, Sr., Steilacoom; Juliann Hartnett, Sr., Kentlake; Lauren Liseth, Sr., Centralia; Hannah Kiyohara, Jr., Jefferson; Kalli Swofford, Sr., Curtis; Alex Lucas, Sr., Kentwood

Outfielders: Olivia Toma, Jr., Rogers; Becca Cable, Sr., Stadium; Taylor Thompson, Sr., Graham-Kapowsin; Erin Crowley, Soph., Kentlake

Utility: Kelli Suguro, Jr., Kentridge; Melissa Ramos, Sr., Graham-Kapowsin