By ROBERT CESSNA
Eagle Staff Writer

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Amanda Scarborough and Megan Gibson have been the face of Texas A&M softball for four years, but Jamie Hinshaw has made sure it's been a smiling one.

Hinshaw has started a team-best 213 straight games for the Aggies, never hitting less than .300 for a season. She's hit for power, yet been a good enough base runner to be among the leading base stealers in the school's history. She also plays a mean third base.

Hinshaw just doesn't pitch.

"She's always been good, she just hasn't been as flashy as the other two," A&M head coach Jo Evans said. "When you stand in the circle, you are like the only child -- you get all the attention."

While Scarborough and Gibson have earned their All-America status -- they've combined for 141 pitching victories while hitting 79 home runs with 295 runs batted in -- Hinshaw has toiled in their shadows. An all-conference player herself, she's a lifetime .318 hitter with 13 homers and 127 runs batted in. She's been successful on her last 45 steal attempts.

"Jamie -- she just sort of hangs out over there in the corner and does what she's supposed to do," Evans said. "I think she's done a fantastic job."

The happy-go-lucky Hinshaw has never fretted about the lack of recognition.

"Sometimes, you can be jealous or envious [in that situation]," Evans said. "But I think she's handled that well."

She's starting to get more credit with Scarborough lost to a season-ending foot injury. Hinshaw, who has settled into batting fourth behind Gibson, is hitting .354 for the season.

"She loves hitting and she really works on it," Evans said. "She understands what it takes to be a good hitter. She came to us a good hitter. Her summer-ball coach, Tommy Howe [of Texas Magic Gold], is really good with their hitters."

Hinshaw has the ability to laugh at herself when she does have a bad at-bat or makes a fielding error, which also helps her handle success.

"I just think she's comfortable in her own skin," Evans said. "She's relaxed, having a good time and I think she's making the most out of her senior year."

She's on her most torrid streak of the season -- 10 hits in her last 16 at-bats for a five-game hitting streak. She's driven in seven runs. Evans said Hinshaw can stay on a streak like this for a while, but she's been more consistent this season. Hinshaw hasn't gone more than two games without getting a hit.

"This is probably the best I've felt all-around playing," Hinshaw said. "Being a senior helps, because you just have so much more confidence."

The loss of Scarborough also figured in.

"After we found out about Amanda, everyone on our team had to step up that much more," Hinshaw said. "She had such a big impact on our lineup."

And she still does. Scarborough gives hitting tips and talks to Hinshaw about her mental approach in the batter's box.

Hinshaw won't need much motivation this weekend as the fifth-ranked Aggies (37-6, 9-0) take on the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (35-9, 8-0) for the Big 12 lead. Hinshaw is hitting .354 in her career against OU. She's hit safely in eight of nine games.

"I always have so much fun when we play Oklahoma," Hinshaw said. "It's always two great teams playing, and you really don't feel any pressure. You just want to go out there and have fun. Every time we play, it's a great atmosphere."

Having a full house at the Aggie Softball Complex for Parents Weekend will certainly help.

"I'm really excited," Hinshaw said.

The Aggies need to at least split the two-game series if they want to take an easy route to the conference championship. Every other team in the conference has at least three losses. A&M can't allow OU to come in and sweep.

"We're trying not to look too far ahead," Hinshaw said. "This weekend, we want to be the team that wins. Then next week, we want to be the team that wins."

Hinshaw said the focus is on winning the Big 12 regular-season championship the Aggies were picked to win, then they'll readjust their goals once the postseason begins.

That's why the sports management major hasn't even thought about what she will be doing next year in April.

"That's a good question," said Hinshaw, who will graduate next May. "I'll still be in school, coming out and supporting the team.

That's something she's done quite well already for four years.

NOTES -- Former Brenham all-stater Lauren Eckermann is 10-3 for the Sooners with a 2.27 earned run average. D.J. Mathis (22-4, 0.93) is the team's ace.

• Robert Cessna's e-mail address is robert.cessna@theeagle.com.

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