Most people watch Law and Order, CSI, or Bones for entertainment, to escape from the real world for an hour. Junior pitcher Beth Evans watches them and sees a career. “I've always been interested in forensics. As a kid I grew up watching the crime investigation shows. How they take evidence and analyze it and are able to solve a problem.” 

Looking to get real world experience in forensic science, Evans applied for summer internships with various crime labs. The chemistry major wants to put her research skills to work on evidence recovery, fingerprinting, and DNA analysis projects. She is not the only one excited about her summer plans. “I have talked to some of my professors here and they are interested in what classes I [put to] use. They are interested in seeing what labs currently use to make sure their classes are accurate and up to date.” 

HBU's strong chemistry department drew Evans to campus as a high school senior. “I knew I wanted to do something in science, and I knew their science program was good.” Once she arrived she kept an open mind about which branch of science to major in. “I have always enjoyed math and science, so I started out in a biology and a chemistry class, and I thought I'm going to go pre-med and everything. Then biology didn't work out so well and chemistry went very well. So, I researched more into chemistry and I have followed that path ever since.”

Evans is a problem solver by nature and must use that talent to solve complex equations as well as balance her busy schedule. She must juggle a heavy course load, softball practice, travel, and games, involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and volunteering with the Dead Chemists Society (an on-campus group that tutors introductory level chemistry students). Good thing her team takes academics as seriously as she does.

“The coaches have been very understanding of my schedule. All of my classes have labs. They have been very responsive and understanding because it's not always easy to fit in practice that day. One day this semester I go from 8-5 without stopping, so how do you fit in practice?  We make it work, and we get it done.”

A strong relationship with God has guided Evans throughout her college career, on and off the field. “I've actually grown closer to God by coming to HBU. It's really helped me… College students face many troubles –or trials I would say. So many decisions. Should I go to this party, should I do this or should I do that. To have a university founded on God that has 'Convo' every week and has FCA groups that meet, bible study groups that meet, it really gives you an outlet to follow that path and not another path.”

With the softball season a month old, the Huskies are off to a hot start (11-8) heading into the Rebel Spring Games in Florida. Evans has been a big part of that success, appearing in the circle six times and striking out 21 in 16.2 innings of work. She attributes the team's success to a single word. “We have a lot of focus this year. That is probably the word that we're going on for this season - focus. Having five new faces, four new freshmen and a sophomore transfer, that brings new energy. It has been nice, they are having an impact right away.” 

Evans and her teammates have focused that energy on a Great West Conference title. “We got ranked fourth out of four [teams] at the beginning of the season and we all know that we're better than that. We know that last year's tournament didn't go as we planned. According to statistics we should be ranked fourth but it's a new team and we're way more determined to prove them wrong this year.”

Once her time at HBU comes to a close, Evans will let her summer work experience guide her future plans. “I want to go to grad school either for forensics or chemistry, not sure which yet… I guess it is all based on my internship this summer. If I like [forensic science] then obviously I'd want to pursue it, but if I don't then as a chemistry major you can do so many different things. I can go back to square one and find another path.”

Where will the softball-playing chemist and Leader of the Pack end up? Stay tuned.