Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

This week we’re taking a look at A-list Arizona moms in honor of Mother’s Day.  Today, meet the athletic mama married to the Diamondback’s starting pitcher, Joe Saunders.

Behind a great man, is often, a great woman; but in this case, Shanel Saunders is just as talented behind the bat as her major league hubby.

“Softball consumed my life between the ages of 10 and 25.  I probably went the highest I could go professionally,” said Shanel Saunders, wife of Arizona Diamondback, Joe Saunders.

Meet Mrs. Joe Saunders, the lovely and athletic wife of #34 on the Diamondbacks.

Her husband joined our hometown team last summer, and struts his stuff as the starting pitcher.  However, he’s the not the only one who has gained such sporty success.

Shanel grew up in Canada, and ventured to Virginia Tech after high school.  The now 29-year old majored in Fashion, but found her true love on the field.

“I know it’s hard to picture a softball player that wanted to study style,” said Saunders.

She quickly learned fashion was not her forte after interning at MTV in New York City, so instead, she focused on her savvy sport of choice.

Lucky for Shanel, it was the bat and ball that led her to meet Mr. Saunders himself.

“We got together when I was a sophomore in college.  We had a lot in common and there was an instant attraction.”

Her baseball babe had already established a foundation for a career, having been drafted to the Phillies after high school, and to the Angels out of college, but that didn’t stop Shanel from pursuing softball success of her own.  The female athlete joined Italy’s pro-team, and traveled the world playing her favorite sport.

“Our Italian team was so close to making it to the Olympics.”

It was quite the adventure for young Shanel, but life really took a turn after Joe popped the question.

The duo got engaged after her team lost their Olympic bid—that’s when she was notified of an early wedding gift.  Just a month before the wedding, the Saunders couple found out they were expecting baby #1.

“We welcomed the shocking news.”