Kentlake and Tahoma athletes commit to play college fastpitch | Girls Fastpitch

A trio of Kentlake High fastpitch players have committed to play college ball in the past week.

Center fielder Erin Crowley, the Falcons leadoff hitter this past season, will play at Seattle University, while infielder Jessie Richardson will head to Bradley University and shortstop Erika Smyth will play at the University of Minnesota.

Crowley signed her letter of intent with Seattle University on Nov. 12.

“Erin brings outstanding defense to our outfield and a big left handed bat to our lineup,” said Redhawks Coach Dan Powers in a statement.

“She is one of the most athletic outfielders we have brought to Seattle U and I can’t wait to have her chasing down flyballs and making diving catches for us. Erin will contend for a starting position in the outfield next season.”

As a junior, Crowley was named the South Puget Sound League co-MVP.

Greg Kaas, head softball coach at Kentlake High, explained that Crowley will bring a lot to the table for Seattle University but it will also be a good opportunity for her academically.

“She is as complete a five tool player as we’ve had here, whether it’s hitting for power, hitting for average, her speed on the bases, her arm, her glove,” Kaas said. “She brings a lot of great things to the field. She’s been a leader here since her sophomore year. She’s just really a dynamic player.”

An added bonus is the opportunity to play close to home, Kaas said.

As a junior Crowley hit .562, had an on-base percentage of .576, scored 37 runs and drove in 33, had 36 singles, a half dozen doubles, eight triples along with four home runs along with 11 stolen bases on 12 attempts. Defensively she only had one error during the 2010 season.

Richardson signed with Bradley on Dec. 2.

“Jessie is a very intelligent and game savvy catcher,” Bradley Coach Amy Hayes on the school’s athletic website. “She is knowledgeable about the game and her versatility makes her a valuable asset to her team. She has a great rapport with her pitchers and maturity, which will help her excel both on and off the field.”

During her junior season at Kentlake, Richardson hit .390, with 25 singles and only struck out six times. She also swiped 12 bases on 14 attempts.

“Jessie is one of those players … that is absolutely steady, totally consistent,” Kaas said. “In think Bradley is going to be a great, great fit for her… not only to play softball but academically.”

Kaas added that Richardson is a strong leader for the Falcons and while not vocal, she steps up and leads by example.

On the other hand, Smyth is the player in the dug out working to pump up her team, Kaas said.

“She’s the kind of kid you want on your team because she’s always loud in the dug out,” he said. “She’s an emotional leader. She’s the one who’s pumping people up. A lot of times she flies beneath the radar because she isn’t the biggest kid or has the biggest arm… but at the end of the game, you talk about steady and consistent.”

Smyth scored 30 runs and drove in 24 while batting .442, stole 15 bases out of 16 tries, and hit 30 singles.

“In 108 plate appearances, she had zero strikeouts,” Kaas said. “She’s got a very fluid glove, she’s fun to watch. She makes everything look so easy and maybe for not the biggest kid in the world, she’s got a lot of pop.”

Smyth verbally committed over the weekend to Minnesota and will sign a letter of intent in April.

In addition, Tahoma shortstop Emily Miller signed a letter of intent on Nov. 15 to play softball at Towson University on a partial scholarship.

Tom Milligan, Tahoma’s softball coach, explained that Miller converted to shortstop from second base halfway through her freshman year after a teammate suffered an injury.

“She did a really good job taking that position and going with it,” Milligan said. “She put together a pretty good (junior) season. Defensively she’s rock solid there.”

Milligan has confidence in Miller’s ability to go to Towson and play wherever she’ll be needed, infield or outfield.

During this past season, Miller hit .293 at the plate, scoring 21 runs and driving in five, along with 17 singles, three doubles and two triples. She was even stronger in the infield, with .967 fielding percentage, committing just four errors all year while tallying 50 put outs and 68 assists.

And it’s good that she’s signed because now it will allow her to worry about other things senior year at Tahoma.

“This helped Emily because for some of the kids it’s a lot to juggle some of the things they’re dealing with as seniors in high school,” Milligan said. “This allows her to focus and work with my freshmen and sophomores.”

Milligan added that Towson is also a good fit for Miller academically because she’s interested in becoming a physical education teacher and the school has top notch health and fitness program.

And just to add another level to the signing, Miller will be playing in the same conference as former Tahoma teammate Tori Dudley, who is a senior at George Mason.

“So, they’ll get to play each other … that’s kind of a cool aspect,” Milligan said.

Milligan has a number of other seniors who could also play college ball but Miller is the first of the group to formally sign with a school.