Hanna Breeden signs with Cleveland State softball

The list of Hillsboro High School athletes to compete at the Division I level collegiately has a new member, as senior Hanna Breeden signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for the Cleveland State Vikings.

Breeden is a four-year player for the Lady Indians’ softball team, along with being a current member of the varsity basketball team. The senior will play three positions for the Vikings when she arrives on campus, that being pitcher, first base and the outfield.

Though she’s going to be a Division I athlete, the classroom is also very important to Breeden, because the education program of CSU was an important drawing point in making her final decision.

“I chose Cleveland State first for their academics, and I looked at the softball program as well,” she said. “Education is my interest in their academic programs, and Cleveland State has one of the best programs in Ohio.”

Though being in the classroom is important, Breeden also has excelled on the softball diamond, playing for not only the high school team, but in very competitive summer leagues as well, leading to her achieving her goal as Division I softball player.

Breeden has played travel softball since she was around 10 years old, and she’s played softball at Shaffer Park in the summer. Her current summer team is the OFC Heat, where they play the top teams from various states, including playing at the Maryland Nationals, along with taking on some of the best summer teams in Ohio.

As for her high school accomplishments, Breeden has been selected as an All-District player in the Southeast District, along with being named a member of the All-South Central Ohio League teams all three years of her high school career thus far. As a junior and sophomore, she was a first-team selection, and during her freshman season, she was a second-team selection in the SCOL and honorable mention in the district voting.

“It has always been my goal to play Division I,” Breeden said. “Softball is my favorite sport to play. I just love stepping on the field … it is like home to me. My favorite position to play is pitcher because I like the fact the game waits on you, and you control the game.

“Plus, I’m excited to play at Cleveland State because the coaching staff is great. They work with players on and off the field and care about the academics.”

Again, academics are important to Breeden in the choice of playing for the Vikings.

“Their academics are very important to me, and having coaches there that also feel that academics are important helped me in making this decision. My academics at Hillsboro also played a role for me with my decision.”

With the change of being a high school athlete to one that is playing at the Division I level, there is always excitement.

“I don’t know yet what I’m looking forward to the most, but I’m just excited to play,” Breeden said.

Breeden thanked her parents, family, coaches and friends.