Kiley Sosby commits to Division I Bowling Green State University
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Whiteoak senior Kiley Sosby has chosen Bowling Green State University, a Division I school, as the next step in her softball journey, verbally committing to the school this week.
This summer, while playing for the Ohio Outlaws Premier team, Sosby had 218 strikeouts in 131.2 innings pitched, helping her earn a 19-1 record on the season. Her lone loss was against the Orange County (Calif.) team in the US Tournament during a pool play game.
Her ERA this summer was 0.74, as the Outlaws finished 32-3 overall and
ended with a ninth-place finish at the Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals in California, making them the highest-placing team from Ohio and only the second team "east of the Mississippi" to finish in the Top 10.
Sosby spoke about committing to BGSU.
"I had always wanted to be at a school that I could make an immediate impact to their program," Sosby told The Highland County Press. "After talking to the coaching staff and having an unofficial visit, I knew that it was the right fit for me and BGSU.
"When I asked other college players I have talked to over the past several years how did they know if it was the right choice, they all responded the same with 'You will know, it will just feel right.'"
[[In-content Ad]]Getting to the decision of selecting the Falcons of BGSU, who play in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), was a bit unique for Sosby, as the school wasn't initially on her radar.
"It was a bit unusual because I had not pursued BGSU," she said. "I had just finished the PGF Nationals in California with my Ohio Outlaws Premier team, and our Ohio Outlaws Gold team was competing the following week in the ASA/USA Nationals in Virginia. I had helped them win a berth over the summer, so they invited me to play with them in Virginia.
"The starting pitcher for our second pool game struggled in the first inning to load the bases with no outs. The head coach (Dave Blashensky) called time and gave me the ball and said: 'Do the best you can, kid.'"
Sosby then did what she does best.
"I struck out the next batter, got a bunt out at home on an attempted squeeze and got the final batter to strike out, getting out of the inning. I then pitched the next three innings, allowing no runs.
"The BGSU assistant/pitching coach Monica Wright was in the stands watching and got on the phone with the Outlaws leader Warren Wolff to ask who went in to relieve the starter. That started the process, and after numerous phone conversations over the next few days with Coach Wright and head coach Shannon Salsburg, I felt an immediate connection with the coaching staff.
"They presented an offer, and I accepted. It all happened in a couple weeks once the ball was rolling."
The WHS senior is just glad to have made her decision, and she can concentrate on the rest of her high school career. The hard work isn't over.
In her junior season with the Lady Wildcats, Sosby pitched 153.2 innings, with an ERA of 0.82 and 311 strikeouts. For her high school career, Sosby (a two-time All-Ohio selection and District Player of the Year) has collected (unofficially) 877 strikeouts in three seasons.
"Part of feeling is relief, but athletically, now is the time I need to step it up by working at it harder than ever," Sosby said. "I have sent hundreds, if not thousands, of emails since eighth grade to college coaches. Now I can use that time to tweak my skills so I am prepared for the fall of 2015."
But the move to BGSU is also about more than softball, as the academic part of the university also caught the attention of Sosby, who "did her homework" on the academic side of BGSU.
"I did my homework, and they have a very highly accredited College of Business, and they offer several job fairs that are attended by companies from all 50 states," she said. "I also met with the academic adviser for the softball team and discussed how they are there to help with scheduling, time management and conflicts due to traveling for away games."
With her academics and athletics all set for the future, Sosby said it all hasn't sank in yet.
"I have played at the highest level of competition for the past few years, and most of the players I have played with or against, I will continue to see at the next level," she said. "My success at that level will depend on who works the hardest, and as a pitcher, if I can continue to re-invent myself since we all kind of know each other."
As she is about to start her senior year of high school, Sosby wanted to give thanks to those who have helped her to this point.
"I would just like to thank my mom and dad first, because I know they have sacrificed a lot over the past eight or nine years while I have chased this dream," she said. "Also, thank you to my older sister Kasey. I spent many years on the ball field when I was younger watching her play. She grew into my role model as I got older by watching her academically succeed and stressing the importance of that and keeping me focused.
"I would also like to especially thank my pitching coach, Chris Miner at Diamonds and Dreams in Tri-County. I have worked with her since I was 11 years old and will continue to until I leave for college. She has been a great role model and motivator who always believed in me, even when others didn't think it was possible."
There were a few more folks Sosby needed to just say "thanks" to.
"I need to thank all of my travel ball coaches I have had through the years. Each has contributed something," Sosby said. "The Outlaws Organization and leader Warren Wolff have done a tremendous job at promoting me to colleges. You just can't do it without that.”
This summer, while playing for the Ohio Outlaws Premier team, Sosby had 218 strikeouts in 131.2 innings pitched, helping her earn a 19-1 record on the season. Her lone loss was against the Orange County (Calif.) team in the US Tournament during a pool play game.
Her ERA this summer was 0.74, as the Outlaws finished 32-3 overall and
ended with a ninth-place finish at the Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals in California, making them the highest-placing team from Ohio and only the second team "east of the Mississippi" to finish in the Top 10.
Sosby spoke about committing to BGSU.
"I had always wanted to be at a school that I could make an immediate impact to their program," Sosby told The Highland County Press. "After talking to the coaching staff and having an unofficial visit, I knew that it was the right fit for me and BGSU.
"When I asked other college players I have talked to over the past several years how did they know if it was the right choice, they all responded the same with 'You will know, it will just feel right.'"
[[In-content Ad]]Getting to the decision of selecting the Falcons of BGSU, who play in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), was a bit unique for Sosby, as the school wasn't initially on her radar.
"It was a bit unusual because I had not pursued BGSU," she said. "I had just finished the PGF Nationals in California with my Ohio Outlaws Premier team, and our Ohio Outlaws Gold team was competing the following week in the ASA/USA Nationals in Virginia. I had helped them win a berth over the summer, so they invited me to play with them in Virginia.
"The starting pitcher for our second pool game struggled in the first inning to load the bases with no outs. The head coach (Dave Blashensky) called time and gave me the ball and said: 'Do the best you can, kid.'"
Sosby then did what she does best.
"I struck out the next batter, got a bunt out at home on an attempted squeeze and got the final batter to strike out, getting out of the inning. I then pitched the next three innings, allowing no runs.
"The BGSU assistant/pitching coach Monica Wright was in the stands watching and got on the phone with the Outlaws leader Warren Wolff to ask who went in to relieve the starter. That started the process, and after numerous phone conversations over the next few days with Coach Wright and head coach Shannon Salsburg, I felt an immediate connection with the coaching staff.
"They presented an offer, and I accepted. It all happened in a couple weeks once the ball was rolling."
The WHS senior is just glad to have made her decision, and she can concentrate on the rest of her high school career. The hard work isn't over.
In her junior season with the Lady Wildcats, Sosby pitched 153.2 innings, with an ERA of 0.82 and 311 strikeouts. For her high school career, Sosby (a two-time All-Ohio selection and District Player of the Year) has collected (unofficially) 877 strikeouts in three seasons.
"Part of feeling is relief, but athletically, now is the time I need to step it up by working at it harder than ever," Sosby said. "I have sent hundreds, if not thousands, of emails since eighth grade to college coaches. Now I can use that time to tweak my skills so I am prepared for the fall of 2015."
But the move to BGSU is also about more than softball, as the academic part of the university also caught the attention of Sosby, who "did her homework" on the academic side of BGSU.
"I did my homework, and they have a very highly accredited College of Business, and they offer several job fairs that are attended by companies from all 50 states," she said. "I also met with the academic adviser for the softball team and discussed how they are there to help with scheduling, time management and conflicts due to traveling for away games."
With her academics and athletics all set for the future, Sosby said it all hasn't sank in yet.
"I have played at the highest level of competition for the past few years, and most of the players I have played with or against, I will continue to see at the next level," she said. "My success at that level will depend on who works the hardest, and as a pitcher, if I can continue to re-invent myself since we all kind of know each other."
As she is about to start her senior year of high school, Sosby wanted to give thanks to those who have helped her to this point.
"I would just like to thank my mom and dad first, because I know they have sacrificed a lot over the past eight or nine years while I have chased this dream," she said. "Also, thank you to my older sister Kasey. I spent many years on the ball field when I was younger watching her play. She grew into my role model as I got older by watching her academically succeed and stressing the importance of that and keeping me focused.
"I would also like to especially thank my pitching coach, Chris Miner at Diamonds and Dreams in Tri-County. I have worked with her since I was 11 years old and will continue to until I leave for college. She has been a great role model and motivator who always believed in me, even when others didn't think it was possible."
There were a few more folks Sosby needed to just say "thanks" to.
"I need to thank all of my travel ball coaches I have had through the years. Each has contributed something," Sosby said. "The Outlaws Organization and leader Warren Wolff have done a tremendous job at promoting me to colleges. You just can't do it without that.”