Ellie Bedsworth’s softball career is staying aloft.
The North Callaway Ladybird senior made it official Friday morning in the high school library that she will be playing college softball …
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Ellie Bedsworth’s softball career is staying aloft.
The North Callaway Ladybird senior made it official Friday morning in the high school library that she will be playing college softball for NCAA Division III Westminster College Blue Jays in Fulton.
Westminster is a place close to home for Bedsworth, and she said the atmosphere she has at home seemed to be present at her next stop.
“I chose Westminster because, when I toured, I really liked their campus and their atmosphere,” Bedsworth said. “Their team seemed very tight-knit, and I really liked their coaches.”
North Callaway head coach Mariah McKee said Bedsworth has shown how hard of a worker she can be during her career and is happy she is being rewarded with the opportunity to continue her career.
McKee said she’s always thought college softball was a possibility for Bedsworth based on her work ethic and it is a quality the Blue Jays are lucky to have soon.
“She brings hard work, leadership and I almost feel like it doesn’t matter that she’s going to be a freshman,” McKee said. “She is someone that everyone can look to. She doesn’t always have to say stuff. You can always just watch what she does, so she’s a really good leader in that aspect. I just really think she’s going to bloom over there, and I just can’t wait to see what she does.”
In the 65 games Bedsworth has played for North Callaway, she owns a .275 batting average, .368 on base percentage, 44 hits and 25 RBI. In her sophomore campaign, she broke through with a .291 average and .418 on base percentage while recording 12 RBI. Bedsworth added another nine RBI this past season to go with a .254 average.
During her high school, Bedsworth said she has always had aspirations to play college softball, and this past year allowed her to fully believe Friday’s signing would happen.
“This year, I talked to some coaches and they pretty much told me that I had the talent, and if I wanted to go play, I could,” Bedsworth said. “When I toured, I felt like this wasn’t the year to end playing.”
Bedsworth said she hopes she continues to play third and first base for the Blue Jays as she has done for McKee.
McKee said she is also happy Bedsworth is close to home as it is easier to watch her play and follow her career.
“It is always a special day when one of your athletes can continue their education and play softball,” McKee said. “It’s almost a little more sweet whenever they’re a little closer so you can go and watch them. Westminster’s got a great program, and I’m just really excited for her. She deserves it, and she’s worked so hard for this.”
