Katy RichardsonGPS's Katy Richardson has committed to signing a softball scholarship with Lipscomb University.
Richardson's first visit was an unofficial one to the Nashville campus in the fall of her sophomore year. She has since been to softball camps there, and her most recent visit was last Sunday. That's when she accepted the offer.
"I love the team," Richardson said. "I love everything about it. The campus is nice. I love Nashville. Everything is great about the school."
Richardson has been playing softball since before she started school. When she was 12 she made the transition from right-handed batter to left-handed slapper. The experiment lasted about one summer season, but in the transformation she discovered she liked swinging the bat better from the left side.
Richardson said she works with her father, McCallie baseball coach Chris Richardson, two or three times per week in the offseason on hitting. Last spring she batted .383 for the Division II-AA state-runner-up Bruisers with seven doubles and 19 RBIs.
She missed two weeks last season with a concussion she received while playing catcher. Although she can play elsewhere, she is expected to be behind the plate again for GPS this year.
"Katy is really versatile," GPS coach Susan Crownover said. "She can play outfield; she can play catcher; she can play third. I think she's played every position but pitcher in summer ball. Some kids don't like doing that. I think the more you do, the more valuable you are.
"I think Lipscomb was the first place she visited where she felt the most comfortable. I think she's happy with the package she has, and I think she's really excited."
Richardson has an injured left ankle that requires her to wear a medical walking boot, but she is participating in the Bruisers' practices. She vows to be ready for the season opener.
"I'm deternined to be back, if I have to wear a boot all the way up until the time we start," she said. "I'll do what I have to do."