East Ridge softball pitcher Sabrina Thompson signed scholarship papers Thursday and will continue her career at Coppin State University.
Coach Gino Olivieri recruited Thompson to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school via the internet. Thompson, who plans to become a social worker, said a key for her athletically is the chance to compete at an NCAA Division I school.
"I really liked the way the coach talked to me," Thompson said. "He made it sound like he really wanted me. They offer my program, too."
This is Thompson's third season playing for East Ridge coach Kerilyn Mongar. She said the senior right-hander has made great strides since she began working with her.
Thompson was allowing opponents a .277 batting average and had a 3.50 ERA coming into this weekend's Choo Choo Lady 'Canes Classic at the Summit of Softball complex. She had 58 strikeouts in 88 innings pitched.
"She's always had a fastball that was OK," Mongar said. "It was good enough to get her by. She had a riseball but wasn't really confident with it. We worked on some different pitches with her, and she had to learn the importance of having different speeds and locations.
"Her sophomore year she pitched every inning for us. That's when I think she realized she could go somewhere with softball if she put her mind to it."
A rise in her grade point average has coincided.
"I told her she was going to have to get her grades up if she wanted to play at a D-I school," Mongar said. "She really, really changed that aspect. Now I think she has all A's, too."
Although Thompson has not visited the campus in Baltimore, Md., she feels she'll be able to handle the transition. She noted most of the Eagles' signing class is coming from California and will share the same circumstance.
"It's in a harbor," Thompson said. "I can't wait to see it."
Willbanks to GNTC
Another East Ridge athlete, Destiny Willbanks, is set to play volleyball and basketball for Georgia Northwestern. She showed well in open-gym tryouts, and volleyball coach and basketball assistant Amber Weaver said in a GNTC release, "We're very excited to have her."
"I've known Destiny her whole life," said Mongar, who also coaches volleyball at East Ridge. "She is just a wonderful player. She'll do whatever it takes to be successful. She's a great leader and very vocal, and she just wants to be the best she can be."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com.