Derrick Parker
PDT Sports Contributor
Michal Cunningham of the Wheelersburg Pirates officially signed on to play collegiate softball with the LSU Tigers Wednesday. Cunningham has been verbally committed to LSU for three years, and passed on a number of other schools to choose the number four ranked softball program in the country.
“It’s very exciting,” said Michal. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for three years now. The countdown has always been there for me, and now the moment is finally here. I had a number of schools recruiting me, but it was mainly between Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio State or LSU. I knew that I wanted to be in the SEC conference, but I also looked at Ohio State because that’s my hometown team. It was a tough choice.
“I chose LSU because I just loved being down there, being around the people. Their southern hospitality is unreal. There’s nothing like it. The campus is beautiful and everything about the program is amazing.”
Cunningham also chose LSU because it is one of the top softball programs in the country. They are currently ranked fourth in the coaches’ poll, second in the RPI poll and they join three other SEC teams in the top five. Tiger’s Head Coach Beth Torina has lead the program to two Women’s College World Series appearances in four years.
Michal was so heavily recruited because she was the 2015 District Player of the Year and was also named first team all-state in Ohio Division III. She has been described as one of the top prospects in the country, capable of playing anywhere within the infield including her favored position of catcher. She brings power to the plate, batting over a .600 average in her sophomore year.
“Number one, I want to thank my dad,” Michal said with a tear in her eye. The emotions of the moment had finally caught up to her, she realized that all her hard work had paid off.
“I’d like to thank Bill Conroy, he recruited me to the bandits and got me started with the organization. I’d like to thank Kevin Stevens who recently got diagnosed with cancer, he’s definitely the most persuasive coach I’ve ever had. He’s so passionate and he cares about everybody. I can only say good things about him. I’m so grateful for him being in my life.
“I also want to thank my High School Coach, Teresa Ruby. She’s been so supportive of me through everything. And lastly I want to thank my mom, for always being there no matter what.”
Contact Derrick Parker at [email protected] or on twitter @dc__parker
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