Versatile Syrup signs with Southwestern College softball
Lauren Syrup
Then she received an athletic scholarship to Southwestern College in Kansas.
“Every player dreams of playing at the next level,” she told me. “There is no better feeling. This is the big time and I am really grateful to have the opportunity to show my stuff.”
Syrup, of West High fame, signed her letter of intent and will be eligible this fall to play for the NAIA squad.
Last season as a junior she was named to the All-Cook Inlet Conference all-star team as well as the all-state tournament as the Eagles placed third. She struck out 155 batters in the circle and crushed 6 home runs and batted .425 at the plate.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to be a hitter and a pitcher in college,” she said. “I’ve improved a lot over the last couples of years. If I don’t start both, I am utterly determined to show the coaches that I am capable of doing both.”
Syrup was the winning pitcher in the 2012 World Series final and hit .444 with 3 homers at the Western Regional U18 B Championship.
Girl’s got game.
She picked Southwestern College over seven other schools because it best fit her needs: softball, chemistry and small-town feel.
“The science program is the best in the region,” she said proudly. “I really liked the chemistry professor and he’s willing to work with me around my sports schedule.”
With her college decision made, she can now focus on her senior season.
“It’s a relief to sign,” Syrup said. “I had a lot of colleges looking at me and it was nerve-wrecking trying to pick the right one. I felt like I was all of a sudden being handed the choice to the rest of my life, like, ‘We know you’re only 18, but here’s a decision that will dictate your career path.’
“I hope it was the right one.”