The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Keystone has four sign for softball
Keystone has four sign for college softball, three going Division I
Keystone has one of the most revered softball programs in Ohio.
And Nov. 15 at Keystone High School, its rich tradition continued as four athletes signed their National Letters of Intent.
Outfielder/catcher Autumn Acord signed to Division I Kent State University, and soaked in the moment with her peers.
“Softball is a passion of mine and I absolutely love everything
about the sport,” Acord said. “It feels amazing being part of a tradition so rich and to be able to continue the legacy with everything.”
Acord has a career .511 batting average with 89 RBI, nine home runs and a .564 on-base percentage.
She said she quickly knew Kent State was the right fit and plans to major in chemistry with a pre-med focus. But that is next year, and Acord isn’t ready to move past this spring yet.
Coming off a Division II state championship and a 34-0 record, Acord wants another title.
“Being able to win a state championship is amazing because not everyone gets to experience that,” Acord said. “I’m honored to be part of it.”
Pitcher Sydney Campbell is heading to Division I Oakland University, and is the defending Morning Journal Player of the Year, coming off a 29-0 year with a 0.20 ERA.
“I fell in love with Oakland’s campus as soon as I stepped on,” Campbell said. “And the family environment there was really important to me.”
Campbell said growing up in Keystone’s system and working with Coach Jim Piazza at a young age is why she is successful.
“Playing for Keystone softball, you have advantages that you wouldn’t get in other places,” she added. “And without their support I wouldn’t have signed today.”
Adding to the Division I signings was utility player Shelby Fortune, a University of Akron signee. Fortune batted .333 last season with 17 RBI and three HR.
“When I was in fifth grade, I always looked up to girls like Kenzie Conrad,” Fortune said. “She went to Akron where I’m going now. Just watching her play on the
2012 team, I said I wanted to do that.”
Fortune plans to major in nursing.
“I just want to make my impact by showing the young players my leadership,” she added. “And help them chase their dreams.”
Sydnie Jarrett committed to Division II Notre Dame College. Jarrett missed the last two years with an injury.
“Notre Dame College is really small and it feels like home,” Jarrett said. “I came away very disciplined being at Keystone and you have to work hard to be where you want.”
Signing Day is an enjoyment for the athletes, but for Piazza, it’s a day for him to reflect on that powerhouse tradition Keystone has built — tradition he wants to continue.
“We take a lot of pride in our softball program,” Piazza said. “It just shows how hard these girls work. We just put the brand new banners up and we couldn’t get them all in one picture. I said that was a good thing, now we need two cameras. It also means a lot to our younger kids who are here and now they understand what our tradition is about.”