- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,172,134
- Reaction score
- 59
Jun. 16—GRAND FORKS — When the heart of the Grand Forks Spitfires' batting order is announced at Albrecht Field this summer, most of the colleges the players attend during the school year have high name recognition.
University of Pittsburgh. University of Washington. San Diego State.
And then there's Weatherford College.
But so far this season, Grand Forks cleanup hitter Alex Graham, who attends the junior college in Texas, is showing she belongs amid those players with familiar college homes.
Graham is batting .438 with three multi-hit games through the first five games of the year. Her batting average dipped Monday night with a 1-for-4 showing but Graham hit a two-run home run in the first inning and flew out to the warning track to end the game. She also showcased a strong arm in right field, nearly throwing out a runner at first on a line-drive single to right in the series opener against Mankato.
"I think juco definitely made me hungry," Graham said. "I think going from a Division I back to juco ... just understanding like where my confidence lies, and not maybe having other people's validation, but having that for myself ... I think coming here and seeing a lot of great athletes repping great schools, just makes me have a little chip on my shoulder, wanting to prove to myself that I can fulfill those dreams of what's next."
Graham's softball career is a well-traveled career the past couple of years. A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Graham originally committed to Colorado State before pursuing an opportunity at Hofstra, a Division I program in New York.
After Hofstra's coach resigned, Graham transferred at semester break to Weatherford, where she hit .418 with a .503 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. She was an all-conference first team pick and all-tournament selection at the NJCAA Region 5 Tournament.
Spitfires head coach Aaron Alvarez had been pestering Weatherford assistant coach Chris Flanagan to send him a talented player this summer.
Graham plans to return to Weatherford for next season but can be recruited in the meantime. She said she's enjoying proving she belongs in the Northwoods League alongside players from high Division I programs.
"I think it makes me look more within and kind of tell myself to step up a little bit more and push myself harder," Graham said. "It's really awesome being around girls who already push themselves really hard. I think being able to see it for myself, too, and not living in that fantasy of wanting to go to a big-time school ... getting to see it on a level playing field is really awesome. It makes me hungry, and it makes me want to compete harder."
Graham says she's comfortable with a softball journey that has gone from Colorado to Long Island to Texas to North Dakota.
"It all points back to God for me, and I just feel He's led me here," Graham said. "I guess I'm just trying to fill out my purpose, and then see what is next. That has been really cool, getting to have a sick adventure. No complaints."
Graham is already excited about a return to Weatherford.
"There's room to do more next year and sharpen my skills," she said. "I could just rave about Weatherford and the coaching staff and the girls. It has been such an awesome landing place that has helped me find that mental edge again."
Continue reading...
University of Pittsburgh. University of Washington. San Diego State.
And then there's Weatherford College.
But so far this season, Grand Forks cleanup hitter Alex Graham, who attends the junior college in Texas, is showing she belongs amid those players with familiar college homes.
Graham is batting .438 with three multi-hit games through the first five games of the year. Her batting average dipped Monday night with a 1-for-4 showing but Graham hit a two-run home run in the first inning and flew out to the warning track to end the game. She also showcased a strong arm in right field, nearly throwing out a runner at first on a line-drive single to right in the series opener against Mankato.
"I think juco definitely made me hungry," Graham said. "I think going from a Division I back to juco ... just understanding like where my confidence lies, and not maybe having other people's validation, but having that for myself ... I think coming here and seeing a lot of great athletes repping great schools, just makes me have a little chip on my shoulder, wanting to prove to myself that I can fulfill those dreams of what's next."
Graham's softball career is a well-traveled career the past couple of years. A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Graham originally committed to Colorado State before pursuing an opportunity at Hofstra, a Division I program in New York.
After Hofstra's coach resigned, Graham transferred at semester break to Weatherford, where she hit .418 with a .503 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. She was an all-conference first team pick and all-tournament selection at the NJCAA Region 5 Tournament.
Spitfires head coach Aaron Alvarez had been pestering Weatherford assistant coach Chris Flanagan to send him a talented player this summer.
Graham plans to return to Weatherford for next season but can be recruited in the meantime. She said she's enjoying proving she belongs in the Northwoods League alongside players from high Division I programs.
"I think it makes me look more within and kind of tell myself to step up a little bit more and push myself harder," Graham said. "It's really awesome being around girls who already push themselves really hard. I think being able to see it for myself, too, and not living in that fantasy of wanting to go to a big-time school ... getting to see it on a level playing field is really awesome. It makes me hungry, and it makes me want to compete harder."
Graham says she's comfortable with a softball journey that has gone from Colorado to Long Island to Texas to North Dakota.
"It all points back to God for me, and I just feel He's led me here," Graham said. "I guess I'm just trying to fill out my purpose, and then see what is next. That has been really cool, getting to have a sick adventure. No complaints."
Graham is already excited about a return to Weatherford.
"There's room to do more next year and sharpen my skills," she said. "I could just rave about Weatherford and the coaching staff and the girls. It has been such an awesome landing place that has helped me find that mental edge again."
Continue reading...
