Amanda Arnold has been playing softball for a long time, so it should be no surprise that the Philipsburg-Osceola senior is going to play in college.
Arnold, a first baseman, will continue her career at Division II Seton Hill University in Greensburg. She chose the Griffins over UPJ.
"It was really nice when I went down there," Arnold said. "I really like the softball program. I went to a softball clinic when I was there. I'm really excited about the distance. It's only about two hours away."
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"I think she made a good choice," P-O coach Jim Gonder said. "She's a real hard worker, and she's really improved her game."
Arnold, who hit .392 for the Lady Mounties last season after transferring from West Branch, is hitting close to .440 this season.
"She's getting better," Gonder said. "She always had power, but she has a real good short game now. She can drag bunt. Teams are having a real tough time when they pitch to her. She's a great kid to coach."
"I'm doing OK," Arnold said. "I wish I was doing a little bit better. I have one or two stupid errors at first, and I could be hitting a little better too."
Arnold expects to compete right away for a starting position.
"I feel good about it," she said. "I have a good chance of playing a lot. The coach doesn't guarantee a spot. Last year, they taught somebody how to play first base. I'm really looking forward to it."
Arnold's high school program regularly makes runs at District 6 titles, and last year she started in the Class AA state championship game against Nanticoke, a 3-1 winner in 11 innings over the Lady Mounties.
"I think playing here has helped out tremendously," she said. "I probably wouldn't be able to play in college if we didn't do as a good as we do."
Arnold plans to major in biology, which would be a daunting task for somebody who wasn't playing softball.
"My No. 1 concern is balancing softball and school," Arnold said, "but I should be OK."
