Scarborough High senior Kelsey Griffin signed an NCAA national letter of intent last week in a ceremony at the high school. Griffin will be attending Iona College (New Rochelle, N.Y.) in the fall of 2007 where she will play for the Gaels Division I women’s softball team.
“My dream has always been to play at the top level (Division I),” said Griffin. “That was a big part of why I chose Iona, because it was a Division I program.”
The 17-year-old pitcher has devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy into her softball career. She’s played for a number of advanced level teams during the summer and fall and she constantly works to improve her skills.
“She’s already pitched in several national championship tournaments,” said her father (and Scarborough varsity softball coach) Tom Griffin. “She’s been pitching competitively at the national level for quite a while now.”
Griffin just completed a stint with the Southern Maine Flame 18U team where she played in 30 games and pitched 164 innings. She only gave up 18 runs and she walked just 19 batters during those appearances on the mound.
The skills and abilities she already possesses have made her an all-state softball pitcher in high school where she was named the SMAA “Player of the Year” in 2006.
She pitched in games for the Red Storm this past spring and she allowed only 10 runs in 84 innings of work.
“I think what makes Kelsey stand out is that she throws very hard,” said Coach Griffin. “She can overpower most of the kids.
“Kelsey has six or seven pitches and she has command of all of them. She puts tremendous movement on the ball and she doesn’t give her pitches away.”
With the signing and her college decision behind her, Griffin can now look forward to enjoying the remainder of her senior year at Scarborough. And that includes one last softball season this spring where she’ll help the Red Storm in their pursuit of a Class A state championship.
“Hopefully, this is a big year for us,” Griffin said.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
