Kayla Wild to pitch for Capital Crusaders

Published by Tecumseh Herald on Thu, 03/24/2016 - 1:38pm
By: 
Mickey Alvarado

Kayla Wild (seated, center) committed to attend Capital University to pitch for the Crusaders softball team. She was supported by her mother and father (seated), Cheryl and Brian Wild and coaches (standing, l-r) Paul Kane and Jeff Nowak. Photo by Mickey Alvarado.

There is an entire varsity softball season ahead of Tecumseh High School senior pitcher Kayla Wild, but she is already making plans to play at the collegiate level at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.
 
She expects to pitch for the Capital Crusaders, a Division III university, as well as cover at least one other position when not in the circle. 
 
Capital University touts itself as being a comprehensive, independent university, grounded in the Lutheran tradition. It offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, sciences and professions.
 
She selected the university because of the interest it showed in having her join the program and it offers degrees in the field of her choice. Wild will study business and marketing.
 
The Crusaders have had four NCAA tournament appearances, the last in 2013, and were regular season Ohio Athletic League champions in 2002 and 2013.
 
Wild thinks she may have a shot at a starting position. She said the Crusaders’ key pitcher is a junior who has a back injury. “She hurt her back so she can’t play this season,” Wild said. “So, they are relying on a sophomore who hasn’t seen much time in the circle.”
 
In her final season with the Indians, Wild is hopeful the team will advance to state play again like it did when she was a freshman and sophomore. She wants to be in the circle as much as possible to help make that happen and will also gladly cover another position when not pitching. However, she is crossing her fingers that it is not at first base again.
 
In the off-season, Wild competes in bowling and has had quite a lot of success. She advanced to the state singles semifinals this year before ending the season and the year before at state was the runner up in Division II.
 
Tecumseh varsity softball head coach Jeff Nowak said Wild has been a solid player for the Indians the past three seasons and he believes she’ll be a major factor in the team’s success this year.
 
“A lot will be put on her shoulders this year to pitch for us,” he said. “Hopefully, she’ll win some big games for us.”
 
He said Wild has been working hard during the off-season so he hopes it will all pay off in her final season with the Indians.
 
“Last year she also played first base, mainly,” Nowak said. “This year, I think we’ll have a little more diversity in where she plays. She could play some other positions in the infield. Time will tell.”

Tags:

Category:

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
517-423-2174
800-832-6443

Email Us

FacebookTwitter

Latest articles

Please Login for Premium Content