When Krista Colburn watched the UCLA softball team play in the College World Series as a youngster, she knew she wanted to play for the Bruins someday.
Colburn, a versatile player for the Kamiak High School softball team, realized her long-time dream recently by signing an NCAA letter of intent to play for 10-time national-champion UCLA.
“It’s always been my dream to go to UCLA,” said Colburn, who chose the Bruins over California, Washington, Oregon State and Oklahoma. “My heart knew where I wanted to go.”
The fact that UCLA is the defending national champion certainly didn’t hurt.
Colburn dominated as a junior pitcher at Kamiak last season, posting a 12-3 record with a 0.40 earned-run averaged and 142 strikeouts in 109 regular-season innings. She is expected to play infield for outfield for the Bruins.
“I doubt I’ll pitch unless everyone gets hurt,” chuckled Colburn, who plays shortstop when she doesn’t pitch for the Knights.
Colburn batted third in the order for the Knights last season, hitting .465 with four triples, three home runs and a .620 on base percentage. Kamiak coach Rachel Kane said the Bruins were drawn by Colburn’s power potential, work ethic and leadership.
“You can barely see the ball go out of the infield, it comes off her bat so hard,” Kane said. “It’s not just once or a couple of times. She hits it that way every time.”
Colburn’s catcher, Kelly Baugh, will also play college softball. Baugh, who hit .320 last season as a junior, signed a letter of intent last week to play at Western Washington.
Colburn will be the second local softball player in two years to join a national champion. Shorecrest standout Kristina Thorson pitched for Cal – the 2002 champion – as a freshman last season.
Pacific-10 scholarships have generally been tough to earn for softball players in the Pacific Northwest. Pac-10 schools have dominated college softball, winning 17 of 22 national titles.
“We don’t get to play all year-round like the players in California,” Colburn said. “It’s tough for players up here, definitely.
“I feel like my hard work has finally paid off, but in reality, my hard work is only beginning.”
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