Segorski heads to Western Michigan

ESCANABA -- After she graduates at the end of this year, Escanaba's Carsyn Segorski will be taking her shortstop skills to Western Michigan University after she signed her letter of intent to attend and play softball at the Kalamazoo school Wednesday afternoon in the Escanaba High School Library.

"I'm really excited," Segorski said. "It's relieving to finally be official, and I just can't wait to get down there."

Segorski -- who at the moment is still undecided on her field of study -- mentioned Western's campus and the softball program's coaching staff as big parts of her decision to attend the school.

"I was really surprised by their campus," she said. "I loved the size of it, loved the way it looked, and I really loved the coaching staff.

"I think (the coaches) have a lot of energy. I love high-energy coaches, and they care a lot about the kids. It's a great program."

Segorski won't be alone when she heads south across the Mackinac Bridge, however, as her family will be moving to the Kalamazoo area with her. This, she said, should help make the move from high school to college a smooth transition.

"My family is actually moving down there with me, so that will make it a lot easier," she said. "So, I'll be close to home, so I don't think the transition is going to be too bad. It's going to be different, obviously, but I'm excited about it."

While she expects the on-field competition to be tougher at the college level, Segorski said her experience playing at a competitive high school level will help.

"It's going to be different. It's going to be intimidating, but I'm not that worried about it," she said. "I'm just really excited and ready to go!"

Before Segorski finishes up in Escanaba, though, she will have one more season under coach Andy Fields.

Fields -- who has watched Segorski grow from a quiet six-year into a leader of the Eskymos -- shared his excitement.

"It's a very proud moment for our program," Fields said. "I've known Carsyn since she was six years old, and it's a very proud moment for me. She would sit along the sidelines watching her sister play, and she was a very quiet girl when she was younger.

"I've watched her grow up, and she's become a leader of this program and she's a strong voice in our program. I'm nothing but proud of her today.

"She's the voice in the dugout, the voice on the field and the voice at the plate. She does it all for us. She means everything to the program."

Fields added that, all around, Western is gaining a great student at their school.

"They're very lucky," he said. "They're getting an excellent student-athlete. She's awesome in the classroom.

"And I couldn't be more proud of her. I can't say that enough."