Republic softball pitcher Stephanie Eckhoff will continue her softball career at Fort Scott Community College. Eckhoff was a first-team all-conference and all-district performer during her senior season last fall at Republic.
“She really stepped it up and became a leader, and did things the way we wanted her to do,” says coach Lee Dishman, who took over the head coaching job last season. “I think her teammates are proud of her, I know her parents are very, very proud of her.”
Eckhoff joins a team that is facing a lot of turnover next year, one season after Fort Scott hired coach Kristin Schalk in July, and Schalk had to scramble to get enough players for her team.
“There’s 20 girls signed for next year, so I’m excited to see what it’s like,” says Eckhoff. “When I went to the college, I absolutely loved it. It’s a small-town college, and Republic is a small town.
“I’m excited to play with different girls from all over, because (Schalk) has girls signed from everywhere, and people I’ve never met before,” says Eckhoff. “All of her (new) girls are travel-ball players, so I think we should have a good year next year.”
