NEW MADISON – Tri-Village senior outfielder Emma Cantrell, the daughter of Jennifer Slone and step-father Brett Sloan signed to play softball for the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) while continuing her education with studies in Marketing.
“I’m excited for the experience,” Cantrell said of her choice of schools. “They have a lot of fun, they travel to Florida, they do a lot of things. I’m excited for the experience there.”
“Speed, hitting left-handed, she has a lot of good things that she can contribute to the team,” said Tri-Village softball coach Emily Osborne. “We are happy for her and wish her all the best.”
Osborne, the lone Lady Patriots senior, brings leadership to the highly successful Tri-Village varsity softball program.
“She had to step into the role of senior as an individual,” Osborne noted. “There is just one of them, and that takes a lot to be able to step into that role and have the opportunity to lead the whole team. She does that well. She stays positive and always encouraging, and helps where she can.”
Osborne lost her sophomore season due to a knee injury, but it did not keep the speedy outfielder from returning for her final two seasons of play.
“She has learned over the years how to switch sides, especially after the injury, coming back and being strong,” Coach Osborne said. “That is definitely something in her story that she shows that she’s able to come back after the knee injury and fight back to be such a strong athlete all around with speed on the bases.”
UNOH was an easy choice for Cantrell, choosing the school after one visit to the Lima campus.
“It was the first visit that I went on,” Cantrell stated. “A nice campus, they have a good softball program, and not only that, they are pretty inexpensive, so that was my thought process into it.”
Cantrell expects to be used in the outfield, the position she plays for the Tri-Village Lady Patriots.
“I want to thank my travel ball coaches for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best,” Cantrell concluded. “They’re the reason why I’m continuing my softball career.”
