SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Emma Schweigert’s softball career started as a kid playing wiffle ball with family and friends in the backyard.
It continued through youth leagues, as she eventually earned a spot as a 14-year-old on the East Coast Elite 18U Gold travel team based in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
Later, her eye-popping numbers at Schuylkill Haven High School and her travel ball excellence drew attention from college coaches.
Including Ron Shoemaker at La Salle University.
Last December, Schweigert gave Shoemaker and the program a verbal commitment.
During Wednesday’s NCAA early signing period, Schweigert made it official that she will be a member of the Explorers’ recruiting Class of 2015.
“I really liked the coach a lot and the atmosphere of the school,’’ Schweigert said. “It’s right outside of Philly and Philly is awesome. I thought it was the right school for me.’’
During her visits to La Salle, Schweigert said she felt at home. The more time she spent with the program, the more certain she became of her choice.
“I got the sense the team was more of a family, just a really comforting, warming feeling went with the team,’’ Schweigert said. “I was really comfortable right away, and they were down to Earth.
“I got the opportunity to talk to some of the players’ parents and they said how much their daughters liked the team and the coach,’’ she added. “That made me feel really good about my decision.’’
An 18-year-old from Auburn, Schweigert was recruited as an outfielder. She’s played all over the diamond in high school, including center field, shortstop and catcher.
“I definitely like playing center field the best,’’ she said.
Schweigert hasn’t decided on a major yet.
She’s got time for that.
Meanwhile, she’s doing everything possible to get ready for the demands of Division I softball. She said she did La Salle-style workouts all summer and will be continuing winter training in between contributing to the Hurricanes’ girls’ basketball team.
In the spring, she’ll have one final opportunity to club Schuylkill League pitching like she’s done in the first three years of her career.
A Republican-Herald Co-Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Schweigert was an All-Area first-teamer the past two seasons. She raised her batting average each season, from .452 as a freshman, to .490 as a sophomore, to .584 last spring.
Overall, she has a career average of .503 (81-for-161) with 65 runs scored, 14 home runs and 77 RBIs in 61 games.
“It’s kind of a relief,’’ Schweigert said of signing her letter of intent. “I don’t want to stop want to working and training.
“I don’t want to be content just going there,’’ she added. “I want to go and be successful and hopefully contribute as a freshman.’’
As she’s grown as a player, Schweigert has become a tougher and tougher out. Last spring she didn’t give at-bats away, going 28-for-48 with eight homers and 37 RBIs in 20 games. She took what pitchers gave her, walking 19 times in posting a .713 on-base average.
When she got a good pitch to hit, she didn’t miss it.
In the summer, Schweigert serves as a captain for East Coast Elite Gold and would like to build her leadership qualities going forward.
“I’m getting better as a player, mentally getting better, knowing the game and understanding the game better,’’ she said.
A turning point in Schweigert’s career came when she tried out for and made East Coast Elite 18U Gold. She was just going into her freshman year and graduating from the 14U level. Schweigert recalled a conversation she and her dad, Tim, had after she made the team. He said this was the real deal and if she wanted to be a Division I player, she had to commit herself to the game.
She never looked back.
“I just fell in love with (softball) since I was little,’’ Schweigert said. “I love hitting.
“I just feel really good all of this hard work paid off,’’ she added. “I thought (playing Division I) was a little unrealistic when I was younger.
“Since I attained my goal, I couldn’t be any happier with my decision.’’