On Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, Souderton seniors Mollie Burrell and Corrine Stiles were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to play softball at the collegiate level.
Mollie Burrell – Philadelphia University (Softball)
Major: Health Sciences
Final list of colleges: Philadelphia University, Muhlenberg, York
Reasons for choosing Philadelphia University: “I chose Philadelphia University because I feel it offers me opportunities to excel not only academically but also athletically. Coach Joseph Long is a new coach there, and he’s planning on changing the program. He offered me an opportunity to become one of the main players to change the program. I’m very excited for these opportunities, and I’d like to thank my parents and my coaches.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate softball? “I started t-ball when I was five and worked my way up through travel in Harleysville. I think I really started getting serious about it when I started catching and really began putting a lot of time into it when I was 13 or 14 years old. The position really clicked for me and fit my personality. I wanted to take it more seriously and made it a goal of mine and a dream of mine to play in college, and thankfully enough, I’m here.”
Coach Courtney Hughes said: “Mollie is that kid that does everything the right way. She works hard, and she’s a smart kid, so she finds ways to use the talents she has and has made herself a good ball player using those talents. She might not have all the glamour and glitz as some other kids talent-wise, but she has worked crazy hard for everything she was able to accomplish. People respect her because of how hard she works and the effort she puts in and the attitude she carries.
“Mollie loves the game, and she’s a student of the game. Even this year when she was injured and working with coach (Stephanie) Rummel on the sidelines, she would really get down on herself if something wasn’t working and she was the one calling the game. She was really frustrated when she wasn’t able to be behind the plate calling the game because it was a different view. Mollie and Rummel would talk all the time about what they were calling, why they were calling it and what wasn’t working. You couldn’t stop Mollie from having a conversation about calling the game. The pitchers had so much trust in her because they know how hard she works at being a good pitch caller. It’s not something you just get. You have to work at it, and Mollie understood that.”
About Mollie:
Favorite food: Anything Italian that my Nona makes
Favorite movie: A League of Their Own
Favorite music: Drake
Corrine Stiles – Brevard College (Softball)
Major: Exercise Science
Final list of colleges: Brevard, Mars Hill, Lenoir-Rhyne
Reasons for choosing Brevard: “When I went to visit Brevard, I was really excited, but I also was nervous. The team really accepted me, and they didn’t try and sell me on playing softball there. They tried to sell me on being there at the school. When I met some of the professors, I got really excited. I had visited a bunch of schools, but after I visited Brevard, I said, ‘I’m done. I don’t need to go anywhere else.’ I’m excited, and I think the best part is I get to play against my sister (Alycia) next year.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate softball? “I started playing when I was little. My home away from home was the softball field, so I always wanted to play in college. It was a dream of mine, and then seeing my sister to do it was really exciting. I’m excited that it worked out.”
Coach Courtney Hughes said: “Corrine started as a catcher this year when Mollie was injured. She was ready to fill the void for us, and that’s the kind of kid Corrine is. She has a lot of spunk, and she wants to be on the field. She doesn’t care where. She just wants to be on the field. Last year she really wanted to play shortstop, but we ended up putting her at second base just because the combination worked for us. Corrine never complained about it. In her own way, she would let you know she still was a shortstop, but she would never say it negatively. She was a jovial kid and liked to make the jokes. She had that way about her and gave us the spunk and edge we needed last year.
“We ended up moving her to second this year when Paige Shelly got hurt. We needed a leader in the infield, and that’s why we put her back there. I think she will either catch or play outfield at Brevard, but my guess is she will earn a spot in the infield once they give her a chance.”
About Corinne:
Favorite food: Grilled Cheese
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite music: Anything country
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