Burlington Central's Kisch picks Upper Iowa

Burlington Central junior Emily Kisch became the third Fox Valley area underclass softball player in the past week to commit to a scholarship when she gave coach Amanda Bradberry her verbal commitment to attend school and play for Upper Iowa University.

Upper Iowa is an NCAA Division II school in Fayette, Iowa, that plays in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Kisch made academics as much a part of her decision as softball.

"I want to major in criminal justice and minor in forensics and Upper Iowa has a really good program for both," said Kisch, whose father is a Streamwood police officer.

"When I visited the campus it was like another family. It's a great atmosphere and the coach is really friendly and outgoing and easy to get along with."

Kisch is a versatile player who is a two-time all-area player for the Rockets. The right-hander was 9-4 last season, helping BC to a 22-10 season and a regional championship. Also an outfielder, she hit .350 with 3 home runs, 34 RBI and 8 doubles.

"Upper Iowa is getting a player who can pitch and play outfield positions as well as hit," said former Rockets' coach Wade Maisto, who retired after last season. "She will help them win games in a variety of ways."

At Upper Iowa Kisch hopes to continue to be a versatile player.

"I hope to pitch and play the outfield," she said. "With hitting, I'll have to show them I can hit."

Kisch credits several of her coaches for helping her achieve her scholarship.

"Jill Waldron, my pitching coach," Kisch said "I've been with her since I was nine years old and she taught me how to pitch. My hitting coach Bill Morrow worked with me since I was really young and Shawn Geary, my coach with the Wasco Diamonds, he developed me as a player.

"And my family has really supported me and put up with me being gone all the time for softball. I really appreciate it."

Upper Iowa, which was where former Burlington Central pitching standout Erica Maisto played, was 21-28 last year in Bradberry's second season and 13-13 in the NSIC. Bradberry played collegiately at Iowa State.