Capone finds college home at Indiana State

Anyone watching the St. Charles North softball team win the Upstate Eight last year with a roster full of sophomores knew there was plenty potential Division I talent on that team.

The first one of those North Stars has found her college home.

Shortstop Natalie Capone, a flawless defender with blazing speed, has committed to Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind.

"I didn't see it coming," Capone said. "It was all a shock but I'm very excited. Everyone thinks it's (the decision) early but I don't think it is. We went to Texas to visit colleges and everyone down south had made a decision by this age."

Capone has been a starter at St. Charles North since her freshman year. She also plays for the Wasco Diamonds, and she thanked her coaches there Scott Mennie and Steve Cihlar for helping her land this scholarship.

"They have had the most impact," Capone said. "I just thank them and all my coaches and my parents. I'm really excited. I just know this is the right decision. I met the team (at Indiana State), it feels right."

Capone said she liked the players she met and that there weren't any cliques. She said the campus was easy to get around.

Also considering Iowa State, Central Methodist, Milwaukee of Engineering and Michigan State, it was the coaches and players in the program that made her decision easier.

"The coach was extremely nice, the assistant coaches really cool, younger, they knew what they were taking about," said Capone, who will major in nursing. "I met some girls and they were very welcoming there. Everyone is sisters there. That's something I want, none of the cliques and all the drama."

At Indiana State, she will join South Elgin graduate Kimberly Pierce.

Capone said she had a tournament every weekend this summer with the Diamonds. She still wants to work on adding a power stroke to her slap-hitting game, to get stronger, and also to become even more mentally tough.

Now which will be the next from that talented St. Charles North team to decide?

"I hope they all do soon," Capone said. "It's an exciting experience."