Burlington’s Albamonte off to Indiana State

When the shoe fits wear it, the old saying goes, and Burlington Central senior softball standout Haley Albamonte has found what she believes will be the right fit.

A returning all-area player who can play a variety of positions, Albamonte committed recently to accept a softball scholarship from Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

“The welcome I got from the coach and the assistant coach, and how welcoming he was,” Albamonte said when asked what made Indiana State reach the top of her list. “The academics and the softball situation fit me perfectly.”

Indiana State will be under the leadership of new coach Shane Bouman this season, which gives Albamonte hope she can step right in in 2013 and play.

“I’ll have a fighting chance with everybody there,” said Albamonte, who plays for the Wasco Diamonds travel program. “If I work hard enough hopefully I’ll get a chance to play right away.”

Primarily an outfielder her first two years with the Rockets, Albamonte also caught and played third base last spring. An all-Big Northern East and Daily Herald All-Area selection, she hit .500 with 6 home runs, 31 RBI, 13 doubles and a triple. She had a .830 slugging percentage and a .519 on-base percentage for the 17-16 Rockets. She was a freshman starter on the 2009 Rockets’ team that took third place at the Class 3A state tournament.

“It was all about competing at the next level for Haley,” said BC coach Cray Allen. “She had a plan in place and she followed that plan. She worked her tail off academically and on the softball field and I’m just very happy for her. She’s prepared herself well for the next level. She’s a leader and a real go-getter.”

At Indiana State Albamonte, who will study special education and elementary education, will join a Sycamores program now coached by Bouman, a former head coach at South Dakota State and a former pitching coach at Iowa. Kim Pierce, the 2009 Daily Herald All-Area softball captain from South Elgin, is currently a junior at Indiana State. Pierce hit .322 for the Sycamores last season, second best on the 15-33 team.

“It just feels right,” said Albamonte of Terre HaAlute and ISU. “Everyone is so welcoming. It’s a group of girls I want to play softball with for four years so I become a better softball player and get my degree.”

Albamonte also considered Tennessee Tech, Western Illinois, Augustana, Cornell, Central Methodist and Lindenwood in her search.

Cramer to Trinity: Harvest Christian Academy senior Kali Cramer has signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball on scholarship at Trinity International University in Deerfield. This past season Cramer helped the Lions to a 25-12 record and an appearance in the Class 1A Elite Eight in their first year of IHSA competition.