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Jacobs’ Lach headed to Butler

Jacobs softball coach Jeremy Bauer, a physical education teacher at the school, says it matters little which sport it is, Golden Eagles’ junior Alyssa Lach wants one thing — to win.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s floor hockey or what it is,” Bauer said. “Her competitiveness is where it starts. She wants to win.”

Lach, who burst onto the softball scene last spring in earning all-area honors, verbally committed over the weekend to accept a softball scholarship offer from Butler University in Indianapolis.

“The campus was beautiful,” said Lach of her decision. “It’s small and well put together. I got a chance to meet with the coaches and the team and I felt comfortable. It’s the highest level you can play at. It’s a great opportunity, like a dream come true.”

Lach was a mainstay at third base for Jacobs’ Elite Eight qualifier last season. She hit .417 with 4 home runs, 28 RBI, 13 doubles and 3 triples. She also had a .661 slugging percentage and a .441 on-base percentage in helping the Golden Eagles to a 25-14 record. She only struck out 3 times in 127 at-bats.

“She came in as a freshman and she was just hitting,” Bauer said, “but she’s developed into a very solid defensive player and a complete player. She’s been very dedicated to the small details in her hitting, changing her swing some, and improving.”

At Butler, Lach will join a program run by third-year coach Scott Hall. The Bulldogs, who play in the Atlantic-10 Conference, were 25-31 overall last year.

“Coach Hall really cares about the team and the program” said Lach, who also visited Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois Wesleyan and the University of Indianapolis. “He interacts with all the girls really well.

Lach has a 5.8 GPA and scored 30 on her ACT. She will study engineering at Butler.

A local connection didn’t hurt Butler any in landing Lach. She plays for Brad Dennison’s Bartlett Silver Hawks 18U travel team. Dennison’s daughter, Callie, is a junior infielder at the school. Callie Dennison was the honorary captain of the 2010 Daily Herald Fox Valley all-area team.

“Callie and Brad talked to coach and kept me in touch with him,” Lach said. “They helped a lot.”

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