Cascade senior Ella Thompson is all smiles as she signs her letter of intent to continue her softball career at UT-Southern. (Photo courtesy of David Smith)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
Ella Thompson’s connection with UT-Southern head softball coach helped solidify her decision on where she wanted to play college softball.
After committing to UT-Southern last summer, Thompson made it official last fall and signed her letter of intent to continue her career with the Firebirds, starting this fall.
“I am so excited. I committed there back in late July or early August and I truly love Coach Murphy (Davis). She’s really awesome and going on that visit really showed me why I wanted to go there. I was super excited to know that was getting offered, so I could go play at the next level because that’s been my dream since I was little was to play collegiate softball,” Thompson said.
UT-Southern wasn’t initially on her radar, some quick research on the school and getting to know the coaching staff made the decision easy for Thompson.
“In the early the part of my creating process, I didn’t really know about UT-Southern until I did some research and then one of my friends actually goes there and play softball. And I got in contact with the coach and she came to watch me during one of my travel games during the summer and then I went to a camp And that’s how it happened. I took my visit, and I knew immediately, I wanted to go there,” she said.
Thompson has been playing softball since she was seven and ever since picking up a bat in the backyard with her dad, has been playing ever since.
“I started playing softball when I was seven years old and I started swinging a bat, a plastic ball and a plastic bat when I was about three. I played in the backyard with my dad, and because he played baseball in high school. And when I started playing, I was seven. I really knew I was like this is super fun like I want to keep playing, and I kind of want to be like my dad,” she said.
Having made her decision, Thompson now can put her entire focus on finishing her career with Cascade as a senior this spring.
“I got to go through at least the first part of my senior year without having to worry about where I’m going to go to school because I know I’m going to UT-Southern. It just feels so good to be able to play and represent not only my current school, but my future school too,” she said.
Thompson’s versatility on the lineup should help get her on the field sooner at UT-Southern.
“Well, the main thing is you have to be able to hit the ball and I consider myself a good hitter. I’m a catcher and utility so I can fly anywhere in the field but I love to catch, but I’m ready to play anywhere they need me to play,” she said.
While she will have to fight for her playing time, Thompson said she’s ready for whatever challenges the coaching staff can throw her way to get on the field.
“I’m definitely gonna have to earn my spot and work my way. But I’m ready for whatever challenge is to have to face,” she said.
Throughout her time playing in her career so far, Thompson said her favorite memory has been just traveling to different locations and seeing new people and places.
“My favorite memory is probably travel and just get into play with some amazing girls. Because I play with some of the most amazing people in school and travel, but I have some amazing travel coaches, and I’ve met a lot of great people and just getting to experience that travel all over the country playing has just really stood out to me. I just I feel like that’s really been the biggest impact on my journey so far,” she said.
Thompson hopes to pursue a degree in psychology and to one day become a sports psychologist.
