For Coldwater's Brooklyn Kerry, Alma College softball feels like home
Sports has always been a big part of Brooklyn Kerry’s life and just being on the softball field seemed to always bring a smile to her face. That’s why it came as no surprise that Kerry has decided to continue her athletic career at the college level and what better place to do that than one that feels just like home. Kerry looked around and found many different and amazing places to potentially play college softball but, in the end, it will be Alma College that Kerry will call home as the Coldwater outfielder signed her commitment letter to play for the Alma College Scots softball team next season.
“I chose Alma because it was the college that felt most like home,” said Kerry. “When I got there, I knew I saw myself attending there and it was where I felt most comfortable. There were a few other colleges I was looking at, don’t get me wrong, all of the colleges I visited each had their own thing that I loved, but in the end, I think that the Alma coach (Denny Griffin) had a big role in my decision. From the get-go he wanted me to be a part of the team and he saw the potential and made me step out of my comfort zone.”
The potential is indeed present when it comes to Kerry who held down a spot near the middle of the Coldwater batting order while patrolling the outfield like a junkyard dog protecting its territory. Kerry was honored by the coaches of the Interstate 8 with First Team All-Conference honors in addition to earning All District and All Regional honors for her work in the outfield for the Cardinals this season.
Few outfielders can cover the ground that Kerry does in center field, as very few hits to the outfield seemed to be out of her reach. Kerry finished her senior season with a total of 54 putouts and three assists in 58 chances with only one error for a fielding percentage of .983. Kerry was no slouch at the plate either this season, batting a robust .372 for the year, recording 42 hits in 113 at-bats with 26 singles, 13 doubles, and three triples to go along with 25 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
For Kerry, choosing Alma College came down to comfort, and her parents agreed with that wholeheartedly. “My parents wanted me to go to the school that felt most comfortable to me and what made me happy. Yes of course we had to also look into things financially, but at the end of the day it was mostly about where I wanted to go.”
Kerry will now take her talents to Alma College with the intent of majoring in Communications. However, she has also looked into the Sports Management courses that Alma offers.
“After college I would like to stick more around sports,” added Kerry. “I don’t know what exactly yet, but sports have always been a big part of my life and I’d like to continue that.”
Looking back at her time at Coldwater it was tough to pick just one moment that she will remember the most as there are so many great memories. “I would say a lot of them (moments) would be during softball. Every time I was either at practice or during a game, or even just around my teammates, I had a smile on my face at some point.”
In Kerry’s own opinion the biggest adjustment moving from high school to college will “be leaving the people I’ve been around pretty much my whole life. But I know I will meet so many new people in college, so I think that, and just adjusting to a new environment.”
Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer once said, “You can’t win if nobody catches the ball in the outfield. You’re only as good as the team you have behind you. Losing is no disgrace if you’ve given your best.” If that’s accurate, if a team truly is only as good as the team you have behind you then the Alma College Scots and their new center fielder are in for a lot of winning.
Congratulations to Coldwater’s Brooklyn Kerry on her decision to further her academic and athletic career at Alma College.
Get To Know Your Recruit
Name: Brooklyn Kerry
School: Coldwater High School
College: Alma College
Major: Communications
Favorite Food: My favorite food at the moment would probably be salmon, though it honestly changes all the time, I love food
Favorite TV Show: The 100 or Vampire Diaries
Hobbies: During my off time I like to play sand volleyball, go on bike rides, walk my dog, and hang out with my friends.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: For Coldwater's Brooklyn Kerry, Alma College softball feels like home
