Lakewood's star pitcher has committed to the University of Wisconsin.
Future Wisconsin Badger sophomore Mariah Watts wears her Wisconsin shirt with pride on Feb. 10. Watts called Wisconsin’s softball head coach Yvette Healy and verbally committed on Feb. 4. RACHELLE GADDY | SNN
By ALEXANDRA DORN and BRIAN DOZIER
SNN Staff Writers
Strike 1, Strike 2, Strike 3….you’re out! Sophomore Mariah Watts has taken softball to the next level.
The 5’11 star pitcher on the Lakewood team recently verbally committed to the University of Wisconsin. There were multiple schools interested in her such as Houston University and University of Massachusetts, but in the end she chose Wisconsin.
“Being verbally committed means that you are committed to a college, but you can still visit other colleges if you change your mind, but it is highly unlikely. Verbals mean nothing until you sign as a senior; something can always happen before then,” said Watts.
Watts said she chose Wisconsin because of its journalism and mass communication program, which is what she would like to major in. “After visiting with the coaches I felt like I was at home and cozy,” said Watts.
Watts started playing softball at the age of 8 and has been playing competitively since the age of 12. Watts said her dad has had a huge impact on her playing softball.
“He takes me out to practice and to work out, encourages me, and financially has supported me by paying for my lessons,” said Watts.
Preparing for a game is not as easy as most people think it would be. Watts starts preparing normally the day before by getting her mind set. Before the game she stretches, takes a lap, warms up her arm and throws long tosses.
“The team has helped her prepare for the college level by having fun, not being as competitive as her travel ball team. It’s very low key, and she has more playing time,” said her coach on the Lakewood team, Haley Forsyth.
The reason Watts wanted to start playing softball is because her dad had her involved in multiple sports and when she saw her brothers playing T-ball she said she wanted to play. So her dad introduced her to softball. Watts likes playing softball for many reasons: its competitiveness, meeting new players, and traveling the world.
“Mariah is very talented, she’s been playing softball since I’ve known her,” said teammate Rachelle Gaddy.
