Sorcerer 18 Gold - Mumma

Sorcerer outfielder Emily Allard has verbally committed to accept a softball scholarship to Northwestern University. Allard gave her commitment to Wildcats head coach Kate Drohan on March 25.

A nationally-recruited prospect, Allard recently concluded a series of unofficial visits to schools in the Midwest, including a close look at Northwestern's Evanston, IL campus. She was impressed by the university's combination of a top-rank educational reputation, coupled with its elite softball status, she said. "I really liked the school and its setting - Evanston - and I loved the coaches and players. Twelve players on this year's team will still be there when I get to school, which is terrific."

"Northwestern is getting a great recruit in Emily," Sorcerer head coach Phil Mumma said. First, they will have a true student-athlete, which fits neatly into Coach Drohan's recruiting philosophy. And despite the fact that Emily is already very good, she is a hard worker and has great potential for further improvement."

A junior at Deer Valley High School in Antioch, CA, Emily is both a hard-throwing pitcher for the Wolverines, as well as league co-MVP in basketball. But it is as a speedy softball bunter-slapper that she excels. "We decided to make her into a full-time left-handed hitter last March, and she just took off as an offensive threat," Mumma said. "With 2.7 sec. speed home-to-first she can disrupt defenses. But now that she is learning to drive the ball, as well, she is incredibly difficult to defend."

Northwestern has returned as a national softball power under the guidance of Drohan and her sister Caryl. Once prominent in the sport during the 1980s, the Wildcats experienced a number of subsequent lean years in the sport. When the Drohan's took over the program in 2002, they set their goals high - an NCAA national championship. The Wildcats reached the WCWS finals in 2006, losing to Arizona, as the staff was named NFCA coaching staff of the year. Northwestern reached the semi-finals again last year.

Allard becomes the tenth player on this summer's Sorcerer squad to sign or commit to a major Division I program.

Way to go, Em. Everyone with Sorcerer is very proud of you!